Hikes Around Ogden Utah

Intro

   
It’s Utah. It’s evening. You want to pop your kneecaps but don’t want to drive too far, hike too hard, or miss dinner. What you need is your basic walk-in-the-forest hike that you can enjoy with your non-summit-posting significant other. Should you find yourself in this situation in Ogden or Layton or Farmington, you are in luck! The hills are right there and this page will outline the best of the cheesy hikes (not summits, not peaks, not grueling trails---just nice walks in the forest!) in the Greater-Ogden area.

Fleshj27’s Criteria for Evening Hikes:
Short Drive: Less than 20 minute drive
Short Hike: 45 Minutes to an Hour Up (or about a mile or two)
Nice Payoff: Pretty spot to end before turning back

The List:

South of I-84

Farmington Canyon
Baer Canyon
Kaysville Wilderness
Adams Canyon
Kayscreek/Fernwood Bonneville Shoreline
Kayscreek/Fernwood Great Western
Kayscreek/Fernwood Community Trail

North of I-84

Beus Canyon
Beus Bench
Strong Canyon
Waterfall Canyon
Taylors Canyon
“Ogden Indian”
Hidden Valley
“North Indian”
Snowbasin

Note

  
Times reflect “stroll” hiking. Not running, not fast pacing, not even hurrying---slow, enjoy-the-walk-hiking with time to watch birds, take pictures and pinch your significant other on the butt. Difficulty reflects rating for someone who enjoys their occasional Big Mac…if your last name ends in “Sherpa” ALL of these hikes are easy. Difficulty Scale is on a 1-10 (1 = Walking around a track). Trailhead location is REALLY rough…lookup actual directions by putting the listed coordinates in Google.

South of I-84

   

FARMINGTON CANYON
Trailhead Location: Farmington. Take Farmington Canyon (Skyline Drive) to the dirt parking lot right where the dirt road begins
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.000383,-111.866398
Quick Description: One way: About 2 miles of gradual slope winding through the canyon. In general, a pleasant/easy hike.
Payoff (stop) Point: Small camp near river…not much of a view, but nice rocks to sit on
Route Difficulty: Pretty easy (4)
Time up: About 2.5 hours roundtrip
Noise Level: Few, if any, hikers. Never have seen a mountain bike.
Terrain: Well maintained trail through Gambel Oak forest. Easy but steady rise.
Best Time of Year: 1. Fall---nice Leaf changes. 2. Winter—easy snowshoeing. 4. Spring—Wildflowers 3. Summer—Gets warm
Too Short? Continue on the trail to Sunset Park, onto Skyline Drive and up to Francis Peak (around 6 miles up)!

BAER CANYON
Trailhead Location: Fruit Heights. Hwy 89 to Nichols Drive, to Eastoaks, left on S 1800 E. Park in the USFS parking lot.
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.030032,-111.897549
Quick Description: One way: About 1.6 miles of gradual slope winding through the canyon. Steep start, Cool forest for most.
Payoff (stop) Point: Nice stop next to a small waterfall…not much of a view, but quiet spot to think and put your feet in the creek.
Route Difficulty: Moderate (6)
Time up: About 1.75 hours roundtrip
Noise Level: Usually few, if any, hikers. Sometimes gets boy scout herds. Never have seen mountain bikes.
Terrain: Well maintained trail through Gambel Oak forest. Start on Jeep road is steep (1st quarter mile). Forest is cool. A couple of small steep parts in forest trail. Trail is well marked.
Best Time of Year: 1. Fall---nice Leaf changes. 2. Summer—Cool Forest 3. Winter—snowshoeing. 4. Spring—Just a nice hike
Too Short? Continue on the trail across the creek, up the side of the mountain and up to Francis Peak (around 5.5 miles up)!

