Best Hiking Trails in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Overview

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache is a sprawling national forest east of Salt Lake City, Utah. It encloses the famed High Unitas Wilderness. The almost 2.5 million acre forest extends over much of northern Utah into parts of southeastern Idaho and southwestern Wyoming. This national forest is named for the Uintaat Indians, early relatives of the modern Ute Tribe, and a combination of the Ute word "Wasatch," meaning "a low place in high mountains," and the French word "Cache," meaning "to hide."

The forest includes a number of notable hikes and 12K and 13K peaks to summit, including the highest peak in Utah, King's Peak

Getting Started

Pick one of the hikes on this page, and park near the trailhead. You can enter the park from several places, depending on where you want to go.

When to Go

Early July-October.

Permits

While hiking and backpacking in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache doesn't require a permit generally, the High Uintas and 8 other designated Wilderness Areas in the parks can have permit requirements for overnight camping. Read about special places in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache.

Dog Info

All dogs must be on a leash in all campgrounds, picnic areas, and trailheads at all times. Pets are not allowed in swimming areas. No dogs at Little and Big Cottonwood Canyon, City Creek Canyon, Emigration Canyon, Parley's Canyon (north & east of Mountain Dell Reservoir), Little and Big Willow Creek and South Fork of Dry Creek because it is part of critical watershed for Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County.

Also, due to its popularity with mountain bikers, Millcreek Canyon has special dog regulations: dogs must be leashed on even-numbered days and may be off-leash on odd days ONLY. Dogs must be leashed on all days in developed areas: picnic grounds, parking lots, roads, and housing developments.