Big Cottonwood Canyon

Beautiful we camped at Spruces campground. Moose in campground

The drive through the canyon was incredible, despite the haze from the California wildfires. We made a few stops along the way and hiked up to Twin Lakes from the Silver Lake Education Center. The hike was steep (for us, as novice hikers) but the views were well worth it.

We went for a ride up Big Cottonwood Canyon to see the snow. It was so beautiful to see, the snow on the trees and the absence of leaves is a beautiful contrast. You feel like you can see every detail of the mountains. Roads were busy due to all the skiers. However the roads were clear and it was a great ride.

Always beautiful. As colorful as I'd hoped. I do wish people could remember that they don't need to ride their brakes coming back down.

It's a perfect drive with the top down. Absolutely beautiful scenery.

This place is majestic, especially in the winter. Driving through it is a true delight.

This area is magnificent! Be it Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter. It offers a plethora of sights and scenes for your senses to experience and wonder, places for fun activities and an awesome and scenic drive too. Go have fun and make sure to leave it more exquisite than when you first show up 🏞

If you're ever looking for a location to take any sort of photos in the mountains, this would be the place I would recommend as a photographer. It's so beautiful, easily accessible (about 30 minutes from Salt Lake City), and a great opportunity to get some fresh air as well! I got to take some bridal photos in Big Cottonwood Canyon near Solitude Mt. Resort and loved the scenery. Photos below! Photos by Marina Rey Photography LLC - marinareyphoto.com

Waking up at 6:30am is not it. The lake was like a pure mirror of the sunrise when I did get up there, so it was 10/10 worth it.

I hate doing these reviews on what was such a beautiful place not anymore! The Forestry service people are great for information that's just about It! Was there Monday and there still under construction so you can't go very far like It used to! The Fishing Is Impossable due to people don't respect you or anyone for that matter! Others are fishing In areas were ther's no fishing or should be no fishing off the main walk way area! Two Girls fly fishing ans spin with zero care that people are walking behind them and alot of people are using two poles and crowding others out of the way on purpose! Alot of dead Trout In these areas like there catching and just ripping the hook out and leaving them to die pathetic! The Forestry service workers just don't seem to be watching them and No sign of a Utah DNR/DWR Warden anywhere to watch! Now there charging you a fee to go here for the day or not sure how many days and cost!? I have a National parks pass which Is what I used lucky I had It with me Crazy! I love this place and It's sad that Forestry service workers which are really great just not doing what they should and Kids In the water where signs say stay out and parent's don't care and too many people crowding you to walk by throwing garbage on the ground and spitting In the water which Is part of the Watershed program(Thisnk about that natural and drinking water) Your drinking that what you spit In! Just makes me sad and sick that this once great place has fallen so far down hill for people who enjoy Wildlife/Outdoors/Fishing/Hiking and just tring to get away from people that's not going to happen here anymore to trendy and People just Don't care what there doing to this Lake! The Utah DNR/DWR needs to do somthing and the Forestry service also needs to do more! Sorry I like these service workers just They need to be less nice and more strict towards alot of these visitors!

What a gorgeous place. Even the drive up is gorgeous. With a boardwalk that goes around 2/3 of the lake, it can be enjoyed by nearly everyone. Even those in wheelchairs or strollers. Watch for all of the wildlife. In one visit, I saw a moose, deer, and ducks. Drive carefully. Especially in the dark. With all of the winding roads and animals that dart in front of your car, this isn't the place you want to have an accident. A great place for photos. Don't miss out on this one.

Silver Lake it's one of my most favorite lakes. It's extremely close to Salt Lake City. You can enjoy the lake within a minute of parking. It has a great restroom "for the outdoors" with running water. If you're there during the time of day that the visitor center is open they have indoor restrooms as well. The trail is flat and easy for everyone to hike on. It is a loop around the lake.

What a beautiful sight to behold! During a short trip to Salt Lake City, I got to spend a few precious moments on this lake. The air is crisp. And during this particular time of the year, the surrounding mountains were still green. The water is impeccably clear. One of the park rangers mentioned how protective they are of the water -- and it shows. There are signs around pointing out different parts of a the area, as well as a sign warning you to look out for moose. There are some cabins on the shore; I bet this is a tranquil place to say. "Tranquil" actually sums this lake, the mountains, the boardwalk and the overall vibe perfectly. Plus it's a short drive from SLC. Need a break from the city? This is the place to go.

Spectacular. The drive up the canyon road was breathtaking, and seeing the snow capped peaks in June was awesome. There was still snow covering some of the lake perimeter trail. The park rangers were fantastic, one even posing for a silly photo for me.

