Ed T.

This review is for Lower Falls Via Bells Canyon Trail which was a ~4.8 miles round trip that took ~3 hours to complete. Trail was narrow for the most part which was a little problematic once it became crowded. As soon as you began the hike, it was a steady incline and becomes somewhat flat. Just before the waterfall; there was an extremely steep and rocky climb to the top. Easy to get wet, the closer you are to the waterfall. Very limited parking at the Bells Canyon Granite Trailhead. There are additional parking adjacent at the Bells Canyon Preservation Trailhead but this takes a slightly different starting point. Otherwise, there was a Bells Canyon Overflow Parking further in. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/cuPqwdPdpM4

Joselyn M.

What a beautiful hiking trail with beautiful views. I highly recommend! Bring a small backpack, some good shoes, and of course water. So calming and relaxing.

Henry L.

This is a review for the Lower Bells Canyon Reservoir hike from Larry's Trail. We hiked this today (a Friday) and found it to be a fairly easy hike even with a 40-50 pound pack. The trail going up is fairly narrow, so you are going to have a hard time maintaining 6' distance from anyone since there is so much foot traffic up and down. Trail is well maintained and very hikeable even if you bring regular sneakers. You'll hike a few rounds of easy switch backs , and then walk through a long stretch with some nice views of the mountains. Just be careful of the small section with a pretty precipitous drop if you lose your grounding! You'll start ascending again and reach the reservoir (a small lake). Get near the lake or enjoy a view of it from top as you like. It will be pretty crowded up there, but people are respectful enough to maintain a good distance. We ran into some obnoxious groups who were loud and not respectful of everyone's space--just slip, dodge, and walk fast as needed. The only downside to this trail, in light of recent events, is the foot traffic. We passed about 25 people in and out of the trail. Many did not seem very conscientious about social distancing, so practice caution if you're going to hike here--especially the weekends.

Matt M.

Probably not a hike that I'll do again if I'm in the area, but I'm glad I did it. During the summer it gets really hot on this hike since there isn't much shade at all. Couple that with a pretty nice incline and you've got yourself a nice, hot, sweaty hike. The view at the top is really nice though, and some critters decided to hang out with us, which was great! Parking is in a small lot right at the base. There is a nice shaded area towards the beginning of the hike on the bridge, which I highly recommend taking advantage of on your way to the top. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bell-canyon-sandy?select=czlVz79_Gj-7ppjpVDn0UA&userid=97Dj5h5CQUsWZrEWj3wWOg https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bell-canyon-sandy?select=gIrhL4XXOcETRk3e5bbWyQ&userid=97Dj5h5CQUsWZrEWj3wWOg

Lacey T.

Bell's Canyon is not my favorite hike, but I think this is owing mostly to the fact that it's my most frequented one, and not by choice. I've probably hiked to the reservoir 10+ times, and despite my complaints it really is a nice, easy trail if you're looking for something quick, though there isn't really any shade on this portion of the hike, and the trail is quite rocky. It's about a mile round trip, and there's plenty to do once you get there. I usually make my way up to the rocks overlooking the water, but it's also fun to do some exploring down by the reservoir. You'll find ducks and geese, and sometimes even spot fish. Speaking of wildlife, you'll likely come across deer and squirrels at various points on your trip. If you're looking for a lengthier adventure you can make your way up to the waterfall. I think this adds an additional 3 miles round trip, and it's pretty leisurely until the very end, where the incline is quite abrupt. It also requires some climbing over rocks, though no scrambling or anything too difficult. Happily, immediately following that you'll arrive at the waterfall, and it's a really lovely area: nice and cool by the water with moss covered rocks, and birds flying all about. There is a cool, shady forested area with lots of pretty, delicate ferns (I've brought a hammock before), but there are also some open spots with smooth rock and views out over the valley that are perfect for a picnic. You can continue from the waterfall even further to the upper reservoir, which I think is another 3 miles round trip or so, but I've never tried that part of the hike. If you visit during an even barely popular time the parking lot will likely be full. There are restrooms available at the trailhead. In the end it doesn't really deserve my attitude. If you live in the Sandy area and don't want to drive up into Big or Little Cottonwood this hike is perfect, and we are lucky it's so close by.

