Upper Falls Park – Provo Utah – Parks in Provo Canyon

How does a short, fifteen-minute hike to a beautiful waterfall sound? Oh, and to get to where you start hiking requires only a pleasant fifteen minute drive from Provo. Oh, and you’ll probably have the waterfall to yourself. Sound too good to be true? Provo Canyon’s Upper Falls is all that and more.

“Overshadowed by its admittedly more impressive and better-known brother, Bridal Veil Falls, Upper Falls basks in the glory of its own obscurity. On a recent foray to the 40-foot-high cataract, I drove past dozens of people swarming around Bridal Veil Falls. A mile down the road at Upper Falls Park, there was only one other car. I saw no one else on the trail to the waterfall except for a man and his dog who were leaving just as I arrived. I spent a good half-hour up there and still saw no one. I passed nobody as I hiked back to my car, and the other car that had previously been in the parking lot was gone. Not bad, not bad at all.” Courtesy of rhombusmag.com

Upper Falls Park is managed by the U.S. Forest Service | Day Use Only | FEE AREA

Upper Falls Park Provo Canyon UT

Upper Falls Park Description
U.S. Forest Service – Pleasant Grove District
(801) 785-3563 ext. 0

Upper Falls Park was once home to the Upper Falls Resort, which consisted of a large two-story house, a dance hall, gas station and cafe, kitchen and dining room, root cellar, another small house, about 22 small cabins, playground, fishing pond, water tower, ice house, and foot bridges. Upper Falls was often referred to as the “Yosemite of Utah” by locals at the time.

Today, Upper Falls Park is a small respite located along the old highway between Bridal Veil Falls and Vivian Park at a bend in the river. It is Forest Service land but maintained by Utah County. With the mountains of Provo Canyon towering above it and the Provo River running beside it, this well hidden park offers a cozy spot for a simple picnic, a place to relax, or easy river fishing.

This park consists of a several parking spots, some flat grassy areas, a handful of picnic tables, and a restroom facility.

U.S. Forest Service | (801) 785-3563

Provo Canyon Upper Falls Park

Upper Falls Park Details

Fishing
Nature Viewing
Picnic Tables
Dogs allowed on leash and owner must clean-up pet droppings

Directions: About 2.5 miles into the canyon, you’ll see a sign on the right side for Nunn’s Park/Bridal Veil Falls; Take that turnoff. You’ll come to an intersection where there is a parking lot to the right for Bridal Veil Falls and to the left a road leading to Nunn’s Park. Continue straight through this intersection and drive for another mile until you get to Upper Falls Park.

Upper Falls Provo Canyon UT

Upper Falls Provo Canyon Utah
To reach Upper Falls, cross the large pedestrian/Bike bridge that spans the Provo River. You’ll see some derelict concrete structures in front of you. Follow the trail that is visible on the right side of these structures. The trail is a little bit steep in one or two places (though no steeper than the trail to the Y) and is well-trodden and doable by pretty much anyone. After a few minutes you’ll come to a spot where a trail forks off to the left, but keep heading straight up the hillside on the main trail. It shouldn’t be too long before you hear the roar of the waterfall and a couple minutes later you’ll be staring it in the face.

Upper Falls Park Restrooms

Restroom at Upper Falls Park Utah
Upper Falls Park is the least maintained of Provo Canyon Parks. Its restrooms consist of a men’s and women’s out-houses. There is no running water or electricity available at Upper Falls Park.

Pedestrian Bridge Over Provo River

Since taking over management the USDA has added a pedestrian/bike bridge over the Provo River to give easy access to the Provo River Trail and Upper Falls.

Fire pits are available at this park.