Bells Canyon - Backpack, Hike, Mountain Bike, and Snowshoe near Sandy, Utah
~10200-10298 Grayboulder Ct, Sandy, UT 84092, USA,Sandy,Utah
40.56505, -111.80363
1.9 miles E of Sandy, Utah
Address: ~10200-10298 Grayboulder Ct, Sandy, UT 84092, USA
GPS: 40°33'54.2"N 111°48'13.1"W
Maps | Directions
State: Utah
Trail Length: 4.20 miles
MTB Difficulty: Advanced
Trail Type: Out & Back
MTB Trail Type: Singletrack
Hike Difficulty: Intermediate
Elevation Gain: 1482 feet
Trails/Routes: 1.1-4.7 mi

Lakes Rivers Waterfalls Streams Trails Rocks Wildflowers Bicycles Fishing Restrooms National Park State Park

Backpack, Hike, Mountain Bike, and Snowshoe

Bells Canyon is a moderate, 4.5 mile hike that begins in a residential area and ends at a waterfall in the enter of the canyon's forest. The first 1/2 mile of the hike is relatively easy and leads straight to the reservoir, which is one of the best views of the hike. There are several places for people to stop and have a snack surrounding the reservoir, although some choose to turn around before the trail gets too difficult.

Once you reach the sign that directs you to the waterfall, the hike gets considerably more difficult. It's about 1.2 miles of climbing over large rocks at a serious incline, but the views are incredible. Bells Canyon has gorgeous fall foliage in the autumn months, and once spring comes around, everything is beautiful and green. There is a creek that flows along the trail, several open areas of meadow and wildflowers, and spectacular views of the canyon and the Salt Lake Valley. It's a hike that pays off as you climb it. 

The waterfall is in the center of a grove of trees. There is a steep hill downward that will take you to the base of the fall, but it can be treacherous to reach, so tread carefully.

Bells Canyon does not see much Mountain Bike traffic, and for good reason! It starts out very steep and with a loose gravel trail base, it makes for a tough climb on a bike. There are steps that are all but impossible to ride up (or down). After reaching the very scenic Lower Bells Canyon Reservoir the trail is much better! It turns to a fun single track through the trees. After crossing the stream above the Reservoir the trail becomes snarled with large granite boulders and is tough for even a hiker to negotiate. Courtesy of Singletracks.com
942 Edited by smbrady17

Never modify trail features. Ride trails when they're dry enough that you won't leave ruts. Speak up when you see others on the trail and always yield to hikers, horses, and others coming uphill. Always ride on the established trail.

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Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

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  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Sandy, Utah

  1. Head east on E Sego Lily Dr toward S 1900 E (0.9 mi)
  2. Turn left onto S 2300 E/Eastdell Dr (1.1 mi)
  3. Turn right onto UT-209 E/Little Cottonwood Rd (1.6 mi)
  4. Turn right onto Wasatch Blvd (0.7 mi)
  5. Make a U-turn at Grayboulder Ct (187 ft)
  6. Turn right
    Destination will be on the right
    (171 ft)
or

Granite Trailhead

From I-215 (Southbound)

Get off at exit 6 (6200 South) and head east. The road will curve south and become Wasatch Boulevard. Continue for 4 miles. At North Little Cottonwood Road, turn right to stay on Wasatch Boulevard. Go about one more mile until you reach South Little Cottonwood Road. Turn Left. The trailhead will be on your right.

I-15 (Northbound)

 

Exit at 12300 south (exit 291) Turn Right (east) and follow the road for 2.4 miles. It will curve North and turn into 1700 East. Turn right at the next light onto Wasatch Boulevard. Go east on Wasatch and follow it as it curves to the North. 7.6 miles from the freeway you will turn right onto South Little Cottonwood Road. It will be on the right.

Courtesy of summitpost.org

Boulder Trailhead

From I-215 (Southbound)

Get off at exit 6 (6200 South) and head east. The road will curve south and become Wasatch Boulevard. Continue for 4 miles. At North Little Cottonwood Road, turn right to stay on Wasatch Boulevard. Go a few more miles, passing South Little Cottonwood Road. The trailhead will be on your Left among some apartments (condos?). You may need to make a U-turn in order to reach it due to the median.

From I-15 (Northbound)

Exit at 12300 south (exit 291) Turn Right (east) and follow the road for 2.4 miles. It will curve North and turn into 1700 East. Turn right at the next light onto Wasatch Boulevard. Go east on Wasatch and follow it as it curves to the North. ~6 miles from the freeway it will be on the right, just off the road among some apartments (condos?).

Courtesy of summitpost.org

There is a parking lot just outside the trailhead at both the Boulder trailhead and the Granite trailhead, but there are limited spaces, so be prepared to park along Wasatch Boulevard.

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Guest Review/Comments

/5
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ochampenois

1/16/18 3:51 pm 8/19/17
The trail took the entire day but it is so worth it! There was still snow in some places and it was absolutely gorgeous!
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Bells Canyon Lower Falls October 2010 added by endovereric Bells Canyon Lower Falls October 2010 added by endovereric
Bells Canyon Waterfall added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Waterfall added by smbrady17 Bell Canyon Hike Sandy Utah (Watch in 1080p) by Craig Broderick Lower Bells Canyon Waterfall Little Cottonwood Can by Utah Outdoor Activities Bell Canyon Hike - Sandy, Utah by LSXfire67 Bells Canyon Trail by agua YO recordings Bells Canyon View 3 added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon View 3 added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon View 2 added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon View 2 added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon View added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon View added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Trail added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Trail added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Lake 3 added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Lake 3 added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Lake 2 added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Lake 2 added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Lake added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Lake added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Creek 2 added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Creek 2 added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Creek added by smbrady17 Bells Canyon Creek added by smbrady17

Trails

Distance ?

4.6 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain ?

1,511 feet

Real Ascent ?

1,689 feet

Real Descent ?

178 feet

Avg Grade (7°)

13%

Grade (-37° to 33°)

-76% to 65%

Distance ?

4.7 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain ?

1,424 feet

Real Ascent ?

1,608 feet

Real Descent ?

184 feet

Avg Grade (7°)

12%

Grade (-37° to 33°)

-76% to 65%

Distance ?

1.1 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain ?

859 feet

Real Ascent ?

860 feet

Real Descent ?

1 feet

Avg Grade (17°)

30%

Grade (-4° to 29°)

-7% to 55%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.

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