Utah's Best Waterfalls and Natural Springs

Utah's waterfalls are concentrated in the Wasatch Range and in the canyon country's few perennial streams. Desert waterfalls, fed by seasonal storms or perennial springs, are particularly dramatic against the red rock landscape.

Bridal Veil Falls (607 ft)
A double cataract at the entrance to Provo Canyon — one of the tallest waterfalls in Utah. The falls cascade 607 feet in two stages on the canyon wall above US-189. A historic aerial tramway (destroyed in an avalanche in 1996) once carried visitors to a restaurant at the midpoint; the falls are now appreciated from the highway pullout or a short walk to the base.

Stewart Falls (200 ft)
In Sundance Resort area on the north slope of Mount Timpanogos, Stewart Falls drops 200 feet in a secluded north-facing cirque. The 3.5-mile round-trip trail from the Aspen Grove trailhead passes through aspen and conifer forest. The falls flow well through July; later in summer the flow diminishes.

Donut Falls (25 ft)
An unusual waterfall in Big Cottonwood Canyon east of Salt Lake City — the stream flows through a hole in a large boulder before plunging into the pool below (hence "donut"). A 3-mile round-trip trail in a canyon closed to dogs (watershed protection). Most accessible short hike to a waterfall near Salt Lake City.

Kanarra Creek Canyon (near Cedar City)
A slot canyon with a series of log-ladder waterfalls — rising pools of clear water requiring wading through narrow canyon walls. The lower canyon is 2 miles from the trailhead; the upper waterfall and the most narrow section are the reward. Permit required; capacity-limited.

Zion: Emerald Pools
Three small pools and waterfalls above the Zion Lodge area, fed by seeps and springs from the canyon walls above. The Lower Emerald Pool trail (1.2 miles) is easy and paved; the Middle and Upper pools require more scrambling. In spring when snowmelt is high, the waterfalls feeding the pools are impressive.