My goal this summer (from May-September) is to go on at least one hike a week so I will be sharing a lot of them here – to give you an idea of how much fun this can be and what a feast it will be for not just your soul but for your eyes – I am sharing 25 must-see waterfall hikes in Utah. Many are family friendly and some are even pet-friendly – so be sure to get out and enjoy the beautiful nature around you.
25 waterfall hikes in Utah:
1. Scout Falls
This is dog-friendly as long as you keep them on a leash. It is about 4.2 miles round trip. At the top, you can sit on one of several large rocks and just soak it all in.
Waterfalls on one side and gorgeous views of the canyon on the other side. Take lots of water and snacks for energy. It was a little chilly at the top, but it felt good after the long hike. Get the map to the Scout Falls trailhead here.
This is great for families and because of the location, is not as much traffic as some trails. This is a must-do this summer in Utah. Learn more about the Scout Falls hike on Daddy by Day.
2. Stewart Falls
This 200-foot falls is spectacular. Dogs are allowed. It is about 3.4 miles round trip. This hike is great for families. When you reach the end, you will be greeted by a gorgeous waterfall.
This is located on the Alpine Scenic Loop Byway (click here for a map to the trailhead) and the entrance to the trail can be found at the Aspen Grove trail.
Take a flashlight just in case you end up coming back in the dark, and also a light jacket is recommended because it can be a little chilly at the top. You can read more about the Stewart Falls hike here.
3. Bells Canyon to the Lower Falls
On this trail, no dogs are allowed. This hike is about 4.4 miles round-trip depending on which trail head you start at. This is based on the north trail head. You can find the Bells Canyon trail (click here for the map to the trail head) close to the entrance of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Sandy, Utah.
There is a big elevation gain, so be prepared for that, and there is a lake that you can stop and hang out at on the way up or back and even try some fishing.
This trail is best done in May – September (it can be done in April, but there will still be snow towards the falls).
Photo Credit Christi Parker
4. Fifth Water Hotsprings (aka Three Forks) Hike
Dogs allowed on a leash. 4.9 miles round trip. There are several pools of water here (all hot pots) and some are hotter than others.
There are also a few different waterfalls – this one is at the top, and then it cascades down into the other pools. This is a family-friendly hike, but some parts of the trail come really close to the edge, so keep a tight hold on your little ones during those parts.
5. Adams Canyon Hike
This trail is about 5.2 miles roundtrip. It is dog-friendly and can be accessed year round (but will have snow in the winter).
The view from the top is spectacular, looking over the whole valley. In the fall months, the trees are all different colors and really gorgeous – great for photos if you don’t mind hiking a bit. There are several waterfalls along the way as well as the bigger one at the top.
Photo Credit: Victor DiTommaso
6. Donut Falls Hike
No dogs allowed on this trail. 1.5 miles round trip. This is one we did early last summer (probably early June) and it was fab! The water run-off was VERY high, so we weren’t able to go under the falls and play.
There is a picnic area at the trailhead as well as bathrooms and a lot of parking.
Be sure to hit the Mill B South trail on the way down and hike the half mile in and see the waterfalls there. Beautiful and only takes a few minutes. It’s a great addition to the trip.
7. Battle Creek Falls Trail
This trail is dog-friendly. The hike is about 2.9 miles in and out. Great family hike – kid friendly. Take stuff to play in the falls at the end, and food/snacks to eat before you head back down.
Great any time of day – and always busy. Look for wildflowers, birds, and animals on the trail and people rappelling down the mountain when you get to the top by the falls.
Photo Credit: Brad Jackson
8. Rocky Mouth Falls Trail
This is a short and really fun hike! It is only about 1-mile round trip. It is a little steep, but kids of all ages can do this with a little help from the adults. No pets are allowed on this trail.
Photo by Patrick Blackwell
9. Waterfall Canyon Trail
This is about a 2.5-mile trail that is a little more challenging. The bonus is that this one is dog-friendly, so bring your furry friend along on this hike. You will hike up an 1100-foot elevation gain, but the 200 ft waterfall at the end will be well worth the hike.
Photo Credit: Jon Ricketts
10. Kanarraville Falls via Kanarra Creek Canyon Trail
This is a 2.7-mile round trip hike. You will get wet while hiking back and forth through the river, so wear shoes/ sandals that can get wet. This trail requires a $12 permit to hike but there is free parking. Remember that they only allow 150 hikers per day so reserve your pass in advance.
This is a slot-canyon hike. There are rope ladders you have to climb and it can be slippery/slick so be careful. No dogs allowed on this trail. Make sure everything you have in your pack is in waterproof bags, and you are wearing clothing that can get wet.
Photo Credit: Luis Loaiza
11. Bridal Veil Falls
This is one of our favorites! This is a short fairly flat hike that is only about 1.5 miles round-trip. Bridal Veil Falls is over 600-feet tall and is absolutely spectacular!
You will want to park and hike to the base of the falls and play in the water at the bottom, and then drive over to the viewpoint and get out and take a picture of the whole falls (like pictured to the right). Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. Bring lunch, towels and get ready for an afternoon of fun!
12. Horsetail Falls
This is a little bit of a harder hike that is about 4 miles round-trip and has an elevation gain of about 1600 feet. You will hike up a wooded canyon to the falls. It is pet-friendly, so you can take your dogs. You can also ride horses here.
