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Orson Smith Park and Trailhead

4.7
·528 reviews·Draper, United States

A family-friendly park and trailhead offering a popular, easy hike to a thrilling suspension bridge with scenic valley views.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekend mornings

Beat the crowds and heat

CrowdMedium
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view on hike

Orson Smith Park and Trailhead

Best Time

Weekend mornings

Beat the crowds and heat

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A family-friendly park and trailhead offering a popular, easy hike to a thrilling suspension bridge with scenic valley views.

4.7
(528 reviews)

"This park is a peaceful and practical place to enjoy the outdoors, perfect for families and hikers."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 Arrive Early for Parking

Parking fills up fast, especially on weekends. Aim for an early start to snag a spot!

🥾 Sturdy Shoes Recommended

The sandy descent can be tricky. Wear good hiking shoes for better grip and stability.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge

Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge

Trailhead at Orson Smith Park

A thrilling, shaky bridge offering stunning valley views and a unique hiking experience. Not for the faint of heart!

Orson Smith Park Playground

Orson Smith Park Playground

Orson Smith Park

A convenient and enjoyable spot for families, with a playground and picnic areas perfect for a relaxed outing.

Scenic Valley Views

Scenic Valley Views

Along the trail

Enjoy panoramic vistas of the Salt Lake Valley, especially beautiful during sunrise or sunset.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing is Key for the Suspension Bridge

The Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge hike, accessed from Orson Smith Park, is popular. Arrive early, especially on weekends, to avoid crowds and secure parking. Early mornings offer cooler temperatures and a more peaceful experience before the trail gets busy.TikTok

Dog-Friendly Fun, But Mind the Terrain

This trail is a fantastic option for dog owners, as pets are allowed on-leash.TikTok+1 Be aware that the final descent can be sandy and unsteady, so wear appropriate footwear and be mindful of your footing, especially with pets.Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekend mornings
Why
Beat the crowds and heat
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Quieter trails, pleasant temps
Crowd
Low
When
Sunset
Why
Golden hour views
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

It’s the easiest hike to Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge in Draper with a well maintained path. Also got a little snow in shade area that my little girl enjoyed it so much😍 Trail: Orson Smith Park to Draper Suspension Bridge Loop Distance : 2 mile Estimate time: 1 hour Elevation gain: 433ft Pet friendly 🐶🧡 #utah #hiking #petfriendly #winter
@ktontheroam
35 likes • 2.4K views

🚗 Arrive Early for Parking

Parking fills up fast, especially on weekends. Aim for an early start to snag a spot! TikTok

🥾 Sturdy Shoes Recommended

The sandy descent can be tricky. Wear good hiking shoes for better grip and stability. Reddit

📍 Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge – Draper, Salt Lake County, Utah ⏱️ 2 miles round trip | 📈 ~450 ft elevation gain 🚗 Park at Orson Smith Park (trailhead in the back). 🚰 Water fountain + bathrooms at the trailhead. 🌄 Easy Draper hike with stunning valley views + the famous suspension bridge. 🐕 Dog-friendly (unlike nearby Cottonwood canyons) on-leash requirement. Check our other posts for off-leash a...
@saltlakecorgis
352 likes • 11.9K views
Aesthetic version of my evening hike at Orson Smith Park to the Draper Suspension Bridge. 2.3 miles in about an hour and 20 minutes. #hiketok #hikingadventures #hikersoftiktok #hikewithme #hiking #mountains
@britleyadler
37 likes • 446 views

🐶 Leashed Dogs Welcome

Bring your furry friends along for the adventure! Remember to keep them on a leash. TikTok+1

💧 Restrooms & Water Available

Facilities are available at the trailhead, making it convenient for families and longer hikes. TikTok

Watch me crash out trying to cross a suspension bridge 🤪🫣 The nonaesthetic version (aesthetic version is the video on my profile immediately before this) of my Sunday evening hike from Orson Smith park to the Draper suspension bridge. Did I mention I’m afraid of heights?? Seriously, though: thank you to everyone who has been so welcoming and wholesome as I navigate hiking. You are all amazing ❤️...
@britleyadler
748 likes • 5.3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Arrive Early for Parking

