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Super pretty hike but there's a spot that isn't really clearly marked. Somehow we got lost for .5 miles. Anyhow, waterfall was also a bit anti climatic. It's hard to get all the way up close unless you plan to get your feet a bit wet.
Great quick hike, with somewhat confusing trailhead signage for those unfamiliar, strange that you start out on a raised board walk over all small stream next to the road. There wasn't any signage indicating where to go at the restroom and general trail map for the area. Seems like a symptom of the fact that the access road to the real trail head was closed and we spent the majority of the hike cross crossing the well maintained access road. . Not sure if this is normal or due to the early season timing of our hike in late May. Wanted to sarcastically give this hike one star, as there were no doughnuts, either to eat or visible in the water fall features ;) but it was truly a five star experience.
This popular, family-friendly hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon is excellent any time of the year. During the summer, the wildflowers are gorgeous along the trail; in the fall, the leaves change into brilliant autumn colors, and in winter, you can climb to the top of the frozen falls and check out the "ice cave." Yes, it's a popular hike and frequently crowded. That's because it's an easy hike and easily accessed from the road. It's best to avoid hiking Doughnut Falls on weekends and to hike earlier in the morning. Expect to get your feet wet while crossing the creek and dress appropriately Some hikers bring sandals for hiking in the creek, but a good pair of boots is suitable, too, if you don't mind hiking back in soggy boots. Although it's tempting to climb up to the waterfall and "doughnut," please be cautious because the rocks are wet and incredibly slippery. There have been numerous accidents at Donut Falls, including multiple fatalities. It's better to snowshoe to Doughnut Falls during the winter when there are fewer people and the rocks are covered in snow.
Gotta love the great outdoors, especially when visiting Utah! My beau took me on this stunning scenic hike. The scenery was gorgeous throughout the trail! Doughnut Falls is a waterfall in the Big Cottonwood Canyon near Silver Fork, south of Midvale in Salt Lake County. Along the trail, we enjoyed the colorful foliage as leaves from the aspen trees turned golden and the maple trees turned orange red, a beautiful contrast against the evergreen pine trees and the crystal clear blue sky. In the background, you could see the mountains covered with the fall colors. I would rate this as an easy hike, with a few areas that were moderate in difficulty towards the end of the trail near the base of the waterfall. One area required you to climb a rope to descend (on the way to the waterfall) and ascend (on your way back from the waterfall) a short slope. Definitely recommend hiking boots, as there were loose gravel. No need for trekking poles though. It's a 2-mile hike round trip that leads you to a waterfall. I guess depending on the time of year, the water level may be high and you won't be able to approach the waterfall without getting wet, and it would be dangerous (if not impossible) to cross the water and slippery rocks. For our visit, the water level was low and the rocks were relatively dry, so we were able to climb to the top of the waterfall. The downside was the waterfall was small and did not have a significant amount of water. It was still beautiful though! If you have bad knees, you can still enjoy this scenic hike, but I suggest skipping the end near the waterfall. The vast majority of the hike is rather flat and simple. There were lots of shade from the trees, but it's a good idea to bring a hat and/or wear sun screen.
Family friendly popular trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The trail is about 1.5 miles roundtrip if you start at the Donut Falls parking area. Since this is a popular trail...it is crowded, especially up by the falls. Very rocky and steep the last part of the trail that you will need to take to enter the "Donut" part. Squirrels will come right up to you wanting food. They are well feed by people, even though there are signs that says don't feed the animals. Speaking of animals NO DOGS allowed. This is our watershed. Oh and please don't leave them in the car, don't even bring them up the Canyon, you'll get a ticket if caught. This is the perfect trail for snowshoeing in the winter. If you are new to snowshoeing, I would practice on this trail. There are summer cabins on the Southwest side of the trail please be respectful, and stay on the road. Gate is locked in the winter but the trail is still open for your enjoyment.
We had such an amazing time here. We visited salt lake city during Christmas week and decided to come here for snow sledding with the kids. We were 7 adults and 6 kiddos. We had such a blast! Kids had a wonderful time sledding from thr hills and playing in the snow. I was however saddened to see so much trash left behind from folks. Truly heartbreaking. But what a gorgeous place! Parking was relatively easy and we had to bring our own gear :) would love to be back here on our next trip!
Tranquil mountain trail leading to a lovely waterfall. Some parts of the trail are narrow which can mean some close passing with other hikers. Patience is key. The falls are gorgeous all day, but be prepared for a lot of congestion in the afternoon - may diminish your experience if you were expecting a solo visit.
