PRACTICAL WANDERLUST
The mountains surrounding Salt Lake City are one of the best places to go skiing and snowboarding in Utah; but in the spring, summer, and fall, they're a hikers paradise.
Salt Lake City is encircled by two looming mountain ranges - the Wasatch Mountains to the east and north ranges and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west.
The Ogden Waterfall Hike leads to one of the few waterfalls in the Rocky Mountains of Utah you can actually climb into!
From the Ensign Peak overlook, you can see all the way across the city to the Oquirrh mountains on the other side of the Salt Lake Valley. Ensign Peak is one hike EVERYONE does; consider it a right of literal passage!
The Living Room Hike is so named because of the rocks that are in the shape of loveseats, couches and lounge chairs at the top.
I recommend doing the Donut Falls hike around mid-afternoon so that you can scramble over to the waterfall and see the donut with the light shining through it perfectly.
The Willow Lake Trail is a favorite for backpackers, as you can pack in your camping gear and camp near the lake.
Despite its name, it’s actually a highly trafficked area (which in hiking just means the trail is easy to follow), and for good reason - the payoff at the end is this gorgeous little lake tucked right up against the mountain.