Silver Lake

Silver Lake Utah is a beautiful little lake at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains east of Salt Lake City. I went there last weekend and it was a gorgeous hike. It is a very easy hike even for my parents, they are not very active and never been to any hiking.  It is a great spot for a scenic hike in the spring, summer, or fall. I have hiked this trail in the summer, fall and spring. Each time it was very different, there are a lot of wildflowers on the trail.
You’ll find picnic tables at various places around the lake. And many interpretive signs along the way.
Take your time on this hike. Enjoy the scenery. It’s a fantastic and peaceful place in the fall when the leaves are changing color. My favorite time up here. The lake is well stocked with fish. You’ll need a Utah fishing license to drop a line though. Take insect repellant during the summer. The mosquitoes can be quite annoying. I forgot my repellant the last time I hiked this trail, it was a painful one with all the mosquitoes swarming around trying to suck your blood.


Direction & Information:
Silver Lake might be the easiest hike on this website. The lake is circled by a boardwalk and is well signed. There are picnic tables and benches strategically located around the lake. The hike around the lake requires about 30 minutes, but most will spend several hours at the lake relaxing in the exquisite surroundings. The lake is stocked with fish and fishing is allowed with a Utah State fishing license.
          The Information Center (which in winter is the ticket and rental office for the Solitude Nordic Center) is located at the trailhead. During the summer months the US Forest Service operates the Information Center over weekends and on holidays between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Both the Information Center and walkway are wheelchair accessible.
          Everyone should carry a one liter of water. Water is plentiful in this area, but all water taken from lakes and streams should be filtered before drinking. Insect repellent is a good idea as mosquitoes can be bothersome during certain times of the year. A mosquito repellent that contains DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is highly recommended.
          Big Cottonwood Canyon is within Salt Lake City Watershed, therefore special restrictions apply and are strictly enforced. No domestic animals (dogs, cats, horses) are permitted in Big Cottonwood Canyon.


More Information
Credits: 
Utah.com