Alien Tower

Alex Cabrero
1 day ago
4 min read

A metal pyramid structure stands on a hilltop within a circular stone pattern. Mountainous landscape in the background under a cloudy sky. — *The Alien Tower in Draper*

(Draper) – When your non-outdoorsy friends text you asking if you’d be interested in doing a hike with them, the answer is always yes. Heck yes, actually. John and Jessica were interested in doing the Alien Tower Trail in Draper and asked if Kylie and I were in. They were bringing their dogs, Molly and Dolly, who get along great with Aspen, so it was a date.

Four people smile outdoors on a rocky hill, wearing winter jackets. The sky is cloudy, and leafless shrubs are in the background. — *John, Jessica, Kylie, and myself*

This hike is named after the odd steel pyramid-like structure on top of a hill. It looks like something out of a science fiction movie. In reality, it’s some type of survey tower, but the “alien” nickname is way cooler and probably gets it more attention than if it was named “Metal Pyramid Trail.”

Looking up at a tall metal pyramid structure against a clear blue sky, a person in red appears at the top, evoking adventure and scale. — *The top of Alien Tower*

The trailhead is at a parking lot in the Suncrest development of Draper. I’ve seen it called “Deer Ridge Trailhead” on some maps. The views driving up are always beautiful, but I have been here before when it’s snowy and a tad treacherous. There is plenty of parking at the trailhead, bathrooms, and doggy potty bags... but I imagine this parking lot fills up fast in the spring and summer.

Three cars parked at a rest area with a shelter and building, snowy mountains in the background. The sky is overcast and the mood is calm. — *The parking area at the trailhead*

Several trails start here as well, so it’s worth checking the map by the wooden fence to get a good sense of where to start. The AllTrails app will help you stay on the right path since many of the turnoffs aren’t marked “Alien Tower.”

Trail map on a wooden board with a green landscape design. Plaque reads: "Christopher Scott Jorgensen Eagle Scout Project." Overcast skies in the background. — *Information sign at the start*

Right from the start, the trail climbs steadily up a wide dirt and gravel trail with great views of the Salt Lake Valley to the north and Utah Lake to the south. The trail narrows in some places as you head up. It’s not overly technical, but it was muddy when we went. Definitely manageable with good hiking shoes.

Dirt path curves through a dry landscape with scrubby bushes and grassy hills under an overcast sky. Quiet and barren setting. — *Steady climb up at the start*

View of a city from a hillside covered in leafless trees, with mountains in the distance under a cloudy sky. Sparse autumn colors are visible. — *Views of the Salt Lake Valley*

The AllTrails app says the climb gains about 500 feet of elevation. It’s not very difficult and there are plenty of places to stop and catch your breath. The good thing about going up the entire time means… it’s all downhill on your way back.

Three black dogs in harnesses sit on a grassy trail with mountains in the background. The dogs appear happy and relaxed. — *Dolly, Molly, and Aspen*

A good chunk of the trail is off-leash for dogs, which makes it a great place to bring your good boys and girls for a hike. We saw a lot of dogs having fun on this one. Aspen, Molly, and Dolly had a blast. Aspen loves to explore, Molly loves to fetch her frisbee, and Dolly prefers to stay on the trail and lead us to where we’re supposed to go. One bit of caution, there is a sign at the trailhead warning of porcupines. Just a heads up for your pups.

Man smiling in foreground; two people with dogs walking on a trail in a winter landscape. One has a colorful backpack. Overcast sky. — *Taking a break for a minute*

If you know where to look, you can see the Alien Tower in several spots along the way. At first, it looks so far away, you wonder if you’ll ever reach it. But one step after another, and soon enough, you’re there. The distance can look tricky because it’s on top of a hill, but it’s only about 1.2 miles or so away from the trailhead.

A black dog walks on a dirt trail in a hilly landscape, surrounded by dry shrubs. The sky is overcast, creating a moody atmosphere. — *Dolly leading the way to Alien Tower*

Once you reach the summit, the Alien Tower is right there in front of you. The metal pyramid looks like something an alien might’ve left behind. It’s a great photo with the mountains behind it. The panoramic views are stunning and makes you feel small.

Rocky hill with sparse shrubs and a metal pyramid structure. Snowy mountains under a cloudy sky in the background. — *Finally made it to the top*

Someone also put swirls of rocks on the ground in front of it, which reminded me of the Spiral Jetty on the north end of the Great Salt Lake.

Rock spiral on a dirt hilltop with distant snowy mountains under a cloudy sky, creating a serene, expansive view. — *Spiral Jetty of rocks*

We were surprised at the lack of snow. Even in February of 2026, we were hiking in mid-to-high-40-degree temperatures. In a normal year, we’d probably need snowshoes and spikes to make it up here. It has been a tough year for snow in northern Utah and a little concerning, honestly. For hiking conditions, though, it was a beautiful day surrounded by friends and dogs. What else could you ask for?

Two dogs on a trail: one sits with tongue out, the other looks on. Leafless trees and mountains in the background, people nearby. — *Dogs and friends*

If you brought a picnic, the top would be a great spot to have lunch and enjoy the views. It's windy up here, though. Also, watch out for aliens. Just in case it’s not really a survey marker.

Winding dirt path leads up a barren hill under a cloudy sky. Sparse shrubs line the path. Distant snow-capped mountains visible. Calm mood. — *Leaving Alien Tower*

LOCATION: 1455 Deer Ridge Drive, Draper Google Maps link of trailhead Google Maps link of Alien Tower structure - Out-and-back or loop options with forks along the way. - Distance = 2.5 - 2.7 miles roundtrip - Difficulty = moderate

Black dog on a dirt trail in a hilly, cloudy landscape. The dog looks alert and wears a collar with tags. Sparse, dry vegetation around. — *Aspen excited to see Alien Tower*

Two people in winter coats and hats stand on a hillside, looking out over a barren landscape, cloudy sky. A dog is partially visible. — *Kylie and Jessica checking out the views*

Rusty metal pyramid with colorful flowers on top against a blue sky. Graffiti visible on the structure. Calm and serene mood. — *Somebody put a lei or something at the top*

A winding dirt path through a dry, grassy landscape with leafless shrubs and a low hill in the background under a cloudy sky. — *Alien Tower at the top of the hill in the distance*