Cycling
A family-favorite, the Provo River Parkway stretches 14 miles from Vivian Park in Provo Canyon to Utah Lake. Alongside the Provo River, you'll find Bridal Veil Falls and several parks perfect for picnicking!
American Fork Canyon holds the highest concentration of riding in the area. One of the most appealing features of the canyon is that the trail system layout makes it eady to combine multiple loops for an almost endless combination of smiles. Adventure-seeking cyclists can choose from eight trail heads providing dozens of trail combinations and nearly 100 miles of single track winding through green meadows and over rocky summits. The granddaddy of the Canyon, 11, 750 ft. Mt. Timpanogos, watches stoically over the myriad of trails in this area, and the anchor of the riding is Ridge Trail 157. Blasé as the name is, Ridge Trail 157 is anything but. Choose your starting point and pick your poison, because just about every type of trail is available here. As a bare minimum, the trail map at the American Fork Canyon Fee Station is a must, and most of the local bike shops will have guide books with more detail of Utah Valley rides.
Biking the Provo River Parkway Trail
The Mill Canyon Peak option starts at the same trail head as Dry Creek, and shares the first mile of trail. From there, the two part ways as Mill Canyon Peak turns south along the ridgeline. You are now on Ridge Trail 157 proper. From this point, be tempted by several turns west on mouth-watering singletrack down Mill Canyon, Tibble Fork, and Pine Hollow Trails. Or stay true to the course, and be rewarded with breathtaking views of Mt. Timp as you bring it home to the summit. Besides, coming back tomorrow for another ride is just what the doctor ordered.
If smooth, sweeping downhill is your list of “Life’s Best Moments,” absolutely don’t miss the Pine Hollow to Tibble Fork Trail ride. The ten-mile loop starts at the Pine Hollow Trail head and climbs toward the sun. Pine Hollow merges with the Ridge Trail. Turn left and start preparing for a little climb the locals affectionately call “Puke Hill,” for its 1,600 feet of climbing in just over a mile. But persistence pays off and reward is just around the corner, as 157 soon turns south and produces miles and smiles on white-knuckled descent into Tibble Fork Reservoir. A few miles on the pavement brings you back to the main canyon road and up to the trail head.
A shorter favorite is the Timpanooke Loop, which follows a mellower route along the Great Western Trail and intersects Ridge Trail 157. At just under 6 miles, the ride provides a good quad burn and still leaves time for an afternoon barbeque at one of the many campgrounds in the canyon. Be sure to pick up a good guidebook or stop by one of the local bike shops for suggestions before you go. Otherwise you may find yourself making an unwelcome second climb up “Puke Hill”.
Another compact area of excellent mountain biking is Sundance Resort area. Owned by actor, director and renowned environmentalist Robert Redford, Sundance has been thoughtfully laid out for both winter and summer fun. Miles of trails await adrenaline junkies of all types, with one of the hardest decisions being where to start. Ride the lift and save your strength for speedy descents, or give your lungs a productive burn while climbing 1,200 feet to the summit. Sundance is a full-service resort in an alpine setting with a full-service bike shop, providing rentals, a mountain biking school, and a ladies day program. Sundance Resort also sponsors the Sundance/Soldier Hollow weekly mountain bike race seires-see if you have what it takes to be crowned champion. When you go, be sure to try Archie’s Loop-a new connector trail linking Scott’s Pong and Bone Yard Loops.
Mountain Biking at Sundance Resort
A few miles down Provo Canyon from Sundance Resort is Rock Canyon. A popular destination for rock climbers, Rock Canyon proper is just under 3 miles long, but connector routes creates 17-mile loop that is one of the most technical in the area-steep, rocky, and harsh is what’s for dinner here. The climbing starts immediately and soon heads into what the locals call “The Rock Garden.” Continue riding through (if you can), and a few turns later be stunned with awesome views and a much-needed downhill. The trail continues to Rock Canyon Campground and on to Squaw Peak Road. Geology buffs will appreciate the jagged carve of the canyon and sharp upheaval of the peaks. The rest of us are just thankful for the downward turn the trail takes. Connect with the paved Provo River Parkway and spin lightly back to the trail head.
South of Provo, riders find Hobble Creek and Diamond Fork Canyons off the Spanish Fork River and State Road 6. Appetite for punishment? Give the 42-mile Hobble Creek loop a shot. Several long, steady climbs make this an advanced ride on the merits of stamina alone, although the technical factor is fairly moderate.
Wadsworth Creek is the better choice for us mere mortals. This 5-mile out-and-back trail appeals to a wide variety of riders. Short but steep climbs and winding stream crossings near the end of the trail appeal to the more advanced crowd, but the beginning rider will appreciate the easier start from the trail head. Persistence wins a short but serene double waterfall. Quick
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Provo Canyon Scenic Byway
US 189 from Provo to Heber City
Provo, UT 84604
The Byway winds through wonderful Provo Canyon, past Bridal Veil Falls and Deer Creek Reservoir, and on to Heber Valley.
Sundance
Sundance is a year-round mountain community at the base of 12,000 ft. Mount Timpanogos in the north fork of Provo Canyon.
Sundance Mountain Outfitters
Uinta National Forest
Main Office: 88 West 100 North
Provo, UT 84601
801-377-5780
Take a drive, hike or a bike ride down and through the many scenic views of our Uinta National Forest.