Top 10 Best Snowshoeing Trails in Utah for a Winter Adventure
The best snowshoeing trails in Utah will take you to some truly breathtaking scenery – frozen lakes & waterfalls, dense forests of evergreen pine trees, and incredible mountain vistas. Whether you want to get the kiddos outside for a wintry wonderland hike, enjoy an adventurous and cheap date in nature, or seek some snowy solitude, we guarantee you will find magnificence in the BeaUtahFul mountains.
HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Snowshoeing comes with risks from weather, cold, and avalanches. Always be prepared and always check the avalanche forecast for the trail you want to hike.
Utah is known for the “best snow on earth” and while skiing is undoubtedly the state’s most popular winter sport, snowshoeing is picking up steam in popularity. Skiing has become outrageously expensive (along with nearly everything else these days), which makes snowshoeing a great alternative for those trying to survive inflation and still enjoy the outdoors.
Utah has so much more to offer than just skiing. Besides snowshoeing, try one of these 24 things to do in Utah in the winter!
Snowshoeing doesn’t require expensive lessons or lift passes and the gear as much more affordable, whether renting or buying. No matter your ability, as long as you can walk or hike–you will be able to explore the best snowshoeing trails in Utah during the winter.
Best Snowshoeing Trails in Utah
Where to Rent Snowshoes in Utah?
SUMMIT COUNTY
Silver Star and Ski Sport (Park City, Utah) $25 PER DAY
UTAH COUNTY
JJ’s Snowshoe Rentals (Lehi, Utah) $10 PER DAY (free poles included)
UVU Adventure Center (Orem, Utah) $10 PER DAY
SALT LAKE COUNTY
Alta Ski Resort (Alta, Utah) $16 PER DAY + $12 for poles
AJ Motion Sports (Sandy, Utah) $15 PER DAY)
Ski N’ See (Multiple Locations) $15 PER DAY
Best Snowshoeing Trails in Utah for Beginners
1. Sundance Nordic Trail
The Sundance Nordic Center is primarily for cross-country skiing but also provides 6 miles of trails for snowshoers as well. A trail pass costs $12 for the day and you can rent snowshoes for $13. If you’re just trying snowshoeing for the first time and don’t feel comfortable venturing off on ungroomed trails, then this is a good, safe option. Not to mention, Sundance is a beautiful place and you can sit down for a nice meal at the lodge afterwards. $12 won’t break the bank but there are plenty of other free snowshoeing trails in Utah, which is why this isn’t higher on our list.
2. Solitude Nordic Trail
Similar to Sundance, Solitude Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon also has a Nordic Center for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. This one ranks higher because it’s cheaper (only $8 a day) and has twice the amount of trails (over 12 miles of snowshoeing trails), including the very popular Silver Lake Loop. You can also take a private 1-hour tour for $49. This is a great option for people who have never been snowshoeing and are uneasy about venturing into the cold wilderness without someone more experienced to guide them. The Nordic Center is located in between Solitude’s main village and Brighton Resort.
Because it’s located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, the snow gets very deep. However, traffic from cross-country skiers and snowshoers generally keeps the trails pretty packed so you don’t need to worry about sinking into deep powder (unless it’s right after a huge storm).
3. Alpine Loop Road
The Alpine Loop road is most famous for fall leaf peeping. The road is closed to vehicles in the winter but it’s a popular place to go fat biking (mountain biking with wide, fat tires made for biking in the snow) or snowshoeing. To access it, just drive as far as the Pine Hollow Trailhead and park there. But instead of taking the trail, just follow the road.
Oftentimes the road gets packed well enough you can simply hike it with good boots. From the road closure to Timpooneke Campground is about 2 miles and from there you can traverse the campgrounds for some stunning views of Mount Timpanogos. Or simply hike out and back as far as you like following the road and you still get some great views of American Fork Canyon. Because you’re just following the road, it’s a very easy trail, perfect for beginners and kids.
Looking for more things to do in Utah in the winter? Try one of these 25 Christmas activities in Utah!
Best Snowshoeing Trails in Utah for Scenic Views
4. Battle Creek Falls
Battlecreek Falls is located in Pleasant Grove near Kiwanis Park, so you don’t have to drive up a canyon to get there. But that also means it sits at a lower elevation than the other snowshoeing trails on this list and you may need to wait until mid- to late winter until there’s enough snow and the temps have dropped enough for the waterfalls to freeze over. The trail starts in the foothills, essentially at the base of the mountain. Oftentimes there is no snow. So just be mindful of the weather and wait until just after a storm if you plan to snowshoe here. The trail is 1.6 miles roundtrip and well-traveled. Kids and dogs will do just fine.