Parking fills up fast, especially on weekends. Aim for an early start to snag a spot! TikTok

🥾 Sturdy Shoes Recommended

The sandy descent can be tricky. Wear good hiking shoes for better grip and stability. Reddit

🐶 Leashed Dogs Welcome

Bring your furry friends along for the adventure! Remember to keep them on a leash. TikTok+1

💧 Restrooms & Water Available

Facilities are available at the trailhead, making it convenient for families and longer hikes. TikTok

📸 Capture the Shaky Bridge

The suspension bridge is a highlight! Enjoy the wobble and the unique photo opportunities. TikTok

What Travellers Say

4.7
(528 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise Orson Smith Park for its family-friendly amenities and its role as the trailhead for the popular Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge hike. The bridge itself is a highlight, offering a fun, shaky experience and great views. While generally easy, the sandy descent requires caution. It's a highly recommended spot for a convenient outdoor adventure.

"Orson Smith Park is a great spot to relax, especially for families. It has a small playground and restrooms, making it convenient for kids and parents alike. You can sit back, enjoy the view, and easily keep an eye on your children while they play. It also serves as the trailhead for the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge hike, which is a nice bonus. The parking lot is conveniently located, though the park can get a bit busy on weekends. Overall, a peaceful and practical place to enjoy the outdoors."

julie S

"Great walking trail, we had 3 ActionTrack chair riders and several walking up to the suspension bridge loop."

William Clements

"I loved this hike!
We went at 9am and that was the perfect time, it was getting very busy as we were leaving!
The only downside was going down at the end was all sand and kinda unsteady, but doable! Dogs are allowed and my dog had a great time. Not too hard! We also saw a really large spider that was cool, i was unable to take a pic because there was alot of people around it hahahha.
The bridge was also super cool and shaky, it also makes noise but cool:)"

Autumn Hale

What People Like

Convenient trailhead
Family-friendly park
Unique suspension bridge

What People Dislike

Sandy descent can be tricky

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Orson Smith Park is located in Draper, Utah. You can find it by searching for 'Orson Smith Park' on your GPS. The trailhead for the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge hike is located at the back of the park.TikTok

Yes, there is a parking lot available at Orson Smith Park. It's recommended to arrive early, especially on weekends, as it can get busy.TikTok+1

Information on public transportation options to Orson Smith Park is limited. Driving is the most common and convenient way to access the trailhead.

From Salt Lake City, take I-15 South towards Provo. Take exit 293 for 12300 South and turn east. Turn right onto South Mountain Road, and Orson Smith Park will be on your left.

Orson Smith Park is close to other hiking trails in Draper and offers easy access to the Salt Lake Valley. It's also a great starting point for exploring the surrounding natural beauty.Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

There is no entrance fee for Orson Smith Park or the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge hike. Access to both the park and the trail is free.TikTok

Orson Smith Park is generally open from dawn until dusk. The trailhead is accessible during daylight hours.

No, tickets are not required for the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge hike. It's a public trail, and you can access it anytime during park hours.

The main restriction is that dogs must be kept on a leash. Otherwise, access is generally open to the public during park hours.

While the park is generally open from dawn to dusk, it's best to complete the hike before dark for safety reasons. The suspension bridge can be challenging to navigate in low light.

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

The hike is generally considered easy to moderate. It's a 2-mile round trip with about 400-450 feet of elevation gain, making it accessible for most fitness levels.TikTok+1

The hike typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours round trip, depending on your pace and how much time you spend enjoying the views and the bridge.TikTok+1

Yes, the hike is very dog-friendly! Dogs are allowed on-leash, and many visitors bring their pets along for the adventure.TikTok+3

The park offers restrooms, water fountains, picnic tables, and a playground, making it a great spot for families and gatherings [^T2, Reviews].