Michelle H.

This is always one of my go to trails!! It's well trafficked and an easy to moderate hike. I like starting from the parking lot at the base of Little Cottonwood canyon, but there are a few other trail heads as well. It is a great hike in the winter, spring, fall and summer. There is a reservoir where you can stop and chill here land have a lunch. Sometimes I just explore around here or hang by the water. Lots of ducks to watch and have seen deer early morning. If you keep going up past the reservoir there's a beautiful waterfall. Definitely a little gem close to the city. For when you don't have time to drive higher up for a hike.

Jeffrey S.

You have no idea how much I've missed you. It's been a year now since I last saw you, and tonight's visit was bitterwseet: It was goodbye. Me? Oh, I'm not going anywhere, but I hiked up to Bells Canyon tonight and saw up close the inevitable signs that winter is indeed coming and I needed to say goodbye. It's fall now, and beautiful. It's always been beautiful. From the orange tops of trees that flow down to the smooth waters, I will never shake the sight as long as I live. But before we know it the snow will fly and yes, even though you can still make this hike in the winter, I just don't. It's just not the same. I'm sure it's lovely, but it's like being with someone who truly lights up your whole world and whose heart beats with yours, and then having them taken away. No matter how beautiful the winter may be, it's not the same. You're not connected. It's an impostor. I can't spend another winter pining for the warm weather. I can't lay in the blue sheets of my bed thinking about the summer. It doesn't mean I don't love you in the summer, Bells Canyon, it just means that I have made myself so very clear, vulnerable, and raw in the summer and yet winter will come. I have to look forward. It's not my choice but it has to be this way. So I went to Bells Canyon tonight to say goodbye. I wanted to say a lot of things, but as I was making the hike watching the sun set, my mind turned to changes. Day to night. Summer to fall to winter. I can't control any of those things, but I can control what I do in each season, in each hour. I think I had lost sight of that a little, so as I've prepared for the inevitable winter goodbye I've resolved a few things: I'll not apologize for how my heart feels with you, I'll not apologize for hoping for summer days again, and I'll not blame the lake or trail or canyon for welcoming winter. But I have to stop waiting for the weather, or the skies, or outside influences, or even other people to dictate when I start living my dreams again (gardens, and flowers, and hikes, and fresh bread, and chocolates, and picnics with fancy mustard, and taking a year off together to see every small town and mountain hike and national park!) and I need to live them now. I need to live through the winter as if summer never comes again, because moving forward is the only way to be happy. Maybe this is about more than just the short hike to Bells Canyon in Sandy I took tonight. But isn't that what mother nature is for? Isn't that what she does? She changes you. Having this area so close--right there in Sandy--it's almost a double-edged sword. Yes, it's so close, and you could be there in just a few minutes. But looking out to the granite cliffs, you imagine her, what she's doing, what's going on around her shores at any moment but you can't be there. So close. That changes you. Goodbye, summer days! My hope now looks forward. So while I hope to take the hike to Bells Canyon in the spring, I know it may never happen. There's so much time between now and then, and who knows where I'd be if and when the weather warms. If you're ready, I trust you'd tell me, sweet lakey. But for now I've had to say my goodbye.

Ash S.

My favorite hike so far! We started from the bottom and climbed to the waterfall. Roundtrip according to my phone was 5 miles. Seems like an easy hike until you go past the lake and up towards the waterfall. It can be quite steep and hard to climb in certain parts. We got to the bridge and thought we were almost there... but we weren't. You still have to climb quite a distance and parts are very narrow- just saying since people were ignoring social distancing and I was kind of frustrated about that. BUT the peacefulness and beauty of the hike is worth it. The area near the falls is a little slippery and can be tenuous. Caught the sunset on the way down and it was beautiful!