Photo Credit: Eric Bowden
13. Emerald Pools in Zion National Park
No dogs allowed. This is a 2.2-mile roundtrip hike – or you can combine this with the Kayenta trail and do a loop (making it about 3.5 miles).
That is what we did – we started at Emerald Pools and then hiked out on the Kayenta trail and we loved it.
If you start at the Kayenta trail, you will have to do a lot of hiking UP to get to the Emerald Pools – so it depends on what you want to do.
14. Upper Falls (Provo Canyon by Upper Falls Park/Bridal Veil)
You will park at Upper Falls Park in Provo Canyon and hike up to the Upper Falls. This trail is about 3 miles round trip. You can take your dog with you on this trail and it is fun and easy for kids. Most of the trail is paved but the last part is steep and rocky. Wear the right shoes and take a lot of water.
Photo Credit Shelby Hoffman
15. Lower Calf Creek Falls in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
The color of this has to be one of my favorite. It is about 5.5 miles round-trip but only about 500 feet of elevation gain. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. It is a longer hike but sounds fairly easy for families.
Photo Credit Emma Jones
16. Upper Provo Falls (Provo River Trail, Kamas, Utah)
This is located on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway by Kamas Utah. It is only about 1 mile in and out and it a pretty easy hike.
This is a great hike for families. Dogs *should* be allowed as long as they are on a leash. The water will be chilly but it’s fun to play in.
Here are the directions to Upper Provo Falls by Kamas, Utah. Be sure to continue north on the road and hit Mirror Lake while you are there!
Photo Credit Sheri Zuech
17. Cascade Springs
Located on the Alpine Scenic Byway, you will enjoy the view of this unique and beautiful waterfall. Cascade Springs is a less than a mile round-trip from the lower parking lot and you can take your dog with you as long as they are on a leash. Click here to get directions to the Cascade Springs trail.
18. Lost Creek Falls
This is a dog-friendly trail that is close to Provo, Utah. There is a beautiful water at the end of the hike, which is about 2 miles roundtrip. You have to go up the trail through the creek when you reach it to get to the falls. There is also a great view of Bridal Veil Falls from here.
There is a note to avoid the trail in winter and early spring since there are frequent avalanches in the area.
Photo Credit Urban Castman
19. Lisa Falls
This is a fun trail that is very short. It is only about 0.5 miles to the falls and is really beautiful to see. There are no dogs allowed on the trail. If you want to go further than the falls, it is only recommended for very experienced mountaineers wtih the right equipment.
Photo Credit Steven Strate
20. Mossy Cave Falls in Bryce Canyon National Park
This is a beautiful short hike up to Mossy Cave Turret Arch, Mossy Cave, The Little Windows, and the Mossy Cave Falls.
On one side you will see everything but the Mossy Cave, and you need to hit that on your way back (or on the way in). You can also climb to the hole in the wall above the falls! There are no dogs allowed on this trail.
Photo Credit Taushka Radonski
21. Lake Blanche Trail
This is a 6.5-7 mile round trip hike. No dogs are allowed. There is also no swimming in the lakes or rivers. There is a lot of wildlife on this trail (Moose, Deer, Elk) so keep your eyes out for them.
Take extra water since this is a longer hike, as well as a flashlight with fresh batteries in case you have to come down in the dark.
Photo Credit Natasha Grundy
22. Cascade Falls
This is a beautiful hike that is only about 1.5 miles round-trip. You can take dogs on this trail as long as they are on a leash. This is great for families and has spectacular views. Be sure to take your fishing pole and do some fishing at Cascade Lake before you go you home!
Photo Credit Pa Sheng Her
23. Little Deer Creek (or Cataract Falls)
This is a lesser known trail in the Unita-Wasatch-Cache National Forrest area by Mirror Lake. It is about 3.5-4 miles round trip and it has beautiful views the whole time.
You can take your dogs with you as long as they are on a leash, and you may choose to take a tent in and camp here for the night at the East portal dispersed campground.
Photo Credit : Michael Johnston
24. Timpanogos Falls
This is only about 2 miles roundtrip with a small elevation gain so it is perfect for all ages! This is also a dog-friendly trail so bring your pup along.
Photo Credit a presson
25. Ely Creek Falls (Jones Hole Trail)
It is about 7 miles round trip but only has about 700 feet elevation gain. No dogs are allowed on this trail. This also ends at a beach on the Green River, so you can stay and play all day in the sand and water before you head back.
There are several places to fly-fish on the trail as well as fossils, petroglyphs, wildlife (bighorn sheep and mule deer) as well as many other things. The waterfall at the end is great too!
Photo Credit Jeff Sabin
Other places that you will want to visit are Dripping Rock, Ghost Falls, Freemont River Falls in Capitol Reef National Park, and Hidden Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
This is just a small list of the Waterfall Hikes in Utah. I would love for you to share your favorites and why! I would like to add them to the list. If you have any questions about any of the hikes, please let me know and I will do my best to answer. If you share pictures on social media – be sure to tag #LBPCHikes for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Happy Hiking!
These all look like great places to visit. So beautiful!
Wow. Very beautiful.
I would love to go to Scout Falls and bring my dogs along for the adventure, as well.