Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood), Worldwide. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Utah, USA
- Country
- Worldwide
- Biome
- Sub-alpine (2,650 m)
- Best season
- May – October
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Canoeing
- Fishing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Sub-alpine (2,650 m)
- Best season: May – October
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood)
Topic summary
Wasatch alpine camping 30 minutes from Salt Lake City at 8,700 ft.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: May – October
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Sub-alpine (2,650 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood) trip tools
How to get there
Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood) is in Utah, USA, Worldwide. Its center point is 40.6100, -111.6100. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood)
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
- Canoeing
Paddle routes, portages, and put-ins.
Animals around Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood)
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood)Amazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood)
Planning to fish Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood), Utah? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Utah are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood)?
- A Utah fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Utah fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood)
Thinking about hunting Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood), Utah? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Utah are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood)?
- Confirm the land around Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood) is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Utah?
- A Utah hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Silver Lake trip-planning scope
Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood) is the Utah destination covered here, but lake-specific access and trail details cannot be established with confidence. Utah supports a broad range of outdoor recreation, including hiking, skiing, snowboarding, camping, and climbing; that statewide context does not establish which activities are available or allowed at this lake. A useful plan needs a confirmed destination location, an identified managing agency, and current access information before choosing an outing. Do not assume that descriptions of other Utah lakes apply to this one. In particular, a lake name alone does not establish whether there is a shoreline trail, a developed trailhead, drinking water, parking, or accessible facilities. Those details remain unconfirmed here.
Regional context, not driving directions
Utah lies in the Mountain West, and much of its population is concentrated along the Wasatch Front in the north-central part of the state. Salt Lake City, the state capital, is part of that urban region. These are useful geographic anchors for understanding Utah, but they are not sufficient for giving directions to Silver Lake. No road approach, parking location, public transport connection, or drive time is established here. Before setting out, confirm the exact arrival point rather than navigating only to a matching lake name. Check whether the intended arrival point serves the activity being planned, and obtain current road and parking information. A statewide travel description should not be treated as a local access guide.
What to confirm before choosing an outing
No specific walking route, trail length, elevation profile, difficulty rating, or seasonal access pattern can be stated reliably for this destination here. Choose a route only after confirming its start point, terrain, expected duration, and current conditions. Utah has year-round outdoor recreation, but that does not mean every destination or activity is available throughout the year. Likewise, the state's opportunities for boating, camping, and hiking do not establish permission for those uses at Silver Lake. Confirm allowed activities and any applicable permit requirements with the managing agency. For an outdoor outing, match clothing, water, food, and navigation equipment to the verified route and forecast. Avoid building a schedule around assumed facilities or an unverified trail connection.
Sample itineraries
- Silver Lake day-visit planning · 1 day
Keep this as a flexible day-visit outline, not a verified route. Before traveling to Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood), confirm the location, public access, current conditions and available walking options with the managing agency.
- Silver Lake with a Salt Lake City alternative · 2 days
Plan one day for Silver Lake, subject to confirmed access and conditions. Use the other for Salt Lake City's historical and modern sites. No driving time, trail length or overnight arrangement is established here.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Local access window unconfirmed
Utah supports outdoor recreation throughout the year, but that does not establish spring conditions at Silver Lake. Confirm local weather and ground conditions before choosing an activity.
Summer
Local hiking window unconfirmed
Hiking is a statewide activity, not a verified summer offering at this lake. Increasing drought across Utah makes checking water availability and carrying drinking water sensible.
Fall
Local access window unconfirmed
No lake-specific fall conditions are established. Check the forecast and current access rather than assuming statewide year-round recreation means this destination remains suitable.
Winter
Local winter recreation window unconfirmed
Utah offers skiing and snowboarding, but no winter route or activity is established for Silver Lake here. Confirm suitable access, conditions and equipment needs before planning a winter outing.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Local access window unconfirmed | Utah supports outdoor recreation throughout the year, but that does not establish spring conditions at Silver Lake. Confirm local weather and ground conditions before choosing an activity. |
| Summer | Local hiking window unconfirmed | Hiking is a statewide activity, not a verified summer offering at this lake. Increasing drought across Utah makes checking water availability and carrying drinking water sensible. |
| Fall | Local access window unconfirmed | No lake-specific fall conditions are established. Check the forecast and current access rather than assuming statewide year-round recreation means this destination remains suitable. |
| Winter | Local winter recreation window unconfirmed | Utah offers skiing and snowboarding, but no winter route or activity is established for Silver Lake here. Confirm suitable access, conditions and equipment needs before planning a winter outing. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm permit requirements, current rules and any charges with the managing agency before visiting Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood).
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Utah's harsh climate calls for checking the local forecast; specific weather hazards at Silver Lake are not established.
- Challenging geography is a statewide concern. Confirm terrain and route difficulty locally before committing to a walk.
- Drought is increasing in frequency and severity across Utah. Do not assume drinking water will be available at the destination.
What to pack for Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood)
- Clothing layers selected for the local forecast
- Weather protection appropriate to confirmed conditions
- Drinking water
- Food for the planned outing
- Navigation information for a locally confirmed route
Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood) FAQ
- Is there a verified walking route around Silver Lake?
- No route description, distance or access point is established here. Obtain current route information from the managing agency before setting out.
- When is the best time to visit?
- A lake-specific visiting season cannot be established. Utah's year-round outdoor recreation does not guarantee year-round access or suitable conditions at Silver Lake.
- Are permits or reservations required?
- Confirm requirements directly with the managing agency. No destination-specific permit, fee or reservation details are established here.
- Can visitors camp, boat or swim at the lake?
- These activities are not confirmed for Silver Lake. Statewide recreation opportunities do not establish what is allowed at an individual lake; check local rules before bringing activity-specific equipment.
- What can be planned in Salt Lake City?
- Salt Lake City has modern and historical attractions, including Temple Square. It can provide a separate city day, but travel time from Silver Lake is not established here.