Overview
Provo Canyon is in Utah's Wasatch Range.
4 sights · 13 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Provo Canyon
Sundance Resort
Sundance is provides some nice views and a few short hikes
Kyhv Peak
There are two overlooks on this road which provide panoramic views of Utah Valley. The first, Squaw Peak Overlook, is a short distance down a side rice. The second, Little Rock Canyon Overlook, is along Squaw Peak Road. …
Alpine Loop
Scenic drive that provides stunning views. It is generally inaccessible in the winter.
Bridal Veil Falls
A pretty waterfall. There is a parking lot near the base of the waterfall where you can park and take a short walk to get a closer view.
Provo River Trail
The southern part of this trail is paved to about halfway up the canyon, after that it is a wide dirt trail. People bike, walk, and jog this trail. People also ride horses on the unpaved northern parts.
Hike Rock Canyon
Most people enter Rock Canyon from Provo, however, there are some nice hikes from this side of Rock Canyon. Hiking to Squaw Peak is a fairly easy hike from here.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 95°F; winter lows dip to about 24°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and May. (climate data from nearby Provo)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PVU Provo Municipal Airport, Provo — 9 mi away. Directions
- SLC Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City — 37 mi away (major hub). Directions
Provo Canyon is accessible via car.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Kyhv Peak, Alpine Loop, Mt Timpanogos Park
- Lunch The Tree Room
- Afternoon Vivian Park, Sundance Resort
- Dinner The Foundry Grill
- Evening Owl Bar
Day 2
- Morning Bridal Veil Falls, Provo River Trail, Timpanogos Storytelling Festival
- Lunch Deer Creek Island Resort
- Afternoon South Fork Park, Mt Timpanogos
Day 3
- Morning Sundance Resort, Hike Rock Canyon, Canyon Glen Park / Nunns Park
- Afternoon Provo River, Deer Creek State Park
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Provo Canyon connects Provo/Orem with Heber. The main canyon road is a scenic drive which is especially beautiful in the autumn when the leaves turn colors.
History
The upper (eastern) part of Provo Canyon was dammed in 1941 to create Deer Creek Reservoir.
Robert Redford acquired the Sundance area in 1969. This was the original site of the Sundance Film Festival. However, the film festival is now mostly in Park City and around Salt Lake City.
Climate
Provo canyon is beautiful in the winter, but driving through it can become dangerous and chains are required. Check the road weather forecast.
Get in
Provo Canyon is accessible via car.
- From Orem:
- Take 800 North east, when approaching the mountains, keep left and follow the road which will merge onto Provo Canyon Road.
- Take Center Street east, turn north at University Avenue, which will become Provo Canyon Road.
- From Provo:
- Take University Avenue north. As that road enters the canyon, it will become Provo Canyon Road.
- From Heber:
- Go south on Main Street, turn left at US-189 (Provo Canyon Road).
Fees and permits
Deer Creek has two boat ramps - Deer Creek Island Resort (Rainbow Bay) and Deer Creek State Park - which can be accessed from US-189 (Provo Canyon Road). Both areas require a fee, roughly $6.
Get around
US-189 (Provo Canyon Road) is the main road. About mid-way through the canyon, you can turn north on US-92 (Alpine Scenic Highway) to get to Sundance - this road is also called "The Alpine Loop".
The Heber Creeper goes along the northern shore of Deer Creek, but they're serious about it creeping, and is not meant to be your primary transportation.
The Provo River trail goes through the canyon and is a good option if you are biking, walking or jogging.
See
See Alpine Loop
Scenic drive that provides stunning views. It is generally inaccessible in the winter.
See Bridal Veil Falls
A pretty waterfall. There is a parking lot near the base of the waterfall where you can park and take a short walk to get a closer view.
See Kyhv Peak
There are two overlooks on this road which provide panoramic views of Utah Valley. The first, Squaw Peak Overlook, is a short distance down a side rice. The second, Little Rock Canyon Overlook, is along Squaw Peak Road. Winter weather may limit access.
Do
Do Provo River Trail
The southern part of this trail is paved to about halfway up the canyon, after that it is a wide dirt trail. People bike, walk, and jog this trail. People also ride horses on the unpaved northern parts.
Do Hike Rock Canyon
Most people enter Rock Canyon from Provo, however, there are some nice hikes from this side of Rock Canyon. Hiking to Squaw Peak is a fairly easy hike from here.
Do Canyon Glen Park / Nunns Park
Well-developed park with a lot of benches and a baseball diamond.
Do Vivian Park
There are picnic benches here. There is a little pond at the northern part of the park that is planted with fish each year. The fish are small, but children enjoy it.
Do South Fork Park
South Fork Park is a large, open park which is great for playing games. Lots of picnic tables.
Do Provo River
Provo River has world-class fly fishing. Tubing down the river is a fun way to escape the heat in the summer. There is a company near Vivian Park which can provide a tube, or bring your own.
Do Sundance Resort
Ski in the winter, mountain bike in the summer. There are some nice plays here in the summer. Nearby Stewart Falls is an easy hike.
Do Mt Timpanogos
Most go up American Fork Canyon to hike Mt Timpanogos, but this route will get you there as well, and is a beautiful drive.
Do Deer Creek State Park
Boat ramp, picnic tables, and camping. Boat ramp - the water is deep and cold on this side of Deer Creek.
Do Deer Creek Island Resort (Rainbow Bay)
Boat ramp. Water skiers prefer this ramp since the water is not as deep on this end of the lake - wear a wetsuit, because it's still quite cold.
Eat
Eat The Tree Room
Fancy dining with a tree growing through the middle of the room.
Eat The Foundry Grill
Less formal than The Tree Room.
Drink
Sleep
Lodging
Camping
Stay Mountain Range Campground
Nearby
Orem
City / town · 17 listings · 4 mi away
Provo
City / town · 70 listings · 6 mi away
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Park · 3 listings · 9 mi away
American Fork
City / town · 1 listings · 10 mi away
Springville
City / town · 6 listings · 11 mi away
Lehi
City / town · 24 listings · 13 mi away
Spanish Fork
City / town · 7 listings · 16 mi away
Alta
City / town · 32 listings · 17 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.