Comfortable hiking attire is recommended. Given the sandy descent, sturdy shoes with good traction are advisable.Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Early morning or late afternoon offer the best light for photography, with golden hour providing beautiful, soft illumination. The valley views are particularly stunning during these times.TikTok

Absolutely! The suspension bridge itself is a unique subject, and the panoramic views of the Salt Lake Valley offer fantastic backdrops. Keep an eye out for interesting flora and fauna too.TikTok

You can capture shots of the bridge from various angles, including walking across it (if you're brave enough!), or from the trail leading up to it. Wide-angle lenses are great for the expansive views.TikTok

Drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local park rules and FAA guidelines before flying a drone in the area.

Use a faster shutter speed to minimize blur from the bridge's movement. Experiment with different angles to capture the sense of height and motion. Be patient and wait for moments when the bridge is relatively still.TikTok

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Orson Smith Park is a fantastic starting point for families. The playground is a big hit with younger children, and the restrooms and picnic tables make for a convenient outing [^T1, Reviews]. The hike to the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge is generally considered easy to moderate, making it achievable for most kids, though the sandy descent might require a helping hand.Reddit The novelty of the shaky bridge is sure to be a memorable experience for them!

🐶 Dog Owners

This is a prime spot for dog lovers! The Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge trail is dog-friendly on-leash, a major plus for many visitors.TikTok+1 Your furry friend will enjoy the 2-mile loop, and you'll appreciate the convenience of having facilities like restrooms and water fountains at the trailhead.TikTok Just be mindful of the sandy sections on the way down, ensuring your dog has good traction.

📸 Photography Enthusiasts

For photographers, the golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) offers the most dramatic lighting for capturing the valley views and the unique suspension bridge.TikTok The bridge itself provides a dynamic subject, and the panoramic vistas are perfect for landscape shots. Don't forget to experiment with angles to convey the bridge's movement and height.TikTok

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge Experience

The star attraction accessed from Orson Smith Park is the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge. This unique structure offers a thrilling experience for hikers, with many describing it as 'shaky' and 'noisy' but ultimately 'cool' [^T4, Reviews]. It's not an overly difficult hike to reach, making it accessible for a wide range of visitors.TikTok+1 The bridge provides a fantastic vantage point for photos and a memorable part of the trail.

While the bridge is the main draw, the hike itself is also rewarding. The trail is well-maintained for the most part, offering pleasant scenery as you ascend. However, be prepared for a sandy and potentially unsteady descent, which some hikers have noted as a minor challenge.Reddit This section requires careful footing, especially if you're hiking with children or pets.

Many visitors recommend this hike for its combination of natural beauty and a touch of adventure. It's a popular spot for both locals and tourists looking for an accessible yet exciting outdoor activity in the Draper area.TikTok

Family-Friendly Amenities at Orson Smith Park

Orson Smith Park itself is a valuable asset for families visiting the area. It features a small playground where children can burn off energy before or after a hike [^T1, Reviews]. The presence of restrooms and water fountains at the trailhead adds significant convenience for families, ensuring a more comfortable outing [^T2, Reviews].

Beyond the playground, the park offers picnic tables, making it an ideal spot for a relaxed family meal or snack amidst nature. The open spaces also provide room for kids to play and explore. The park's layout allows parents to easily supervise their children while enjoying the surroundings [Reviews].

Combined with the relatively easy access to the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge hike, Orson Smith Park serves as a perfect starting point for a family adventure. It balances the excitement of a hike with the practical needs of families, making it a well-rounded destination for outdoor fun.

Dog-Friendly Hiking in Draper

For dog owners, Orson Smith Park and the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge trail are a real gem. Unlike some other popular hiking areas in the Salt Lake Valley, this trail explicitly welcomes dogs on a leash.TikTok+1 This makes it a go-to spot for those who want to include their canine companions in their outdoor adventures.

Many TikTok videos highlight the joy of hiking with dogs here, showcasing happy pups enjoying the trail.TikTok+1 The 2-mile loop is a manageable distance for most dogs, offering enough stimulation without being overly strenuous. The varied terrain, from packed dirt to sandy patches, provides an interesting experience for furry explorers.

It's important to remember that while dogs are welcome, they must be kept on a leash at all times. This ensures the safety of your pet, other hikers, and the local wildlife. The sandy sections on the descent might require extra attention if you're hiking with a dog, so be mindful of their footing as well.Reddit

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