Past Cottonwood, in Wasatch forest. Lots of cars and lots of families this Sunday! 2 Trailways. One is a well worn dirt shady covered hiking trail and the other is a wide cement road. They converge to a single dirt worn trail. Lots of prarie dogs squeaking to be fed up by the rapids. Would've liked more signs showing the last 5% of the trail through 5 choices of entrances.
I checked out donut falls on my first day in Salt Lake City. I drove and parked where the google location was when I had searched for it. I had to walk up the road a little north and ask someone where the trail actually was. The weather couldn't be more perfect! I realized along my hike I passed numerous parking lots that I could of parked at to make my hike shorter. However I'm glad I did the longer haul. Many families were there, many with new borns strapped to them as they walked. There was a few benches along the way. There was one tricky part where I had to climb rocks down a few feet. Without others there to watch I probably would have thought it was the end of the trail. Once you jumped down there was a few more steps up a creek trying to not get your feet wet before the donut falls. So many people were there hiking up the rocks but I passed on that. With the wet shoes from the creek and my tired jelly legs it seemed to dare devilish. I was happy enough with the view I got!
An extremely easy and fun hike for the whole family. The only downside is that it will get extremely packed even on weekdays, so try to get here early. Parking can be difficult and you will likely be forced to park off the road. If you are more daring, you can drive in and park in the small parking lot right before the trailhead, otherwise you will park in the "outer" parking lot and spend about 20 min hiking to the actual trailhead. As for the hike itself, it is very shaded and enjoyable, with very little uphill climbs. Note that you'll have to do a bit of scrambling when you get to a small creek. Once you cross that, you will then begin making your way to the falls. It is extremely beautiful and excellent for family photos.
Awesome hike! Have been here several times and each time is always so enjoyable. Wouldn't say this is an easy hike but also not hard by any means. Most of the hike is very easy and has one or two steep spots, but overall pretty easy to navigate and walk. I would say the hardest part is climbing the rocks to the actual "donut" itself which is where the waterfall is. It's usually pretty crowded and a little slippery when climbing up so make sure you take it slow and make sure every step is the right one. The inside of the donut itself is awesome and really cool to see. The water is freezing so just beware when you attempt to walk into the donut and take a photo!
So many people have told me about donut falls. They said it was a spiritual experience, they were absolutely right. My friend and I decided to take an early hike to the falls. We took our snowshoe spikes and poles in case the trail still had snow. Well, glad we did. The trail is icy and dangerous is you don't have spikes and poles. The first waterfall is small but you can still climb into the cave to have the full experience. The second, and main attraction is spectacular. The waterfall is powerful and loud. It's cold in the cave but it's worth every minute. There's a log to sit on inside so take some snacks and enjoy the time in there by yourself or with your special person. We are definitely coming back when the weather gets warmer.
Good hike with plenty of pretty views and a stream crossing. Went when the snow was starting to melt to the trail was a little muddy and had some snowy sections but still east to navigate. During the time where there is ice it isn't recommended to climb in to the cave for good reason.. iced over! But the hike is great summer spring and fall because it is never the same with the changing environment
Donut Falls is a very special place to me, and it's accessibility makes it a great family-friendly hike. You can choose to scale the slick rocks to the top of the waterfall if you're feeling bold, just be super cautious and be sure you're experienced and wearing proper gear. Even if you choose not to, you'll still be rewarded with incredible views! read more
First time in Utah, and this was our very first stop. It's a bit of a drive followed by a 1.5-mile hike, but it's well worth it. The road to the trailhead is bumpy, so take it slow. The parking lot is small, though there's some overflow parking along the road. Bathroom facilities are available, so be sure to use them if needed. About halfway to the falls, you'll pick up a small stream, which makes the hike even nicer. Most of the trail is shaded by trees, which helped keep us cool. Once you reach the falls, it can get a bit congested with people. The views from the bottom are beautiful, but the real spectacle is the "donut" itself -- I've seen the photos, and it looks incredible. There are signs asking people not to climb up, but the allure of the falls seemed too strong for some, and a few went to the top anyway. One thing to be aware of: there were a couple of areas with ground bees swarming, so stay alert and watch your step. A beautiful spot -- absolutely worth the time and effort. read more
2 years ago
