How to find hiking partners in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City has the Wasatch rising right behind it, with trailheads 20 minutes from downtown. Here's how to find people to hike with, plus trails that work well for a first hike with someone new.
Updated November 2026
Finding people to hike with in Salt Lake City
Few big cities have real mountains this close to downtown. That makes it easy to go hiking and easy to go alone. When everyone around you skis, climbs or runs at a different level, finding someone for the same trail at the same pace takes work.
The local clubs have hikes every week for every level. And if you want a partner for one specific trail and day, post it in Ridgemate and we’ll ping you when someone nearby wants to do it too.
Hiking groups in Salt Lake City
These groups are run by locals and are free or low cost. Check each group's page for its next hike, since schedules change.
Wasatch Hiking & Outdoors Group
A 12,400+ member Meetup group with hikes for all skill levels, including night hikes, plus camping trips and social events around the valley.
Wasatch Mountain Club
Utah's member-run outdoor club since 1920, covering hiking, backpacking, skiing, climbing and more. The club suggests attending an activity or two before you join.
Good trails for hiking with someone new near Salt Lake City
Busy, well marked trails with clear parking are the easiest place to meet a new hiking partner for the first time.
Ensign Peak
Short, close to downtown and great at sunset, with views over the valley and the Great Salt Lake. An easy first hike with someone new.
Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge
A moderate trail to a suspension bridge over the canyon. Local hiking groups use it for after-work hikes.
Donut Falls
A popular, mostly gentle hike to a waterfall that pours through a hole in the rock. Easy to make a relaxed outing.
Lake Blanche
One of the Wasatch's classic hikes, to an alpine lake under Sundial Peak. Save it for once you know each other's pace.
Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are protected watershed, so dogs aren't allowed on these trails. Summer afternoons can bring storms, and some higher trails hold snow into early summer, so check conditions before you go.
How to find a hiking partner in Salt Lake City with Ridgemate
- Post the hike you want to do. Pick a trail (or paste an AllTrails link) and a day, or mark it as anytime.
- Go about your week. When someone nearby wants to hike the same trail around the same time, you both get a ping.
- Plan it in the group chat. Sort out the meetup spot and the carpool, then go.
Ridgemate is free on iPhone. Women and non-binary hikers can choose to match only with each other. It's new in Salt Lake City, so the more people post the hikes they actually want to do, the faster matches happen.
Meeting a hiking partner for the first time
- Pick a popular trail for the first hike and meet at the trailhead rather than carpooling.
- Tell a friend where you're going, who you're meeting, and when you expect to be back.
- Agree on pace, distance, and a turnaround time before you start.
- Carry your own water, food, layers, and a charged phone, even on a short hike.
- If the vibe is off at the trailhead, it's fine to call it. A good partner will understand.
Salt Lake City hiking FAQ
What's the biggest hiking group in Salt Lake City?
The Wasatch Hiking & Outdoors Group on Meetup has more than 12,400 members and hikes for all skill levels. The Wasatch Mountain Club has organized trips since 1920.
What's a good first hike with someone new in Salt Lake City?
Ensign Peak is a 1.8-mile round trip with a big view over the city. It's short, busy and close to downtown, which is what you want for a first hike with someone you just met.
How do I find a hiking partner for Lake Blanche or other Wasatch hikes?
Post the trail and day in Ridgemate. When someone nearby wants the same trail around the same time, you both get a ping and a group chat opens to plan it.
Can I bring my dog on Salt Lake City hikes?
Not in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, which are protected watershed. Many other trails allow leashed dogs, so check the trail's rules first.
Find someone to hike with in Salt Lake City
Post the trail you've been wanting to do. We'll ping you when someone nearby wants in.
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