The Salt Creek Waterfall is a great waterfall in the Mt. Nebo Wilderness area that only requires an easy 2 1/2 miles round trip through a beautiful forest. This trail is great for all ages and dogs are welcome.
The Salt Creek Waterfall flows through Salt Creek Canyon and the trail is also called “Right Fork Salt Creek”. To get to this trailhead take the FR 48 road off the Nebo Loop. You will see a beautiful view as you pass several campgrounds: Ponderosa, Cottonwood, and Bear Canyon. Isn’t that a stunning view?!
In the Bear Canyon Campground there is a small parking lot next to this trailhead. There are cattle ranchers nearby, so be courteous and shut the gate after you pass through.
This is such a beautiful area! It’s a little over an hour’s drive from where I live, but well worth it to drive the Nebo Loop and hike this great trail. These first photos are from Labor Day 2021.
These next photos are from July 2022. on Labor Day there were a handful of other hikers, but we saw literally no one on the trail on a weekday in July.
This is an easy trail with a very gradual incline. We were there in the heat of the day both times and there were enough shady spots to make the 95° temperatures bearable.
The geology in the Nebo Loop is fascinating! I love looking at the large rock formations. The green mountains around are also so beautiful!
While we were hiking we were looking for animals. We saw two garter snakes, but I only got a photo of the back half of one. It’s grasshopper season, so we saw lots of those too.
In July we saw a million butterflies!
A few butterflies even landed on my kids.
In July there were lots of wildflowers.
In September saw a few wildflowers and some of the leaves starting to change.
The trail continues along with a gentle incline. There are few places the trail gets a bit rocky, but it’s a lovely area.
During the spring and summer the end of the trail follows the Salt Creek.
In September, it was a dry bed. When you come to this rocky area you can hear the waterfall off to your left. immediately after the rocks, just beyond that bush, is a pile of rocks. Take the trail there that parallels the creek area. It’s easy to miss, so keep an eye out.
Follow the little trail up the small hill and next to the creek where now we could see water.
The waterfall is beautiful!
The flow is still strong in July, but the water is shallow to walk in.
By September it has slowed, but it is still a beautiful waterfall.
This time of year you can easily step across to the other side of the creek.
Stats: Distance – 2.6 miles there and back
Approximate hiking time – 1-3 hours
Elevation gain – 364 feet
Difficulty – Easy
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks
Bathrooms – Yes
Seasons to hike – May – October
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – Yes
This is very close to Devil’s Kitchen. It’s also near Payson Lakes and Grotto Falls. You may also want to head south to Maple Canyon Arch and Maple Box Canyon.
