The Oquirrh Mountains separate the desolate west desert from the fertile land, and heavy development, of the Wasatch Front. This mountain range is not protected by wilderness designation; instead, it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This designation allows more extensive development of interior roads and construction. At one time, extensive mining took place in the Oquirrhs, but those activities are now restricted to the Kennecott Copper Mine, one of the largest copper mines in the world.

The Oquirrh Mountains have some beautiful terrain, yet it can be difficult to access. The base of these mountains is littered with private land and highly protective landowners. Nonetheless, there are a number of trailheads that can be found near the towns of Tooele and Ophir. From these trailheads, the tallest peaks can be climbed and skied.

The terrain of the Oquirrhs is far more docile than the nearby Wasatch Mountains. The slopes are relaxed, the ridges are wide, and there are few, if any, cliffed-out and exposed routes. These are great mountains for easy hiking.