Right now
Right now as of Oct 23, 2026
- Status No 2026 closure date found for the Alpine Loop, as listed Oct 2026.
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: $10 per vehicle (3 days).
Status note (Oct 23, 2026): Seasonal. No 2026 closure date found for the Alpine Loop, as listed Oct 2026. SR-92 closes past Aspen Grove each winter (Daily Herald); we found no 2026 closing date. Check Sundance's hiking page for lift dates. What the status labels mean
Stewart Falls is a two-tier waterfall, roughly 200 feet tall, in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The Stewart Cascade Trail leaves the Mount Timpanogos Trailhead at Aspen Grove, and trail guides put the round trip at about 3.4 to 3.6 miles. Parking needs a Forest Service pass from $10 per vehicle. Sundance sells summer lift tickets for a route of about 3 miles. SR-92 closes past Aspen Grove each winter.
About Stewart Falls
Stewart Falls drops in two tiers. The federal place-name database (USGS GNIS) records it as Stewarts Cascades, and the Forest Service trail to it is the Stewart Cascade Trail #056.
We found no official height for Stewart Falls. Hiking Project describes it as over 200 feet in two tiers, and Park City Magazine says roughly 200 feet, so treat that figure as approximate.
The falls are in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, on the Pleasant Grove Ranger District. The Forest Service says the trail shares its start with the Mount Timpanogos summit trail. Make sure you take the Stewart Cascade Trail and not the summit route.
Getting there and parking
Drive the Alpine Loop (SR-92) to the Mount Timpanogos Trailhead at Aspen Grove, where parking needs a Forest Service pass from $10 per vehicle.
From Provo and Salt Lake City
From Provo, drive up Provo Canyon on US-189 and turn onto SR-92, the Alpine Loop, to Aspen Grove. From the Salt Lake City side, SR-92 climbs through American Fork Canyon, but UDOT gates that stretch each winter between Pine Hollow and Aspen Grove (Daily Herald).
Parking at Aspen Grove
Park at the Mount Timpanogos Trailhead at Aspen Grove. According to the Forest Service, the trailhead sits past its fee booth, and lots fill early. The Forest Service tickets and tows illegal parking.
At Aspen Grove the Forest Service charges a day-use fee: $10 per vehicle for 3 days, $20 for 7 days or $60 for a season. America the Beautiful passes are accepted.
The other approach is through Sundance Resort. In summer, Sundance sells lift tickets for a route of about 3 miles that it rates intermediate.
For another Utah waterfall, see Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The Forest Service uses the same $10, $20 and $60 pass prices there, and watershed rules limit dogs and swimming in that canyon.
Map and nearby falls
Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap
OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
Stewart Falls trail from Aspen Grove or Sundance
Trail guides put the Stewart Falls trail at about 3.4 to 3.6 miles round trip from Aspen Grove; Sundance's summer route is about 3 miles.
From Aspen Grove
Follow the Stewart Cascade Trail #056 from the Mount Timpanogos Trailhead to the falls. We could not confirm an official Forest Service distance. Trail guides put the round trip at about 3.4 to 3.6 miles. Per 10Adventures, it is 3.4 miles with 646 feet of gain. Hiking Project gives 3.6 miles with about 680 feet.
The Forest Service lists a vault toilet at the trailhead, and the Stewart Falls trail starts to the right of it. The Timpanogos summit trail starts here too, so make sure you are on the Stewart Cascade Trail.
Park City Magazine calls the falls a very popular destination, so expect a full lot and many people on the trail, especially on weekends.
From Sundance Resort
Sundance Resort's route is about 3 miles and takes about 2.5 hours, lift ride included, according to the resort. You need a summer lift ticket, and the lifts start at 10am in summer.
Sundance warns of fast-moving water, snowfields and steep terrain along the route to the falls. Pack for changing ground, with sturdy shoes and layers.
When to visit
Visit Stewart Falls in summer. UDOT closes SR-92 each winter between Pine Hollow on the north and Aspen Grove on the south, the Daily Herald reports. We found no 2026 closing date. Aspen Grove sits at the southern gate.
Fall colors and the winter gate
September weekends on the Alpine Loop can be crowded. In September 2026, TownLift reported that UDOT launched new Alpine Loop traffic resources. That followed 2025 backups, when traffic was turned away at the Aspen Grove entrance.
