Ensign Peak
A short hike north of downtown that reaches the summit in about twenty minutes, with views over the city center, the State Capitol and the Great Salt Lake.
Ensign Peak is the hill the Mormon pioneers first climbed after arriving in 1847, where Brigham Young looked out and laid out the city's plan. The trail is about 0.8 km one way, with about 120 m of elevation gain, and takes 20–30 minutes to reach the summit. From the monument at the top, you can see the entire downtown and the State Capitol, and in the distance, the Great Salt Lake and the Oquirrh Mountains. Admission is free. Sunset is the best time to visit; in summer, midday is hot with no shade, so bring water. The trailhead is in a residential area north of the State Capitol, where you can park.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Utah State Capitol
- Temple Square
- Salt Lake Tabernacle & Tabernacle Choir
- Beehive House
- Cathedral of the Madeleine
- Clark Planetarium
- Gilgal Sculpture Garden
- Liberty Park & Tracy Aviary