My new FAVORITE spot in Utah!!! I mean...it's a flat loop, surrounded by stunningly picturesque scenery and a huge LAKE!!! You'll see people go fishing, taking wedding photos, people on first dates and parents just trying to prevent their kids from falling into the water. Lol. Overall, you won't care, because despite how many people are there...it's still ahhhhh....relaxing. You won't regret the long ride up Big Cottonwood Canyon! There's no fees. And, plenty of parking. You'll hava fab time! xx

Major props to fellow yelper Adrienne for recommending (and taking) us to this beautiful Lake!The trail around the lake weaves in and out of the woods, across boardwalks, bridges and dirt paths...still accessible for strollers. Perfect for kids to wonder around, climbing on rocks and watching the fisherman (fly fishing was so cool) Keep your eyes open for all the wildlife, we saw deer, chipmunks, fish and even played catch with a squirrel! Well he threw pine cone's down from a tree and I caught them :) There are also a few different hiking trails around the lake. We walked/hiked up the side that said ...Lake Solitude and Twin Lakes on the sign. Starts out as a gradual climb then slowly increases continuing on up the mountain. So many scenic overlooks... you just had to stop to take photos. I was so out of breath had to take lot's of breaks... I would like to blame it on not being used to the altitude :) Once to the top...WOW looking down on Silver Lake...gorgeous! I am so glad I forced myself up this incredible mountain, the views are breathtaking! Only downfall I had.. we didn't see any Moose :( Next time!

I love this place for the pure simple reason that it allows those in strollers or wheelchairs to be able to enjoy the outdoors. There is a wooden walkway that makes it most of the way around the lake. There are a few docks to fish from and on several occasions I have seen moose here. Several trails to venture off into for the more avid explorer. At this time of year you may want to consider bug spray. There were lots of bugs when we went.

I don't think that it gets more beautiful than this view right here! Easy hike (walk) that is doable for any age. Every angle has something amazing to look at. There is lots of wildlife up here as well. The drive through the canyon is breathtaking too!

This place is a great place to take the kids for a stroll around the pond. There is really good path (some of it is a boardwalk) all the way around. We even had a little wagon for the kiddos, they loved it. The lake seems to be struggling lately, levels going down plus some human impact. It's a bit sad to see. It was a good reminder to enjoy nature and do what I can to preserve and conserve.

This is an excellent place to visit for those who want to feel like they are hiking without actually doing any real hiking. Small children will be charmed by it, and I've often brought older visitors to Utah here as well. The majority of the trail is on the boardwalk, some parts of which go over water or marshy areas. Not only is the walk around the lake fun, but the entire drive there is really lovely, and affords views of a variety of our state's scenery. You'll see ducks, geese, fish, chipmunks, squirrels, and possibly moose (from what I've heard, I've had no luck personally). You can continue to several other lakes from here, and there is one that is maybe only a mile hike, so rather quick if you're not quite satisfied with your jaunt around Silver Lake. There is this glorious forest full of towering pine trees on the back side that is somehow so still, and almost soundless compared to the surrounding areas. It looks like something from a movie, or some enchanted place you might read about. On my most recent visit, surrounded by falling snow, it quite took my breath away. You should go here at least once. You'll have a bit of a drive from Salt Lake City, but not much more than a half an hour. There's ample parking, and it's beautiful in any season. You'll find a few restaurants within short distance if you want to make a morning or afternoon of it. Even when it's fairly busy there are enough little spots to check out that the area doesn't feel packed.

A quick 30 min drive from park city though beautiful hills. Parking was free and plentiful. Lots of kids and some elderly on the lake today. Nicely paced boardwalk surrounding the lake, easy walking for my 2 year old. I saw lots of kids under 10 years old with moms and dads running around. The lake itself is nice but not exactly clear, this isn't the type of lake you'd swim or do water sports in. Some people were fishing. A few kids were in strollers or push along tricycles, which is doable since the terrain is mostly paved and flat. Wish we could've done more trails but the 1-2ish mile lane perimeter was more than enough for our toddler.

Lest you be confused (there are at least three well-known Silver Lakes in Utah) this is at the tippy top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. At the end of the road near the Nordic Center you can park at the lot and haul the whole family up to the water's edge. It's a busy place, but because it's so accessible you can expect that. Find a boardwalk around this serene little lake that even has disability access and piers. What to do once you're there? It's frequently stocked with fish, and though it's not a stellar fishery the kids will enjoy it. You can also continue around the lake off of the boardwalk and hike the dirt trail. It's mostly level, but be cautious with the kids. One small tumble and they're rolling down to the water. Several areas off-trail are off-limits. After years of abuse it's showing, so be mindful of that. But there are a few places to sit down and enjoy a small snack. Just remember that because BCC is a watershed, you need to leave your dog at home. No pups allowed, even on leash. In the fall, the area around the lake lights up in color. Come up the canyon, take a nice stroll around the lake and enjoy a little bit of nature just off the paved road.

