Dog Lake Brighton, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah

Dog Lake – Brighton, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah



The Trek Details

The Trek in a snapshot

Location: Brighton, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah
Managing Agency: US Forest Service
Pets: Not allowed Pets are not allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon for watershed protection purposes
Fees: None
Restrooms: Yes at Silver Lake trailhead or at Brighton Ski Resort if it's open
Camping: Yes. You are only allowed to camp if you camp 200 ft from any lake, stream, or creek
Trail Condition: Good dirt trail. Easy to see. Steadily gains elevation to the lake
Distance: 2 miles roundtrip
Time Required: Up to 2 hours
Sights: Dog Lake
Best Season: Spring, summer, fall
Water Info: Bring 1-2 liters of water. Swimming is not allowed in any of the lakes.
Parking Elevation: 8741 ft
Summit Elevation: 9375 ft
Elevation Difference: 634 ft
Trek Planner Maps

Trail Map

GPS Coordinates

Trailhead: 40.59822, -111.58412
Dog Lake: 40.58708, -111.58396

Experience. Discover. Explore.

The Trail

Follow along on our adventure then go out on your own!

Be a responsible explorer

There are two Dog Lakes in this area.  One is very popular and the other is this one.  The Dog Lake you are thinking of where you can bring your dog is the lake in Millcreek Canyon.  You can access that Dog Lake through Big Cottonwood Canyon too but you aren’t allowed to bring your dog from this side. 

This hike is still a great and easy one to do!

The trail begins at the Brighton Ski Resort.  Just park anywhere in the giant parking area and hike up a hundred yards until you see the signs pointing you to Lake Catherine (which is the same trail to Dog Lake).




The first part of this trail is pretty but once you get into the pine forest it gets immensely better!  There are three other lakes beyond Dog Lake: Lake Mary, Lake Martha and Lake Catherine.  If you have time, you should visit these lakes too!

This popular trail travels on the Brighton Ski Resort for about 3/4 mile until it cuts west.  There is a good trail to follow as you hike on the mountain meadows and in between patches of pine trees and aspen trees.  This part is where you will gain almost all of the elevation until you come to Dog Lake.

Once you hike the roughly 3/4 mile you will go inside a pine forest and will probably hear a waterfall in the distance.  Hike another hundred yards or so and you will come to a junction sign that points you to Dog Lake or to Lake Catherine.  Take the left trail to Dog Lake.  It’s only about a tenth of a mile more.




You will climb up a very small hill until you come into the beautiful basin where Dog Lake is located.  This is a very small lake but it’s a fun one if you don’t have much time.  



Personal Thoughts

Personal Thoughts

Dog Lake is a very scenic lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon that I would recommend for anyone who wants to see some great things but doesn't want to do a long adventure. The first part of the hike is a a little steep as you cross through the ski resort but once you get to Dog Lake you will see that all your efforts are rewarded. If you have time and want to extend your hike then continue hiking the 1/2 mile to Lake Mary. If you want to extend it even more then hike to Lake Martha and even Lake Catherine if you have the time.

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