About Millcreek Canyon
Millcreek Canyon, located just east of Salt Lake City, is a cherished natural retreat offering diverse hiking and outdoor activities. Its unique value proposition lies in its highly dog-friendly policies (with specific off-leash/on-leash days), a range of trails from moderate to strenuous, and seasonal conversion into a popular winter sports destination, all for a nominal vehicle fee.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with school-aged children (6+) and teens looking for moderate to strenuous hiking adventures.Dog owners seeking a welcoming environment with specific off-leash opportunities.Picnic outings in a beautiful natural setting, possibly with waterfalls.Winter sports enthusiasts (cross-country skiing, snowshoeing) when the upper road is closed.A quick and serene outdoor escape from Salt Lake City.
Why families love it
- Dog-friendly environment: Dogs are allowed, with specific rules for off-leash (odd-numbered days) and on-leash (even-numbered days).
- Variety of trails: Features numerous trails of varying difficulty levels, suitable for different skill levels, many found on the All Trails app.
- Specific hike recommendations: Dog Lake (moderately hard, takes about 4 hours including lunch, beautiful), Pipeline Trail (moderate terrain, rewarding valley views), Grandeur Peak (strenuous, panoramic summit vistas).
- Scenic beauty: Abundant pine trees, rock formations, flowing waters, and waterfalls, with many places to stop and picnic.
- Winter activities: Upper section of the canyon road closes to vehicles from November 1st through late spring (around July 1st) and becomes a popular spot for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
- Accessible restrooms: Campground restrooms are available throughout the canyon.
Insider tips
- Download trail maps (e.g., from All Trails app) or other necessary information before entering the canyon due to anticipated loss of cell service.
- Check the calendar for your dog's needs: odd-numbered days for off-leash, even-numbered days for on-leash.
- Bring strong insect repellent if hiking in mid-July, especially on trails like Dog Lake.
- Be aware that mountain bikers might still be present on trails even on restricted days (odd-numbered days).
- Verify the status of the upper canyon road closure (Nov 1st - late spring/July 1st) if planning vehicle access or winter activities.
- Carry the $5 per vehicle fee, payable upon exiting the canyon.
Good to know before you go
- Relying on mobile phones for navigation or communication once past the toll booth due to lack of cell service.
- Planning vehicle access to the upper canyon section between November 1st and late spring (around July 1st).
- Hiking Dog Lake in mid-July without adequate insect protection.
- Bringing mountain bikes on odd-numbered days, as they are restricted.
- Confusing this Millcreek Canyon (east of Salt Lake City) with other canyons of the same name (e.g., near Moab, as mentioned in one review) if you're looking for specific features mentioned here.
- Crowds
- Described as a 'go-to' and 'local favorite', implying popularity, but no specific peak times or crowd levels (e.g., weekends vs. weekdays) are detailed in the reviews.
- Value
- There is a $5 per vehicle fee, payable upon exiting the canyon. This fee contributes to the maintenance and preservation of the area. Given the diverse recreational opportunities and scenic beauty, this is considered a good value.
- Food
- Outside food is encouraged, with multiple mentions of picnic areas and families stopping for lunch.
- Accessibility
- Some picnic areas offer 'easy access'.
- Safety
- General safety advice provided: maintain respectful distance from wildlife, keep dogs under control, and be mindful of other trail users (hikers, bikers).
What parents say
"Millcreek Canyon is one our our go-to hiking areas near SLC. There are trails of varying difficulty - most of which can be found on the All Trails app. Shortly after entering the canyon and passing the toll booth, you will likely loose cell service so plan accordingly. There are some campground restrooms throughout the canyon. Dogs are allowed in the canyon. Odd numbered days are off leash days and even numbered days dogs must be on leash. Bikers are not allowed in the canyon on odd numbered days although you might still see them."
6 months ago
"An excellent hike, 5 to 10 miles and one of the local favorites of Moab. One day, you can hike the watery green Canyon bottom and the next day the scenic canyon rim hike."
5 months ago
"My favorite hike is up to Dog Lake. I do it multiple times a year. Such a fun, beautiful hike. It’s moderately hard but my 3 boys can do it (13,10,6). Took us about 4 hours including stopping at the top by the lake for lunch. This last time we went (mid July) the flies were HORRIBLE! I have never experienced that before."
9 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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