Recreation Region: Salt Lake Ranger District

Little Water Trail #311

This trail is located in Mill Creek Canyon with a major destination of Dog Lake. This trail junctions with Big Water Trail, Desolation Trail, and the Great Western Trail. The Little Water Trail ends at the Big Water Trail and very close to Dog Lake. The Big Water Trail ends at the meeting of the Desolation Trail just above Dog Lake. The trail is highly used by hikers and bikers, therefore some restrictions have been implemented to avoid conflict. Dogs are allowed, however please see the restrictions for this trail.

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

311

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

Trail Length: 1.7 miles

$ 5.00/car. Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation employees collect the fee as you exit the canyon. Annual passes are available through Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation by calling (801) 483-5473, or you can purchase one as you leave the canyon.

Due to crowded conditions, this trail is Closed to mountain bikes on Odd numbered calendar days. Watershed Restrictions apply and are strictly enforced if you cross the ridge into Big Cottonwood Canyon. No motorized use. Dogs: On May 29, 2001 the Salt Lake County Council voted to allow dogs Off-leash on Odd-numbered days and leashed on Even-numbered days in Mill Creek. During the winter months, unleashed dogs are allowed on the groomed ski trail on odd-numbered days. However, on even days, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Also, on both odd and even days, dogs must be kept on a leash at all trail heads and developed sites including parking areas.

Getting There

Trailhead/Starting Points

Little Water Trailhead

Directions

Via Mill Creek Canyon Road (3800 South Wasatch Blvd.) about 9.1 miles up the canyon to the parking lot at the very top. Note that the parking lot at the top gets very crowded, especially on weekends. Please park horse trailers in the lower overflow parking area down the canyon. Illegal parking and the small upper parking lot makes it very difficult for trailers and almost impossible for larger trailers (4-6 horse trailers). Changes will be made in the upper parking lot to accommodate a couple horse trailers (summer of 2000).