So glad I found this place on Yelp before my trip to Salt Lake City this past weekend! Silver Lake is about a 30 minute drive south of the SLC Airport. If you use Big Cottonwood Canyon in your GPS, you just follow that road through the mountains all the way down (about 11 miles) to the Brighton Loop, and you can't miss it. The boardwalk surrounding the lake is simply breathtaking. There are views of the mountains reflecting in the lake, and you are surrounded by pine trees and the scent of balsam. Wildlife abounds, and while I was there, several older gentlemen were fishing on the small docks overlooking the lake as well. The views here are simply stunning, and the trail is smooth - mostly boardwalk or very hard-packed dirt, making for an easy stroll around the lake - about 20-30 minutes. This is definitely a "don't miss" for anyone visiting Salt Lake City and looking to get out in the great outdoors.

Big frozen lake that I got to walk out on! Another unique experience that I had out in Utah. The snow was deep and we really didn't even know where the lake was, so we stayed to what we assumed was the perimeter! Beautiful really, with the trees and ice. All in all, I want to come up here in the height of summer or autumn so I can truly experience what the seasons are like.

Perfect hike with family, young kids. Also good for longer hikes, great start/end point. Very helpful visitor station with restrooms, water and maps.

What a great way to escape the heat of the valley. Need a break from the urban environment? Head up here. Not really a challenging hike if you just stick to the boardwalk and trail. However great for families and those pushing a stroller. Most of the visitors were families with small kids. Noticed quite a few people fishing. Didn't see any catching though.

I was looking for a way to spend a little time outside while visiting Park City. I saw Silver Lake on Yelp and decided to make the short drive over! There is a short boardwalk covered path that goes around the lake that makes for a nice stroll. Sandals were just fine for walking around. Really, the drive to get to Silver Lake was the beautiful part. There are places where the road is fairly narrow, but as long as you don't push the speed limit you'll be just fine. Take your time and be sure to take advantage of any small pull offs!

Went here with the family during Labor Day weekend, very beautiful place with lots of easy walking paths suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, and younger kids. We first went here because we thought it would be a nice place to fish but once we got there realized it was more of a scenic/have a picnic type of place. There were a few people fishing but with all the other tourists around it didn't look enjoyable or relaxing. I read the lake is stocked with trout and say a few small ones but again I wouldn't go fishing here. Great place to bring the family or if you have guests that are visiting from out of town!

This hike is beautiful! We are so glad we stumbled upon the linked blog below as it told us everything we needed to know! As a brief summary: Some of these reviews make it seem like it is a short, simple loop... and there is a short, simple loop somewhere, BUT there is also a 'Silver Lake Trail' which starts at the Deer Valley Resort (name you should put into your GPS) base. This trail is taken instead of riding the ($24) lift up. It is around a 2.5 mile hike up with an approximate elevation gain of 1,300ft. There are spectacular views during the hike as well as at the top. It is a bit of a challenge (at least it was for me), but so worth it! You can take the 'Silver Lake' or 'Ontario' trails back down (for free), or you can ride the lift down (also for free)! *You will hear folks say, "It's not a lake" - don't let that confuse you as it is indeed called Silver Lake, but everyone calls it a technical reservoir view hike. This link has more details, and is how we found out about this place: http://www.urbanblisslife.com/hiking-the-silver-lake-trail-in-park-city-utah-travel/ Happy hiking!

Silver Lake is one of those destinations we tend to hit up a few times every summer. They call it a hike, but really, it's just a walk around the lake. Most of it is a boardwalk, but even once you get to the dirt trail, it's an easy walk with only small hills. It's my go-to mountain destination when I'm with toddlers, grandparents, or wheelchairs. (This last time we went with my brother who's in a wheelchair, and he could only go about halfway around before the hills got to be too steep to bother with.) The scenery is beautiful, the temps are cooler than down in the valley, they allow fishing, and there are picnic tables. It's a great place to come and just slow down a bit. Just a tip--keep an eye open for moose. I've seen two in the last two years. Pretty incredible. Oh, and think about hitting up the nearby Silver Fork Lodge for breakfast or lunch while you're up there!