5. Pine Hollow Trail
Pine Hollow Trail is located along the famous Alpine Loop and is one of the best snowshoeing trails in Utah thanks to its sweeping views of Mount Timpanogos. To get there, take I-15 to the Timpanogos Highway exit, then head up American Fork Canyon as far as you can. The road that connects American Fork Canyon and Provo Canyon is closed in the winter but the gate is just past the Pine Hollow Trailhead, so you can still access and park at the trailhead.
The trail itself is a 4.3 mile loop, but you can also treat it as an out-and-back if you don’t want to complete the full loop. The hike takes you through forests of pine and aspen and you’ll walk through a couple meadows. After the second meadow, the big payoff is when you finally reach the ridge and get some spectacular views of the backside of Timp.
6. Millcreek Canyon
One of the most popular places to go snowshoeing in Utah is Millcreek Canyon because of its proximity to Salt Lake City. It’s also one of the few canyons in the area that allows dogs, which makes it the best option for those who want to take their furry friends along for their winter adventure. There is a $5 per vehicle fee to enter the canyon but it’s worth it for the number of easy snowshoeing trails.
The Church Fork Trail to Grandeur Peak is a great option for beginners and you snowshoe past rivers and waterfalls until you reach the overlook of the Salt Lake Valley. Or you can simply drive to the end of the road where the gate closes it for winter, snowshoe up, and sled back down. Kids will love that option!
7. Donut Falls
Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon is one of the best snowshoeing trails in Utah because it’s one of the most unique and picturesque waterfalls in the state. This is one you’ll definitely want to add to your Utah bucket list! The waterfall gets its name from the fact that the top of the waterfall actually descends into a cave through a donut-shaped hole before a second waterfall cascades down the mountain.
The trail is very popular, so it’s often packed down really well and snowshoes aren’t always necessary. You could hike this with boots and a set of spikes if it’s been a few days since the last storm. But if the snow is fresh, you’ll definitely want snowshoes.
In the summer, this is an easy kid-friendly trail, but in the winter the other thing that makes this trail slightly more challenging is that you have to park farther away. The summer lot isn’t open and you have to park just off the main road, which adds another 0.8 miles each way.
In the winter, getting up into the cave is tricky because of all the ice and freezing water. You’d have to be prepared with much more than just snowshoes to get up in there, but you can still enjoy the view from down below without too much trouble.
8. Stewart Falls Cascade Trail (Utah County)
Nestled in American Fork Canyon near Aspen Grove you will find one of the most scenic winter hikes. If you’re okay with a beginner to moderate snowshoe trail with icy waterfalls for the end result then this beautiful place will not disappoint. This is one of the most popular summer hikes as well but seeing it in the winter is all the more magical with everything frozen.
Just BE AWARE and hike at your own risk! This trail crosses avalanche terrain so make sure you check the avalanche forecast before you snowshoe to it.
Between the views of the backside of majestic Mount Timpanogos and a 200-foot tall frozen waterfall, this is easily one of the best snowshoeing trails in Utah. You can access it via Provo Canyon and then driving past Sundance Resort. It’s not a super easy trail, so I wouldn’t classify it as one for beginners. But once you’re ready to venture out to longer, more difficult trails, this is definitely one of the best. Make sure to check out these other snowshoeing trails in American Fork Canyon.
9. Fifth Water Hot Springs
Fifth Water Hot Springs aka Diamond Fork Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located near Spanish Fork Canyon. The main draw for people is to swim in these uniquely colored hot springs, but you also hike past three scenic waterfalls on the way there. It’s a major Instagram hotspot thanks the picturesque blue & green pools, so it can get crowded. To avoid weekend crowds, try hiking early in the morning during the week. Winter is also a popular time to visit, go snowshoeing along the trail, and soak in the natural hot springs. Just be prepared to add an extra 5 miles to the hike thanks to road closures.
10. Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most popular places to visit in the summer, but some people say it’s even more beautiful in the fall. It sits at almost 8,000 feet in elevation and gets plenty of snow in the winter. The white snow against the orange hoodoos makes for a surreal landscape and some amazing photo opportunities. Some of the trails are closed, so just check the NPS website before visiting to plan your routes. Whether you go snowshoeing or hiking with spikes on your boots depends on the weather and how icy the trails are, so check with the park rangers ahead of time. If the snow is fresh, these are hands down some of the most scenic and best snowshoeing trails in Utah!
If you need to rent snowshoes, we recommend getting them from JJ’s Rentals in Lehi!
Happy trails and thanks for reading!
–JJ & Brittany🤘🏻
Our family is on a mission to experience the best our home state of Utah has to offer and help other families find affordable, kid-friendly adventures in the process. You can follow us on Instagram @theminivanbucketlist or download our free printable Utah Bucket List for a list of the top hikes in the great state of Utah, both for kid-friendly and more adventurous hikes.
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