Donut Falls

Salt Lake City, Utah

4.1/5

based on 44 reviews

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Details

Distance

1.53 miles

Elevation Gain

413 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Eric Bennett

Donut Falls is an out-and-back hike to an amazingly beautiful and picturesque waterfall. This trail, located in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, is good for all seasons with easy access to the trail.

The Trail

Follow the trail for just a little bit and when it forks, stay to the left and you will arrive to Donut Falls. Once at the waterfall, climb up the rocks to get to the cave at the top, which is not visible from the bottom. To take pictures inside of the cave, you will most likely get your feet wet.

This is a really short hike, so it's great if you are short on time and want to see something amazing.

Falls Coordinates: 40.629722, -111.654722

Getting There

Coming from the I-215, turn left on Big Cottonwood Road and the parking lot will be about nine miles up the road on your right. Usually the gate is closed, so park here and follow the rest of the road on foot until you get to a trailhead with restrooms on the left hand side.

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Features

Photography

Hiking

Bathrooms

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Scenic

Waterfall

Wildlife

Reviews

Emerson Brian

Donut Falls

02/01/23

Did this hike near the end of April and had the place to ourselves. Lots of snow, but doable in regular hiking shoes. Would recommend getting in the water if you’re feeling brave!

5.0

Dawn Rohde

Donut Falls

10/24/22

Be careful no matter what time of year you are doing this one. There is a steep drop off when you eventually get to the water part. Usually, in the winter they have a rope that you can climb up in order to see the actual waterfall.

5.0

Tom Mock

Donut Falls

12/05/20

The hike to Donut Falls is one of my favorites! It is very family friendly and a great way to escape the SLC heat. Check out my blog post about the hike: https://saltlakedad.weebly.com/blog/hiking-donut-falls

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

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Snowshoe to Cardiff Mine

The trail starts from the same trailhead as Donut Falls which is extremely popular. In the winter, the gates are closed and you need to park just off the highway. Follow the road and crowds along the trail but once you cross the bridge continue straight ahead instead of following the trail that curves to the left. About 50 feet after leaving the trail, you will intersect with an old mining road...

Big Cottonwood Canyon Astrophotography

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To get to the trailhead drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Spruces Campground. Once in the parking lot, walk to the southwest corner of the parking lot and go up the road past the bathrooms. The trailhead will be next to the overgrown baseball field. The trail is awesome single track the whole way up to the top and never branches off so it's really easy to follow, you can't get lost. The trail ...

Donut Falls

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Leave No Trace

Nearby

Backcountry Ski Cardiff Fork

Kessler Peak in Utah's Big Cottonwood Canyon

Snowshoe to Cardiff Mine

Big Cottonwood Canyon Astrophotography

Hike Cardiff Fork

Hike Days Fork

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