Lisa Falls in Little Cottonwood Canyon

Lisa Falls
Lisa Falls during Fall.

Lisa Falls is a unique waterfall in Little Cottonwood Canyon. This waterfall is different than most we’ve seen because it cascades sideways down a rock face. The hike is very short. Maybe a third of a mile roundtrip, but it is rather rocky, so hold the hand of little ones.

Lisa Falls
Lisa Falls in Spring

To access the trailhead drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon 2.7 miles (from where the roads come together). There is parking on the right (south) side of the road for the Little Cottonwood Canyon Trail. Across the street on the north side there is much less parking, and the trail to the falls– it is unmarked.

Lisa Falls
We parked on the north side by the trailhead, but there is more parking further down (This picture is looking down the canyon).
Lisa Falls
This is the trailhead for Lisa Falls. It is unmarked, but in the parking area there are those two arrows and then to the right is this huge rock and trailhead. You can hear the falls from here.
This trail was beautiful in the fall.
This trail was beautiful in the fall.
The trail is very rocky.
Huge rocks guard the trail.

As you approach the falls, you can see a rock face soaring steadily up from the canyon floor. You’ll hear the trickle of water, too. At the falls, we saw an American Dipper that stayed and bathed in the water the entire time we were there. Right of the falls you may see rock climbers– this is one of their favorite haunts– scaling the granite face.

The American Dipper
The American Dipper
he water ran down into little pools--fun in the summer, not the fall.
The water ran down into little pools.

Our boys had a lot of fun climbing on the boulders. They said it was the best part of the hike. We also had fun throwing rocks into the water down the hill from the waterfall. We visited this hike in both Spring and Fall and while there was definitely more water in the Spring, this hike was fun in the Fall, too.

Lisa Falls
If you cross the river, you can get up close and personal with the waterfall.
Lisa Falls
The boys thought all the boulders on the trail were amazing!
Lisa Falls
Down the hill from the falls is a little runoff from the waterfall where we let the boys throw rocks for a minute.
Lisa Falls
You can climb right up by the waterfall. We like the unique look of this waterfall.

Lisa Falls is a favorite short hike of ours because you can get right to the base of the falls and feel the water on your face. It’s fun to watch the waterfall come sideways down the mountainside. We spent an hour on this short trail just enjoying the beauty of the water and exploring on the rocks, but you could do this hike in a much shorter amount of time. It’s only 0.3 miles! Make sure to stop and do this hike next time you are in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Lisa Falls
You can walk right up to the waterfall!
Lisa Falls
We love how unique Lisa Falls is!

We seriously did this hike in 5 minutes, even with our littlest one walking the entire way! This is the video of our hike. We even hiked Lisa Falls in winter. Check it out on our Lisa Falls Winter post.

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This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Camber

    This hike was such a gem! We were surprised at how big and pretty the waterfall was. Perfect for a family Sunday excursion.

    1. Natalie Ockey

      We are so glad that you enjoyed the trail. It’s one of our favorites!

  2. Anonymous

    Thank you.