Bloods Lake Trail
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Bloods Lake Trail

4.7
·324 reviews·Park City, United States

A popular moderate hike in Utah's Wasatch Mountains leading to a stunning alpine lake with a rope swing and potential wildlife sightings.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, easier parking

CrowdLow
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Bloods Lake Trail

Bloods Lake Trail

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, easier parking

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A popular moderate hike in Utah's Wasatch Mountains leading to a stunning alpine lake with a rope swing and potential wildlife sightings.

4.7
(324 reviews)

"Beautiful scenery and my doggo absolutely loved it."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 Parking is a challenge!

Arrive VERY early or on a weekday. Parking is limited and has a fee.

🦟 Bug spray is essential!

Mosquitoes can be intense, especially near the lake. Don't forget your repellent!

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Quick Facts

Rating

4.7 · 324 reviews

Type

Hiking Area

👶 Good for kids

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Bloods Lake

Bloods Lake

End of the main trail

A stunning alpine lake surrounded by mountains, perfect for a refreshing dip or just soaking in the views. Watch for moose!

Rope Swing

Rope Swing

Bloods Lake

For the adventurous, take a leap from the iconic rope swing into the cool waters of Bloods Lake.

Instagram
Wildflower Meadows

Wildflower Meadows

Along the trail

During the right season, the meadows burst with colorful wildflowers, adding to the trail's natural beauty.

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Planning Your Visit

Parking & Fees: Plan Ahead!

Parking at Bloods Lake Trailhead is extremely limited and fills up fast. Expect to pay a daily fee ($5/hour weekdays, $8/hour weekends). Arrive very early or consider weekdays to secure a spot and avoid parking stress. Instagram

Beat the Crowds & Bugs

This is a popular spot! Go early in the morning, especially on weekends, to enjoy a more peaceful hike and fewer people. Be prepared for mosquitoes, particularly near the lake, and bring plenty of bug spray. InstagramReddit

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, easier parking
Crowd
Low
When
Weekend mornings (early)
Why
Beat the rush, cooler temps
Crowd
Medium
When
Late afternoon
Why
Golden hour light
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Bloods lake trail #utahcheck #utahhiking #utah
@thebellamyadventures
15.7K likes • 190.8K views

🚗 Parking is a challenge!

Arrive VERY early or on a weekday. Parking is limited and has a fee. InstagramReddit

🦟 Bug spray is essential!

Mosquitoes can be intense, especially near the lake. Don't forget your repellent! Instagram

this is one of our favorite trails in utah its gets busy on weekends and the parking lot isnt the biggest if you go during the week its usually best 📍Bloods Lake trail - Park city Utah 🏃‍♂️2.8 miles out and back ⛰️ 462 ft Elevation 🐕 Dog friendly #utahtrails #utahhikes #utahhiking #utahgram #utah #utahcheck
@thebellamyadventures
10.7K likes • 122K views
👉 Share this with someone you want to go on these hikes with and follow @zee.travel for more adventures out west & beyond A few things to note about a few of these hikes: 📍Bloods Lake: Parking is very limited here and street parking is not allowed. Park City also added a $5/hour fee for parking on weekdays and $8/hour on weekends. Alternatively you can take the Park City Transit to the trailhea...
zee.travel
1K likes • 22.2K views

🥾 Wear proper footwear

The terrain can be challenging in spots. Hiking boots are recommended over casual shoes. Reddit

💧 Bring plenty of water

Stay hydrated, especially with the elevation. Pack more than you think you'll need.

Bloods Lake Trail: 2.8 miles, 462 ft of gain This trailhead can easily be reached from the Wasatch Front, Midway, and Park City-just below Guardsman Pass. Moderate difficulty and on-leash dog friendly! Armstrong Trail to Dawns Trail Loop: 3.5 miles, 711 ft of gain Dawns Trail is a hiking only trail, but the rest of this loop is a multi-use trail. Know that this trail travels through potential a...
realtor.sarah.schweizer
17 likes • 994 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Parking is a challenge!

Arrive VERY early or on a weekday. Parking is limited and has a fee. InstagramReddit

🦟 Bug spray is essential!

Mosquitoes can be intense, especially near the lake. Don't forget your repellent! Instagram

🥾 Wear proper footwear

The terrain can be challenging in spots. Hiking boots are recommended over casual shoes. Reddit

💧 Bring plenty of water

Stay hydrated, especially with the elevation. Pack more than you think you'll need.

