Plan & Safety — Bells Canyon Trail

Regulations

The rules (and why they exist)

💧 Watershed rules

Bells Canyon Creek feeds the culinary water supply for the Salt Lake Valley. The entire canyon is a protected watershed, and these rules are actively enforced with citations:

No dogs or other domestic animals — anywhere in the canyon, leashed or not (fines are issued at the trailhead)
No swimming, wading, or water contact in the creek or either reservoir
No camping within 200 feet of lakes and streams
Pack out all trash — including pet waste from the approach streets

🏔️ Lone Peak Wilderness rules

Above the creek bridge the trail enters the Lone Peak Wilderness (Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest), the Wasatch's first designated wilderness:

Group size is limited (10 people maximum)
No bicycles, strollers, carts, or any mechanized or motorized equipment
No drones
Campfire restrictions apply — check current fire orders before any stove use
Leave what you find: no cutting vegetation or removing rock

Safety

The hazards, ranked

🌊

1. The waterfalls and creek. This is the hazard that has killed people in Bells Canyon. Wet granite beside the falls is as slick as ice, and during May–June runoff the creek is powerful enough to sweep an adult away within seconds. View both falls from the established viewing areas, stay off wet slabs, and keep children within arm's reach. There is no safe place to cross the creek near either waterfall.

🥵

2. Heat and dehydration. The lower canyon faces west with little shade, and the grade is steep. On summer afternoons rescue crews respond regularly for heat exhaustion on this trail. Start early, carry at least 2 liters (3+ for the upper canyon), and turn around when half your water is gone.

⛈️

3. Afternoon thunderstorms. Summer monsoon storms build fast over the crest. The upper basin and boulder fields are exposed to lightning — plan to be below the second falls by early afternoon in July and August.

🫎

4. Wildlife. Moose frequent the reservoir and creek corridor — give them at least 50 yards and never get between a cow and calf. Rattlesnakes are common in the rocky lower canyon in warm months; watch hand and foot placement. Black bears and mountain lions live here but encounters are rare.

🧭

5. Route-finding and terrain above the falls. The trail above the second waterfall is faint, steep, and crosses talus where a twisted ankle is the likeliest emergency. Cell coverage is unreliable — carry an offline map, tell someone your plan, and in winter treat the upper canyon as avalanche terrain requiring training and gear.

🆘

In an emergency, call 911. Salt Lake County Search and Rescue responds in Bells Canyon. Text-to-911 may work where voice calls won't. Note your last known waypoint (reservoir, bridge, first falls, second falls) — it dramatically speeds up a response.

Stewardship

Leave it better

Bells Canyon absorbs enormous use for a wilderness canyon. A few habits keep it wild:

Stay on the trail

Shortcutting switchbacks is the biggest cause of erosion in the lower canyon. The braided "social trails" near the falls damage fragile soil — stick to the main tread even when it's rockier.

Pack it all out

There are no trash cans past the trailhead. Fruit peels and shells count — they take years to decompose at altitude and habituate wildlife.

Keep the water clean

The no-contact rule isn't just law — half a million people drink this water. Filter drinking water well away from shorelines and never wash anything in the creek.

FAQ

Common questions

Can I bring my dog if it's leashed?

No. Dogs are prohibited everywhere in Bells Canyon regardless of leash, because the canyon is a protected culinary watershed. Enforcement is real — officers issue citations at the trailheads. For a nearby dog-friendly alternative, try Mill Creek Canyon (dogs allowed, off-leash on odd days).

Which trailhead is best?

For most visits, the Preservation Trailhead — its 133-stall lot is by far the biggest, and it's the only one with year-round flush restrooms and a drinking fountain. Granite has the gentlest start and is the classic launch point for falls hikes; Boulders is the fastest way to the Lower Reservoir if you get one of its few spots. All three meet at the reservoir.

How hard is the hike to the first waterfall, really?

Harder than the mileage suggests. It's about 4.6–4.8 miles round trip, but you gain roughly 1,500–1,600 feet on rocky, uneven trail — most fit hikers take 2.5 to 4 hours. Kids do it regularly, but plan for a slow pace and lots of water.

When are the waterfalls at their best?

Mid-May through June, when snowmelt is peaking. The falls run all year, but by late August they're much smaller. The trade-off: runoff season is also when the creek is most dangerous — enjoy the show from a distance.

Can I swim in the reservoirs?

No — no swimming, wading, or any water contact anywhere in the canyon. It's a watershed protection law, and it applies to both reservoirs and the creek.

Is the trail open in winter?

Yes — the Lower Reservoir loop is a popular winter hike with microspikes. Beyond the reservoir, snow and ice make the steep sections treacherous, and the upper canyon is avalanche terrain. Winter travel past the falls is only for equipped, avalanche-trained parties.

Do I need a permit or pass?

No permits, passes, or fees are required for day hiking, and parking at all three trailheads is free. Standard wilderness regulations apply above the boundary.

Can I camp overnight?

Backcountry camping is allowed in the Lone Peak Wilderness under wilderness rules — camp at least 200 feet from water and trails, and follow current fire restrictions. The upper basin is the realistic camping zone; there is no camping around the Lower Reservoir.

Sources

Where these numbers come from

Distances and elevations vary slightly between sources depending on trailhead and GPS track; this guide uses consensus figures from: