Yes, it is true. Dogs are permitted off-leash in American Fork Canyon. Water-loving dogs will enjoy extended playtime in the Tibble Fork and Silver Lake reservoirs. The trails in American Fork Canyon receive light to moderate use. Stay alert for horses and mountain bikes on the lower elevation trails. Bikes and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the Timpooneke Trail. There are also several campgrounds if you plan to spend the night.
Deer Creek Trail: This hearty canine hike leaves the Granite Flat Campground and heads up a series of switchbacks along an exposed slope. Your destination will be an overlook of Silver Lake some three hours away. The path tramps through a grassy meadow and along a ridge. There is limited parking at this trailhead.
Great Western Trail: The Great Western Trail covers over 1,600 miles across Utah, including a ramble through the American Fork Canyon. To reach the trailhead, follow the road into American Fork Canyon, past the pay booth 7.5 miles to the intersection at Timpooneke and go right. Continue beyond the campground to the parking lot on the left. Look for the trailhead on the south side of the parking lot.
Heading west, The Great Western trail is well-maintained until you begin to switchback up hill. The ridge at the top will eventually lead you to an enormous open meadow where you and your dog can soak in the spectacular mountain views. This takes less than an hour to reach.
Heading east, The Great Western rolls over hills and under groves of aspens. You can create a five mile loop on this route but you will be crossing the road so keep your dog close.
Mill Canyon Trail No. 040: A rarity at this elevation, this canine hike is accessible year round. Dogs will love romping through the deep snow in winter and cooling off in the stream during the summer. The smooth dirt trail is paw-friendly with lots of shady woods to escape the hot summer sun. Find the trailhead on the opposite side of the river feeding Tibble Fork Reservoir. An open meadow an hour into the hike is a good spot for turning around on this out and back trail.
Tibble Fork Trail No. 041: Approximately one half mile up the Mill Canyon Trail, the path splits. To the right is the Tibble Fork Trail. This is a loop that returns to the trailhead for Mill Canyon and also at the dam for the Tibble Fork Reservoir. The return loop towards the dam traverses ground above the canyon road and affords splendid views along the way.
Silver Lake Reservoir: You will find this trailhead four miles up an unimproved road from Tibble Fork Reservoir. Park across from the Silver Lake Reservoir. Once on the trail expect some loss of breath as you will be gaining nearly 1,500 feet in elevation in slightly under two miles before reaching Silver Lake. The main attraction of this walk at the base of White Baldy are the views of the looming Mount Timpanogos and of course Silver Lake. The hike is accented with aspen groves, a stream punctuated by numerous beaver dams and old mine tailings. Expect snow at the lake into June.
Tibble Fork Reservoir: The Tibble Fork Reservoir, fed by the Deer Creek and the North Fork River, was completed in1966 on the site where the town of Deer Creek once stood. From the parking lot at the reservoir follow the asphalt to the Granite Flate Campground and begin the switchbacks up the dirt road to the Silver Lake Reservoir. This hike with your dog is recommended during the winter when the 4 mile road between the reservoirs is closed and gated otherwise, bring a leash. During the winter, keep and eye out for snowmobile traffic. Bring your snowshoes or skis.
Timpooneke Trail: You can make this popular ascent of 11,750 foot Mount Timpanogos from the same parking lot that you access the Great Western Trail. This all day outing with your dog is the center trail marked Timpooneke 053. The trail is well maintained and well marked making it easy to stay on track as you navigate the steep climbs and many switchbacks. There are several small stream crossings to refresh your dog along the way and a glacial pool near the summit. If you haven’t had your fill of mountain views on the way up, there is an out of commission lookout tower once you tag the peak.
To get there: Take Interstate 15 to Exit 287 at Highland/Alpine and turn left onto State Road 92. Follow the road towards the mountain heading east into American Fork Canyon. Trail maps are available at the pay booth at the entrance into American Fork Canyon. Admission is $3 for a three day pass.
“Dogs are our link to paradise… to sit with a dog on a
hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden,
where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace”
- Milan Kundera
Tags: American Fork Canyon, dog friendly hikes, Salt Lake City, utah
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