🐾 Dogs welcome (on leash)

Your furry friends can join, but must be kept on a leash. Instagram+1

What Travellers Say

4.7
(324 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Bloods Lake Trail is a highly-rated moderate hike offering stunning alpine lake views and a chance for wildlife sightings. Visitors praise the beautiful scenery and the refreshing lake, though parking limitations and fees, along with mosquitoes, are common drawbacks. The trail can be challenging for very young children or those unaccustomed to elevation.

"The hike was well maintained. There was a lot of parking for when I arrived at 9:30. We pretty much had the trail to ourselves and noticed more people coming in when we were done with the hike. At 2.20 miles I was feeling it kick my butt, but I am not used to the elevation and haven’t had an inclined hike in about 2 months. It’s definitely manageable! I would come again."

Yareli Reyes

"It is mostly a good trail but gets really hard in a couple areas if you are not in great shape with great balance. It is a really busy trail so be prepared to have to stop a bit here and there to let others by. LOTS of mosquitoes so bug spray is a must. Beautiful scenery and my doggo absolutely loved it."

Cambria Townsend

"Nice well kept trail. Not too busy on a Saturday. We ended up taking a shorter hike and enjoyed it a lot. We were frustrated with the parking, we ran out of time and we're unable to extend the park. This added anxiety and bothered us during the hike."

Chris Strait

What People Like

Beautiful lake views
Chance to see moose
Refreshing lake dip

What People Dislike

Limited parking
Parking fees
Mosquitoes

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Bloods Lake Trailhead is located near Park City, Utah, just below Guardsman Pass. It's accessible from the Wasatch Front, Midway, and Park City. Be aware that parking is extremely limited and has an hourly fee. Instagram+1

Parking is very limited and often fills up quickly, especially on weekends. There's an hourly fee for parking. Arriving early in the morning or on a weekday is highly recommended. Instagram+1

No, street parking is not allowed near the Bloods Lake Trailhead. You must park in the designated lot, which has a fee. Instagram

To avoid traffic and secure parking, aim to arrive as early as possible, ideally before 9 AM, or consider visiting on a weekday. Instagram+1

Public transport options to the immediate trailhead are limited. Driving is the most common method, but be prepared for parking challenges. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

There is no specific entrance fee for the trail itself, but there is an hourly parking fee at the trailhead. This fee can be $5/hour on weekdays and $8/hour on weekends. Instagram

Bloods Lake Trail is generally accessible from dawn until dusk. There are no set operating hours for the trail itself, but parking lot access may vary. Instagram

No, you do not need to book tickets in advance. However, due to limited parking, it's advisable to plan your visit for early morning or weekdays to ensure you can park. Instagram

Information on specific passes covering the parking fee is not widely available. It's best to budget for the hourly parking charges. Instagram

The parking fee is $5 per hour on weekdays and $8 per hour on weekends. Instagram

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

Bloods Lake Trail is generally considered moderate. It's a 2.8-mile round trip with about 465 feet of elevation gain. Some sections can be challenging, especially if you're not accustomed to the elevation. InstagramReddit+1

The hike typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours round trip, including time to enjoy the lake. Some visitors have reported longer times if they take breaks or explore. Instagram

The trail can be difficult for very young children due to some challenging terrain and elevation. Families with older children (7-9 years) have successfully completed the hike. Reddit

Yes, swimming is permitted in Bloods Lake. It's a popular spot for a refreshing dip, especially on warmer days. Instagram

Restroom facilities are typically available at the Bloods Lake Trailhead, though availability can vary. Instagram

Visitors have reported seeing moose, Uinta ground squirrels, and fireflies. Keep a safe distance if you encounter wildlife. Instagram+1

📸 📸 Photography Tips

The lake itself offers stunning reflections and mountain backdrops. Look for wildflower patches in meadows and scenic overlooks along the trail. The rope swing area is also popular for photos. Instagram

Early morning or late afternoon (golden hour) provides the best light for photography, minimizing harsh shadows and creating a beautiful atmosphere. Instagram

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive mountain and lake scenery. A telephoto lens can be useful for wildlife spotting. Don't forget extra batteries and memory cards. Instagram

Drone usage regulations can vary. It's best to check local regulations and park rules before flying a drone, as they may be restricted in protected natural areas. Instagram

Visit during calm weather conditions, ideally in the early morning when the water is still. Position yourself to capture the surrounding peaks and sky in the reflection. Instagram

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