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    Ensign Peak Park

    4.7 (111 reviews)
    Open 5:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Ensign Peak Park Photos

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    Reviews With Photos - Ensign Peak Park

    Ensign Peak monument
    Nathan B.

    Trivia: On July 26th, 1847, this person and seven others used Ensign Peak to survey the land below. Technically (and I guess this means I like to be to be credit for all my miles) this hike started at my hotel so the whole adventure was about 6 or 7 miles. All uphill to Ensign and then all downhill. I'm guessing that the trail itself was under 1.5 miles, bottom to top back to bottom. It basically curls up and brings you to the peak from the backside. Delightful bunches of mountain sage can be picked and enjoyed near the top. One of my favorite smells. The trail itself IS uphill. But it's relatively short. If you're from out of town and live closer to sea level, remember that SLC sits above 4000 feet. So plan some extra time as your lungs will thank you. It's a busy trail. And while decently spacious at the top, it's not going to likely be a place of solitude.

    Isaac R.

    Ensign Peak Nature Park is an easy and enjoyable hike, even if you're not in the best shape. The trail is nice and not too long, and the payoff at the top is amazing, you get a beautiful, panoramic view of the entire Salt Lake City valley. Totally worth the effort for the scenery and the experience!

    Me at the top looking south out over the Salt Lake Valley
    Michael T.

    Not too difficult to find. I hiked this trail to Ensign Peak in autumn. Carried my oldest son on my back. Let him run and play on the trail at times. He was very young. I wanted him to experience hiking in the west. The trail wasn't crowded in October. The trail isn't long, but it is kind of steep. At the top, you can see all across the Salt Lake Valley on clear days when the skies are clear. You can look west and see Antelope Island and the Great Salt Lake. You can look south and see the city below the viewpoint. Looking east, you can see the Wasatch Mountains and the University of Utah on the foothills.

    View
    El H.

    The hike was difficult for me because I struggle with elevation, but it was so worth it once I got to the top.

    View from the peak
    Jim W.

    Ensign Peak is a public park just north of Salt Lake City. It was here the Brigham Young laid out the rough plan for the new city, since the spot has a commanding view of the land between the mountains and the lake. You park along the residential street adjacent to the park. I guess you could park a bit further away (near the capitol building, for instance) and walk further up too. Once you enter the park, there is a small level plaza with some plaques. You can ascend a few stairs and an incline (maybe you gain 25 - 30 feet in altitude) to the lower overlook. It is pretty close. Some of our party opted to wait there. If you choose the hike to the top, it is around a mile and a quarter, I think (about 2 km). The trail is not paved, but is well worn. I don't know the exact altitude gain, but it is probably on the order of at least 250 feet, maybe somewhat more. At the top there is a larger monument. You can see further to the south (than at the lower points) and you can even see the plaza and the street where you likely parked. I think it took us around 40 minutes up and back. It is easier if you have hiking boots (just to avoid slips on the descent) but I did it in sneakers. If you want a moderate but short hike with great views, this is a good spot to check out.

    Danny N.

    The hike up to the top is not bad. It might take 40 minutes depending on your pace. I rested a few times so it took a bit longer. It's worth the sweat and workout to the top. The view is really nice! Parking available on the street!

    Lloyd C.

    Ensign Peak Park was recommended to be checked out by the Mormon sisters of LDS. Earlier, we went on a tour. [Taken from the web] "Ensign Peak is a prominent hill on the northern edge of the Salt Lake Valley. On July 26, 1847, two days after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young and seven other pioneer leaders climbed the hill to survey the valley. From its summit, they laid out in their minds the city they intended to build." You can park in the residential area of the neighborhood of some very nice homes! The trailhead is easily accessed from the street. The views overseeing Salt Lake City are breaktaking. We went on the Vista Mound trail - fairly easy but with an slight incline.

    View
    Jacob T.

    Super easy and accessible overlook for views of the city and the mountains at the same time.

    Plaque at the top of the mountain
    Nathan D.

    Fun hike near downtown Salt Lake City, about a 10 minute drive that takes you up past the capital building. Pretty easy hike if you're in shape, doable even if you aren't. Takes about 25 minutes to climb up and 15 to get back down. Definitely worth doing if you are staying downtown!

    Keshante A.

    I wanted to experience an awesome nature view, and Ensign Peak kept coming up in my searches! I'm not a hiker and I read it was a fairly easy hike to the top. I personally struggled with the uphill trek, but I think most of it was due to elevation I'm not used to (I'm from Texas, we are not 4600 ft above sea level!) I huffed and puffed and got to the top and it was a STUNNING view. I stayed there quite some time just taking it all in. It was nice and windy, and relaxing. I'd say it's a must see for people visiting SLC. If you're leaving after sunset, use some sort of flashlight and be careful! Going back down was hard on my knees, but much easier than going up :)

    Enjoying this gorgeous sunset at Ensign Peak Park
    Shayla B.