KAYSVILLE EAST MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS TO ADAMS CANYON
Trailhead Location: Kaysville, Hwy 89 to E. 650 N. Park in the USFS parking lot.
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.046698,-111.904829
Quick Description: One way: About 1.5 miles of gradual slope along the Bonneville shoreline trail. Very little forest, mostly exposed trail with sagebrush. Up and down, crosses a couple of small creeks.
Payoff (stop) Point: Rocky crag overlooking Layton Utah.
Route Difficulty: Easy (3)
Time up: About 1.2 hours roundtrip
Noise Level: Usually some foot traffic and lots of mountain bikes during the summer
Terrain: Well maintained trail along the Bonneville shoreline bench. A couple of very short steep parts. Sage brush, scrub oak.
Best Time of Year: 1. Fall—Pleasant hike in open air. 2. Winter—snowshoeing. 4. Spring – good to do when waiting for high elevation snow melt 4. Summer—Hot
Too Short? Continue on the trail across the creek, follow the Bonneville shoreline to Kayscreek Park, and follow the Great Western to Layton Peak (around 10 miles total)!

ADAMS CANYON
Trailhead Location: Hwy 89 in Layton, East at Grounds for Coffee, to Valley View Drive, to N. Eastside Drive, Park in Dirt Parking Lot
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.066184,-111.909914
Quick Description: One way: About 1.5 miles. Start with sandy switchbacks, goes into the canyon through forest.
Payoff (stop) Point: Stop at the primitive campground across the creek
Route Difficulty: Moderate (5)
Time up: About 1.5 hours roundtrip
Noise Level: Pretty empty in winter. Summer and nice days it’s a freakin’ conga line. During Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall, avoid Wed/Thurs as it’s really popular with youth groups.
Terrain: First ½ mile is sandy switch backs, last 1.2 miles nice, cool forest on a well maintained trail along a creek.
Best Time of Year: Fall—Nice, quiet, pretty leaf changes. Winter---Surprisingly easy and quiet, trail snow is well packed. Summer---Hot on lower trail, crowded in evenings. Spring---worst time, trails are flooded and/or trail is iced and slick.
Too Short? Continue on the trail across the creek, follow the trail to Adams Canyon Waterfall (Trip 1.8 miles total up)!

KAYSCREEK FERNWOOD TO ADAMS
Trailhead Location: Next to Layton Castle in Kayscreek/Fernwood park. Gate closes at sunset, opens 0800.
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.087664,-111.901749
Quick Description: One way: About 2.3 miles. From parking lot, go south on Bonneville shoreline trail. Exposed route to Adams Canyon.
Payoff (stop) Point: Good break place with trees, next to the creek just across small foot bridge in Adams Canyon. Nice place next to creek to relax.
Route Difficulty: Moderate (3)
Time up: About 90 minutes roundtrip
Noise Level: Pretty empty in winter, fall, spring. Summer time has mountain bikers. Occasional horses.
Terrain: Exposed route with little forest cover. Nice maintained trail with slight “up” to Adams. Nothing too steep. Basically a walking hike.
Best Time of Year: Fall—Nice, quiet, good views. Spring---Wildflowers along route. Winter---Quiet, trail is well beaten down, maybe snowshoeable. Summer---Hot and exposed.
Too Short? Go into the Adams Canyon before crossing the bridge, follow the trail to Adams Canyon Waterfall (Trip 3.5 miles total one way)!

KAYSCREEK FERNWOOD ON GREAT WESTERN
Trailhead Location: Next to Layton Castle in Kayscreek/Fernwood park. Gate closes at sunset, opens 0800.
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.087664,-111.901749
Quick Description: One way: About 2.0 miles. From parking lot, go North on Great Western. Partially forested route with small hills.
Payoff (stop) Point: Overview of Layton---not really an obvious stop point or great place to stop.
Route Difficulty: Moderate (4)
Time up: About 90 minutes roundtrip
Noise Level: Low foot traffic, some bikes and horses
Terrain: Starts with forest cover, crosses bridge, rest of route is exposed. Nice maintained trail. A couple of moderately steep “ups”
Best Time of Year: Fall—Nice, quiet, good views. Spring---Wildflowers along route. Winter---Quiet, trail is well beaten down. Summer---Hot and exposed.
Too Short? Continue up the Great Western to Layton Peak (Trip 5.5 miles total one way)!

