5 Best Waterfall Hikes Near Salt Lake City
After spending a glorious month in the desert of Southern Utah, we decided to head to the lush land of waterfalls in Northern Utah. During our one-month stay between Salt Lake City and Provo we were able to hike to many different waterfalls. Keep reading for the best waterfall hikes near Salt Lake City.
Until this trip, I had never thought of Northern Utah, near Salt Lake City, as a prime place for waterfall chasing. But it is!
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When to See Waterfalls in Utah
These waterfall hikes can be enjoyed all year-round. The roads to each of these trailheads are open year-round although road conditions may vary throughout the year.
In my opinion, late-spring to early-summer is the best time to hike to these falls. For the most part, the trails will be dry and the waterfalls gushing with recent snow-melt from the higher elevations.
However, frozen waterfalls are also worth seeing if you’re planning to hike in the winter season. Just be prepared with the proper traction devices, either crampons or snowshoes.
If you’re visiting in the late summer or fall, it’s possible that the falls may have little to no water flow and may be a little less impressive. Although these trails would still be beautiful without the waterfall feature.
Things to Know Before Visiting Waterfalls Near SLC
Check Trail Conditions on AllTrails
If you’re visiting in the late-spring the conditions of local trails can vary greatly when it comes to amount of snow, ice, and mud on the trail. It’s not unheard of for a trail to be impassable due to conditions. The AllTrails app is one of the best ways to get information from other hikers on the conditions and accessibility of the trail. Check this app before heading to the trailhead for information on trail conditions.
No Dogs Allowed (on most of these trails)
Many of these trails are in a watershed area and do not allow you to bring your furry friend. This is in order to protect the local water supply, so please comply with these regulations.
There are a couple of trails that do allow four-legged friends on a short leash, including Waterfall Canyon and Bridal Veil Falls. Check with the National Forest Ahead of time to figure out which trails are allowing dogs.
Use Caution Near the Falls
You’ll find many steep drop offs and slick wet rocks near these waterfalls. I recommend using caution and not attempting to climb up any waterfalls. But if you choose to climb a waterfall, know your limits and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Also, the wet rocks near these waterfalls are very slick so be careful.
What to Pack for a Waterfall Hike
1. Good Hiking Shoes
Utah has some of the most beautiful hiking in the country, but it’s also got some pretty rocky trails. Good hiking shoes are especially important on these rocky waterfall trails!
When hiking around Utah, it’s super important to wear sturdy hiking shoes or sandals on the trails. I wear brands like Merrell Moab 2 Mid Ventilator, Teva Universal Trail (trail sandal), and Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof. My husband, who is very prone to ankle injuries, wears Salomon X Ultra Low GTX and swears by them.
I love being able to switch between a solid hiking boot and a trail sandal with excellent traction on an easier hike or a hike with a river crossing (like Donut Falls, listed below).
2. Water Bottle & Hydration pack
It’s important to stay hydrated on hiking trails. Especially if you’re traveling during the hot summer season!
To keep your drink extra cold, go with a Hydroflask, which is vacuum-sealed and keeps your liquids cold for up to 24 hours. If you’re looking for something a bit more lightweight, go with the traditional Nalgene.
On longer hikes, fill up your Ospry Hydraulics Reservoir to keep your water easily accessible & hands free. My favorite day pack that accommodates a hydration bladder is the Osprey Mira 22 Hydration Pack.
3. Trail Snacks
A lot of these waterfalls are the perfect place for a picnic or a light snack. Some of these trails are a bit longer so make sure you bring enough energy-boosting food to get you through the day.
Some of our favorite trail snacks are the traditional PB&J, grapes, trail mixes, Go Macro Bars, and RX Bars.
4. Sunscreen and Sun Protection
The sun in Utah is INTENSE. Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen. This Sun Bum sunscreen is so light and easy to fit in your pack. Also, it’s super protective against the sun. It’s also reef friendly, so save it for your next trip to the beach!
In addition to sunscreen, make sure you protect your face with a sun hat. I really enjoy wearing this Vintage Style Cap from Amazon. It has tons of colors to choose from, I’ve been loving the yellow.
Sunglasses are never a bad idea, either.
5. Lightweight & Moisture-Wicking Clothes
Make sure to choose moisture-wicking clothing (aka NOT cotton), to pull the sweat away from your body and stay cool and dry while hiking.
These Icebreaker T-Shirts have been a favorite of mine recently, they’re excellent at keeping you dry. And the best part is that they don’t stink even after a long sweaty day on the trail!
6. Lots of Layers
Depending on when you visit Utah, you may encounter cooler than expected temperatures. Especially during an early morning or late evening hike. A lot of these waterfall hikes are up in a canyon that is higher elevation than the city of Salt Lake City. These higher elevation hikes can get rather chilly. Don’t forget to pack a jacket for your trip to Utah.
Best Waterfall Hikes Near Salt Lake City
There are many waterfall hikes in the lush national forests near Salt Lake City. Most of these hikes are tucked away into breathtaking canyons heading east from the city.
Stewart Falls
- Trail Length: 3.4 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 646 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location: Stewart Falls Trailhead 40.404189, -111.605332
- Trail Use Fee: $6 cash at the trailhead OR display your America the Beautiful Pass.
