Explore King's Peak in Utah, the crown jewel of the Uinta Range. Dive into 4 scenic hiking trails, tips, and essentials for a memorable adventure.
Utah has many beautiful places to explore. From its arid deserts, to its lush pine forests, and everything in between, you can find a place that suits your tastes.
But there is one place that stands out as the perfect destination for anyone looking for an adventure: Kings Peak.
Kings Peak is located in Utah’s Wasatch Range and offers some of the best hiking in the country. At 13,528 feet above sea level, Kings Peak is one of the tallest mountains in Utah, making it a popular destination for hikers.
And while there are many other beautiful hikes that you can take in Utah, Kings Peak is unique because it offers something for everyone. It has challenging trails for experienced hikers and trails for those who are just starting out as well.
There are several different ways to reach the summit of Kings Peak, but regardless of which one you choose, it will be an unforgettable experience.
Kings Peak is the highest point in the Uinta Mountain Range
The Uinta Mountains are part of the Rocky Mountains, which extend from Alaska to Mexico. They are located in northeastern Utah, southwest Wyoming and northwest Colorado.
The Uinta Mountains run for about 300 miles along the Wasatch Front, which is a region of ridges and valleys formed by a series of east-west trending faults that cross the Great Basin region.
The range stretches from the North Fork of Weber River in northern Utah to Provo Canyon in southern Utah. This mountain range is home to Kings Peak which is the highest point in Utah at 13,528 feet above sea level.
Abundant with wildlife
The Uinta Mountain Range and the area around King’s Peak is home to a diverse collection of animals. The main species include elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. Bears can be found in the high country where they feed on berries and roots.
The elk are plentiful and you can see them throughout the Park. They can be seen grazing in meadows or along streams. The mule deer are also abundant and can often be seen at lower elevations during mornings and evenings. They feed on grasses and other vegetation during the summer months, but will migrate up into the higher elevations in late summer when food becomes scarce at lower elevations.
Bighorn sheep reside year round in the high country above 10,000 feet and are most often seen in groups of two or three individuals. Mountain goats also reside year round at high elevations above 10,000 feet and can be seen feeding on rocky outcrops or browsing shrubs along cliff sides.
Bear populations are low due to their natural shyness around humans and their preference for avoiding areas with heavy human use such as campgrounds and trails.
In addition to the wildlife mentioned above, there are many types of fish that live in the streams and lakes in the Uinta Mountains. These include trout, walleye and bass as well as other types of fish like perch and bluegill.
Visitors may also see eagles, osprey and other birds of prey that live in the area’s high altitude lakes and streams. The range is home to more than 200 species of birds, including songbirds and waterfowl such as Canada geese, mallards and pintails.
Kings Peak is great for hiking
Kings Peak is great for hiking, and it’s relatively easy to get to. The mountain is located just south of the Utah-Idaho border in the Uinta Mountains in Utah. Kings Peak is the highest point in Utah at 13,528 feet above sea level.
The trailhead is about 12 miles from Wasatch Mountain State Park and 32 miles from Mt. Ogden City Park. Kings Peak is a popular winter destination and can be reached by snowmobile during the winter months. It can also be reached via a scenic drive on US Highway 40, which is closed in the winter months due to snow accumulation.
The hike to Kings Peak takes between seven and nine hours roundtrip depending on how fast you hike (the hike up and back takes about 14 hours). The trail begins at an elevation of 8,400 feet and climbs steeply through aspen forests with some of the best views in all of Utah! The last half mile or so gains 1,500 feet in elevation as it winds up a ridge that leads to the summit plateau where Kings Peak sits at 13,528 feet above sea level.
To make the most of your trip, you should plan ahead by bringing enough food and water, preparing yourself physically and mentally for this challenging journey. You’ll also want to bring gear that will keep you warm on cold nights and cool on hot days. The mountain can be harsh in any condition—especially if it is wet—so be prepared for changing weather conditions (and quickly adapting).
When planning your route and campsite locations, don’t overlook the higher elevations or exposed terrain along or near Kings Peak itself; these areas may require extra gear if you want to feel comfortable sleeping there overnight during colder months when temperatures drop well below freezing at night!
Camping around King’s Peak
There are no campgrounds near Kings Peak. If you wish to camp you will have to backpack into one of several designated wilderness campsites accessible from Henrys Fork Trail, Anderson Pass Trail, or Painter Basin Trail. Backpacking permits must be obtained at the ranger station in Kamas or in person at various trailheads.
Camping is not allowed at the summit of Kings Peak (it is off limits). The closest backcountry campsite is 12 miles away on Henrys Fork Trail and requires an additional 6 mile hike from there to reach Anderson Pass for a total of 18 miles round trip.
You will encounter several different forest types on your hike up Kings Peak
You will encounter several different forest types on your hike up Kings Peak depending on how high you are, how much snow there is, and in what direction you approach it. At lower elevations there will be lodgepole pine and some aspen while higher up Douglas fir and white bark pine are more common.
