Hidden Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon

Our boys love waterfalls. So we are always searching for easy waterfall hikes. This hike to Hidden Falls couldn’t be any simpler. It’s hard to call it a hike, but the view is well worth the 2 minute walk and provides the perfect place to start hiking.

Don’t forget that this area is in the watershed, so don’t play in the water. We didn’t know when we first hiked about watersheds since we were first time hikers, but we have become educated and try to let others know, too.

To find Hidden Falls, drive 4.4 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon (UT-190). There is a small lot in the middle of the big “S-turn” where you can park. This lot is just past a larger lot for the Mill B South Interpretive Trail. Once you park you will see a sign with some stairs to the right. Follow those stairs up to the road and walk across the highway.

Once across the highway, stay to the left. There are some stairs to the right for another trail, but don’t head that way. You will already hear the waterfall. In order to get close to the falls, you will need to walk on some rocks, but it is fairly easy–both our boys (6 and 3) were able to do it on their own. In fact, they were climbing all over the place and so was their dad.

We passed some rock climbers which we heard is pretty common and there is also an old mine located nearby. It is gated, but you can peek in and listen to your echoing voice. We did this hike in the evening and in October. We will definitely be doing this hike, (walk) again– probably every time we drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon.

If you hike Hidden Falls in the Spring, we had a little different experience. Normally when you cross the road, you will see the stairs on the right and you can easily walk across the small stream to the left and walk right up to Hidden Falls. In the Spring, this river is rushing!! I did not want to cross it with my three boys, so we headed to the right, but we didn’t take the stairs. We turned left just before the stairs and climbed over a few rocks until we had a better view of the falls. It was a beautiful waterfall and we had fun spending time by the river, but you won’t be able to walk right up to the waterfall like you can in later summer or Fall.