KAYSCREEK FERNWOOD TO STONE CABIN
Trailhead Location: Next to Layton Castle in Kayscreek/Fernwood park. Gate closes at sunset, opens 0800.
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.087664,-111.901749
Quick Description: One way: About 2 miles. Go North from parking lot, take 2nd right (only about 100 yards into hike), go up old jeep trail. Continue following obvious trail up the hill side. Exposed and steep route up the community trail—reaches 6600 feet (I called this one “The Leg Ripper”)
Payoff (stop) Point: High Overview of Layton and old stone cabin in forest (Stone Cabin is a little hard to spot…located at 41.091881,-111.885364)
Route Difficulty: Hard (8)
Time up: About 2 hours Roundtrip
Noise Level: Usually very quiet. Low foot traffic, some horses
Terrain: Little to no forest cover. Starts steep up old jeep trail, continues steep the entire route. Rocky trail but obvious trail.
Best Time of Year: Fall—Nice, quiet, good views. Spring---Wildflowers along route. Winter---Quiet, trail is well beaten down, good snowshoeing point. Summer---Hot and exposed.
Too Short? Continue up the Community Trail to Layton Peak (Trip 4.5 miles total one way)!

North of I-84

   

BEUS TO SMALL WATERFALL

Trailhead Location: Ogden Harrison Ave to 4600 to Beus Trailhead
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.177342,-111.929618
Quick Description: One way: About 1.2 miles. Forested trail along Beus Creek. ½ mile in the Stay on Main trail, cross the bridge.
Payoff (stop) Point: Nice sitting rocks next to 15 foot waterfall
Route Difficulty: Moderate (5)
Time up: About 1.1 hours Roundtrip
Noise Level: Low foot traffic, some mountain bikes lower trail. Sometimes crowded during the summer.
Terrain: Cool Forest, well maintained trail next to creek.
Best Time of Year: Summer---Cooler than city, nice forest walk but sometimes crowded. Fall—Usually quiet, leaf changes. Winter---Quiet, trail is well beaten down; pretty good snowshoeing. Spring---Trail is iced
Too Short? Continue up Beus Canyon to Mt. Ogden Peak (Trip 6.2 miles total one way)!

BEUS TO BONNEVILLE SHORELINE BENCH
Trailhead Location: Ogden Harrison Ave to 4600 to Beus Trailhead
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.177342,-111.929618
Quick Description: One way: About 1.25 miles. Mix of Forest (lower trail) and Exposed trail (Bonneville Shoreline Trail). ½ mile into hike take the left fork and go onto BST. A sitting bench is located about another ½ mile on the trail.
Payoff (stop) Point: Nice sitting bench overlooking Ogden
Route Difficulty: Moderate (4)
Time up: About 1.25 hours Roundtrip
Noise Level: Low foot traffic, some mountain bikes
Terrain: Cool Forest 1st half, Exposed trail 2nd half
Best Time of Year: Fall—Usually quiet, leaf changes, gets windy. Winter---Quiet, trail is well beaten down, gets windy. Spring---Lower Trail is iced. Summer---Hot on upper trail
Too Short? Continue on Bonneville Shoreline trail past Strong’s Canyon to Waterfall Canyon (Trip 4 miles total one way)!

STRONG'S CANYON PAST WATERFALL CANYON
Trailhead Location: Strong’s Canyon Trailhead 36th Street
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.197079,-111.93783
Quick Description: One way: About 2.25 miles. Mix of Forest (Strong’s Canyon trail) and Exposed trail (Bonneville Shoreline Trail). ½ mile into hike go left onto Bonneville shoreline, follow past Waterfall Canyon, stop at crag overlooking 29th Street
Payoff (stop) Point: Small Crag overlooking Ogden
Route Difficulty: Moderate (3)
Time up: About 2 hours Roundtrip
Noise Level: Empty in Winter, Bikes out the wazoo in the summer
Terrain: Cool Forest 1st half, Exposed trail 2nd half
Best Time of Year: Fall—Usually quiet, leaf changes. Winter---Quiet, trail is well beaten down. Spring---Lower Trail in Strong’s Canyon is iced. Summer---Hot on upper trail, too many bikes.
Too Short? Continue on Bonneville Shoreline trail and go up Taylor’s Canyon to Malan Peak (Trip 6 miles total one way)!

