Little Cottonwood Trail

The Little Cottonwood Trail is a lot of fun. It’s on the long side at 6 miles roundtrip, but you can hike as far or as little as you or your kids will handle. While it is uphill the whole way into the canyon, it’s a very gradual climb. It’s not very scenic for the first half-mile, but it gets more and more beautiful the further you go into the canyon. It crosses over the creek in a few spots too, lots of fun for kids. There are wildflowers in the summer, beautiful foliage in the fall, and it’s really fun to hike in the snow; usually doable without snowshoes. There is a somewhat steep drop-off in one section, but the trail is nice and wide. If you choose to hike all the way to the end (and there is a clear end), there is a little open space next to the creek that’s perfect for a snack. Just across the creek are the remains of a 100+ year old hydroelectric mill. Another route you can take is to turn left where the trail splits (before the end) and head up toward Little Cottonwood Canyon Road. Just across the road is the trailhead to Lisa Falls. Even if you choose to only hike 1 mile in, there’s a big bridge there that’s fun for kids to walk across. When the water is low enough, sometimes a small beach forms too. This trail is also popular for mountain bikers. They are required to yield to hikers, but it’s still wise to pay attention. All of Little Cottonwood Canyon is a watershed, so no dogs are allowed.