Salt Lake City is known worldwide for its proximity to mountain fun, but most people don't realize that the city provides direct access to hikes.
Even more people don't realize how perfect fall is for hiking in Salt Lake City! Gorgeous fall foliage is in full swing, the weather is cool and pleasant, and tourist crowds have almost completely vanished.
Here's our list of 7 Family-Friendly Salt Lake City Hikes:
1. Ensign Peak
Why families love it: It's the perfect choice to get a total panoramic view of Downtown Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake Valley, and the surrounding mountains, including the Wasatch Mountains, Oquirrh Mountains, and Great Salt Lake after just a short hike.
Get out and explore nature while also enjoying one fo the best spots for views of the valley. Doable for all ages because of it's short distance. A great choice from Spring to Fall.
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Length: 0.8 miles
Location: Navigate to Ensign Peak Trail, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
2. Mount Olympus
Why families love it: Ready to break a sweat? This is a challenging hike starting right in the Salt Lake Valley is long, but SO rewarding. Younger kids can hike to the shoulder or part-way and still get a breathtaking view. Older kids love the challenging rock scramble to reach the very top!
Difficulty Rating: Hard
Length: 6.3 miles
Location: Navigate to Mount Olympus Trailhead, 5789 Wasatch Blvd, Holladay, UT 84121
3. City Creek Canyon
Why families love it: Next door to downtown is a quiet wilderness getaway. This canyon is a great way for all ages to get some exercise while enjoying close proximity to Downtown Salt Lake's busiest area. It's an out and back trail, so you can hike however much of it you want.
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Length: 5.9 miles
Location: Navigate to City Creek Canyon Trailhead, City Creek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84103. Click here for parking information.
4. The Living Room Lookout
Why families love it: This hike is suitable for both young and old, offering another great view of the Salt Lake Valley and is easily accessible from the Salt Lake City Area. It's a beautiful hike, and we recommend doing it in the evening because of the gorgeous sunset views.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Length: 2.3 miles
Location: Navigate to The Living Room Trailhead, 383 Colorow Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Why families love it: This is a flat, wheelchair-accessible loop around Salt Lake City's largest, most beautiful, and most beloved park. This park has an aviary, carnival rides, pond with paddle boats, a splash pad, and an expansive playground area.
It's a perfect paved walk for everyone from little ones to older family members, and the large parking lot makes it accessible at all times of day.
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Length: 1.4 miles
Location: Navigate to Liberty Park, 600 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Why families love it: Cecret Lake is a hidden gem that can be one of the most scenic hikes on the list, especially in the late summer months when the wildflowers bloom. It's a fairly easy hike with little elevation gain, making it great for young hikers.
This hike is located near Solitude in Little Cottonwood Canyon, and takes you to the beautiful Cecret Lake in the Albion Basin. The stunning views of both wildflowers and the lake are perfect for introducing both younger and older children to the great outdoors.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Length: 1.8 miles out and back trail
Location: Navigate up the canyon road to the Cecret Lake campground and trailhead parking lot. There is overflow parking located at the Albion base area parking lot if this one is full.
This is another favorite kid-friendly hike near Salt Lake City. Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, this beautiful trail offers wildlife sightings. The trail is popular and well-maintained because it is a great spot to hike with younger children.
Donut Falls is a protected watershed, so swimming in the falls is not permitted. However, it's the perfect location for taking photos!
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Length: 3.3-mile out-and-back
Location: 9 miles up the Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. Watch for a turnoff to the right at the 8.9-mile mark to find the trailhead. There should be a gated road to the falls and Jordan Pines Campground.