Beautiful hike and waterfall! While I didn't make it to the complete top (I don't trust my clumsy self not to slip on those rocks), it was still a very enjoyable time for my guy and I. While this is a well known hiking spot, it wasn't crowded at all and I didn't feel rushed by anyone. Easy hike with beautiful views. Definitely be careful not to slip as there are a lot of slippable areas with the wet rocks. read more
Super pretty hike but there's a spot that isn't really clearly marked. Somehow we got lost for .5 miles. Anyhow, waterfall was also a bit anti climatic. It's hard to get all the way up close unless you plan to get your feet a bit wet. read more
1 year ago
Great quick hike, with somewhat confusing trailhead signage for those unfamiliar, strange that you start out on a raised board walk over all small stream next to the road. There wasn't any signage indicating where to go at the restroom and general trail map for the area. Seems like a symptom of the fact that the access road to the real trail head was closed and we spent the majority of the hike cross crossing the well maintained access road. . Not sure if this is normal or due to the early season timing of our hike in late May. Wanted to sarcastically give this hike one star, as there were no doughnuts, either to eat or visible in the water fall features ;) but it was truly a five star experience. read more
This popular, family-friendly hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon is excellent any time of the year. During the summer, the wildflowers are gorgeous along the trail; in the fall, the leaves change into brilliant autumn colors, and in winter, you can climb to the top of the frozen falls and check out the "ice cave." Yes, it's a popular hike and frequently crowded. That's because it's an easy hike and easily accessed from the road. It's best to avoid hiking Doughnut Falls on weekends and to hike earlier in the morning. Expect to get your feet wet while crossing the creek and dress appropriately Some hikers bring sandals for hiking in the creek, but a good pair of boots is suitable, too, if you don't mind hiking back in soggy boots. Although it's tempting to climb up to the waterfall and "doughnut," please be cautious because the rocks are wet and incredibly slippery. There have been numerous accidents at Donut Falls, including multiple fatalities. It's better to snowshoe to Doughnut Falls during the winter when there are fewer people and the rocks are covered in snow. read more
Gotta love the great outdoors, especially when visiting Utah! My beau took me on this stunning scenic hike. The scenery was gorgeous throughout the trail! Doughnut Falls is a waterfall in the Big Cottonwood Canyon near Silver Fork, south of Midvale in Salt Lake County. Along the trail, we enjoyed the colorful foliage as leaves from the aspen trees turned golden and the maple trees turned orange red, a beautiful contrast against the evergreen pine trees and the crystal clear blue sky. In the background, you could see the mountains covered with the fall colors. I would rate this as an easy hike, with a few areas that were moderate in difficulty towards the end of the trail near the base of the waterfall. One area required you to climb a rope to descend (on the way to the waterfall) and ascend (on your way back from the waterfall) a short slope. Definitely recommend hiking boots, as there were loose gravel. No need for trekking poles though. It's a 2-mile hike round trip that leads you to a waterfall. I guess depending on the time of year, the water level may be high and you won't be able to approach the waterfall without getting wet, and it would be dangerous (if not impossible) to cross the water and slippery rocks. For our visit, the water level was low and the rocks were relatively dry, so we were able to climb to the top of the waterfall. The downside was the waterfall was small and did not have a significant amount of water. It was still beautiful though! If you have bad knees, you can still enjoy this scenic hike, but I suggest skipping the end near the waterfall. The vast majority of the hike is rather flat and simple. There were lots of shade from the trees, but it's a good idea to bring a hat and/or wear sun screen. read more
Family friendly popular trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The trail is about 1.5 miles roundtrip if you start at the Donut Falls parking area. Since this is a popular trail...it is crowded, especially up by the falls. Very rocky and steep the last part of the trail that you will need to take to enter the "Donut" part. Squirrels will come right up to you wanting food. They are well feed by people, even though there are signs that says don't feed the animals. Speaking of animals NO DOGS allowed. This is our watershed. Oh and please don't leave them in the car, don't even bring them up the Canyon, you'll get a ticket if caught. This is the perfect trail for snowshoeing in the winter. If you are new to snowshoeing, I would practice on this trail. There are summer cabins on the Southwest side of the trail please be respectful, and stay on the road. Gate is locked in the winter but the trail is still open for your enjoyment. read more
3 years ago
We had such an amazing time here. We visited salt lake city during Christmas week and decided to come here for snow sledding with the kids. We were 7 adults and 6 kiddos. We had such a blast! Kids had a wonderful time sledding from thr hills and playing in the snow. I was however saddened to see so much trash left behind from folks. Truly heartbreaking. But what a gorgeous place! Parking was relatively easy and we had to bring our own gear :) would love to be back here on our next trip! read more
