Hello!
Here is your location and information guide! All locations are under two hours from Salt Lake. I know solitude is important to you guys, so the further out we get, the higher our odds are for that! Let me know what you think, think of this as a first round, as I see what you guys are drawn to, I can do further digging. However, after lots of research and scouting, I think these options provide the best accessibility to solitude ratio within a couple hours of SLC! I think it could be fun to go up in the Uintahs, and then head to Main street in Park City for a fun dinner with your people.
Average weather in Uintahs- As we increase elevation with these options, the temperatures will be cooler!
Sunset time: 7:30 p.m.
Map with pins for locations: To give you an idea of how things lay out.
The Uintah Mountains
This is a massive mountain range that covers a good chunk of Eastern Utah. Depending on the access point, they are about a two hour drive from Salt Lake. You can either approach from Kamas, Duchesne, or Evanston on the Wyoming side. While some parts of the Uintahs are more frequented, there are lots of quiet corners. As with most mountain ranges, we are getting into the danger zone of snow the closer to the end of September we get. While it’s a low possibility, I want to make sure to mention it!
Lodging Options
I’m not sure if you guys are planning on staying in SLC, but here are some options really close to the mountains for you guys to stay at! Another option would be to stay in Park City. Let me know where you guys are planning on staying and I can provide some additional options!
Heber- Fishing Spot
Location: 1 hour from Salt Lake, in Heber.
Thoughts: This is a fly fishing spot just outside of the town of Heber, which is about ten minutes from Park City. There are several trails that wind along the river. Does require walking through brush and uneven ground. If we see anyone, it would be someone fishing, which is unlikely in the evenings generally. This would be the spot that I think has the highest potential to run into others, but still pretty low. Really beautiful spot along the river.
Christmas Meadows
Location: 2 hours from Salt Lake (This is the furthest option, and highest elevation. Along Mirror Lake Byway
My thoughts: This is my favorite non-desert view and spot in all of Utah. The mountain peak over the meadow feels massive, and this most beautiful creek winds through this meadow. It’s tranquil and awe-inspiring, by mid-September, there usually aren’t any people around. It is down a 3 mile dirt road, but it is drivable by passenger car unless it has recently snowed. It WILL be chilly, but if you’re after solitude and really grand views, this is the spot.
My editing and shooting style has changed so much, but this was shot in Late September.
UIntah River-side Spot
Location: 1.25 hours from SLC, along Mirror Lake Byway
Thoughts: Very accessible, but very secluded, as it’s a fishing spot off of a side road. It is along the Mirror Lake Byway, and about as pretty as you get! I think this is a great option if you don’t want to go as far as Christmas Meadows. These photos were shot in late summer, so the water levels would be even lower in September, exposing more of that pretty river rock cobblestone.
This spot doesn’t have a name, I just found it by exploring, so I have included some additional photos for you to scroll through. However, it is close to the turn-off for Soapstone Basin.
Lily Lake
Location: 1.5 hours from SLC, along the mirror lake byway
Thoughts: This lake is right off the highway, but is usually very quiet in the later months as it starts to get chilly. There is a decent amount of beetle kill in the area (trees that are brown/dead) but it is still a really beautiful spot. It is incredibly accessible, and would require the shortest walk of any of these, although all of these spots are less than a 5/10 minute walk on relatively flat ground.
I’ve attached some additional photos.
Horseshoe Springs
Location: 1.25 hours from SLC, WEST of the city
Thoughts: As opposed to the above spots, this one is west of SLC, you are mostly on the freeway to get there vs. a mountain road, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful! Once you drive down a lonely desert highway, you get to this spot that has several “warm springs,” that are generally used for fishing. Occasionally there are people out there, but they are usually hanging out with a dog, passing through, or quiet fisherman here or there. This area has much more of a desert feel, if you are drawn to that.
Attached photos are more personal cell phone photos of the area.
Strawberry RIdge
Location: 1.75 hours from SLC, above Strawberry Reservoir. Requires 4 WD
Thoughts This one came to mind for a location on the closer side. The road is not very rough, but I would say requires 4WD and some clearance. This view looks over Spanish Fork canyon, and the layers of mountains at sunset are absolutely incredible. A very remote spot, if we saw anyone, it would just be people camping in the area, although they tend to dwindle out this late in the year.
Some personal cell-phone photos attached.
Volcano Peak
Location: 1.75 hours from SLC, by the Salt Flats and Wendover. 4WD and clearance needed.
Thoughts: This is another beautiful spot if you’re wanting a desert feel. It is VERY remote, I have never seen another human out here. The main drawback is that you’re pretty far from any city if you want to do dinner after, besides Wendover. However, could make for a fun day to see the Salt Flats, and then drive the 15 extra minutes to this spot.