We found no official peak-color dates and no 2026 closing date for the road. In 2025 the Daily Herald reported the Alpine Loop reopening in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Check Sundance's hiking page for lift dates before you count on the lift route. For a ticketed slot-canyon hike in southern Utah, see Kanarra Falls.
| Height | 200 ftNote: approximate, over two tiers; Hiking Project says over 200 ft and Park City Magazine roughly 200 ft; not an official figure |
|---|---|
| Trail | Stewart Cascade Trail #056 from Aspen Grove, about 3.4-3.6 mi round trip per trail guides (no Forest Service figure confirmed); Sundance lift route about 3 mi (Sundance Resort) |
| Difficulty | Intermediate, per Sundance Resort (lift route) |
| Time needed | About 2.5 hr on the Sundance lift route, lift included (Sundance Resort) |
| Entry fee | $10 per vehicle for 3 days, $20 for 7 days or $60 season at Aspen Grove (Forest Service); Sundance route needs a resort lift ticket |
| Permit / reservation | None; buy a Forest Service day-use pass to park at Aspen Grove |
| Parking | Aspen Grove trailhead on SR-92 |
| Dogs | Must be leashed at all times, and owners must pack out pet waste (Forest Service, 36 CFR 261.11(d)) |
| Restrooms | Vault toilet at the Aspen Grove trailhead; the Stewart Falls trail starts to its right (Forest Service) |
| Best time to visit | Summer, when SR-92 and the Sundance lifts are running |
| Crowds | 'A very popular destination': expect a full parking lot and many people on the trail, especially on weekends (Park City Magazine, 2017) |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (Pleasant Grove Ranger District) |
Safety and swimming
Sundance lists the hazards on the falls route: fast-moving water, snowfields and steep terrain. Stay off wet rock near the falls, and keep children close.
We could not confirm a swimming rule for the falls. The Forest Service says dogs must be leashed at all times at Aspen Grove because of wildlife harassment, and owners must pack out pet waste. Do not climb on the tiers or wade into the creek, especially while snowmelt is running.
Before you drive, check that SR-92 is open and buy your day-use pass before you park. Our waterfall safety guide covers general advice on snow and moving water.
Where to stay near Stewart Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Sundance.
See places to stay nearbyAffiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Partners do not see or change our waterfall facts. Disclosure.
Photos
Stewart Falls FAQ
How long is the Stewart Falls hike?
Trail guides put it at about 3.4 to 3.6 miles round trip from Aspen Grove, with 646 to 680 feet of gain; we found no Forest Service figure. The Sundance lift route is about 3 miles and about 2.5 hours, lift included.
Do you have to pay to hike Stewart Falls?
Yes, if you park at Aspen Grove. The Forest Service charges $10 per vehicle for 3 days, $20 for 7 days or $60 for a season, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted. From Sundance you need a resort lift ticket instead.
Where do you park for Stewart Falls?
At the Mount Timpanogos Trailhead in Aspen Grove on SR-92, past the Forest Service fee booth. Lots fill early, and the Forest Service tickets and tows illegal parking.
Where does the Stewart Falls trail start?
At the Mount Timpanogos Trailhead in Aspen Grove on the Alpine Loop (SR-92), to the right of the vault toilet. The Timpanogos summit trail starts there too, so take the Stewart Cascade Trail #056.
Can you hike to Stewart Falls from Sundance?
Yes, in summer. Sundance sells lift tickets for a route of about 3 miles that takes about 2.5 hours, including the lift ride, according to the resort.
How tall is Stewart Falls?
About 200 feet over two tiers, but that isn't an official figure. Hiking Project says over 200 feet, and Park City Magazine says roughly 200 feet.
Is the Alpine Loop open in winter?
No. The Daily Herald reports that UDOT gates SR-92 each winter between Pine Hollow and Aspen Grove. In 2025 it reopened in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Is the Stewart Falls trail dangerous?
Sundance warns of fast-moving water, snowfields and steep terrain near the falls. Stay off wet rock and keep kids close.
Nearby waterfalls
More waterfalls to explore
Lower Calf Creek FallsUtah · 177 mi straight-lineOpen126FT
Kanarra FallsUtah · 214 mi straight-lineUnconfirmed
On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls
Sources
Some facts credited to the Forest Service come from search-result excerpts of its official pages. Confirm fees and rules on the official site.
- USDA Forest Service: Mount Timpanogos Trailhead (Aspen Grove) (updated Jan 8, 2026)
- USFS: Alpine Scenic Loop Backway
- Sundance Resort: Hiking
- Daily Herald: Alpine Loop reopens (May 2025)
- USGS GNIS: Stewarts Cascades
- Hiking Project: Stewart Cascades Trail #056
- Park City Magazine: Trail Tuesday, Stewart Falls (Michaela Wagner, Oct 12, 2017)
- 10Adventures: Stewart Cascade Trail #056
- TownLift: UDOT launches new Alpine Loop traffic resources (Sept 2026)
Last verified Oct 23, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with USDA Forest Service, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (Pleasant Grove Ranger District) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.