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Bells Canyon Lower Waterfall

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.3 (46)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Salt Lake City and Wasatch Front
  4. Sandy
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“A great hike to a reservoir and a waterfall with stunning views and easy access. ”

Chris Seiple
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Map Key

5.3

Miles

8.6

KM

Out and Back

6,650' 2,027 m

High

5,248' 1,600 m

Low

1,430' 436 m

Up

1,430' 436 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

35%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · Views · Waterfall

Overview

This hike is very popular due to its proximity to the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon, as well as its relatively short length with multiple water features. Traffic is high on weekends and most mornings. If you want solitude, better to pick a day that isn't so perfect weather-wise.

Description

Starting at the Granite Trailhead, you'll head up a relatively steep grade for about 0.3 miles (nothing too scary, but the difficulty may surprise if you're out of shape). After a few minutes of downhill, you'll head up to the Lower Bell Canyon Reservoir. There are trails around the reservoir, but stay to the left if you want to hit the waterfall.

You'll follow a dirt road around the left of the reservoir for about 0.2 miles before turning left, back onto the Bells Canyon Trail (it's well-marked). Another half-mile and you'll be at a nice creek crossing with a wooden bridge and crystal clear mountain water. This is a great place to stop for a rest.

Continue on the trail into National Forest land for about a mile until you reach a trail junction at a large fir tree. It's not marked, but there is a well-worn trail that deviates to the left -- this is the side trail to the lower waterfall. Be careful here, as it's quite steep as you approach the falls, but it's definitely worth it. If you want to picnic, there's a great spot on some exposed rocks just below the falls.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Uinta, Wasatch & Cache National Forests Office

Shared By:

Chris Seiple
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 46 votes

#1

in Sandy

#256

Overall
  4.3 from 46 votes
5 Star
39%
4 Star
52%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Sandy

#27

in Utah

#256

Overall
25 Views Last Month
21,286 Since Oct 15, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

After turning off the dirt road, you'll be greeted with an awesome view.
Oct 15, 2015 near Granite, UT
Mountain View in August
Aug 23, 2018 near Granite, UT
Bells Canyon Lower Falls with mountain backdrop. Aug 31 2018
Sep 1, 2018 near Granite, UT
trail to waterfall
Aug 19, 2018 near Granite, UT
waterfall in august
Aug 19, 2018 near Granite, UT
Lower Bell Canyon Reservoir.
Oct 19, 2015 near Granite, UT

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Weather

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 24, 2023
Bobby Meyers
Sep 30, 2022
Leila N
5.3mi — 2h 00m
Sep 27, 2022
Dj Huber
1667 elevation. Well marked trail. Steep near end. 5.3mi — 2h 00m
Apr 3, 2022
Mike Bertelsmann
Nov 25, 2021
Marco Park
Aug 22, 2021
Connecticut Hiker
5.3mi
Jul 12, 2021
Kayla Hollis
Jul 9, 2021
Sara Hoy
5.6mi — 2h 57m

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