Quick Facts:

Location: Orson Park near Draper, Utah

Coordinates: 40.52179315367948, -111.83341142698193

Length: 3.5 Miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 500 Feet

Dog Friendly: Yes

Introduction:

Starting in Orson Smith Park near Draper, Utah, the Bear Creek Suspension Bridge makes for a unique and scenic hiking experience. This hike is completely family-friendly and has an endpoint over a beautiful suspension bridge with magnificent views of mountains and valleys. Let us walk you through everything you should know to hike to Bear Creek Suspension Bridge: the directions, the trail details, and more.

How to Get There:

Located in Orson Smith Park, a few minutes east of downtown Draper, lies the Bear Creek Suspension Bridge. The easiest way to reach the trailhead is via I-15 to Draper, followed by an exit at 12300 South. Head east on 12300 South, and the road becomes Highland Drive. Continue on Highland Drive to 2000 East and turn right. Follow the road to Orson Smith Park, where you’ll find the parking lot and trailhead.

Parking Information:

Parking is available at Orson Smith Park. This is also the starting point to hike to the Bear Creek Suspension Bridge. The parking space is spacious but gets crowded on weekends and holidays. It is, therefore, wise to visit the location early, especially when it is in the hiking peak season. In addition, there is free parking on site. There are some other additional amenities within the park, which include restrooms and picnic areas.

Description of Trail and Landscape:

One can access the Bear Creek Suspension Bridge via a 3.5-mile round hike. The trail is in good condition and it is moderate. The trail begins at Orson Smith Park, ascending gently through scrub oak and sagebrush-covered hills, all along providing panoramic views of the Salt Lake Valley and the Wasatch Mountains. The barren landscape with scarce vegetation is typical of a Utah high desert. One last thing is that the trail gets really steep as you near the suspension bridge, but it’s worth it. The Bear Creek Suspension Bridge is a very beautiful structure that hangs over the deep canyon and creek running down. From there, the sights and views are spectacular, and the place is photogenic. The path continues past the bridge as it connects to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for those intending to extend their hike.

Trail Difficulty and Length:

The Bear Creek Suspension Bridge hike is of moderate difficulty, thus making it within reach of most hikers, including those in families or beginners. It’s 3.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 500 feet. It’s pretty easy to follow the trail, which is well-marked, except for the final section, which goes down a steep hill before reaching the bridge.

Dog-Friendly and Local Regulations:

Bear Creek Suspension Bridge Trail is dog-friendly, so there is no need to worry about leaving your canine friend behind. As this is a public access trail, it is a must that dogs should be on a leash at all times, and any mess left behind by them cleaned up. Since this trail is rated moderate in difficulty, it would be fit for accustomed dogs.

Nearby Trails and Attractions:

If you would like to explore more of the area, nearby are the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and the Ghost Falls Trail, offering additional hiking options with panoramic views overlooking the valley. Of the easy-to-moderate hikes in Rock Canyon, the Ghost Falls Trail gives you an opportunity to follow it on a steeper and more challenging hike around the foothills to see a beautiful waterfall.

Other Things to Do in Draper:

If you are not into hiking, there are other attractions that could be taken advantage of in Draper, such as the parks and other recreational spots. Among the parks the Draper City Park and Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. The aquarium is an ideal place for family hangouts, as it contains various forms of marine life and other interactive features.

Best Time to Visit Bear Creek Suspension Bridge:

The best time of the year to hike to Bear Creek Suspension Bridge is from spring to fall. This is because, in these seasons, the weather tends to be moderate, and the trail is in view of lovely wildflowers in spring and the autumn coloration during the fall. Summer hikes are very hot, so better start early in the morning when the sun is not quite up. The trail, available year-round, can be icy and slippery in winter, so it is recommended that proper footwear is worn if visiting during colder months.