    This is an excellent spot for a mini hike that will reward you with some epic city views! If you know me, you know that I'm addicted to sunsets. Ensign Peak Park is the perfect place to catch an incredible sunset in SLC. Of course, you gotta time it right. But once you experience it, it'll have you craving for more. This is a super quickish out and back hike that's less than a mile long, but don't let the short length fool you. It's a short little heart pumper with some steepish inclines. At most, I'd say to wear some kind of walking or running shoes. I did see a few people in flip flops but I think they were regretting that decision once they made it to the top. There's actually two vista point areas. The first one isn't a hike at all, just a short walk to one of the peaks. This part of the trail is paved and has a nice view of the city and a few places to pose for pictures. If you're not interested in hiking to the main vista point, then stopping at this vista may be best for you. The main vista point is straight up the hill along the Ensign Peak Trail. Once you make it to the top of the hill, you'll bare a left and go up one more small hill until you've made it to the peak. You'll know that you've made it because BAM.... all kinds of gorgeous views of the city will surround you. I can't say that it'll be super peaceful up there because this is a popular viewpoint spot, but the views are super enchanting. There's a good amount of space up there too. I think most people go up to take their pictures and then bounce. I had to linger a bit longer to really enjoy the entire sunset experience. It was truly lovely. This park also connects to another larger park called Mueller Park that has several other different hiking trails. If you want to make a day out of it or extend your hike, you can do so by connecting from this park. Since Ensign Peak Park is located within the a small residential neighborhood, parking is street only. There's a long road up the hill that heads up to the park, and this is where most people tend to park their cars. You'll see the entrance sign of the park right in front and it's hard to miss it. This was one of my favorite activities to partake in while visiting SLC. If you're looking for a beautiful vista point in SLC, Ensign Peak Park is a great place to explore.

    Amber T.

    I planned a birthday weekend getaway for my fiancé to Utah specifically for hiking! Locals advised us to visit Ensign Peak trail as its perfect for beginners. If I'm not mistaken, it was 10-12 miles round trip. The end point was definitely worth it! The views are amazing especially at sunset. Beautiful views and very proud we made it to the top. I would recommend planning accordingly because I don't recommend staying on the trail when it's dark. It's completely pitch black and very hard to see much of anything really. I definitely recommend this hike for anyone!

    Wasatch Mountains
    Han N.

    Quick drive from downtown SLC, street parking, and quick hike to beautiful views. It's a pretty steep drive and walk up, but I still made it okay in my dress shoes (I didn't want to waste time going back to the hotel to change and miss the sunset) after work.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Ensign Peak Park

    I plan on visiting in early March. I would like to plan for a private or group guided hike one afternoon. Can anyone advise me on a best in class hiking guide company? Thank you in advance!!

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    Review Highlights - Ensign Peak Park

    Locals advised us to visit Ensign Peak trail as its perfect for beginners.

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    The Living Room Trail

    The Living Room Trail

    4.4
    (39 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    I love taking friends from out of town on this hike! It's long enough that you feel like you did…read moresomething active, but not too far or too difficult that your friends never trust you to pick a trail again. The trail can be crowded at certain times of the day/year and it can seem confusing because of lack of signage/multiple spur trails but you really can't get lost if you keep heading towards the mountains. This trail is dog friendly! And the dog owners are very respectful and responsible. Which makes this trail even more fun to try!

    Trivia: What university originally established in 1850 as the University of Deseret and used in the…read more2002 Winter Olympics sits rather close to the base of this trail? Finding the actual trail can be a little bit of a challenge. From the road where everyone seems to park, we started on a shaded, tree-lined trail that looked promising. But after a short jaunt, we arrived in a dusty, tree free area with trails going in lots of directions. The group in front of us took off like they knew where they were going, but I wasn't fooled by their confidence. Yay Me! But BOOO on the existence of trail markings. I reviewed the map and pointed my hiking companion and I to the trail I thought was most closely aligned with GOOGLE maps and AllTrails. Service was a little spotty. Luckily, it all worked out! The trail is a solid 1000-1200 feet of elevation over a mile which is a solid click of UP. Bring water as shade is rare and the trees are really more shrubs and bush size. The living room area is superb, but depending on the time of day, VERY congested. The seats will feel like the best chair you've ever parked your tired rump, and you will begrudgingly give them up when the crowds form around you.