Stewart Falls is definitely my favorite waterfall on this list. The trail to the falls is a fairly easy and pleasant climb through a beautiful aspen forest. The trail is rocky but is suitable for most hikers. The views of the surrounding mountains make for a very pleasant ascent to the waterfall.
If you are daring (like my husband) you can climb up past the lower falls for a closer view of the upper falls above. This requires a steep hike up some slippery scree and a rock scramble near the top. So it’s not for the faint of heart or those that are prone to slips, trips, and falls.
The falls are located off of the Alpine Loop Road not far from the Sundance Ski Resort. The entire area is very pretty with lots of scenic views.
Bridal Veil Falls
- Trail Length: 1.4 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 114 feet
- Difficulty: Mostly easy (last 0.25 miles is moderate)
- Trailhead Location: Provo Canyon 40.337787, -111.609203
- Trail Use Fee: FREE
On your way to Stewart Falls, you’ll most likely pass by Bridal Veil Falls. This waterfall is visible from the highway but it’s definitely worth a stop to hike the trail up to the waterfall.
Start off by parking in the lot off of Old Provo Canyon Road. The first half mile of the trail is paved and is heavily trafficked by runners, bikers, and hikers. The trail first leads to a lower bridge viewing area of Bridal Veil Falls. This is a great spot to see the falls, but you should also continue onto the upper viewing area. After crossing the bridge by Bridal Veil Falls, you’ll find a trail to the right. This will climb up a steep and narrow trail to the base of the falls.
Bridal Veil Falls is a very popular spot because of how easy it is to get to so it can become a bit crowded. But it’s still worth a stop.
Waterfall Canyon
- Trail Length: 3.3 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,145 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate – Strenuous
- Trailhead Location: 29th Street Trailhead, Ogden 41.210803, -111.931936
- Trail Use Fee: FREE
Waterfall Canyon is one of the more challenging hikes on this list. Although the trail is only 3.3 miles in length, it’s got a significant amount of elevation gain.
The trail starts off near the Mount Ogden Park at the 29th Street Trailhead. From there you’ll start your climb with impressive views of Ogden and the valley below. As the trail turns into the canyon the real steep climbing begins with a very rocky ascent. But you can expect wonderful sights and sounds of the bubbling creek adjacent to the trail just about the entire way up.
The views at the end of the trail are a spectacular payoff and so worth the steep climb. The waterfall in Waterfall Canyon is one of the tallest waterfalls on the list and it definitely impresses.
Bell Canyon Trail to Lower Falls
- Trail Length: 4.6 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,453 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate – Strenuous
- Trailhead Location: Bell Canyon Boulders Trailhead 40.5648462,-111.8026633
- Trail Use Fee: FREE
Bell Canyon is another one of my favorite hikes on this list. It’s the longest trail with most elevation gain on this list but it is 1000% worth it. You’ll pass by the Bell Canyon Reservoir which is very picturesque and would be the perfect spot for a picnic lunch or to hang a hammock. Because the reservoir is relatively close to the trailhead and the trail close to the city, it does become very crowded in this area. But beautiful nonetheless.
Get to the trailhead early as it can be difficult to find a place to park in this popular spot. The trail starts at the Bell Canyon Boulders Trailhead and heads through a neighborhood at first. Be quiet and respectful as you pass by private residences.
After the neighborhood, you’ll have a fairly steep climb to the reservoir. Stop and enjoy the views before continuing (or enjoy them on your way down). The trail will level out for a bit with some areas of elevation gain for the next 3/4 of a mile before becoming a very steep and rocky climb to the top. The last mile of the hike climbs nearly 900 feet. It’s practically straight up during the final stretch.
The views of Lower Falls are so impressive. This waterfall was roaring. You’ll be glad you chose this hike.
Donut Falls
- Trail Length: 1.5 miles OR 3.3 miles using winter trailhead
- Elevation Gain: 308 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Summer Trailhead Location: Donut Falls Trailhead 40.6395598,-111.6534167
- Winter Trailhead Location: Mill D Trailhead 40.649710, -111.648964
- Trail Use Fee: FREE
The last hike on the list of best waterfall hikes near Salt Lake City is Donut Falls. Donut Falls trail has two starting locations, the main trailhead is only open in the summer months but the trail can be accessed year-round from the Mill D Trailhead. By using the Mill D Trailhead, you’ll add 0.9 miles with a small amount of elevation change each way. Making the hike 3.3 miles instead of 1.5 miles.
This trail is relatively easy but does require a river crossing at the end of the trail. So bring shoes that you don’t mind getting wet!
Typically, when conditions are right, hikers can climb up the falls into some caves for an epic view of the waterfall cascading into a cave through a donut-shaped hole. However, when the falls are still too ice-y (like when we visited) the caves are unreachable. This trail would be best enjoyed in the warmer late-spring & early-summer months when the ice is all melted and the river isn’t too cold to cross.
Donut Falls is the only hike on this list that is in Big Cottonwood Canyon – this whole area is absolutely beautiful and has lots of other great hikes. So if you’ve got the time definitely check out some of the other hikes in the area.
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