The Temple Quarry Trail is an accessible, paved trail and is a convenient and beautiful way for everyone to see nature, especially the fall leaves.

It looks beautiful in the summer too.

The entrance is just south of the entrance to Little Cottonwood Canyon. There is additional parking on the north side of the canyon entrance. This is the location where the granite was mined for the Salt Lake Temple.

It is a short loop trail with little dirt trails all along. The paved trails are perfect if you have a stroller or wheelchair. There are also little signs that give information about the mountainside and other facts.

It is called the Temple Quarry Trail because this is the site where the Pioneers cut the granite used to build the Salt Lake Temple in downtown Salt Lake City.

There are little side trails that allow you to explore a little more or connect to the Little Cottonwood Trail.

In the springtime Little Cottonwood Creek is flowing, especially in May 2023!

In the fall there isn’t any water here, but it is pretty with all the granite rocks!

The Temple Quarry Trail trail is popular with photographers and people of all ages, but usually not too crowded. It’s a beautiful place! For most of the spring, summer and fall there are wildflowers blooming!

Look carefully and you might find a lizard, butterfly or other wildlife!

In the winter you can look up on the cliffs and see the mountain goats. I took most of these photos before I got a more powerful zoom lens, so they aren’t crisp. They are very high up on the cliffs!

Here are a few more photos from the Temple Quarry Trail.

Stats: Distance – 0.3 mile loop
Approximate hiking time – 20-60 minutes
Elevation gain – 19 feet
Difficulty – Easy
Trail – Paved
Bathrooms – At the trailhead
Seasons to hike – April – October
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – No

Other nearby trails are Rocky Mouth Falls, Bells Canyon Reservoir, Lisa Falls, and Gloria Falls.