This article was originally published in the Outdoors print issue of The Daily Utah Chronicle, originally in stands on September 23, 2024. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.

Over the years, Salt Lake City has grown to become a hub of arts, sports and exciting events. It’s home to the Utah Jazz, a new National Hockey League team and a university football program ranked highly in the Associated Press Top 25. Abravanel Hall is home to the talented Utah Symphony, and the Eccles Theater hosts a variety of traveling Broadway shows.

With a population of 204,653, around 17.8 million tourists each year, according to the 2021 Utah Visitor Profile & Insights Report, and 31,501 students attending the University of Utah, the city can start to feel pretty crowded.

For those moments where you’re feeling overwhelmed and just a little claustrophobic, here are some of the best spots to escape.

Go Past the Hospital for City Views

81 N Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Situated right at the top of campus, the entrance to the Primary Children’s Hospital outpatient services building sits right on top of the parking garage, extending a walkway out to benches right at the ledge of the top level of the parking structure. Just a short walk from the classrooms and the dorms, this spot is perfect for when you need a quick study break.

Looking out at the perfect view of campus and the city, this is the kind of spot where you go to contemplate your future. Where you go to think about your major, career options and opportunities and wonder if you picked the right one. It’s the kind of spot where you go to think about the world and how it really is. Is it going to be kind to you? Is it as hopeful as you thought it was? Or is there too much pain, too many injustices? Will you really make a difference?

You might be leaving with more questions than answers, but you’ll have a new resolve to keep going and find out for yourself.

Living Room Lookout Hike

383 Colorow Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Right in the University of Utah’s backyard, this 2.3-mile hike leads up to a breathtaking lookout of the whole Salt Lake Valley from a birds-eye view.

Despite the entrance of the hike being so close to the city, just a few steps in will have you feeling like you left it all behind. The climb up is hard, being a steep and steady incline straight up the mountain, but the journey to the top is just as rewarding as the view. The scenic surroundings lining the path will have you feeling grounded with every step you take, the noise of car engines and loud music will be replaced with silence, and the faint sound of the wind will have you taking a deep breath as it carries all your worries away. This hike is so quiet and serene and leads up to a small perch with a gathering of flat rocks to sit and look out over the whole valley.

It’s the type of view where cars look like a speck of dust and everything seems so small and insignificant. Time stands still as you reflect on what troubles you, and what really matters. You’ll feel as though you could spend your whole day up there, and while you will eventually have to come back down, you won’t leave without feeling like you have your own little secret garden.

Vista Mound Lookout at Ensign Peak

Ensign Peak Trail, Salt Lake City, UT 84103

Right above Capitol Hill, situated up in the Avenues, is an easy hike that leads up to a stellar view of Salt Lake City. Just a short walkway up to the entrance of the hike is the Vista Mound Lookout, and the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Getting there right as the sun goes down you see the whole valley light up with twinkling lights.

The high-rises and city lights will have you looking out in awe and suddenly hit with a “Wow, I’m really here right now” moment. It’s the kind of spot that will have you reminiscing on your college memories, remembering that feeling of excitement when you first moved in and looking forward to all the city has to offer you. Smiling at the flashbacks of tailgates and football games, wild parties and nights out with friends, remembering where you started, and looking back with pride at where you are now. Take a moment to appreciate all that it was good for and then move on.

Life can get crazy, but there are plenty of spots to escape the chaos of the city.

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