Bells Canyon is a beautiful canyon just below Little Cottonwood Canyon in Sandy. It is a popular hike for families because the reservoir is only 1.5 miles round trip. This is what the reservoir looks like in June.
I have hiked it at different times of year and it’s always a nice view. This photo below was taken at the end of November.
Here are more from January and September.
This time we hiked it in the beginning of October, so all of the leaves were changing and the reservoir was low.
You can begin the trail at either the Granite Trailhead or the Boulders Trailhead. The latter is slightly shorter, but starts out a little steeper. These photos are from the Granite Trail.
These are from the Boulders Trail. Both ways you can turn around for lovely city views.
There is an overlook you can get to with only 0.1 mile extension. If you are up for a bit more of a challenge, then head to the north end of the reservoir and follow the trail to Bells Canyon Lower Waterfall.
Here is another view of Bells Canyon Lower Reservoir.
Stats to to Reservoir: 1.3-1.5 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 45 to 120 minutes
Elevation gain – 460-478 feet
Difficulty – Moderate
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks.
Bathrooms – At Granite Trailhead
Seasons to hike – March – October (year round to reservoir)
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – No
Other trails nearby are Rocky Mouth Falls, Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge and the Temple Quarry Trail.
