Horsetail Falls via Dry Creek Trail

There are only a handful of large waterfalls around the Central Wasatch, so Horsetail Falls is a must-see for any local cascade enthusiast. The trail is a little steep and not too long, and the surrounding canyon will not disappoint. If you get the chance to head out while there is still snow on the peaks, you will be greeted with stunning views and a heavy flow coming off the waterfall.

The trail is large and wide, and there are several lookout points along the way that allow you to see the waterfall before you get close to it. There's a beautiful meadow about halfway up, which is one of the few flat spots on the trail. The trail eventually takes you to the top of the waterfall and just alongside it. You can hike right up to the falls, behind it, and even down to the base, but be careful. There are some slightly risky spots to navigate. The views down-canyon looking west are seriously incredible. We saw some tents pitched along the lower elevations and a few granite boulder patches that make decent windbreaks for a camping spot.

The falls are located on the Dry Creek Trail near the town of Alpine. Shoved into the northeastern corner of Utah County, it gets plenty of visitors from Salt Lake County as well. The city of Alpine is a charming small town with nice neighborhoods and stunning mountains on all sides. The Timpanogos Caves are nearby, as well as the jaw-dropping Alpine Valley Loop down to the town of Sundance. Dogs are allowed on leashes. Dry Creek Trail continues past the waterfall for 3 more miles, making a 4,000-foot, 10-mile there-and-back if you choose to do the whole thing.