2 years ago
Tranquil mountain trail leading to a lovely waterfall. Some parts of the trail are narrow which can mean some close passing with other hikers. Patience is key. The falls are gorgeous all day, but be prepared for a lot of congestion in the afternoon - may diminish your experience if you were expecting a solo visit. read more
Past Cottonwood, in Wasatch forest. Lots of cars and lots of families this Sunday! 2 Trailways. One is a well worn dirt shady covered hiking trail and the other is a wide cement road. They converge to a single dirt worn trail. Lots of prarie dogs squeaking to be fed up by the rapids. Would've liked more signs showing the last 5% of the trail through 5 choices of entrances. read more
I checked out donut falls on my first day in Salt Lake City. I drove and parked where the google location was when I had searched for it. I had to walk up the road a little north and ask someone where the trail actually was. The weather couldn't be more perfect! I realized along my hike I passed numerous parking lots that I could of parked at to make my hike shorter. However I'm glad I did the longer haul. Many families were there, many with new borns strapped to them as they walked. There was a few benches along the way. There was one tricky part where I had to climb rocks down a few feet. Without others there to watch I probably would have thought it was the end of the trail. Once you jumped down there was a few more steps up a creek trying to not get your feet wet before the donut falls. So many people were there hiking up the rocks but I passed on that. With the wet shoes from the creek and my tired jelly legs it seemed to dare devilish. I was happy enough with the view I got! read more
An extremely easy and fun hike for the whole family. The only downside is that it will get extremely packed even on weekdays, so try to get here early. Parking can be difficult and you will likely be forced to park off the road. If you are more daring, you can drive in and park in the small parking lot right before the trailhead, otherwise you will park in the "outer" parking lot and spend about 20 min hiking to the actual trailhead. As for the hike itself, it is very shaded and enjoyable, with very little uphill climbs. Note that you'll have to do a bit of scrambling when you get to a small creek. Once you cross that, you will then begin making your way to the falls. It is extremely beautiful and excellent for family photos. read more
Awesome hike! Have been here several times and each time is always so enjoyable. Wouldn't say this is an easy hike but also not hard by any means. Most of the hike is very easy and has one or two steep spots, but overall pretty easy to navigate and walk. I would say the hardest part is climbing the rocks to the actual "donut" itself which is where the waterfall is. It's usually pretty crowded and a little slippery when climbing up so make sure you take it slow and make sure every step is the right one. The inside of the donut itself is awesome and really cool to see. The water is freezing so just beware when you attempt to walk into the donut and take a photo! read more
4 years ago
So many people have told me about donut falls. They said it was a spiritual experience, they were absolutely right. My friend and I decided to take an early hike to the falls. We took our snowshoe spikes and poles in case the trail still had snow. Well, glad we did. The trail is icy and dangerous is you don't have spikes and poles. The first waterfall is small but you can still climb into the cave to have the full experience. The second, and main attraction is spectacular. The waterfall is powerful and loud. It's cold in the cave but it's worth every minute. There's a log to sit on inside so take some snacks and enjoy the time in there by yourself or with your special person. We are definitely coming back when the weather gets warmer. read more
Good hike with plenty of pretty views and a stream crossing. Went when the snow was starting to melt to the trail was a little muddy and had some snowy sections but still east to navigate. During the time where there is ice it isn't recommended to climb in to the cave for good reason.. iced over! But the hike is great summer spring and fall because it is never the same with the changing environment read more
There's clearly a reason why this hike is so popular. It's beautiful & easy. However, the amount of ignorance of trail etiquette is mind blowing. A massive group was talking away blocking the entire trail. I came across someone peeing on the trail and left the toilet paper just right there. People not allowing the right away. I love that families and kids are enjoying but don't ignore a screaming baby. This behavior is frustrating. If you can't respect the mountains, stay home. read more
7 years ago
Spring weather in SLC is gorgeous and there are so many hikes in the area to pick from- opted for this one based on the name and relatively short distance, given our limited time in town. Ultimately, we didn't make it to the falls because so much of the trail was snowed in- we walked from the road to the trailhead (.5mi?) then around halfway up before another couple informed us there wasn't much to see due to the freeze. By then I'd had enough of the slipping and sliding on the snow, but it was a great workout with gorgeous views throughout. read more
