Backpacking Near Salt Lake City

Best National Parks for Backpacking Near Salt Lake City, UT

National parks near Salt Lake City, UT ranked by backpacking quality, with drive times and distances.

Updated

Weekend Getaway (2.5 to 5 hours)

shallow pools with a double rainbow in the background

Canyonlands

UT

Moderate CrowdsHidden GemDark Sky

265 mi -- about 4.8 hr drive

A hiker stands beside Hickman Bridge, a natural sandstone bridge

Capitol Reef

UT

Busy

227 mi -- about 4.1 hr drive

Bristlecone pine tree with a dark blue sky behind it with a bright Jupiter shining

Great Basin

NV

Room to BreatheHidden GemDark Sky

231 mi -- about 4.2 hr drive

a broad, red arch with rock pinnacles in the background

Arches

UT

Very CrowdedDark Sky

243 mi -- about 4.4 hr drive

Extended Drive (5+ hours)

Winter sunrise on snow-covered Teton Range

Grand Teton

WY

Busy

286 mi -- about 5.2 hr drive

A crowd of people standing along a wooden boardwalk watches a geyser erupt.

Yellowstone

ID, MT, WY

Comfortable

356 mi -- about 6.5 hr drive