Donut Falls

Donut Falls earns its whimsical name from a hole in the rock through which the creek plunges, creating a donut-shaped cascade as water pours through the circular opening and fans out below. The effect is best seen from below, where you can look up through the rock window at the water arcing overhead. The falls drop about 25 feet total in a sheltered grotto of moss-covered limestone, with the creek pooling in a shallow basin at the base.

The trail is a family-friendly 1.5-mile round trip through Big Cottonwood Canyon, gaining about 340 feet on a well-used path through aspen and spruce forest. The final approach to the falls requires scrambling over rocks and crossing the creek, adding a touch of adventure suitable for older children. In summer, the trailhead can be reached by passenger car; in winter, the road gate closes and adds 2 miles of road walking.

Late spring through early fall offers the best access, with peak water flow in May and June. The falls can freeze into spectacular ice formations in winter, drawing snowshoers and ice hikers. Big Cottonwood Canyon is a watershed — no dogs are allowed anywhere in the canyon. Parking at the trailhead is limited; overflow parking is available along the road.