Silver Lake Fall Colors – Big Cottonwood Canyon Utah

Fall in Utah can be absolutely beautiful and this year is no exception.

Silver Lake is a very popular Utah destination in Big Cottonwood Canyon between the ski resorts of Solitude and Brighton.  I walked around Silver Lake this morning and the fall colors were at their absolute peak!  The aspens were looking brilliant in the early morning sun.

The walk around Silver Lake starts in both directions as a wooden walkway with informational signs along the way.  When the wooden walkway ends the trail is simple to walk on and is mainly dirt with some rocks and tree roots.  Part of the lake is actually a wetland, with marsh grass and even a couple of beaver lodges. 

The ”hike” around Silver Lake is a little less than a mile and walking around it is fairly simple.  There is a trail that takes off from the loop around the lake that will take hikers above the lake.  This offers a great view of the lake below and also looks across the canyon towards Guardsman Pass.

There is ample parking, but there is a fee so look for signs if you visit.  The small, main parking area can fill up quickly but more parking is close by.  There are bathrooms available as well.

By the way, skiing in this area is amazing. Silver Lake is just below Solitude Resort. Check out some of my skiing at Solitude!

Silver Lake is just over 14 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon from where S. Big Cottonwood Rd. takes off from Wasatch Blvd.  Click HERE for a map.