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Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
2,887.00 ft (879.96 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
5.40 mi (8.69 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

As you begin your hike up Dry Canyon Trail, the tight and steep canyon walls give you the sense that you are entering a remote and wild place just minutes from the nearby towns of Utah Valley. The first third of the trail is an open and exposed stretch that gives you great views up and down canyon.

The trail takes you up the southwestern slopes of Mount Timpanogos while Utah Lake and Eagle Mountain sit behind you to the west in the distance. The dynamic peaks of Timpanogos draw you up the nearly 3,000 feet of gain to the saddle pass with several more trail options at the top, including Big Baldy Peak. After passing through a few scrub oak forests, you reach the upper meadow, which now allows you to peer deep into Provo Canyon with beautiful Cascade Mountain above it. The final stretch of the trail is the steepest part, but once you gain the saddle the work is immediately rewarded with jaw-dropping scenery.

This hike has multiple intersecting trails, including the Bonneville Shoreline at the trailhead or Curley Springs and Little Baldy as you make your way up Mount Timpanogos. If you continue on straight (north) from the top of Dry Canyon, you will be on the famous Great Western Trail. A great trail link up for the ambitious hiker is Big Baldy, and the stunning 360-degree views of the valley, Mahogany Mountain and Box Elder Peak, and a lush valley meadow sitting in the foreground. Most everything is well signed and marked here, so its a fun place to explore even if you have done the Dry Canyon hike before.

If you do the hike in the spring, you may be able to view some waterfalls coming off the small upper valleys of Mount Timpanogos that typically dry up by midsummer. Note there are sometimes rattlesnakes seen on the trail, so keep your eyes and ears peeled. The footing on the trail can be suspect in several spots with the loose rocks combined with steep ascents, so having hiking poles is a good idea. Overall the hike is a bit of a challenge, but the amazing landscapes you get to see along the way and the views down canyon are fantastic.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Great views. Lots of nearby trails to access. Easy access.

Cons

Some exposed sections.

Trailhead Elevation

5,461.00 ft (1,664.51 m)

Highest point

8,348.00 ft (2,544.47 m)

Features

Vault toilet
Backcountry camping
Waterfalls
Wildlife
Big vistas
Big Game Watching
Bird watching
Wildflowers

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Horseback

Permit required

No

Location

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Located in the heart of Utah and surrounded by majestic mountains, Utah Valley has the best access to all the state has to offer.

After taking in picturesque lakes, alpine forests, towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, hidden caves, and ancient canyons, explore historic downtowns with 28 international cuisines at 900+ restaurants in this community at the base of the mountains.

The people at local music venues, shops, farmers markets, and at the many festivals create a culture that feels like a warm welcome home–even if you’re not from here. Everything is conveniently close so you have more time to explore nature, experience culture, reconnect with what matters, and focus on what fuels your soul. 

Explore Utah Valley and find your happy here.

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