Explore Cascade Springs – A Family-Friendly Walk in American Fork Canyon

Cascade Springs is a beautiful artesian spring located in American Fork Canyon, offering naturally terraced cascades, crystal-clear pools, and lush vegetation. Over 7 million gallons of water flow through the springs each day, creating a serene and scenic environment perfect for a leisurely outing. While not a traditional hike, Cascade Springs is more of a casual walk, ideal for families, kids, and those looking for an easy nature escape.

About

Easy, Accessible, and Educational

Cascade Springs features paved paths and boardwalks, making it stroller-friendly and accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities. Along the way, several interpretive signs provide information about the area’s native plants, flowers, and aquatic life—making it a fun and educational stop for kids.

Know Before You Go

Many visitors don’t realize that Cascade Springs is part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and requires a recreation fee. A 3-day pass is $6, which can be purchased at the entrance to American Fork Canyon or at the Cascade Springs parking lot if entering from the Heber side.

Manage Expectations

While Cascade Springs is undeniably picturesque, it may feel underwhelming as a standalone destination, especially for seasoned hikers. Most visitors spend 15–30 minutes here, with families possibly staying up to an hour. For the best experience, pair this stop with other nearby activities like:

• Driving the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway

• Hiking Pine Hollow Trail

• Exploring Mill Canyon Peak

• Summiting Mt. Timpanogos

In my honest opinion, don’t make Cascade Springs your only destination for the day. It can be described in one word: underwhelming. It’s really only a good place to stop if you are doing other things in the area like driving the Alpine Loop Road or are doing other nearby hikes such as Pine Hollow, Mill Canyon Peak, or even Mt. Timpanogos. It can be explored in under 15 minutes. If you have kids/babies it may take up to an hour, max.

Can I Bring My Dog?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Cascade Springs but must remain on-leash. The paved paths can become hot during the day, so plan to visit early in the morning or during cooler weather. This is not an off-leash area, and dogs should be well-behaved and socialized due to the high number of families and young children on the trail.

 

Directions

Use this map if you are coming from SLC.

Use this map if you are coming from Provo.

Cascade Springs is only open during the summer months, since all surrounding roads close during winter.

Trail Info

Distance: 1/4-3/4 mile RT, depending on which trail you follow

Elevation gain: 100 ft

Time: 15 minutes – 1 hour

Dog friendly? Yes, on leash

Kid friendly? Yes! Also stroller friendly.

Fees/Permits? There is no permit, but there is a day use fee of $10, which is good for up to 3 days. An annual National Park Pass or annual American Fork Canyon pass will work as well.

The “what it really looks like” photo in the parking lot. Lots of Razor’s, families, and kids.

Charlie and I hiked Mill Canyon Peak right before visiting Cascade Springs, so thankfully we were both already worn out. I knew Charlie would behave better than normal, but also be really hot.

 Just follow a boardwalk or paved path and you can see everything. There are 3 loops, all which return to the same spot you started.

You can just see the excitement oozing from Charlie’s face from being on-leash haha!

 There are a few bridges, which are fun for kids to walk over.

 Cascade Spring creek

 A few steps here and there.

The pavement got a little too hot for Charlie.

 Since it was getting too hot, we started to walk back to the water and springs.

 Ahh, relief in the shade and water.

 Make your way back along the boardwalk.

Charlie and I literally spent 15 minutes here – it’s extremely short and neither of us was happy he had to be on-leash. We made the best of it, but I would probably never go back. It’s just not what we normally like to do, at our activity level, and not what we are interested in seeing. On the positive side, glad we went once!

 

Trail Map

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