Top 8 Easy Big Cottonwood Canyon Hikes
Big Cottonwood Canyon in Utah
Big Cottonwood Canyon in Utah holds a special place in my heart because it’s where I first met Brittany way back in 2009! It’s also where I proposed a year later and where we shot our engagements before the wedding. We have 4 kids together now and we still come back year after year. It’s home to Brighton & Solitude ski resorts, one of the most scenic marathons you could ask for, and some excellent hiking trails. No matter what season it is, Big Cottonwood Canyon hikes are a great way to experience the outdoors just a short drive from the city.
Make sure to check out our Utah Bucket List for the top kid-friendly adventures in Utah! Or for all the best kid-friendly hikes, check out our hiking in Utah page.
Hiking in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Hiking in Big Cottonwood Canyon is one of my favorite things to do in Utah in the summer and fall. It’s one of the best places in Utah to see the fall leaves change colors. And in the summer, getting outside in the cool mountain air is a great way to beat the heat. There are waterfalls, wildflowers, pristine alpine lakes, and endless peaks to bag. Whatever you skill level is when it comes to hiking, there’s something for you. But for now, we’ve curated this list of our favorite easy, favorite family-friendly hikes in Big Cottonwood Canyon:
Best Big Cottonwood Hikes Under 1 Mile
8. Mill B South Trail
We’ll kick off the countdown with a stroller-friendly trail called Mill B South. You can find the trailhead in a parking lot at the famous ‘S-curve’. From there, you walk on a paved trail along the creek until you get to a bridge with a small waterfall. This is technically the end of the hike because from there on it’s considered the Lake Blanche trail (which is also great, but doesn’t make the list of easy hikes because it’s over 6 miles). But you don’t have to stop at the waterfall bridge. Walk for a few more minutes until you get to some large boulders by the creek – the kids will love scrambling on them!
Distance: 0.7 miles
7. Hidden Falls
Hidden Falls is a little hidden gem, which is why it’s one of my favorite Big Cottonwood Canyon hikes. I grew up nearby and didn’t know about it until a few years ago! To get there, park halfway up the canyon’s famous ‘S-curve’ and then walk to the north side of the road. From there, it’s less than a 5-minute walk up stream to the lit/≥tle waterfall. The waterfall is small and skinny and not all that impressive, but it is a nice beginner hike for families with small kids or if you just want to go for a quick stroll in the canyon. It is short enough that you could do Mill B South and Hidden Falls in the same outing. Mill B South is on the south side of the S curve and Hidden Falls is on the north side so you wouldn’t even have to move the car.
Distance – 0.3 miles
6. Moss Ledge Waterfall
Less than a mile up the canyon road from Hidden Falls and you’ll find another easy waterfall hike. The trailhead isn’t marked. All you’ll see is a small shoulder area on the north side of the road that fits a few parked cars and a dirt trail. Take the trail through some thick vegetation until you come to a wide open clearing, which makes for a nice blanket picnic spot. From there, follow the trail until you come to the first cascade. Getting to the main waterfall requires scrambling up those rocks in the creek and potentially getting wet, so take extra caution with the little ones and make sure the water isn’t too swift or the rocks aren’t too slippery for them. But if you determine it’s safe to proceed then it’s only a few more minutes until the main falls appear in view. You won’t be disappointed!
Distance – 0.8 miles
Best Big Cottonwood Hikes In The Fall
5. Willow Lake Trail
Willow Lake is a slightly longer and more moderate hike but still doable with young kids, especially if they’re experienced hikers. Like all the lakes in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Will Lake is a watershed lake, so there is no swimming, no boats, and no dogs allowed. But that means you always get glassy smooth water for the perfect photo opp. There’s a grove of aspen trees right on the shoreline for you to capture a nice reflection in the water. This is one of the best Big Cottonwood Canyon hikes, especially in the fall when the leaves are turning yellow. It’s a photographer’s dream. Definitely add this to your fall bucket list!
Distance – 2.4 miles, moderate
4. Twin Lakes Trail
Twin Lakes is also more of a moderate but relatively short hike. It is a bit of a misnomer because Twin Lakes is only one lake and it’s actually just small man-made reservoirs. That’s OK because the best part of this hike isn’t the lake but the panoramic views of the peaks surrounding Brighton Ski Resort. To get there, park at the lot for Silver Lake and follow the the loop to the right (counter-clockwise). At the far end of Silver Lake, you’ll come to a well-marked fork in the trail. Follow it up towards Twin Lakes for some awesome views!
Distance – 2.3 miles, moderate
3. Silver Lake Loop
Silver Lake is a family favorite. I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid and we now take our kids on this hike almost every year. It’s one of the best easy hikes in Big Cottonwood Canyon because it’s short, easy, stroller-friendly, and very scenic. It’s fun for the whole family. Even grandma can handle this trail.
The Silver Lake Loop is located right across from Brighton Ski Resort. It’s an easy walk around the lake and about half of it is along a nice wooden boardwalk. It’s fun to look down into the marshy areas and look for tadpoles and fish. The second half of the trail is dirt and has some slight elevation gain, but still stroller-accessible. Silver Lake is especially gorgeous in the fall when the aspen have turned yellow.
Make sure to come back in the winter and ski at Brighton. Their Santa Run on Christmas Day is one of the best Christmas activities in Utah!
Distance – 0.9 miles, easy
Best Moderate Big Cottonwood Hikes Under 3 Miles
2. Lake Mary via the Brighton Lakes Trail
This hike is one of the best Big Cottonwood hikes because if you’re up for it you can get three lakes in one hike – Lakes Mary, Martha, and Catherine. Fun fact: in the 1870s, Catherine Brighton named Lake Catherine after herself, Lake Mary after her infant daughter, and Lake Martha after a friend. This trail starts from the Brighton Resort parking lot and follows the ski slopes through fields of wildflowers until you arrive at Lake Mary. That might be as much as the younger kids can handle but is well worth the effort to get there. If you can manage a longer hike, we highly recommend going all the way to Lake Catherine but it’s 4.4 miles round trip. Alternatively, you could opt for the Catherine Pass Trail starting in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Lake Mary – 2.6 miles, moderate
1. Donut Falls
Donut Falls gets the #1 spot on this list of Big Cottonwood Canyon hikes because it’s the most popular and has hands down the most unique waterfall in Utah, in my opinion. It’s a must-do on your Utah Bucket List. Its name suits it – the water falls through a donut-shaped hole in the cliffs down into a cave before cascading down the hillside. It’s an easy 1.5 miles to the base of the falls but requires some scrambling up wet & slippery rocks to see inside the cave, which can be a little sketchy. That part of the hike isn’t suitable for younger kids but definitely worth a look if you’re feeling a little more adventurous. Just beware: you definitely will get wet and that water is frigid!
Distance – 1.5 miles, easy
Read more about this hike on our Donut Falls blog post. You’ll definitely want to add this to your Utah bucket list!
If you’re coming from out of town to do some of these hikes or if you’re a local looking for staycation ideas, check out the brand new Courtyard Salt Lake City Cottonwood! It’s located right at the base of the canyons and next to one of our favorite places to eat after a long hike – Porcupine Pub & Grille. The best part is, the hotel is located just 10-20 minutes to all the hikes on this list.
Thanks for reading and happy trails!
-JJ 🤘🏻
Our family is on a mission to experience the best our home state of Utah has to offer and help other families find affordable, kid-friendly adventures in the process. You can follow us on Instagram @theminivanbucketlist or download our free printable Utah Bucket List for a list of the top hikes in the great state of Utah, both for kid-friendly and more adventurous hikes.
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