Salt Creek Canyon Falls is a 2.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Nephi, Utah that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and bird watching. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This easy trail starts at the northwest end of the Bear Canyon Campground and heads through a narrow forested canyon along the Salt Creek. The small waterfall at the end is not only beautiful, but also provides great access to stand directly beneath the falls and get a very cold shower. To see the waterfall, be sure to turn left when the creek crosses the trail. You will need to cross the fence at the end of the campground to start this hike - the locals drive cattle into the canyon, and the fence is there to keep them out of the campsites. This might be a pay area depending where you park. No overnight camping in the area except on designated spots.
Head northwest on Route 48 near the south end of Nebo Loop. The road ends in a loop at the end of the Bear Canyon campground - the trailhead is right at the end of this loop, on the other side of the fence.
January 7, 2021gate closed about 2 miles before trailhead
October 23, 2020really pretty hike, we had it all to ourselves. waterfall was pretty, was actually surprised there was water still.
October 11, 2020Beautiful colors, and fun little hike for the family. The trail did not smell bad like another reviewer stated.
October 4, 2020Nice fall hike. Yes there where cows , no they aren’t scary. Clap your hand and move towards them they move away. We had to watch out for cow pies also. Leaves where beautiful. Water fall was great. Kids made it easily. Nice to see the leaves without the crowds
September 13, 2020Did this short hike with the kids, just to the first little waterfall. There is some shade but it was still hot enough that the cool down at the falls is quite welcome. The views in the canyon are lovely and it's nice and short and not crowded. We had a 5, 8, 9 and 13 year old and we were by ourselves at the waterfall for about 30 mins. Fun afternoon adventure! (I'm guessing the negative reviews come from going further on the hike. But the short jaunt to the waterfall is great!)
September 13, 2020Beautiful
September 7, 2020September 7, 2020I am confused by the recent negative reviews? Each experience is different and valid, but our experience on this hike was Great! we went at 4pm, but many parts of the trail were shaded so we didn't notice the heat very much. there were some cow pies to avoid along the way, but nothing unbearable! the fall was beautiful and my 5 and 2 year old loved splashing in the water. there was almost no elevation gain either way, amd my 2 year old was in the backpack with my 5 year old walking/running the whole thing. short, easy, family friendly hike. I'd like to do it again in the spring when the flowers are blooming and the water is higher, but overall this was a great hike!!
August 30, 2020Did this with my 18 month old, 3 year old and 6 year old. It was ok, should have started earlier it was hot and most of the creek was dry. The waterfall was cool though, I would like to try it in the spring when its a little cooler and more runoff water. My kids did pretty good with it.
August 29, 2020This trail can be summed up in one word: AWFUL. Actually, I don’t think there are enough negative adjectives in the English language to describe this trail. The trail from top to bottom is covered in fresh cow sh*t and cow piss. The odor of cow waste baking in the sun is so nasty and the constant buzzing of the millions of flies swarming the piles of sh*t is so gross I would not ever go back up there. In August there is only a trickle of water in Salt Creek, and that water is like raw sewage. Don’t even think about filtering it!! The only “nice” part of this hike was the small waterfall about a mile from the trailhead. Other than that, this trail is a complete waste of time and energy. There aren’t even any views of anything as you’re down in a draw the entire time! Hell, the prettiest flower we saw was that of a burdock blossom. A weed!! Hands down, this was the worst trail I’ve ever hiked in my life and I DO NOT recommend it unless you are writing a thesis paper on the size, shapes, colors and odors of cow sh*t.
August 29, 2020I thought it was dreadful!!! It was a challenging hike to nowhere!!! The beginning of the hike and detour to falls were the beautiful spots. Should have stopped there. The rest was blaugh!! So many cows and a desolate trail. No vistas and just a trickle of a creek that smelled dreadful due to all the cows, flies and cow pies!!! It smelled like fetid, raw sewage water! The trail was dusty fine dirt that sent a powder of choking dust! The higher we went the worse it was!!! Wow, no thanks!!
August 29, 2020August 23, 2020Great hike with my 12, 15 and 4 year olds. Hiked it at about 10am on a Sunday and very few people on the trail.
August 23, 2020Easy trail for my 4 year old. My kids lived playing in the waterfall.
August 22, 2020Good short hike. Best if done in the morning, by 11 it was hot without much shade. The waterfall at the end was fun to play in. Several people on the trail had dogs.
August 21, 2020Nice hike..easy first 2 miles, shaded in the morning exposed in the afternoon. Creek is dry the first 2 miles... Love to come back in the spring with the winter run off and the creeks are full.
August 14, 2020The trail is really fun, partially shaded with beautiful view, the hike is more like 3.2 RT, there is no sign to show you where the waterfall is but you can figure it out where it is when you see the small streams of water between some rocks and right next to it there is a small path, you walk up about 100 feet and it’s right there @utahfunactivivies
August 11, 2020Beautiful trail. Good for kids. Bring water shoes or sandals to play in the falls!
August 9, 2020Had a delightfully-cool hike in the evening (high to mid 70s). There was a moderate flow at the falls which was a pleasant surprise since the creek was dry at the trailhead.
July 29, 2020This hike was just what we imagined it would be. The scenery was incredibly beautiful and the elevation gain was very gradual and slight, mostly when you turn off to the waterfall. If you take a left just after you cross the creek and follow it up the hill to the waterfall. My almost 3 year old did a lot of the hike herself then my husband packed her the rest of the way, I wrapped and carried our 10 month old, and our dog hiked along with us. There were very few other people, and the reward at the end was well worth it to us, our kids, and our dog. There were lots of cow pies on the trail for maybe 3/4 of the way up and a few downed trees lying across parts of the trail, but if you watched your footing there wasn’t anything you couldn’t easily go around. We went in the late morning and ate lunch and played at the falls before heading back down in the afternoon. There wasn’t as much shade as we had hoped for, but there is shade at fairly regular increments and of course we were hiking during the least shady part of the day. I’m sure earlier in the morning or in the evening there would be plenty more shade. It was basically 3 miles round trip.
July 26, 2020We loved this little hike! Easy enough to take our 3 year old and shaded for about half the way. Very quiet, we had the falls to ourselves. Make sure to turn left directly after you cross the river. It isn't sign posted, but that is how you find the waterfall.
July 26, 2020This hike was so nice because we saw only one other group of hikers. We had the falls all to our selves.
July 25, 2020July 25, 2020Beautiful hike that does not take terribly long to complete. Waterfall at the end was very gorgeous and fun for kids (and kids at heart) to play in
July 17, 2020Loved it. Done on a Friday afternoon and it was not busy at all. Really nice views and cool waterfall at the end.
July 4, 2020Awesome trail. We had 5 kids under 7 and everyone was able to walk on there own. The waterfall it’s self is a little small so if there is a lot of people it gets crowded quickly.
July 3, 2020We went too far for the falls, should have turned left immediately after we crossed the stream. The fork further north on the map did not appear to be a trail once we got there. After backtracking we got to the falls and it was worth it.
July 3, 2020Probably my new favorite hike. Green, shaded, waterfall. Turn left after you are forced to cross the creek.
June 25, 2020We loved this trail! It’s a great evening hike, not challengingly long nor disappointingly short. It’s also not overly strenuous. Pro tip: when you reach the spot where you cross the stream, use the long bridge, then the falls is on the left, just follow the steam up!