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    The Living Room Trail
    The Living Room Trail
    Sunrise views

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    Sunrise views
    Antelope Island State Park

    Antelope Island State Park

    4.3
    (308 reviews)
    23.8 mi

    Great experience here at Antelope Island State Park. My friend and I visited in the late afternoon…read moreafter arriving at the airport around noon, and checking out Golden Spike National Historic Site. The day had been quite rainy, and the timing worked out perfectly as the skies cleared up later in the day. Just a quick heads up! At the time of writing, there is no potable water available on the island. Bring your own and bring plenty of it. Also there is an entry fee to cross the causeway to get onto the "island" which really isn't an island anymore because of low water levels. There is an AM station that provides information updates as you enter - make sure to check in out and stay in the know. Because we hadn't brought much water with, we decided to keep our hiking to a minimum. We were also just off the plane from the east coast, so decided to take it easy with hiking our first day at the elevation. Our first stop was at Ladyfinder Point - we took the short trail out to the point for some views! Then after that, we really wanted to get down to the water so we made our way over to Bridger Bay Beach access. From the parking area to the water is a bit of a hike given that the water levels are so low. We parked near the first bathouse and made our way down through the sand. I had opted for sandals, but the flipflops made navigating the san difficult, so I went barefoot which was a bit uncomfortable because the sand it quite coarse. But, as we got further out the sand is more compacted and the sandals were ok. About halfway out to the water, we noticed a bison in the distance. It was walking south quite a bit away from us, so we continued north to the water and kept a really good distance. Down near the water, be prepared for MANY bird carcasses and the brine flies got pretty thick as you near the water. Just keep going because it is worth it. We stood in the clear waters of the Great Salt Lake and enjoyed the breeze and setting sun. It was well worth it to go all the way down. After a short stay by the water we headed back. It was at this point that we noticed the Bison from earlier had headed in the direction of the trailhead near the showers. We again kept our distance and had no issues, but our concern was growing. We made a bit of a detour to give the bison a wider berth, but at this point he was clearly moving toward the same point we were headed to. Keeping eyes on him and picking up speed we made it back to the shower building and rinsed our feet. Meanwhile, the bison continued to make his way up the beach stopping occasionally and then continuing on. We had retreated a bit behind the concrete walls of the shower building as the bison continued walking toward us. At one point I finally decided that we should probably get to the car. Which we did... After getting in the car and preparing to depart, we turned our head and lo and behold - but who should appear. That bison! He popped up out of the trail and began scratching himself on the shower building walls were we had been standing moments ago. Then he stopped, stared at us and we had a moment of panic that the rental car might get some damage. Luckily, the bison was not in the mood for a confrontation and he lumbered through the parking lot acros the road and up the other side of the hill, scratching his head on some low trees. Honestly, it was a bit of a anxiety-inducing experience yet thrilling at the same time. After our little encounter, we made our way toward Buffalo Point where we hiked up to Altar Rock and back. On the drive up we saw the island's namesake - two young antelope cavorting around the open spaces like two kids without a care in the world. It was entertaining and memorable for sure! The hike to Buffalo Point was a short but rewarding little hike and it was perfect as the sun was starting to set. Not wanting to hike back in the dark, we didn't stay out until true sunset, but we did get some great photos and made our way back. Apparently the park has a Dark Sky designation, and we had toyed with the idea of staying until dark, BUT the skies had grown overcast again, and after a long day of travel we made the decision that we needed to get an In-N-Out burger for dinner and head to the hotel to rest and prepare for our long hike the next day. Antelope Island was a great choice, and I am so glad we experienced even just a small percentage of the island. It was well worth it and I would definitely go back!

    - Why didn't anyone forewarn me about the pungency or abundance of carcasses at Bridger Bay Beach…read moreDx - Just as you're starting to drive in to the State Park, you're already hit with a powerful poopy odor. Yuck. - It's a 10-20min walk from parking to the water. Coarse sand. May wanna wear shoes. Little rocks will sneak into your sandals. - The sight of dead birds and millions of flies, dead and alive, throughout the beach and the stench of what I thought was ubiquitous decomposed bison dung but likely was actually the sulfurous odor of detritus (still revolting though) discouraged me from fulfilling the bucket list goal I came here for: to prove the rumor that the human body really is unsinkable in the hypersaline water of the Great Salt Lake. I couldn't bring myself to lie down. Only let the water up to my calves. Ain't no way I'm risking full skin infection within the 1st day of my vacation. Still had 7 days to go. Begrudgingly, I simply took a picture from where I stood, then slowly backed away from the omnipresent death around me. . On my way driving out I asked the lady at the entrance booth about the water quality. She said the sight of those many flies and the dead animals is normal around the super salty water and that it's still safe to float in it. She may be right (as the Internet also agrees), but I couldn't bring myself to go through with it, especially since there weren't many other people there doing the same thing to help me feel reassured. + Glad the showers by the parking lot are fully functional though. + And a hose next to the restrooms next to the showers. . Just gotta bring your own soap. + Sources say pronghorns live on this island. * Fun fact: Pronghorns are the 2nd fastest land animal on Earth, just after the cheetah! - Didn't see any pronghorns or bison during my visit though. Granted, I didn't visit as far deep in as Fielding Garr Ranch. You might have better luck. . $15/car. A bit expensive for me since as you can see, my experience came up short. And as it's a state park, it's not covered by the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass. . Only a few people were at this State Park when I visited early Saturday evening. - VC still under maintenance.