Nick K.

Beautiful hike! It's pretty well marked ! I went in October and it was definitely cold! Bring some layers just in case and make sure to make it to the waterfall!

Granda M.

Have you ever have one of those days when you thought a hike was going to be a total of four miles when actually it was 4.73 miles? Before we went on the hike I took the liberty to research how long the hike would be all the way to the waterfall. The website said about 4 miles from the bottom to the waterfall and back. When we finished the trail I looked at my Garmin and it said 4.73 miles. No wonder I was tired. With all that said, the reservoir was gorgeous, and the wildlife really added to the experience. We saw geese, ducks, butterflies, and squirrels. The bridge in the middle was a beautiful spot to take a pic, and then the real climbing begins. Just before you reach the waterfall sign there is some steep climbing. My daughter did find it challenging, but insisted to make it to the waterfall. For some this hike will be a test of your endurance and determination, but it is worth it. I give everyone kudos who finish the entire four plus miles. Once you see the waterfall, you will be astonished! It's breath taking especially this time of year when the snow is melting and Spring is here. This was our first trip to Bell Canyon, but we won't forget it. Amazing!

Nicole B.

The Bells Canyon Hike basically has three main stopping points. A first reservoir, a waterfall and a second reservoir. We only ever go as far as the first reservoir because we hike with kids, but I hear the waterfall is beautiful and definitely worth the effort of getting there if you're up for it. I've also heard that the hike to the second reservoir is very difficult and only worth the time it takes if you plan on camping there overnight. There are 2 different trailheads that will get you to the first reservoir. The first one is called the Granite Trailhead located on Little Cottonwood Road (94th South) one block east of Wasatch, and the other is the Boulders Trailhead on Wasatch just one block south of Little Cottonwood Road. The Granite Trail is a little longer but a lot less steep than the other one, so if you're hiking with small kids, I'd recommend going this route. As for the hike to the first reservoir, I have to say, the terrain itself is not very lush and scenic. There aren't a lot of trees, and there's definitely not a lot of shade, so it's probably best to go on this hike early in the day or in spring or fall. But the views of the valley along this trail more than make up for the lack of scenic vegetation. Once you get to the reservoir, plan on staying for a while. It's a great place to find a shady spot, grab a drink and cool off. There are plenty of "no swimming" signs posted but I always seem to see people swimming-- a little disturbing considering this is my direct culinary water supply... You will see a service road up near the reservoir. If you do want to continue up to the waterfall, follow the service road until you see the Bells Canyon Trail marker on your right. I hope to be able to write a review update soon after I make that hike myself!

LJ R.

One of the things I really wanted to do while visiting the SLC area was go out on a beautiful hike. And this was definitely a beautiful hike. Surrounded by trees, nature, and the fresh Utah mountain air. A group of us packed two cars and came here for a nice easy hike, only up to the first reservoir. There's a parking area along Wasatch Blvd. And the easier about 1/2 mile hike to the first reservoir is ...... It's really wasn't too easy cause it was a incline hike upwards going towards the first reservoir but easy enough for anyone to hike. The view of everything down below was awesome. Once you get to the reservoir I heard there's even more to the hike but we stopped just at that first one, it was plenty for all of us. If you follow the trail right of the reservoir you will find a more private area where there's water flowing into the reservoir, the water is so refreshing right there. And of course that where we all decided to dive in. At most parts its shallow enough to walk or tip toe but its always good to know how to swim before diving in. You could probably swim across the whole thing. The water was cold and refreshing for the remainder of the hike or the hike back down to the start. There were ducks swimming and other people fishing. Also when hiking back down watch out for attacking sprinklers. If it goes off and it gets very slippery especial going down hill.

Brooke W.

GORGEOUS HIKE - especially right now, while everything is really green. the lake is really close nearby, whereas the falls are probably about 2 miles up from the lake - totally worth it, just follow the noise of the water & you'll be fine (especially since they don't really mark the trails)