Only a short drive up the canyon from Salt Lake City, Silver Lake is a beautiful outdoor area. There is an alpine lake and wetlands with a boardwalk, making it easy for children and the elderly to enjoy nature without too much effort, and there are hikes to the nearby Lake Solitude and the Twin Lakes for the more adventurous. Autumn is particular beautiful at Spring Lake when the aspens show their brilliant gold leaves.

Went in the early winter. The path was a little icy (be careful) but still an enjoyable 30-min walk around the lake. The road to get there is beautiful, either from Salt Lake City or park city.

Silver Lake is a great place to visit for a quick bit of escape from the valley, and a good place to find some cooler temperatures for a nice relaxing walk in the height of summer, or indeed in the fall. The trail around the lake is almost completely flat and most of it is on boardwalk like others have already mentioned. Even the short parts that are not, are easily negotiable in summer time. If you want to be a little more adventurous you can come earlier in the year and walk it when there is still snow on the ground - that's kind of fun, but wear the right shoes and wrap up - it can be pretty cold up here until early June comes around and the snow melts, and the dirt parts of the trail in particular can be kind of dangerous so be careful! The lake trail also connects to what are the actual hikes up here, those being Twin Lakes and Lake Solitude the start of the trail-head for you can quickly find by going anticlockwise from the parking lot and then taking a right about 1/4 of the way round the Silver Lake loop. I'll do separate reviews on those. Personally I won't even attempt them until late June or early July comes around for safety but you can do them too right through fall without any issue providing it's not too wet. It's also a very scenic drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon, and you can often see a variety of wildlife. We have seen Moose a number of times around Silver Lake as well as deer and the usual chipmunks etc. Just a real nice place for a relaxing stroll around in our wonderful mountain scenery.

I love Brighton and all the hiking up Big Cottonwood canyon. If you're looking for a great outing with the family, then check out Silver Lake. The hike is super mellow and more of just a stroll on a boardwalk around the lake while enjoying the beautiful wasatch mountains!

Beautiful spot for a fall walk with your gal and enjoy the Indian summer that we are fortunate enough to have in Utah. I hope to make this a yearly hike going forward... xoxo

This one of my favorite quick getaways. I have a two year old that loves it up there. It's an easy, flat trail that loops around Silver Lake. It's part boardwalk and dirt but either surface is smooth and accessible for all. Bring grandma, grandpa, kids and babies for a scenic nature walk.

This is one of the hidden gems of the Salt Lake Valley. Silver Lake sits at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, near the Brighton Ski Resort, and is a fun place for a stroll or picnic. There is a boardwalk around much of the lake, and there are several picnic tables, benches, and restroom facilities. There is a pier into the lake that is usually filled with fishermen trying to catch the trout that are stocked there. If you would like to try fishing here, I recommend a spinning reel loaded with 6 pound test. Use a standard-size trout hook loaded with three or four salmon eggs, and then weight the line down with a half dozen large split-shot. Cast from the pier into the middle of the lake and allow the line to sink as far as it will go. Feel the line for signs of bites and you'll soon have a limit of nice rainbows. I have seen all sorts of animals here, from ground squirrels to moose, and it is beautiful any time of year, but mostly in the fall. Check this place out if you're ever tired of the city.

What a pretty lake in the fall! My wife and I took a drive up here the other day. There was snow everywhere and the trees were really pretty witb all the fall colors, it was a great combination. It makes for a good relaxing stroll.

Very cool place. Boardwalk goes all around the lake and has stops with educational signage about the surrounding wildlife and how to help protect the inhabitants. Trails lead from this lake up to another lake. (About a mile hike- one way) Beautiful scenery!

I was there last September. A beautiful lake to walk around. A photographers dream with all the vistas and lake reflections. I hope I get back there again.

Great morning walk!! The Silver Lake Loop Trail is a 0.9 mile heavily trafficked loop located in Big Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City Utah. The lake can be circled on the surrounding boardwalk making it accessible to young, old and those with disabilities. The lake is stocked with trout each year and we encountered lots of fishermen along our walk. This is a quick hike to a beautiful lake getting you up close and personal with the Wasatch Mountains. For those more adventurous hikers, there are several other trail junctions if you wish to extend your hike on to Twin Lakes, Lake Solitude, and the Brighton Lakes. Perfect hike / trail for a relaxing day off stroll in nature. Plenty of places to sit down and have a picnic. We really enjoyed our visit and the scenic drive up there. Check out our YouTube showing highlights of our visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjfHopZg27Y

A nice 40 minute stroll around a shallow lake, mostly on boardwalk. It is a little crowded with noisy families on hot Sunday afternoons, but just about any other time is great