Cascade Springs

Posted in Hikes
Updated September 14, 2020

**The road to Cascade Springs is back open, but only the upper parking lot is open. So you will park and walk down to the cascades.

One of our favorite family friendly hikes is Cascade Springs. Even the drive up to Cascade Springs along the Alpine Loop is beautiful. We usually visit this area in the Fall, but it is beautiful year-round

Cascade Springs has a very simple trail. It is paved or a boardwalk the entire way. We have pushed a stroller along this trail, but the beginning is a little steep on the way down, which means a steep push up the hill on the way out. The boardwalks weave in and out of the little springs and falls. Make sure to hold little ones hands since there are no railings. We spied a family of ducks, several fish, tons of butterflies, and a few deer on the drive.

Cascade Springs is beautiful in Spring, Summer, or Fall.

There are boardwalks for easy walking and the informational signs along the trail.

We always spot lots of fish in the clear water at Cascade Springs.

The spring is beautiful and there are several bridges and waterfalls. There are different loops to follow. We usually walk counter clockwise around the springs, past the waterfall, up the hill to the pond, and then back down to the springs. But you can hike any direction and along whichever loops you’d like. The total loop is around 1 mile. This hike is appropriate for pretty much anyone.

There are many picturesque places along the trail.

We especially love the large cascade that flows underneath a bridge. This waterfall is definitely not the traditional waterfall that drops over a ledge, but the cascade is beautiful. You can get a great view when you stand on the bridge.

At the parking area, there is a real bathroom (running water and a sink), but you have to pack all trash out and you may not eat at the springs. We usually eat at one of the many picnic sites in American Fork Canyon. Cascade Springs is a beautiful spot to explore.

Check our our Easy Waterfall Hikes for other easy waterfall trails.

Directions

In order to get to this hike, drive up American Fork Canyon all the way to the top. This road eventually goes down into Provo Canyon through Sundance, so you can access Cascade Springs from Provo Canyon, too. At the top of AF Canyon, you’ll see a sign that says “Cascade Springs, left, 7 miles.”