Silver Lake Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah

Silver Lake – 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 in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Not even in your car according to the Forest Service
Fees: None
Restrooms: Yes. About 100 ft south of the trailhead
Camping: Not allowed
Trail Condition: Wooden boardwalk for about half the trail. The rest of the trail is on a solid dirt path
Distance: 1 mile
Time Required: 30+ minutes
Sights: Silver Lake, Brighton
Best Season: spring, summer, fall
Water Info: Bring a bottle of water if needed
Parking Elevation: 8749 ft
Summit Elevation: 8768 ft
Elevation Difference: 19 ft
Trek Planner Maps

Trail Map

GPS Coordinates

Trailhead: 40.60351, -111.5847
Picnic Area: 40.60316, -111.58533

Experience. Discover. Explore.

The Trail

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

Be a responsible explorer




Silver Lake is a beautiful lake settled high up in Big Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City.  The Lake is about 11 acres in size and is surrounded by tall mountains and pine, spruce, and aspen trees.  The wooden boardwalk provides a very leisure and enjoyable experience and even those who use wheelchairs or have mobility issues will have no problem walking out to the lake.  If you are a fisherman or fisherwoman, you will be happy to know that there are some decent sized Brook and Rainbow Trout.  I asked one guy who was fishing and he said the fishing was “great” so I guess it’s great.

You need a fishing license and check this website for more fishing information: https://dwrapps.utah.gov/fishing/fStart?id=1246979664

If you are hiking in the warmer months you will have opportunity to find many wildflowers and animal sightings.  The wildflowers usually bloom mid-July!  You can see many mountain and alpine flowers including fireweed and monkshood.

I have seen many different types of waterfowl, birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and even a moose.  This is bear country so always be prepared for that too.  However, this is a VERY popular trail so prepare to see dozens of people or more.  When I visited Silver Lake in July, I saw two large groups of school children and about a hundred more people so it can get quite crowded.

As you begin the trail from the parking area you will be on the wooden boardwalk.  The trail makes a loop so it really doesn’t matter which way you start.  I always go left so I can have immediate access to the lake and stand on the fishing platform to watch people fish.




The trail then circles around the lake and has several different interpretive signs about the wildlife and the Big Cottonwood Canyon watershed.  This is an absolutely beautiful hike and it’s great to just leisurely walk and admire Silver Lake and surrounding mountains.

If you have any questions about Silver Lake or want to see fish and watershed displays and hands-on displays, then check out the Silver Lake Visitor Center at the trailhead.  Sometimes they offer guided field trips.  Inquire inside for more information.

Since all of Big Cottonwood Canyon is a watershed for Salt Lake City you aren’t allowed to swim in any of the lakes in the canyons.  They are pretty strict on this too.


Personal Thoughts

Personal Thoughts

Silver Lake is a beautiful lake that is one I try to visit in the fall a few times for the changing colors of the leaves. The lake can and does get busy but this is a fun adventure for everyone!

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