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Waterfalls are really beautiful but frozen waterfalls are a whole different level of amazing. If you are looking for waterfall hikes in Utah near Salt Lake City, this post will review some excellent options to check out.

Hiking in the Winter

Many people in Utah think it’s time to pack up the hiking boots mid-fall and don’t break them out again until the spring. While that is certainly not true, hiking in the winter is a little different than hiking during the rest of the year.

If you hike near Salt Lake City in the spring, summer or fall, you might not even recognize some of your favorite waterfall hikes in Utah with how different they look. This post on how to hike in the winter has more tips on how to make your experience safe and more enjoyable. Some trails with deeper snow will require snowshoes, but for a large majority you can use Microspikes.

Check trail reviews on AllTrails to get a better idea of trail conditions before heading out. I also review AllTrails to get an idea if the waterfall is or is not frozen. Depending on the popularity of the trail, you might not get a recent enough review, but it is still a good idea to check.

Additional important considerations for winter hiking:

• Check the weather and avalanche conditions before your hike
• Layer up and pack extra layers (+ mittens and a hat)
• Hike midday
• Bring a flashlight/headlamp and extra batteries
• Pack an emergency bivy
• Know your trail (I use the AllTrails app as it is mostly accurate in Utah)
• Bring a portable phone charger as your battery is more likely to die in the cold
• Pack snacks and water

What to Wear when Hiking in the Winter

Clothing

Temperature-regulation is important for safety which is why layering was already mentioned, but I want to get more into the specifics of clothing.

• Headwear: You have probably heard since you were young that the you can lose a lot of heat through your head. Therefore keeping your head warm is paramount in staying warm outside. I have both a trapper style hat, a wool liner for under my trapper hat, as well as a wool neck buff. The wool items are very small and packable which is nice.

• Upper body: Do me a favor, get on the wool bandwagon, like now. I know it is expensive but it is WORTH IT. Usually I wear a wool baselayer crew top and potentially a wool midlayer on top of that, depending on weather. The next layer I go with is a packable down jacket such as one of these (here and here). This goes on top of my wool baselayer. Lastly, I pack a shell jacket that is waterproof and helps insulate from the wind. Keep in mind when choosing sizing for these items that they will be layered and you do not want your movement to be restricted.

• Hands: Since I love taking pictures, my hands are usually the first thing to get cold when I am outside. I have a super warm pair of Black Diamond mittens. I also have glove liners for when I am working with my camera gear or phone so my hands didn’t have to come all of the way out and get exposed to the cold. Additionally, some people prefer to use Hot Hands to keep their hands warm as well. These are hit or miss for me and I often find that I need them to start warming up before I get cold. However, they are pretty inexpensive so probably worth a shot.

• Lower body: There are several approaches you can take to lower body warmth. If you know there will not be a lot of snow on the trail, then you could consider wool baselayer leggings or fleece-lined leggings. If you knew or suspected there was going to be a lot of snow, you could bring a waterproof pant to go over the leggings, or opt for a pair of ski pants.

• Feet: Wool socks are awesome. Please see above section about wool. You can layer your socks with a thick pair and a thin pair, but make sure your boots are sized for this. Don’t overdo the socks and try to do more than two layers. Make sure you try on your boots ahead of time and know that they don’t cut off your circulation as you add a second pair of socks. In addition to wool socks, you also should consider waterproof hiking boots or waterproof hiking shoes + gaiters.

Trekking Poles

Hiking in the snow and in slippery conditions can be much more difficult than hiking the rest of the year. Trekking poles can make your hike feel more stable, they can also be used to help determine the depth of snowpack, or in an emergency as a crutch for a twisted ankle. These are the ones that I use.

Microspikes

An insider trick for hiking in the snow is definitely the use of Microspikes. These help with traction on slippery snow and ice. I honestly would not hike in the winter without them. The cool part is that microspikes fit over your regular boot to provide that extra traction, so you can take them on and off as needed. The specific brand by Kahtoola is best due to the specifics of the chains. My husband bought a different (cheaper) brand and regretted it. There was a metal bar in the front that presses into his shoes and pinches his toes on the way down. Don’t be cheap, buy the good ones.

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Frozen Waterfall Hikes in Northern Utah

Remember to keep in mind your hiking ability and available equipment when deciding which waterfalls to visit. Even on the shortest trail I used my microspikes to make sure I didn’t slip.

Hidden Falls

Number of Miles: 0.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 49 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 1
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: No

Hidden Falls is not much of a hike but that doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful. If you are looking for a quick and accessible frozen waterfall hikes in Utah, this is the one for you. Located on the S curves in Big Cottonwood Canyon, you will have to cross the road in order to access the falls.

Despite the trail to Hidden Falls being short, I still used my microspikes for stability. As Hidden Falls is located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, dogs are not allowed.