Ask a local what hikes they recommend, and half the time Donut Falls will be one of them. After moving to Utah a few years ago, it seemed everyone suggested a visit, so much so that I think it actually deterred me as I feared it was a little too popular, and I don't care for crowded hikes. Winter is here, though, so that keeps some people home! A few weeks back I wanted a quick hike, and decided it was time to finally check out this famed Donut Falls. In the winter, the road to the trailhead is closed, so you will park at the gate right off Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. It is still not too challenging, though, as you are just walking a paved road, and residents have driven over the snow, so it's pretty well packed, and a flat walk. There are restrooms at the trailhead, though of course they are closed in the winter. Once we hit the trail there was a bit more elevation gain, but nothing too strenuous. Lots of trees, and you walk parallel to a stream for some portions along the way. We quickly reached the end, and though there are signs declaring the danger of climbing up to the falls (and I am not suggesting you follow my bad example!), with all the snow, and crampons covering my boots, it was easy to climb (with a smidge of scrambling) right up to the cave that houses the hike's namesake falls. We slithered in and took a little break there, admiring the beautiful ice sculptures and fast flowing water. Even with the time we spent at the falls, the entire hike took less than two hours, and we were slogging through snow, really taking it slow the whole way. I usually seek out more challenging hikes; however, Donut Falls is five stars for a very easy and quick trail with a rewarding climax. read more
It's been a couple of years since I've done this hike, but I had to write a review because of the fond memories I STILL have! I took my family (from out of state, flat Midwest terrain) on this hike, and they agreed it was much more of a walk than anything! You have to drive deep into the mountains to get there, but then it is a nearly completely covered, naturally shaded walk. For kids, the best part is the cool water and breeze at the top! Depending on the time of year, you can hike further up the falls, but be sure to watch and hold onto your kids, as it is fast moving water and there are sharp rocks. This is a great hike for all ages! read more
14 years ago
This is a great hike for people of all ages, with a beautiful view of a waterfall at the end. And for those more suited to challenges and madness - it doesn't end at the waterfall! Climb your way to the top, and inside of the cave to wade into the cold, ankle deep waters yourself and pose for a snapshot. When you're done, make your way to the right side of the waterfall, and climb the steep terrain to the wooded trails above, and see how deep you can go! Housekeeping tips: 1) Park your car on the road and hike in. Saves you the hassle of driving past people on the trails. 2) Watch yo kids! Let's face it. Kids do VERY silly things (such as diving face first into the river, trying to be Spiderman on the rocks, 'whooshing' across one side of the river to the other, etc. Unless you have a life insurance policy on your kids... you get the idea... 3) If you bring water/food, please don't be a bad -enter your race here- tourist. Folks litter their garbage on the trails and unless you're like me (calling people out and literally shoving their trash down into their backpacks for them because you hate people who litter and pretend not to hear you) - please be kind to Mother Nature. 4) Have a great time! Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes, because sometimes it can be slippery. read more
7 years ago
There are a few hikes that I bring visitors to SLC to. Donut falls is one of my favorites. It's an easy hike that even kids can do, but has a wonderful payoff at the end. During winter the half mile road up to the trail is closed, but is very walkable. There is an outhouse at the main entrance and the trailhead - but the trailhead one closes during the winter. It wasn't clear to me at first where the end of the trail was. The trick is to go right up the middle of the creek to the falls. During winter you will most likely need spikes or cleats to make it up the snow. Ski gloves help too, since it's a steep climb. The rest of the year the end requires making your way up some rocks at the end. Be careful of wet slippery rocks - it's easy to fall up there - but worth it to see the falls from inside the cave at the top. read more
Donut Falls...when did we start doing Yelp reviews for hikes? I noticed this off of a friends feed and decided I should probably review it. I've done the hike several times since moving to Salt Lake. It's easily the prettiest hike for the least amount of effort, closest to town, that there is. I've done it in winter and summer multiple times, so I'll split it up below. Summer: Crowded trail, but easy to follow. You will see a good amount of people along the way and may even wait to get inside the cave to see the falls. It's a perfect summer hike though, only takes about two hours to fully enjoy it and go at a relaxing pace, and really is a good hike. You can park a lot closer than you can in the winter as well. If you are in to geocaching, there are several along the path to the falls. There is also one that is quite a bit up above the falls, but is worth going to if you've got the extra energy and don't have small kids with you. Winter: You've got to park quite a bit further out, but it's still not a bad hike. There will be a lot less people, but there are still a couple groups at any given time. You don't need snowshoes, but they sure do make things nice. The trail is there, but it can be hard to follow at times. Last time I did it I took a wrong turn and followed what looked like a trail and definitely had a good amount of feet on it...I eventually was faced with going down a steep, snow filled hill, but it was alright. The scenery is beautiful as well and it's nice and quiet. The waterfall looks amazing with the ice and snow all around it. Overall this hike is a nice, easy hike to some very pretty scenery. One of the few hikes that I care to revisit multiple times. read more