    Photos
    Fielding Garr Ranch
    Fielding Garr Ranch
    The Rock Wrens we're putting on a fantastic show! Sunset at Buffalo Point Trail - Nov 2022
    The Rock Wrens we're putting on a fantastic show! Sunset at Buffalo Point Trail - Nov 2022
    Mom & son holiday hike selfie!! Top of Buffalo Point Trail - Nov 2022

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    Mom & son holiday hike selfie!! Top of Buffalo Point Trail - Nov 2022
    Bell Canyon

    Bell Canyon

    4.4
    (43 reviews)
    15.9 mi

    Everywhere I look these days, it seems that people are posting pictures of amazing fall colors. We…read moredo live in a beautiful state and it's appropriate for us to step outside, take a look around and appreciate when nature shows off. I joined a group of hikers and hit the trails this past week, in search of some great fall colors. Bell Canyon did not disappoint. There is plenty of parking at the trailhead, including clean bathrooms. The first part of the trail is pretty rocky and has a decent elevation gain-poles are helpful, but at the least, have good shoes with some traction. Once you get to the reservoir, it's pretty flat and there are lots of places you can get amazing pictures. Be sure to take some time down by the water-it's so calming and just beautiful. There were some detour signs on the trail, so we didn't get the full experience (not sure why it was closed, but we tried to follow signs until they suddenly stopped. So we turned around and came the way we went.) Overall, it's a beautiful hike and I'd love to come try it again when the trail is open.

    We started at the entrance on Wasatch Blvd near the residential area; and then, ended up at the…read morewaterfall. It took us about 4 hours to hike approx. 6 miles with short breaks in between for water. It's a mixer of flat, incline, rocky, slippery (snow still out towards end of hike), upward steps, and mini bridges to cross over small water streams. There are surrounding plants and trees, but most are barely blooming. Didn't see any wildlife animals, but saw a few squirrels crossing our paths lol. The hike itself wasn't too hard. I'd rate it intermediate. It was only challenging because the paths towards the end were slippery due to snow still out and melting. It was fun with some close calls. Luckily I found a stick on the way to use. We passed by the lake at the beginning of the hike, which was nice. Once we reached the waterfall, we took a refreshing break; snacked a bit; embraced the beautiful nature; and then, headed back where we started. It was harder to hike down the slippery snow than it was to hike to the waterfall. I'd come back to hike this place during fall to see the vibrant color of the trees.

    Photos
    The universe sent me here
    The universe sent me here
    Bell Canyon
    Bell Canyon

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    Millcreek Canyon

    Millcreek Canyon

    4.6
    (39 reviews)
    8.9 mi

    Hands down one of my favorite places in Utah. The hiking is incredible, with so many trails to…read morechoose from that it never gets old. It's also super dog-friendly, which makes it even better, I love being able to bring my pup along and see other happy dogs out on the trails. I come here year-round and every season is special in its own way. Snowshoeing in the winter is peaceful and beautiful, and visiting in the summer, fall, and spring brings totally different scenery and vibes each time. Whether you're hiking, snowshoeing, or just soaking in nature, Millcreek Canyon is a gem and absolutely worth five stars.

    Millcreek Canyon is located close to Big Cottonwood Canyon but is far more pet-friendly. In fact,…read moreit felt designed with dogs in mind--there were bag and trash stations for pet waste, plus signs posted noting which days dogs are allowed off-leash. We love giving Luna off-leash time on hikes like this, as long as she stays on the trails and listens when we call her back or ask her to wait. After a long day of driving, we decided to stretch our legs on the Rattlesnake Trail (not my favorite name, but we went for it). The hike was 2.79 miles and took us about 1.5 hours to complete. It was rated as moderate, with plenty of inclines and beautiful views on the way up--the descent was much easier. Entry was $5, which you pay on your way out. Overall, it was a great way to get some exercise and let Luna roam in a safe, welcoming environment.

    Photos
    Millcreek Canyon
    Millcreek Canyon
    Millcreek Canyon

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    Ensign Peak Park - parks - Updated July 2026

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