Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Stretching across northern Utah and a sliver of Wyoming, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is a sprawling 2.5-million-acre playground of alpine lakes, jagged peaks, and ancient bristlecone pines. This is where Salt Lake City locals escape to hike, ski, and fish – and where you'll find the state's most dramatic scenery without the crowds of a national park. The forest encompasses three distinct mountain ranges: the Wasatch Range (backyard to the Wasatch Front cities), the high-altitude Uinta Mountains (home to Utah's only true alpine peaks, many over 13,000 ft), and the more remote Cache Valley. Whether you're after a day hike to a shimmering lake or a multi-day backpacking trip through wildflower meadows, this forest delivers rugged, accessible adventure.

Highlights & What to See

• Mount Timpanogos – The most iconic peak in the Wasatch, with a strenuous but rewarding 14-mile round-trip hike passing Emerald Lake and a glacier. In summer, wildflowers carpet the meadows.
• High Uintas Wilderness – A vast roadless area with over 1,000 lakes and the highest peaks in Utah (Kings Peak, 13,528 ft). Great for backpacking, fishing, and solitude.
• Mirror Lake Highway (SR-150) – A scenic byway that winds through the Uintas past dozens of lakes, with easy access to picnic spots, short hikes, and campgrounds.
• Big Cottonwood Canyon & Little Cottonwood Canyon – Just minutes from Salt Lake City, these canyons offer world-class rock climbing, hiking to waterfalls (like Donut Falls), and skiing at Alta and Snowbird resorts.
• Logan Canyon – A stunning drive through limestone cliffs and the Bear River Range, with access to the Tony Grove Lake area (famous for wildflowers) and Bear Lake just beyond.
• Dinosaur National Monument – While technically a separate unit, it's adjacent to the forest's eastern edge and offers incredible fossil displays and rafting on the Green River.

Suggested Time to Spend

To really experience the diversity of the forest, plan at least 3–5 days. With 2 days, you can do one big hike (like Mount Timpanogos) and drive the Mirror Lake Highway. With 5 days, add a backpacking trip in the High Uintas and a day in Logan Canyon. The forest is best visited from July to September for hiking; winter (December–March) is prime for skiing and snowshoeing in the canyons. Spring and fall can be lovely but bring variable weather and some road closures.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Salt Lake City – A vibrant city with a renowned food scene, Temple Square, and easy access to the forest's western canyons.
• Park City – Historic mining town turned ski resort, with year-round outdoor activities and the Sundance Film Festival.
• Bear Lake – Known as the "Caribbean of the Rockies" for its turquoise water; great for swimming, boating, and raspberry shakes.
• Moab & Arches National Park – About 4 hours south, offering red-rock desert landscapes and world-class mountain biking.
• Dinosaur National Monument – Combine with the eastern side of the forest for a mix of alpine and prehistoric wonders.

Please check official sources for current details.