Running trails in Provo, UT
Provo has 21 trails in the directory — 9 paved and 2 on crushed gravel or dirt, 5 loops that return to the trailhead, 2 with a stated distance, 6 shaded, and 4 open 24 hours. 16 of them post opening hours, so you can check the gate before an early start. They're ranked here by rating weighted by review volume, across 8,776 Google reviews. Filter by surface, loop, distance, shade or lighting to get to the run you're actually planning — no made-up difficulty score, just the facts you'd check before driving out.
Utah Lake State Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 2,064 reviews
Reserve encompassing Utah's largest freshwater lake, with fishing, boating & camping access.
Rock Canyon Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,288 reviews
Sprawling green space with a trail & playgrounds, plus a volleyball court, horseshoes & disc golf.
Y Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 802 reviews
Y-shaped landmark on a mountain reached at the end of a steep trail of an hour or so.
Canyon Glen Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 758 reviews
Laid-back park and picnic area featuring paved hiking trails, a playground and a stream.
Rock Canyon
4.8 ★★★★★ 566 reviews
Hiking and climbing spot that runs through a canyon with a waterfall.
Big Springs Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 556 reviews
Long, narrow park featuring grassy areas for picnics and games, a river and many hiking and biking trails.
Vivian Park Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 488 reviews
Family-friendly park featuring a playground, picnic areas, and kid-friendly hikes, plus access to a biking/walking trail.
Provo Canyon
4.8 ★★★★★ 362 reviews
Scenic canyon with a waterfall & historic railroad, plus a ski resort famed for its film festival.
Slate Canyon Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 367 reviews
Valley view, green canyon and foothill spot featuring a trail network for hiking and mountain biking, plus picnic areas.
Alpine Scenic Loop In American Fork Canyon
4.9 ★★★★★ 237 reviews
Scenic overlook offering fall foliage views, wildlife sightings, and a drive through a national forest.
Lakeshore Bridge Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 235 reviews
Paved, riverfront trail that’s also popular for biking and running, with duck sightings.
Buffalo Peak
4.8 ★★★★★ 213 reviews
Fairly easy hike to a mountaintop vista via dirt and gravel paths.
Rock Canyon
4.8 ★★★★★ 191 reviews
Kid-friendly hiking area known for rock climbing and mountain-like scenery.
Rock Canyon Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 185 reviews
Popular hiking area with routes that range from easy paved paths to challenging climbs.
Slate Canyon Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 127 reviews
Hiking, biking, skiing and horse riding trail with creek crossings, rock formations and views of Provo Peak.
Provo River Parkway
4.7 ★★★★★ 104 reviews
Paved path, popular with runners, skaters and cyclists, at the heart of a park.
Utah Lake Shore Line Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 73 reviews
Recreational area featuring bike trails, hiking, fishing and birdwatching spots.
Grove Creek Falls
4.8 ★★★★★ 53 reviews
Strenuous hiking area featuring a waterfall, mountain views, and a clearing at the top.
Indian Road Trailhead
4.4 ★★★★☆ 51 reviews
Parking and trailhead for the Indian Road hiking trail, featuring views and wildflowers.
Provo River Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 16 reviews
No trails match those filters.
How to pick a trail in Provo
- Match the surface to your legs. Provo gives you a choice: 9 paved, 4 mixed, 1 crushed gravel, and 1 natural surface. Asphalt and concrete are fast, predictable and runnable year-round but the least forgiving; crushed limestone and dirt take the sting out of high mileage; boardwalk is flat and scenic but slick in the wet. If your shins or knees are complaining, the fix that actually works is varying the surface you run on rather than chasing one "best" one. More paved trails →
- Loop or out-and-back? 5 trails here are loops, so you finish back at the car with no backtracking — the easiest way to run a set distance without thinking about it. On an out-and-back you turn round at half your target distance, which makes any trail fit any run. The longest stated distance in Provo is Big Springs Park at 3.8 mi.
- Check the hours before a 6am run. 4 trails in Provo are open 24 hours — the rest can sit inside a park that gates at dusk and doesn't unlock until well after sunrise. 16 of the 21 listings carry posted opening hours — worth a look before you set an alarm. 2 are lit, which is what you want for winter evenings.
- Long run? Check water and restrooms first. 14 have trailhead parking, 12 have restrooms, and 5 have a water fountain in Provo. Anything over an hour and those stop being nice-to-haves — and in summer, shade counts double.
- The small things that decide it. 6 shaded, 7 that runners describe as quiet, 9 dog-friendly, and 1 smooth and wide enough for a stroller or a wheelchair. Busy or quiet isn't a good-or-bad thing here: a busy path is the safer choice for a solo run at dawn, a quiet one is better for intervals.
More on all of this in the trail-running guides.
Browse Provo trails by type
- Paved trails
- Mixed trails
- Crushed gravel trails
- Natural surface trails
- Loop trails
- Shaded trails
- Lit for early & night runs
- Flat & fast
- Hilly trails
- Scenic trails
- Trails with restrooms
- Trails with water fountains
- Trailhead parking
- Quiet, uncrowded trails
- Dog-friendly
- Stroller & wheelchair-accessible
Running trails near Provo
Worth the short drive — the closest towns with trails in the directory.