Winter hike around Bells Canyon Reservoir

Hiking in winter provides a whole new outlook on the terrain. Seeing the trees covered in snow while the sun is beating down on you is one of the great things about winter in Utah. My kids suggested we take a hike, so we did. A winter hike up and around Bells Canyon Reservoir in southeast Salt Lake County was a perfect afternoon activity.

The trail around the reservoir is not a technical hike. But if you decide to hike it with snow on the ground, there are some added challenges you’ll want to be prepared for.

Here’s a rundown on the trail around Bells Canyon Reservoir so you can plan a family outing this winter.

Preparing for a Winter Hike to Bells Canyon

Hiking in the winter requires different gear than in the summer. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for a winter hike to Bells Canyon Reservoir.

• Dress in layers. Weather in Utah can change in a moment’s notice. And nothing is worse than being underdressed and hiking in the cold. It’s miserable. Dressing in layers will allow you to adjust as you get hot or cold. This can include a long-sleeve shirt, jacket, coat, scarf, gloves, hat, etc.
• Wear good winter (hiking) boots. I have some boots I use for winter, but they aren’t necessarily hiking boots. My feet weren’t very happy for the final mile of our hike.
• Use crampons. If a lot of people have been hiking the trail, the trail becomes pretty icy. Crampons can be added onto your boots to give you the traction you need. I slipped on our recent hike and really wish I would’ve had better traction (i.e., crampons).
• Bring water. It’s easy to forget to drink water when you’re hiking in the cold. But believe me, you need to bring water with you. My son didn’t have water on our recent hike and ended up fighting a headache the rest of the night. Dehydration happens, even when it’s only 25 degrees outside.

Getting to the Trailhead

There are two trails that lead up to Bells Canyon Reservoir. In the winter, I recommend using the Granite Trailhead. The Granite Trail is less steep than the Boulders Trailhead off of Wasatch Blvd. The distance is a little bit longer, but less steep.

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Granite Trailhead is at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. From I-15, if you take the 9000 S exit and follow it east, you’ll see the trailhead on the right side, right after crossing Wasatch Blvd. If the parking area is full at the trailhead, there’s overflow parking on the northwest side of the intersection you just drove through.

The Boulders Trailhead is a little further south, accessed off of Wasatch Blvd. Parking is even more limited at this trailhead. The trail itself starts through a residential neighborhood before climbing up to the reservoir.

Finding the Right Path

Years ago, my kids and I hiked up to Bells Canyon Reservoir. We thought it would be easy to hike around the reservoir, but on the east side, we found ourselves walking in think black mud and no trail in sight. We later learned there’s an actual trail that works much better, and has less mid.

When you reach the reservoir, decide whether you want to circle the reservoir clockwise or counter-clockwise. Here’s directions for counter-clockwise – you would just reverse the instructions listed below.

The west side of the reservoir is where the outlet of the water is found. Follow the trail around and cross the wooden bridge built there in 2018. The trail continues around the south side of the reservoir before turning north. Keep an eye out to your right, because if you continue heading north, you’ll end up in the mud. Take the trail that heads east and up the hillside.

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The trail winds through the woods. At one point, you’ll see a building on your left. Don’t cross the stream at this point. Continue heading up the mountain. At one point, you’ll see a wooden bridge on your left. The trail continues up to the waterfall (which is accessible in winter, but a steeper). Cross the bridge and follow the path back to the reservoir.

At one point, probably 200 years from the bridge, the trail splits. Continue straight – don’t turn left. When you get down to the north side of the reservoir, find the trail you hiked up and simply return to your car.

The Details

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Round trip: From the Granite Trailhead to and around Bells Canyon Reservoir is about three miles round trip. Simply hiking to (not around) the reservoir is about 2 miles round trip.

Hiking time: About one hour to hike to and around Bells Canyon Reservoir.

Entrance/Permit Fee? No entrance fee or parking fee required. Parking fills up quickly at either trailhead. Don’t park illegally.

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