Donut Falls

Number of Miles: 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 518 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 2
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: No

Donut Falls is another frozen waterfall hike located in Big Cottonwood Canyon and perfect to add on to your trip to Hidden Falls. Dogs are not allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon

For the end of the hike, you actually climb up the rocks to Donut Falls itself. Depending on the year, you have to ensure that you go when the falls are not fully covered in snow – a mistake I have made previously.

Bells Canyon Trail to Lower Falls

Number of Miles: 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1453 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 3
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: No

Hiking to Lower Falls in Bells Canyon was one of the first frozen waterfall hikes in Utah I ever did. This hike really showed me the beauty of frozen waterfalls. Conveniently located, you can also stop at the reservoir if you are looking for a short hike. You are not allowed to bring dogs while exploring in Bells Canyon.

Personally, I feel like this trail is easier (with microspikes) in the winter than in the summer so it is rated a difficulty of 3 rather than a 4 here.

Adam’s Canyon

Number of Miles: 3.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1430 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 3
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: Yes

If you want to bring your furry friend on your waterfall hikes in Utah, Adam’s Canyon and Waterfall Canyon are for you. Located just north of Salt Lake City in Kaysville, Adam’s Canyon is a beautiful hike up to an impressive waterfall.

Currently there is some construction close to the trailhead so Google Maps may misdirect you to the trailhead. However, once you have it in your maps and get close to the trailhead, you can find your way.

Waterfall Canyon

Number of Miles: 2.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1105 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 3
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: Yes

Waterfall Canyon is another impressive waterfall in northern Utah. Located in Ogden, this waterfall is a little farther away than Adam’s Canyon but it does allow dogs. It is also incredibly beautiful year round and worth the visit no matter the season.

If you plan to take photos of the waterfall on this trail, be sure to bring a camera with a wide angle lense to capture the entire waterfall.

Other Best Waterfall Hikes in Utah

Battle Creek Falls

Number of Miles: 2.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1847 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 2
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: Yes

Easily one of the best waterfall hikes in Utah, the Battle Creek Falls hike trailhead can be found in Pleasant Grove.

Upon arrival, make your way along the bottom of the canyon and continue walking next to the stream here. Then, prepare for a bit of an ascent as you make your way to a bench and the waterfall itself.

At this point, feel free to hike to the waterfall or continue further into the canyon itself. Just be aware that this is one of the more popular waterfall hikes in Utah.

Therefore, don’t expect to have this place all to yourself. However, once you move past the waterfall then the path will clear up quite a bit.

Local Tip: This trail goes through avalanche territory. So, use caution in winter and try to use the trail between March and October. This is also one of the Utah waterfall hikes that will take around three hours to complete.

Lower and Upper Calf Creek Falls

Number of Miles: 2.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 606 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 2
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: Yes

This short, out-and-back hike is best enjoyed between March and October. It’s also a quick, moderately challenging trek that will take you over slickrock as you follow cairns that point you in the right direction.

Continue along the trail and rock will slowly transform to soil as you take in stunning views of the landscape all around you.

Just be sure to bring plenty of water since you’ll work up quite a thirst as you go past incredible Navajo sandstone cliffs and Indian rock art before reaching the 126-foot-tall Lower Falls.

Emerald Pools

Number of Miles: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 620 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 2
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): $35 per vehicle for 7 days
Dogs Allowed: No

Located in Zion National Park, this somewhat challenging loop hike will take around an hour and a half to complete. It’s also one of the more popular waterfall hikes in Utah. So, try to arrive early to avoid crowds.

Other than that, just enjoy the hike to the lower falls, which is relatively easy and along a paved path. However, the trail gets increasingly difficult as you make your way to both the middle and upper falls which sit on a rocky path at the bottom of a cliff.

So, use extreme caution when going past the lower falls since more people have been injured here then on any other path in the park.

Local Tip: The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive closes to private vehicles once the shuttles begin to run during warmer months.

Best Waterfall Hikes in Utah FAQ

What is the biggest waterfall in Utah?

The biggest waterfall in Utah is Bridal Veil Falls. It stands at an astounding 607 feet tall, in Provo Canyon, and is home to one of the best hikes in Utah too.

Does Utah have water falls?

Utah has tons of waterfalls. And one of the most famous is Bridal Veil Falls. It also features an easy hike to the falls since you can walk along a well-maintained, paved path.

Where is Hidden falls Utah?

Hidden Falls is located inside Big Cottonwood Canyon. Just head to the associated parking lot and access the trailhead from here. After that, it’s a 4.4-mile hike that everyone will love.

Waterfall Hikes in Northern Utah

Do you have any of these waterfall hikes in Utah near Salt Lake City on your list for this winter? Let us know in the comments! Enjoy your trek and be safe.

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