Bells Canyon is a great place to hike just south of the entrance to Little Cottonwood Canyon, in Sandy, Utah. Bells Canyon is also called Bell Canyon. Some signs say “Bell Canyon”, but since the US Forest Service calls it Bells Canyon, I will use that name in this post.
Directions
The Granite Trailhead is one of the parking areas. Other trailheads to Bells Canyon are Boulders and Preservation. It begins just below the entrance to Little Cottonwood Canyon at 3450 E Little Cottonwood Road (9400 South). This path has more switchbacks, so it gains elevation more gradually and doesn’t require all the stairs of the Boulder Trailhead.
Quickly you see the junction from the Preservation Trailhead.
Very soon you have views of the city.
The path then winds around through the trees.
Depending on the season there might be a few wildflowers along the trail.
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 northside of the lake towards the waterfall.
Here are a few more from the Bells Canyon Lower Reservoir.
Stats to Reservoir from Granite Trailhead: Distance – 1.5 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 45 to 120 minutes
Elevation gain – 468 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 Waterfall: Distance – 4.6 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 2 to 4 hours
Elevation gain – 1453 feet
Difficulty – Difficult
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
