Upper Falls, Utah

Upper Falls can be seen from the major highway cutting through Provo Canyon, so it's a little surprising that it rarely sees visitors. Situated to the west and a bit higher than Bridal Veil Falls, it is much less frequently visited, but that is what makes it great. While throngs of people swarm the much taller and more popular lower falls, the upper set remains free to explore on your own terms. The steep incline and the unusual, overgrown trailhead discourage more frequent visitors. The two tiered waterfall is big, beautiful and sits in the slate layered cliffs across from Mount Timpanogos. The Provo River runs below, and the far southern end of Timpanogos sits across the canyon.

Getting here is a little tricky. The official way is to park at Bridal Veil Falls and walk up the paved Provo River Parkway to the unmarked Upper Falls Trailhead. Though the Upper Falls Park appears to have access via a bridge over the Provo River, it is clearly marked with a "No Trespassing" sign.

The hike is very steep once you get on the dirt trail and off of the paved path. A large concrete structure with graffiti on it lacks names or signs, but it serves as the best landmark. It is directly across from the bridge over the Provo River. The ground is covered with slate, so there are areas that can give way or be slippery from the falls. There is a bathroom at Upper Falls Park.