WATERFALL CANYON
Trailhead Location: Ogden 29th Street Trailhead
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.211132,-111.931919
Quick Description: One way: About 1.5 miles. First half, Exposed trail to Bonneville Shoreline. 2nd half rocky trail in forest into Waterfall Canyon (kind of an ankle breaker if not careful)
Payoff (stop) Point: 200 Foot Waterfall…way cool!
Route Difficulty: Moderate (5)
Time up: About 1.75 hours Roundtrip
Noise Level: Empty in Winter, crowded in the summer evenings
Terrain: Exposed trail 1st half, Cool Forest 2nd half
Best Time of Year: Fall—Usually quiet, leaf changes. Winter---Quiet, trail is well beaten down, waterfall is iced. Spring---Upper trail iced. Summer---Hot on lower trail, too many bikes, crowds.
Too Short? Climb the trail next to the waterfall and climb Mt. Ogden (Trip 6 miles total one way)!


TAYLOR CANYON
Trailhead Location: Top of Ogden 27th Street—not a real Trailhead
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.215943,-111.929124
Quick Description: One way: About 1.5 miles. First third, windy trail thru scrub forest and sage brush. Last 2/3 pleasant trail thru forest. Final part after bridge is steep!
Payoff (stop) Point: Overlook of Ogden on Malan Peak Trail
Route Difficulty: Moderate (4) to bridge, Steep (6) to overlook
Time up: About 2 hours Roundtrip
Noise Level: Empty in Winter, crowded in the summer evenings
Terrain: Scrub trail 1st half, Cool Forest 2nd half
Best Time of Year: Fall—Usually quiet, leaf changes. Winter---Quiet, trail is well beaten down, waterfall is iced. Spring---Upper trail iced. Summer---Hot on lower trail, too many bikes, crowds.
Too Short? Continue on the trail to Malan Peak (Trip 3 miles total one way)!

HIDDEN VALLEY CRAG
Trailhead Location: Ogden 22th Street Trailhead
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.226635,-111.930685
Quick Description: One way: About 2.25 miles. Moderately steep and exposed trail on the side of the mountain. Start on Ogden Indian trail, about 20 minutes up take faint “Hidden Valley” trail South, wind through hillside until reaching crag
Payoff (stop) Point: Overlook of Ogden from rocky crag
Route Difficulty: Moderate (6)
Time up: About 2.2 hours Roundtrip
Noise Level: Light traffic until turn, then almost no one
Terrain: Exposed trail through sage, Gambel Oak forest
Best Time of Year: Fall—Usually quiet, nice weather, some fall leaf changes. Spring---Wildflowers. Winter---Quiet, trail may not be beaten down. Summer---Usually really hot
Too Short? Continue on the trail to the end of Hidden Valley (Trip 3.5 miles total one way)!

OGDEN INDIAN
Trailhead Location: Ogden 22th Street Trailhead
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.226635,-111.930685
Quick Description: One way: About 1.5 miles. 1st half is Moderately steep and exposed trail on the side of the mountain. 2nd Half is slight up through forest. Start on Ogden Indian trail, Payoff (stop) Point: Rocky crag (overlooking Ogden Canyon)
Route Difficulty: Moderate (5)
Time up: About 2 hours Roundtrip
Noise Level: Light traffic
Terrain: Sage brush trail 1st half, Cool Forest 2nd half
Best Time of Year: Fall—Usually quiet, nice weather, some fall leaf changes. Spring---Wildflowers. Winter---Quiet, trail may not be beaten down. Summer---Usually really hot 1st half
Too Short? Continue on the trail into Ogden Canyon (Trip 4.2 miles total one way)!

OGDEN CANYON INDIAN
Trailhead Location: Ogden Canyon, near Milepost 11, Indian Trailhead
Trailhead Coordinates: 41.226635,-111.930685
Quick Description: One way: About 1.75 miles. All cool forest.
Payoff (stop) Point: Rocky crag (overlooking Coldwater Canyon)
Route Difficulty: Moderate (6)
Time up: About 2 hours Roundtrip
Noise Level: Light traffic
Terrain: Thick and cool forest…consistently up but not too steep.
Best Time of Year: Summer---Nice and cool. Fall—Great fall leaf changes. Winter---Quiet, trail may not be beaten down, good snowshoeing. Spring---Wildflowers.
Too Short? Continue on the trail to Ogden 22nd Street Trailhead (Trip 4.2 miles total one way)!

Helpful Websites

www.ogden-ut.com/hiking.html
www.utah.com/ogden/hiking_trails.htm
www.weberpathways.org/
www.localhikes.com/MSA/MSA_7160.asp
www.trails.com/city-trails.aspx?keyword=Ogden&state=UT

Images

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