Salt Lake City is a playground for travellers passionate about nature. The neighbouring Wasatch Mountains are loved by skiers, mountain bikers, and hikers, and there are heaps of cultural attractions to balance it out.
Attractions such as the University of Utah, the convention centre, and historic sites draw visitors to the city year-round. As the centre of the Mormon church, there are many beautiful temples and religious sites throughout the city.
Hostels are the perfect solution to traveling on a budget, and there are plenty in the area to choose from. To help with your research, we’ve made a list of the best hostels in Salt Lake City – so you can find the one best suited to you!
- Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Salt Lake City
- What to Expect from Hostels in Salt Lake City
- The Best Hostels in Salt Lake City
- More of the Best Hostels in Salt Lake City
- What to Pack for your Salt Lake City Hostel
- Salt Lake City Hostels FAQs
- Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Salt Lake City
- Buy Us a Coffee!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Salt Lake City
- Overall Best Hostel in Salt Lake City – Avenues Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Salt Lake City – Park City Hostel
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
What to Expect from Hostels in Salt Lake City
There are a few good reasons to book a hostel over a hotel. Of course, they are a bit cheaper. In Salt Lake City, staying in a hostel can then help you have more money to do other cool outdoor adventure activities!
But it’s the social atmosphere of hostels that really sets them apart. They are a really great way to meet other travellers and start exploring the city you’re in. There’s not much better than swapping travel stories in the shared kitchen and making random connections with beautiful strangers.
When travelling in Salt Lake City, there is a range of hostels from youth hostels to religious lodgings. There is a sweet spot for the backpackers here with a few high-quality budget accommodations available! We’ve gone ahead and put them all in this one tasty article, just for you.
We rounded up the average price for a dorm room and a private room in Salt Lake City Hostels, and while the private rooms can still be on the higher end, they are comparatively cheap to the hotels in the area.
- Dorm: $28 – $35
- Private Room: $55 – $80
Your search for the perfect hostel can be made easier by using Hostelworld. Hundreds of hostels are listed with guest reviews, amenities, and the quirks that set each hostel apart. The hostels in Salt Lake City are mostly located within the city centre. But, it’s always worth knowing what different neighbourhoods bring to the table!
Central City – great for first-timers setting out to explore!
Capital Hill – best for those broke backpackers on a budget.
Downtown – the obvious choice for some partying & damn good nightlife.
Once you’ve nailed where you want to stay, it’s time to pick your hostel!
The Best Hostels in Salt Lake City
We rounded up the three damn best hostels in Salt Lake City! It’s time to pack your bags and get out there adventuring – the hardest part of pick where to stay is over!
Avenues Hostel – Overall Best Hostel in Salt Lake City
Avenues Hostel is the best overall hostel in Salt Lake City because it really is the total package! It’s got a good price, attentive staff, a central location and free breakfast included! There’s also a piano and satellite TV – I mean, what more could you ask for?
This homey hostel will have you excited to come back and put your feet up after a long day exploring. The staff are known for being super friendly and welcoming and the hostel has a good social atmosphere.
Why you’ll this hostel:
- Damn affordable price
- Central location
- Spacious kitchen – no fighting for space here!
Nestled in a quiet neighbourhood at the centre of it all, Avenues Hostel is only a short walk from main attractions like Temple Square. With the bus system and TRAX (the light rail) nearby, the whole city is super accessible.
Not only that but it’s close to ski resorts as well! So you snow bums have a cheap place to stay before you hit the slopes – guaranteed.
There are common areas, and outdoor spaces to sit around and swap yarns with other travellers in. There are male and female dorms, and a considerate policy of not checking in anyone new after 10:30 pm so those in the dorms can sleep soundly. Private rooms are also available onsite.
Park City Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Salt Lake City
This hostel is off the charts! Clean and stocked full of hostel staples like free wifi and cosy common areas, it’s also quirky and full of the love the staff have for the place.
Positioned for some of the best skiing in the world, this is a powder hound’s dream! Although it’s a bit of a drive from downtown Salt Lake City, this hostel is in the heart of Park City, overlooking the ski slopes.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Book exchange
- Views of the ski slopes
- Pool table
Park City Hostel is a great alternative to the pricey hotels in the area. It’s also ski bum approved – you can see the slopes from the terrace!
After a day in the great outdoors, you can enjoy a BBQ on the terrace. Connect with other travellers in the roomy living room or on the enormous terrace for some improv aprés-ski. When you are all socialised out, you can retreat to the dorms which are kept nice and quiet.
