6 Fun Snowshoeing Trails in American Fork Canyon
These six trails are the best snowshoeing trails in American Fork Canyon and will take you to some truly breathtaking scenery – frozen lakes & waterfalls, dense forests of evergreen pine trees and white aspen groves, not to mention incredible mountain vistas.
- Tibble Fork Loop
- Stewart Falls
- Pine Hollow Trail
- Alpine Loop Road
- Silver Lake Flat
- Sundance Nordic Center
Whether you want to get the kiddos outside for a wintry wonderland hike, enjoy a cheap date in nature, or seek some snowy solitude, we guarantee you will find adventure on these trails. Make sure to add at least one to your Utah bucket list!
HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Snowshoeing comes with risks from weather, cold, and avalanches. Always be prepared and always check the avalanche forecast for the trail you want to hike.
Utah is known for the “best snow on earth” and while skiing is undoubtedly the state’s most popular winter sport, snowshoeing is picking up steam in popularity. Skiing has become outrageously expensive (along with nearly everything else these days), which makes snowshoeing a great alternative for those trying to survive inflation and still enjoy the outdoors. It doesn’t require expensive lessons or lift passes and the gear is much more affordable, whether renting or buying.
Looking for more things to do in Utah in the winter? Utah has so much more than just skiing. Try one of these Christmas activities or other things to do in Utah in the winter!
Where to Rent Snowshoes near American Fork Canyon?
JJ’s Snowshoe Rentals in Lehi $10 PER DAY (free poles included)
UVU Adventure Center in Orem $10 PER DAY
Mort’s Rentals in American Fork $15 PER DAY
Best Snowshoeing Trails in American Fork Canyon
6. Sundance Nordic Center
The Sundance Nordic Center is a system of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. A trail pass costs $12 for the day and you can rent snowshoes for $13. While it does cost money, it is. safer option if you’re just trying snowshoeing for the first time and don’t feel comfortable venturing off on your own. It’s also at higher elevation so there will be more snow and you can go earlier in the season. Not to mention, Sundance is a beautiful place and you can sit down for a nice meal at the lodge afterwards.
5. Silver Lake Flat
Silver Lake Flat is a reservoir located in American Fork Canyon just a few miles past Tibble Fork and the Granite Flat Campground. While it’s a popular place for paddleboarding in the summer, it freezes over in the winter. The dirt road that you normally drive on to ascend up the mountainside to the lake in the summer is closed during winter, making it an ideal snowshoe trail. It is a fairly steep, strenuous 3 miles each way, however. Be prepared.
4. Alpine Loop Road
While driving the Alpine Loop is one of the best fall activities in Utah, the road is actually closed in the winter. You can drive as far as the Pine Hollow Trailhead but to go farther than that, you’ll have to go without a vehicle. It’s a popular place to go fat biking (mountain biking with wide, fat tires made for biking in the snow) or snowshoeing.
Oftentimes the road gets packed well enough you can simply hike it with good boots. From the road closure to Timpooneke Campground is about 2 miles and from there you can traverse the campgrounds for some stunning views of Mount Timpanogos. Or simply hike out and back as far as you like following the road and you still get some great views of American Fork Canyon. Because you’re just following the road, it’s a nice, steady climb so it’s probably the easiest snowshoeing trail in American Fork Canyon and perfect for beginners or families with young kids.
3. Pine Hollow
Pine Hollow Trail is located along the famous Alpine Loop and is one of the best snowshoeing trails in Utah thanks to its sweeping views of Mount Timpanogos. To get there, take I-15 to the Timpanogos Highway exit, then head up American Fork Canyon as far as you can. The road that connects American Fork Canyon and Provo Canyon is closed in the winter but the gate is just past the Pine Hollow Trailhead, so you can still access and park at the trailhead.
The trail itself is a 4.3 mile loop, but you can also treat it as an out-and-back if you don’t want to complete the full loop. The hike takes you through forests of pine and aspen and you’ll walk through a couple meadows. After the second meadow, the big payoff is when you finally reach the ridge and get some spectacular views of the backside of Timp.
2. Stewart Falls
Nestled in American Fork Canyon near Aspen Grove you will find one of the best snowshoeing trails in Utah. Between the views of the backside of majestic Mount Timpanogos and a 200-foot tall frozen waterfall, this is easily one of the most scenic winter hikes in the state. You can access it via Provo Canyon and then driving past Sundance Resort. Stewart Falls is also one of the most popular summer hikes as well but seeing it in the winter is all the more magical with everything frozen – these icy falls will not disappoint.
Just BE AWARE – this trail crosses avalanche terrain so always check the forecast and hike at your own risk!
1. Tibble Fork Loop
Tibble Fork is hands down our favorite spot in American Fork Canyon. Recreation opportunities abound year round and in the winter, it’s a perfect place for sledding or tubing, ice fishing, and even ice skating. There’s a 4-mile loop that goes around the lake and into the neighboring forest that’s ideal for snowshoeing. It’s well-travelled and the snow gets packed down quickly. But it earns the #1 spot on our list of best snowshoeing trails in American Fork Canyon because of the option to pair a snowshoe hike with some family sledding afterwards. Who wouldn’t love that?
If you need to rent snowshoes, we recommend getting them from JJ’s Rentals in Lehi!
Happy trails and thanks for reading!
–JJ & Brittany🤘🏻
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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