5 Most Beautiful Mountains in Utah (2024)
Most people often come to the desert state of Utah thinking they will get to see a flat and barren landscape. However, they are all in for a surprise when they see the magnificent mountains of Utah. In fact, what is even more surprising is that every single one of the state’s 29 counties boasts of having several mountains. Utah is home to nearly 84 Prominence Peaks that tower at least 2000 feet above the surrounding terrain. The beautiful and unusual mountains of Utah offer some of the best hiking opportunities along with rock climbing, wildlife watching, mountain biking, and backcountry camping.
In the winters, many of these mountains get covered in snow and offer some of the best snowboarding and backcountry skiing opportunities. Read on to find out more about the most beautiful mountains in Utah.
5 Most Beautiful Mountains in Utah
1. Mount Timpanogos
Fondly referred to as Mount Timp, Mount Timpanogos is the second-highest and most dominant mountain in Utah’s Wasatch Range. Mt. Timp proudly stands guard over the Provo, Orem, and Plesant Grove areas, located around 45 miles south of Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City.
The mountain is a famous spot for outdoor enthusiasts, and there are three prominent trails ranging from 12 to 16 miles for hikers to choose from. The trails will take you to the summit of Mt. Timp and back. Mount Timp is also home to the only true glacier in Utah, and in spring and fall, many climbers attempt the challenge of reaching the summit through the glacier route using crampons and ice axes. During your exploration, you will come across a wide variety of wildlife here, including deer, mountain goat, moose, and pika. If you plan to camp in the area, you can pitch a tent at the Timpooneke Campground. Trailers and motorhomes are usually discouraged on the winding and steep Alpine Highway.
2. Deseret Peak
The magnificent Deseret Peak is the highest summit in the Stansbury Mountain Range, with a height of 11,031 feet in the Deseret Peak Wilderness in Western Utah. The mountain is a huge attraction for a large number of hikers every year, and there are many trails to be explored in the area. Many visitors prefer to use the South Willow Creek route to get to the summit and then come back along the same path, making for an eight-mile roundtrip. However, the best way to truly appreciate the entire scenic views of the mountain is to undertake a loop hike, returning through the Pockets Fork and Dry Lake Fork trails. If you are up for a challenge, you can try your luck at the Twin Couloirs snow/ski route. There are a total of six camping grounds in the area. The best time to hike to Deseret Peak is between Memorial Day to late October.
3. Bountiful Peak
Bountiful Peak is one of the highest points of the majestic Northern Wasatch Range. Along with several of the other mountains in this region, the peak touches an altitude of over 9000 feet. Most of the mountain is segmented by canyons and surrounded by rugged cliffs. This makes Bountiful Peak an ideal destination for avid hikers and scramblers. You can reach the summit from four different trails, each of which has its own appeal. If you are planning to visit the peak in the winter for hiking, Parrish Creek is the most preferred route. In the spring and summer months, hikers can go up to the four mesmerizing waterfalls here if they select to go on the scenic Davis Creek route. Unlike many of the other scenic peaks in the region, though, it is possible to drive almost all the way up to the top of Bountiful Peak, making it an amazing visual treat for visitors, especially non-hikers.
4. Box Elder Peak
Located in the Wellsville Mountains of northern Utah, the Box Elder Peak towers over the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. This mountain is a popular place for hiking, bird watching, walking, and people even come from quite far-off distances for getting some excellent raptor sightings, including golden eagles, hawks, and peregrine falcons. Out of the three popular hiking trails that are there, the 4.5-mile Rattlesnake Trail is the most direct route you can take to the summit, followed by the Coldwater Canyon trail at 5.7 miles and the Deep Canyon Trail at 7.4 miles.
If you love the winters and want to attempt a snow climb, the month of May would be the best time to try your luck at Box Elder Peak, while September and October bring with them the added beauty of dramatically colored fall foliage. However, bear in mind that there are no campgrounds in this area, though backcountry camping is allowed.
5. Gunsight Peak
Located between King’s Peak and Gilbert’s Peak in northern Utah, Gunsight Peak is one of the highest peaks in the majestic Clarkston Mountains. The mountain range is clearly visible to anyone driving by the I-15. If you enjoy exploring the off-beaten path, you will definitely love hiking to the summit of Gunsight Peak. Most of the approach to the peak is located on private land, and very few people are even aware of this beautiful hiking trail. Visitors can select from two routes to the summit, either through the Henry’s Fork Trailhead, which is eight miles one way or through the Winter Canyon Route, which is much shorter and only five miles one way. If you are time on hand and have the energy to explore further, it is possible to climb Gunsight Peak along with King’s Peak and Gilbert’s Peak at the same time. You can pitch your tent at the Henry’s Fork Camping ground.
There are many other mountains in Utah that you must check out if you have the time. These include:
- King’s Peak
- Canaan Mountain
- Mount Magog
- Thayne Peak
- Navajo Mountain
- Mount Gog
- Granite Peak
- Ben Lomond
- Cedar Benchmark
- Wilson Peak
- Doubletop Mountain
With so many beautiful options to check out, better make sure that you pack all your hiking gear and wear sturdy shoes if you want to make a day out of exploring the beautiful mountains in Utah.