The Stewart Falls Trail in Provo Canyon is one of the best waterfall hikes in Utah. The trail is scenic and the falls are stunning any time of year. You’ll definitely want to add this to your Utah bucket list!
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Everything You Need to Know Before Hiking the Stewart Falls Trail
Table of Contents
- Stewart Falls visitor information:
- Directions to the Stewart Falls trailhead
- What to expect when hiking the Stewart Falls Trail
Stewart Falls visitor information:
- Fee: There is a $6 parking fee that can be paid at the ranger station with cash or a card. The pass is good for three days. National Parks passes are also accepted here.
- Distance: 3.8 miles out and back, as stated on the sign at the trailhead.
- Time: Plan for about 2 hours, depending on how long you stay at the waterfall.
- Elevation Gain: 646 feet
- Difficulty: Rated easy to moderate
- Kid-friendly: The Stewart Falls Trail is considered a family-friendly hike. The trail is well maintained with a gradual incline. Just keep in mind that it is a bit of a longer hike for little legs and there are some rocky portions that you’ll need to help them navigate.
- Dog friendly: Yes, the Stewart Falls Trail is dog friendly, but they must be kept on a leash and always remember to clean up after your pet.
- Amenities: Restrooms are located at the parking lot.
- Best time to visit: The trail is open year-round, but the best time to visit is from late spring to mid-fall.
Directions to the Stewart Falls trailhead
The Stewart Falls Trail is actually called Stewart Cascades Trail #056.
If you put “Stewart Falls” into your maps, there is a chance that it might take you to a residential neighborhood without waterfall access.
Be sure to specify “Stewart Falls Trailhead” or “Stewart Cascades Trailhead”.
The trail is located within the Uinta National Forest about 7 miles up Provo Canyon on the east side of Mt Timpanogas.
If you’re coming from Provo, pass through the tunnel then take the next left onto UT 92. Follow this road for 4.6 miles.
You’ll pass by Sundance Ski Resort then arrive at Aspen Grove, an outdoor venue and camp owned by BYU.
After passing the ranger fee station at Aspen Grove, the parking lot for Stewart Falls Trail is located just past the station on the left.
This parking lot is shared with the Aspen Grove Trail and the Mt Timpanogas Trail, so the lot gets filled up quickly. Plan to arrive early if you are visiting in the summer or on a weekend.
Guests at the Sundance Resort also have access to a shorter trail that leads to the falls where you don’t have to worry about parking or crowds.
Since multiple trails are leading from the parking lot, make sure you locate the correct trailhead marked “Stewart Cascades Tr. No. 056”.
When it forks, stay to the left as the trail to the right leads to the Aspen Grove Trail.
Even though the trail is fairly easy to follow, I always recommend using AllTrails Pro whenever you hike.
This way you can download the map beforehand and it will alert you if you go off trail, even when you have no cell service.
What to expect when hiking the Stewart Falls Trail
The Stewart Falls Trail is well-marked and easy to navigate. It consists of mostly dirt with some larger rocks and loose gravel in some areas.
The hike is listed as 3.6 miles out and back on AllTrails, but the sign at the trailhead says that it is 1.9 miles each way, so 3.8 miles total.
The trail is considered to be family-friendly, but take it slow on the rocky portions and be prepared to carry little ones when their legs get tired.
The trail begins with a steeper incline for the first 1/4 mile or so. It will continue at a more gradual incline until around the one-mile mark where it will level out.
The trail is mostly shaded and absolutely beautiful as it leads through groves of pine and aspen trees.
It is even lined with ferns which you don’t often see in Utah.
In the spring or summer, you’ll be surrounded by thick green foliage. In the fall, the trail is carpeted with golden leaves. And in the winter, it becomes a popular snowshoe trail.
Just keep in mind that summer is the most popular time to visit and the trail can be quite crowded, particularly on the weekends and holidays.
I would recommend visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
*Related post: Check out the Best Hot Springs in Utah!
There is one thing you need to be cautious about when hiking this trail. Towards the summit when the trail starts leveling out, you’ll find that the path is lined with stinging nettle.
Use the photo below for reference so that you’ll know what to look for
If you brush up against it, your skin will break out in irritating welts.
But if you do accidentally encounter the stinging nettle, the best thing you can do is keep your eye out for lamb’s ear leaves that also grow along the trail.
Just rub the lamb’s ear in a downward motion on the affected area. It will act as an antiseptic and the welts will soon go away.
Towards the end of the trail, you’ll come to a clearing where you’ll be able to catch the first glimpse of Stewart Falls.
You’ll also be able to see the Sundance ski runs in the distance.
At this point, the trail becomes a little steeper with more rocks and loose gravel as you descend down, so be careful and take it slowly.
You’ll soon come to a rock outcrop that is a popular lookout point.
Here you will find the best views of the waterfall and the best spot for a photo.
The 200-foot two-tiered waterfall truly is breathtaking and it is surrounded by the unparalleled beauty of Mount Timpanogas.
Stewart Falls flows year-round, but the amount of water will vary.
The best time to visit is in the early summer when you’ll find the most run-off from the snowmelt.
After the viewpoint, you can take a sketchy trail straight ahead to reach a closer view of the waterfall, as you can see in the photo below.
But the loose rocks, called scree, make the trail quite challenging as it is easy to slip and fall, so use caution.
I would recommend just taking the trail to the left that leads down to the base of the waterfall instead. This trail is still steep, but it is well maintained and is much easier to navigate.
The water is chilly year-round and makes for a great spot to splash and cool off on a hot summer day. It’s also a great spot to skip rocks, have a picnic, or just hang out and relax while the kids play.
You can even go back behind the waterfall, but just be prepared that the snowmelt is icy cold and you’re going to get wet!
Plan to wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring water shoes and a towel if you want to get wet.
These Turkish towels are our favorite because they roll up super compact to stick in a backpack, but are surprisingly absorbent. We bring them on all of our summer adventures!
You’ll also notice a first aid station set up on the banks of the river. Hopefully you won’t need it, but it is a very helpful service that the park rangers offer.
When you’re ready to go, just head back up the trail the way you came.
*Related Post: Check out these 10 Best Things to Do in Park City!
For more awesome waterfalls in Utah, check out these trails:
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FAQ’s:
- Is there always water at Stewart Falls? Stewart Falls runs year-round, but the amount of flow will vary. The best time to visit is in the early summer when you’ll find the most run-off from snowmelt.
- How long does it take to hike Stewart Falls? According to the sign at the trailhead, the trail to Stewart falls is 1.9 miles each way, so 3.8 miles out and back. Plan for about 2 hours total.
- Is Stewart Falls kid friendly? Yes, Stewart Falls is a great family hike. Although it is almost 4 miles, the trail is not too steep. Just take it slow and help little ones when the trail gets rocky.
- Is the Stewart Falls trail open year-round? Yes, you can hike the Stewart Falls trail all year long, but just use caution in the winter when the conditions are more challenging. The trail can also be muddy in the spring. The best time to hike the Stewart Falls Trail is in the late spring and summer.
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[…] And if you love hidden waterfall hikes, be sure to check out the Lower Pine Creek Falls in Zion and the Mossy Cave Trail in Bryce Canyon! You’ll also love Toquerville Falls and Stewart Falls! […]