As the other reviews state, this is a fantastic hike for beginners. Because of how easy it is & proximity to the city, there will most likely be others on the trail. So, pick a time when you think others won't be as inclined to go. I went with some friends just after a torrential downpour in the city, so the trail was virtually empty. Other than a few downed trees, some spots of slippery mud, and the occassional protruding rock, the trail is about as easy as they come - any easier and it'd be paved. When you finally get to the base of the falls, you're most likely going to have to walk through some water if you want to get to a decent view point. It is possible to stay dry, but it isn't always easy. If you're fairly sure on your feet & know how to be cautious, I definitely recommend you hike up the rocks to the actual Donut Falls. As the pictures show, it's a pretty unique & really cool natural phenomenon. I do not recommend that kids under 12 make their way up the rocks.. Maybe even a little older depending on maturity. Get out there. Be careful. Have fun! read more
5 years ago
One of my first official hikes since I've moved to Utah! I really enjoyed it. I started from the bottom parking lot and I could tell it was a great place to take wedding/couples photos. I went with two kids under 10 years old and probably should have started from the second parking lot but it was a fun time. Also saw a mouse which you can't really tell. But being from Colorado I didn't disturb the creature! It was super fun! read more
Relatively short hike with a pretty interesting end to it! The hike is really well marked so it's pretty easy to follow. When you get the falls, you'll see a lot of people climbing up. It's pretty slippery so be careful if you decide to climb to the top! read more
7 years ago
9 years ago
9 stars. Yes a very solid 9 stars. A very solid 10 stars if rocks magically turned into gnomes (like from the movie Frozen) from the earthen ground & provided towels to dry my feet from the uber cold water. Although that's a wild far fetched fantasy, this place is certainly the most tangible, celestial, surreal hike I have ever been on. This place was one of those hidden gems we discovered on my newly beloved discovered Trails app. My butt most certainly felt whooped from the hike I did just the day prior, a 5 mile hike called Adams Canyon Trail in another part of Utah. It was a grueling, cumbersome, hard rated (in my mind) 10 switchbacked, filled with rocks as big as myself trail I've ever been on. So this present hike mos def had to be easy peasy. We only had a few days left in Utah, so I had to live it up like I was an able bodied 20 year old as much as possible even if my 40 year old body was yelling no more hikes. Thankfully, this one took maybe 30 minutes to reach the waterfall. But it wasn't just the arrival at all that made me dub Utah as having the most beautiful hikes I've ever been on. My wide eyed adoration of this hike began at the mountains & greenery that guarded both sides of our car on the windy drive there. Then, it was the rarely sighted moose that traipsed slowly across the road with no care in the world. Then upon arrival, a fairy tale setting was all around me. Utah residents got it made hike-wise. Seeing the many yellow and purple wild flowers I've never seen grace the landscapes of my small urban hometown. The chipmunk ran across us, as we fumbled to snap a pix. More wild flowers like a small river flanked high on our right & left sides.Then another smaller moose had us on a chase into the purple sea of flowers. We were so excited our hands can hardly get the right timing & focus to snap a decent pic to post as evidence of our encounter with all this heaven on Earth. We could see a stream now as a sneak peek of the waterfall close by already when suddenly a small envelope near the base of a rock entered our periphery. Inside the envelope was not of monetary wealth, but a wealth of wisdom & well wishes to whomever opened the letter. A few strides later, was another white envelope filled with loving words brightening our already brimmimg hearts. In a matter of 20 minutes we were there. Words, and not even videos or pix can properly describe the astonishment I felt when seeing this place. You just gotta go there. A definite must see for locals & visitors a like. One of my favorite hikes for sure. And good for all skill levels. Bring your wet shoes & leave the littles to play safely near the base of the waterfall. Climb as far up as you can to capture all this place has to offer. Take as many pix as you can, the views are glorious. read more
9 years ago
