Grove Creek is a beautiful and steep trail that begins in Pleasant Grove. It features a waterfall and incredible mountain and city views. It is classified as hard because it’s steep, but it’s about the same steepness as Horsetail Falls. To get to the waterfall it’s about 4.25 miles round trip. If you continue farther you get to a beautiful meadow (6.7 miles round trip). It is possible to continue even farther and come down Battle Creek Canyon (7.2 mile loop to different parking lot, or 8.0 to return to the same parking lot).
Directions
You begin this by going up the main trail where they hang the large flag Lady Liberty in early July. After 0.3 miles, the trail has a path that heads up to the left. Take that trail.
It heads up through the scrub oak and then comes near the river. Once in the fall I went down off the trail for a photo. It is faster and fuller earlier in the year, but this photo is in October.
In the fall the leaves are spectacular.
As you hike there are many opportunities to see the beautiful view down the canyon at Utah County and Utah Lake. These photos are from different months and times of day.
Another reason this trail is marked as hard is because the path is surrounded by shale and sort of cliff-like in a few sections. This would not be a great trail if you are afraid of heights.
The wildflowers are beautiful and most bloom May through July, but there are a few other months!
There is bigger waterfall, but you can see it best from a distance.
It varies in how robust it is.
When you hike up and stand on the bridge then you see two streams of water merging.
Beyond this you enter a section of pine trees.
Then you enter section of aspens.
Then you reach the meadows.
Grove Creek Springs and Indian Campground are located near each other at the top.
Here are just a few more of Grove Creek Canyon/Indian Springs.
Stats: Distance – 4.25 miles roundtrip (to waterfall) or 6.7 to Grove Creek Spring and Indian Campground
Approximate hiking time – 2 to 4 hours
Elevation gain – 1,520 feet (to waterfall) and 2,595 feet to spring and campground
Difficulty – Difficult
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks.
Bathrooms – At Trailhead
Seasons to hike – May – October
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – Yes
For about a week near July 4, there is a giant flag hung in Grove Creek Canyon.
Other trails nearby are Battle Creek Falls, The “G” Hike, Dry Canyon Alternative, and both American Fork and Provo Canyons.
