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Rock Canyon Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 185 Google reviews · Running trail in Provo, Utah · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Rock Canyon 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 hiking area with routes that range from easy paved paths to challenging climbs.
What runners say about Rock Canyon Trailhead
“What most people don't know is that the trails continue back behind Y mountain and Khyve Peak, and there are forests and gorgeous views back there.”
“These are very easy to navigate and for all ages!”
I have hiked both the Rock Canyon Trail (to the campground (about 5.8 miles roundtrip, ~1700' altitude gain) and to Kyhv Peak (formerly Squaw Peak, about 7.3 miles roundtrip, almost 2800' elevation gain). These are both excellent hikes.
This place is spectacular! It’s such a great hike, just be sure to take other people with you to make it more enjoyable. We had such a great time up in Rock Canyon, but it was really snowy and I brought tennis shoes… whoops.
Rock canyon is beautiful!! The trailhead is clear but there are a couple different possible trails up. I would suggest staying on the gravel trail at the beginning. It turns to rock eventually. This is a common mountain climbing area so be aware of that. It’s always busy, so parking can be tough.
Wow! Maybe the best trailhead ever. Amazingly nice bathrooms, water station, picnic pavilion, kids climbing area, outdoor exhibits and (of course) the canyon. A true gateway to hiking, rock climbing, incredible scenery and Kyhv (Squaw) Peak.
Trail conditions & character
“At the trailhead, there are bathrooms, a play area, a bike fix-it station, a wall with information on placards, even an amphitheatre, and picnic area with BBQ!”
“What most people don't know is that the trails continue back behind Y mountain and Khyve Peak, and there are forests and gorgeous views back there.”
“We didn’t make it all the way to the peak, unfortunately, but we ended up going to the base of the peak incline point.”
“At the trailhead, there are bathrooms, a play area, a bike fix-it station, a wall with information on placards, even an amphitheatre, and picnic area with BBQ!”
“I would suggest staying on the gravel trail at the beginning.”
“Loop trails can be accessed from the parking lot by the dumpster enclosure or by the amphitheater.”
“Amazingly nice bathrooms, water station, picnic pavilion, kids climbing area, outdoor exhibits and (of course) the canyon.”
Plan your run at Rock Canyon Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- 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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websiteprovo.gov
- Phone(801) 852-6606
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–11 PM |
Running trails near Provo
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Y Trailhead
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Buffalo Peak
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Fairly easy hike to a mountaintop vista via dirt and gravel paths.