You’re also guaranteed to love the spacious kitchen. There’s more than enough room to stop the elbow jostling that has been known at some hostels!
Reservoir Park Properties – Best Cheap Hostel in Salt Lake City
Reservoir Park is the perfect hostel for anyone travelling on a budget. It’s close to loads of Salt Lake City attractions, including the university and Temple Square.
Convenience stores, restaurants, and bars are merely a short stroll away. It’s also a cosy hostel in its own right. After travelling to South America, the owners were inspired to open it up and incorporated some true Latin American hospitality into this hostel.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Super friendly staff
- Free parking onsite
- Quirky decor
Rooms are big and spacious, and the open dormitory setup helps keep the cost low. It’s also a great way to meet other people on the road.
You’ll also have access to the kitchen, so you won’t have to worry about eating out all the time! Time to show off your cooking skills to everyone you meet here.
There is free wifi throughout the property and common areas, so you can call home and meet new travellers. Laundry facilities are available for a small fee – so you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay, all for a budget price!
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REI
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in Salt Lake City
In case those three hostels didn’t quite tickle your fancy, we’ve rounded up more awesome properties to stay at in Salt Lake City! Some of these places are a little further out of the city, or not strictly hostels, but they are still dope places to base yourself on your adventures in the city.
SLC Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Salt Lake City
SLC Hostel is new, modern, and tidy. It’s right in the city centre, so the light rail and TRAX are an easy walk away. Within the hostel, you’ll have tea and coffee-making facilities, kitchen utensils and a microwave.
Common areas allow you to find your own space and get some work done, and computers are available. You’ll also have free wifi throughout – perfect for any digital nomad.
Camelot Inn & Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Salt Lake City
A solo traveller on a budget can find value for money at the Camelot Inn & Hostel. Depending on your needs, choose from a bed in the dorm or one in a single-private room. Self-check-in is also available, so you can arrive on your own schedule.
There’s a fully equipped kitchen for you to use and off-street parking. If you’re not bringing a car, bike rental is available at a small fee. Public transport is also a short walk away, so you can easily explore everything on offer in Salt Lake City.
Black Diamond Ski Lodge Home – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Salt Lake City
At Black Diamond Ski Lodge Home, you’ll feel like you’re in your own private oasis. When you arrive home after a day on the slopes, you can relax in front of the stone fireplace in your own private area, or chat with the friendly owners who share your passion for the great outdoors.
Although it’s a bit far from downtown Salt Lake, the bus stop outside the front door goes straight to the mountain! This helps make a day out a lot easier, and more cost-effective.
Airport BnB – Best Hostel for Couples in Salt Lake City
Although Airport BnB isn’t your traditional hostel, you can find a great price for a lovely space! Rooms either have a double or queen bed – perfect for travelling couples.
As the name suggests, it’s super close to the airport and just a short drive from the main attractions of downtown Salt Lake. The shared kitchen, living room, and beautiful private bedrooms will make you feel like you’re staying at a friend’s house for the weekend.
What to Pack for your Salt Lake City Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
Salt Lake City Hostels FAQs
How much do hostels in Salt Lake City cost?
Hostels in Salt Lake City varies from the type of accommodation. Dorms can range from $29 to $57 per bed and private rooms can go for as low as $46 to $140 per night.
What are the best hostels in Salt Lake City for couples?
My ideal hostel for couples is Park City Hostel. It’s located in an area popular for skiing and cycling. If you don’t feel like going out the hostel also offers movie nights. They even have free airport shuttles. This hostel has most of the things you’ll need for a worry free stay.
What is the best hostel in Salt Lake City near the airport?
Bposhtels SLC is the closest hostel in Salt Lake City airport which is just 6 km away. It’s a great hostel with live evening performances/movie night/pub crawls, perfect for a night out without leaving your accommodation!
Travel Safety Tips for Salt Lake City
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Salt Lake City
So, that’s our list of Best Hostels in Salt Lake City! If you’re planning an epic outdoor adventure in Utah, you’re sure to find accommodation to suit your travel style and budget.
You can’t go wrong with the Avenues Hostel, but if you decide to choose another, we’re sure you’ll have an epic time! And better yet, you won’t have to break the bank to do it.
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Utah for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in the USA covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Salt Lake City if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Salt Lake City before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for the USA to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate USA backpacking guide.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
