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Gloria Falls Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 175 Google reviews · Running trail in Sandy, Utah · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Gloria Falls Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Popular trek through the woods to rocky, pretty waterfalls and views.
What runners say about Gloria Falls Trailhead
“Restrooms: clean toilets at the head of the trail with lots of toilet paper.”
“The falls are absolutely gorgeous and we saw so many different wildflowers, even going in mid-June.”
“It is absolutely breathtaking, fully shaded, and a hike that you must go on before you leave the Salt Lake City area.”
“I did a solo hike to Gloria Falls; it was an easy trail overall, but the closer you get to the falls it turns snowy and a bit slippery.”
Great hike. Make sure to turn right after the first large bridge. At about 3/4 of the way there, there will be a long thin bridge, and make sure to turn left after that one. I've gotten lost twice before without the instructions trying to make it to the falls. Beautiful, pretty well maintained, muddy in some spots.
I did a solo hike to Gloria Falls; it was an easy trail overall, but the closer you get to the falls it turns snowy and a bit slippery. Totally worth it though; catching the sunset while heading back down was stunning.
We went on a Saturday morning and it was SO busy. Parking went down the street for 0.3 miles. I have never seen a trail that busy. It was a constant stream of people in both directions. The trail was a fun, beautiful, family friendly trail. It was easy, and there were lots of places to take good pictures.
A quick hike into the mountains that leads to a waterfall and beyond. I highly recommend for all ages. Where proper clothing and shoes as it is rocky. It’s really nice up there and the waterfall is lovely. The parking can be tricky as it’s a small lot and fills quick. I highly recommend
Trail conditions & character
“It’s great for kids about a mile and a half to the waterfalls and you can keep on going another mile and a half to get to White Pine reservoir.”
“This is a rocky trail with a moderate incline and there is no clear markers for finding the waterfall.”
“The parking does become problematic at times due to its popularity, but most of the time enough people are coming and going that you can find a place with minimal weight.”
“The trail was wet, snowy, and muddy from all the reminisce of avalanches this past winter from their record snow fall.”
“It is absolutely breathtaking, fully shaded, and a hike that you must go on before you leave the Salt Lake City area.”
“There are restrooms at the trail head and you can pick to go in three or four different directions.”
Plan your run at Gloria Falls Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Sandy
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Little Cottonwood Creek Trail
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Cecret Lake Trail
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Donut Falls
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