This is such a fun, beautiful, and rewarding hike!! My friend told us to prepare with water shoes. I had tevas and they were fine. I'm from LA so even the drive up to Donut Falls was gorgeous. We went on a Saturday in the summer so it was pretty busy, but everyone was very courteous, considerate, and friendly. The hike up to the falls is green with various trees, flowers, and plants. Once we started hiking in the river, things got painful really fast! It was August, yet the water was ice cold!! We definitely had to take breaks, and getting up the falls was challenging, but very doable. We wanted to stay there forever, it was so fun! I definitely recommend this hike if you're in the Salt Lake City area and looking for something fun to do. read more
My GF was so pissed at me after this hike. All the hiking blogs and explanations said that this was a pretty easy hike and it wasn't due to the weather conditions that day. Snow was melting so the water current was extremely strong and the water level was pretty high. Since it was melting, it was really cold too so our feets were hurting after each step underwater. Once at the top, we couldn't even go inside the "Donut Falls" due to the water level and temperature. However, this was a pretty cool hike despite the fact that I wasn't able to feel my hands and feet. read more
7 years ago
This is a quick ride from Park City to the trailhead and there's a decent size parking lot here, but it does fill up... in fact, it was filled when we visited. If you are driving a car, it might be tough getting back there, due to all the potholes in the gravel road, but if you are careful, you shouldn't have a problem. The trail itself is packed down rather nicely, with very little mud or obstacles to make the hike difficult. It's also marked, but at one point, the markings seem to stop and they you don't quite know where to go. Seems everyone we encountered on the day we visited were just as lost as us. We all (about 10 different groups of us) ended up going past some turn in the trail we never saw to get to where the water falls through the "donut hole" and ended up hiking several hundreds feet straight up, past that to see the hole and the falls below us. While this was a nice view, it's not what we came for and definitely didn't need to hike the horrible terrain on this part of the trail, straight up, on slippery roots to get there. The park service should clean and mark the appropriate trail much better. Even still, the place is beautiful! The views of the mountains around were incredible! The rushing water was pleasant to listen to and simply being in the woods on such beautiful mountains provided a sense of warmth and relaxing enjoyment, which is why we typically enjoy hikes like this. I would definitely recommend this hike, just try to find the split off before you start your steep ascent, somewhere after the wooden bridge so you can enjoy why you really came. read more
8 years ago
Wonderful hike! There was confusion about where the trail even was. My gps (and several other people also) took us to a different trail head. Was short and easy and BEAUTIFUL views. Loved the falls and next time I'll be brave enough to climb them. read more
Donut Falls is one of those hikes I've been doing my whole life. It's a nice, easy, kid-friendly hike. The trail heads through the forest up to the falls and is absolutely beautiful. It's very well marked, there's a lot of shade, and you cross a stream which is a common place for people to stop to play or take pictures. There is a short but steep rocky step-down right before you get to the falls, so kids may need help with that part, and once you get to the falls, the terrain is rocky and rugged, but overall it's an easy hike. The waterfall portion at the end has changed since I was a kid. Once you get to the actual waterfall, it used to be that you could see the water falling through the donut shaped-hole in the rock from the bottom. But now you can't. I was originally told that the rock finally broke and that there's no donut-shaped hole anymore, but then I read that a rock slide just blocked the view and that you have to climb pretty high up some potentially dangerous and unstable rocks to see it now. We didn't climb up this time, but I would like to just to make sure the Donut is still intact. But even from the bottom, it's still a great view and a worthwhile hike. read more
7 years ago
Really beautiful hike, thanks to the other reviewers who mentioned how to get there even in the winter. My bf and I hiked in with just our hiking boots and the snow was nicely packed down so we didn't need crampons or snow shoes. That is what we were most worried about but it ended up being perfect, although quite cold. We ended up making it to the falls, but since it's the middle of the polar vortex, the falls can only need seen through an eerily formed ice cave. We climbed up and looked into it but I was too scared to go in. Overall, excellent short (approx 2.5-3 mi RT) hike with a really easy path to follow if you're nervous about hiking in the snow. :) read more
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Fr 019
Salt Lake City, UT 84117
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http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recreation/wintersports/recarea/?recid=9109&actid=91
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1 year ago
Donut Falls - hiking - Updated August 2026
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