The Oakley Ridge Trail is a moderate hike at only 6 miles round trip, with scenic view of the backside of the Wasatch Mountains and surrounding cities of Oakley and Kamas, Utah. Get your legs ready for a fun climb!
About
The Oakley Ridge Trail is a hidden gem for hikers looking for solitude, scenery, and a good workout. This scenic loop climbs roughly 2,000 feet, offering a satisfying leg burn along with panoramic views that make the effort worthwhile. One of the best parts about this trail is how quiet it is—it’s rarely crowded, making it ideal for peaceful nature escapes.
The best times to hike Oakley Ridge are during spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and the trail conditions are favorable. Summer hikes can be challenging due to the lack of shade and no water sources along the route, so plan for early morning starts and carry plenty of water. Winter hikes are possible with snowshoes, but the trail can be hard to follow under snow—it’s best attempted only if you’re already familiar with the route. Dogs are allowed to use this trail off leash but always carry a leash for wildlife encounters. I didn’t bring Charlie on this hike due to the heat and steep climb. He’s just too old for certain conditions now.
I started my hike on a Monday at 7 a.m. to beat the heat and enjoy the stillness of the morning. I didn’t see another person—or even any wildlife—the entire time. It was the perfect solo adventure!
Directions
The Oakley Ridge Trail starts near the Oakley Bike Park in Oakley, Utah. To reach the official trailhead, follow Pinon Lane and turn onto a dirt road. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for this section, as the road can be rough in spots. If you’re driving a smaller car, it’s best to park at the Oakley Bike Park and hike the extra 0.4 miles each way to the trailhead. Click here for a driving map.
Trail Info
Distance: 6 miles RT
Elevation gain: 2,000 ft
Time: 2-4 hours
Dog friendly? Yes, off leash
Kid friendly? Yes, ages 10+
Fees/Permits? None
Hiking the Oakley Ridge Trail: What to Expect
Start of the Oakley Ridge Trail and Seymore Trail.
First trail split. This is where you need to chose what direction you will go. I went clockwise, opting to knock out the switchbacks first. In hindsight, I wish I would’ve gone counter clockwise to be able to run down the switchbacks. Take your pick!
At the next trail split, stay right.
You will start your switchbacks in a boulder field. In total, you will hike up 19 switchbacks over the first 2 miles.
Finally, a small flat section!
The switchbacks are actually quite gradual, gaining 1,000 ft elevation over 2 miles.
Almost to the “T” in along the trail to the Oakley Ridge.
On the Ridge
At 1.9 miles you will reach a “T” – turn left for a small overlook. However, to continue along the Oakley Ridge Trail, keep right.
Eventually the views open up and the trail becomes even more scenic.
Selfie time! You can see it was pretty windy with my hair blowing everywhere! That’s why I love my fitness headbands – keeping sweat and hair out of my face. Get 10% here, use the code “HIKE” at checkout.
Making the Descent
As you hike along the Oakley Ridge Trail, it seems like its going to lead you to a peak, However, it actually starts to drop down in an Aspen Forest.
Finally at a tight bend, you will see a faded “trail” sign. Time to descend!
Uh oh, I thought I might run into snow. Thankfully I could see where the trail was beyond this patch and continued on. However, I was unable to run this forested section because it became very steep and rocky.
Next, you will reach an ATV road. Stay right. Now that I was on a packed dirt road I could finally run!
Once again the views opened and I had a nice view. I was almost back to the car.
Last trail split
Don’t miss the orange and black sign! Immediatley after this split, you will once again veer right. You can see on my map below I missed it, and went straight. Oops! I had to backtrack to make sure I got back to the correct parking lot.
Wacth My Video
Trail Map
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Nearby Hike
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