The most important thing to remember when hiking in alpine environments is that the weather can change quickly so always be prepared for inclement conditions such as cold temperatures, high winds and rain/snow storms.
Carry Essentials
Be sure to plan ahead and bring plenty of water, as there are no reliable water sources along Henry’s Fork Trail, Anderson Pass Trail or Painter Basin Trail. Plan to carry enough for both the entire way to Dollar Lake and back out again plus additional water for cooking and cleaning at camp. Boiling water for five minutes will kill most harmful organisms found in water from streams and lakes in this area.
Also, make sure you aren’t relying on any kind of cache or fountain because they won’t be there! Again: don’t expect anything! You have to bring everything with you on your hike OR stay at home!
Best Hiking Trails at King’s Peak Utah
The Henry Mountains of Utah are a great place for hiking. The mountain range is located in southwestern Utah, about 60 miles east of the Great Salt Lake and 50 miles west of Moab. The highest peak in the Henrys, King’s Peak, offers incredible views from its summit at 12,305 feet above sea level. While there are other peaks with higher elevations within the range, none offer such a panoramic view as King’s Peak does on clear days.
Henrys Fork Trail
This 19-mile trail is rated moderate and is the perfect family hike. The trail starts at the Henry’s Fork Trailhead and winds through a beautiful forested area. As it climbs, it provides breathtaking views of Castle Rock and Pine Valley Mountain.
When you reach the top, it’s time to take in more spectacular sights as you cross over several plateaus where you can see as far as 50 miles! Once you’ve had your fill of nature’s beauty, continue along the trail that takes you past Lake Blanche before turning back down toward your starting point.
This is a great hike for beginners or advanced hikers alike since there are plenty of areas throughout this trail where those who aren’t familiar with hiking can rest or catch their breath easily. If you bring along children with no experience on trails like these before then now is definitely their chance!
There are also plenty of places off-trail where families can explore without getting lost either so if anyone gets tired they’ll be able to stay together without worrying about getting lost in unfamiliar surroundings
Yellowstone Creek (Swift Creek) Trailhead
If you’re looking for a longer, more difficult hike that leads to the summit of King’s Peak, the Yellowstone Creek (Swift Creek) Trailhead is your best bet. The trail to the top is 35 miles long and rated as moderate in difficulty. As its name suggests, it begins on the western side of a creek before heading up into some rocky terrain and eventually joining up with the King’s Peak Trail from Blacksmith Fork Canyon towards the summit. This route is open year round and dog friendly but should only be attempted by experienced hikers who are comfortable using hiking poles for assistance when climbing over rocks and boulders or navigating steep sections of trail with loose gravel or dirt on them.
The Yellowstone Creek (Swift Creek) Trailhead offers plenty of parking space along with vault toilets so you won’t have any trouble getting ready for your hike! It also has water available throughout most months so don’t forget your Nalgene bottle if you need extra hydration during your trip!
Uinta River Trailhead
The Uinta River Trailhead is a great place to start your hike. It’s located in the Uinta Mountains, which is prime hiking territory. This trailhead is also ideal if you want to start a multi-day or backpacking trip because it has a pretty large parking area and nearby restrooms.
The Uinta River Trailhead is the beginning of many hiking trails at King’s Peak Utah. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy this area as well as nature lovers who want to escape into nature for several days at a time.
North Ridge Standard Route
The North Ridge Standard Route is 12.9 miles long and is defined as a strenuous trail with an elevation gain of 4,800 feet. You will need hiking boots, trekking poles and water before embarking on this hike.
The Uinta River Trailhead is the trailhead where most hikers begin their journey up to King’s Peak Utah. From there you can take your first steps onto a well-marked route heading south toward Mount Nebo which lies just off in the distance from King’s Peak Utah. The trail crosses over a small dirt road about 1 mile into the hike but continues generally uphill for another mile or so until reaching Mormon Row at 2 miles into your journey where several cabins sit scattered along with other structures such as outhouses and corrals for livestock belonging to ranchers who live nearby (and may be working).
From here you continue up through large patches of snow until reaching Blue Lake at 4 miles into your hike where you will find campsites available (but no running water). Thereafter it’s another 2 miles until reaching Red Lake which sits at 7200 feet above sea level with even more camping spots available here too! With that being said though – please do not camp within 200 feet of any lake or stream!
Conclusion
Kings peak hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. It’s also a good way to see some of the amazing views that Utah has to offer. If you’re planning on doing this hike yourself then it would be wise to do some research first so that you don’t end up getting lost or hurt yourself while out there!
There are so many incredible places to hike in Utah, but if you’re looking for the best hiking trails at King’s Peak, we recommend starting with one of these. Whether it’s a short hike or a long day trip from SLC (Salt Lake City), there’s something for everyone!
