Bell Canyon Reservoir is a beautiful lake that only requires a 1.3-1.5 mile hike and is just south of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Bell Canyon is also called Bells Canyon. It is called both interchangeably depending on the source.
Directions
There are three trailheads: Preservation, Granite, and Boulders. The Preservation Trailhead is the newest, with the most parking and is also the easiest trail. The Granite Trailhead is just around the corner to the northeast. Those two trails combine early on. The Boulders Trailhead is a little further south. It is lighter shorter and steeper. Preservation and Boulders Trailheads are on Wasatch Boulevard just south of Little Cottonwood Road and Granite is on Little Cottonwood Road just east of the Wasatch Boulevard intersection. More detail about each trail is further below in this post.
Bells Canyon Lower Reservoir
Bells Canyon Reservoir is such a beautiful place! I love it in every season!
From the reservoir you can add a short 0.1 to get to the overlook or just shy of 3 more challenging miles to get to the waterfall.
Here is a sneak peak at the view from the overlook.
Here is a photo of the waterfall
In the fall and winter the waterfall looks different:
Here are additional views of the lower reservoir.
There are three trails to get to the Bell Canyon Reservoir. Here is more detail on the two trailheads.
Boulder Trailhead
(shorter, but steeper)
The Boulders Trailhead is a parking lot on the east side of Wasatch Boulevard at 10122 South.
There are quite a few stairs at the beginning as it winds it’s way between private property. Because it’s fairly steep you gain elevation quickly and can see a nice view early on.
Soon you come to the bridge. Bells Canyon is part of the watershed that includes Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, so no pets on the trail or swimming in the lake.
As you get higher, there are even more impressive views of the valley below.
Soon you will see the boulders that gave this trailhead it’s name. It’s unfortunate that there has been a bit of graffiti over the years. My kids love to climb all over them.
As soon as you pass the boulders you can see the lake ahead.
Granite Trailhead
(Longer and less steep)
The Granite Trailhead begins just below the entrance to Little Cottonwood Canyon at 3450 E Little Cottonwood Road. This path has more switchbacks, so it gains elevation more gradually and doesn’t require all the stairs. Very soon it connects with the Preservation Trailhead.
Preservation Trailhead
(shortest, least steep)
This is the newest trailhead with the most parking, and the shortest trail. It is located off Wasatch Boulevard just south of Little Cottonwood Road (9400 S).
Soon you have views of the city below.
The path then winds around through the trees. As you can see this is lovely in the fall.
From this trailhead you come out on the northwest side of the reservoir. You can head south a tiny bit and then take the little trail to the overlook or continue along the north side of the lake towards the waterfall.
Stats to Reservoir from Preservation Trailhead: Distance – 1.4 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 45 to 120 minutes
Elevation gain – 440 feet
Difficulty – Moderate
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks.
Bathrooms – At Preservation and Granite Trailheads
Seasons to hike – Year Round (in winter use micro-spikes)
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – No
Stats to Reservoir from Granite Trailhead: Distance – 1.5 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 45 to 120 minutes
Elevation gain – 452 feet
Difficulty – Moderate
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks.
Bathrooms – At Trailhead
Seasons to hike – Year Round (in winter use micro-spikes)
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – No
Stats to Reservoir from Boulders Trailhead: Distance – 1.3 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 45 to 120 minutes
Elevation gain – 462 feet
Difficulty – Moderate
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks.
Bathrooms – None
Seasons to hike – Year Round (in winter use micro-spikes)
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – No
Other trails nearby are Rocky Mouth Falls, Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge and the Temple Quarry Trail.
