Donut Falls is one of the most popular family hikes in the Salt Lake City area — a short, scenic walk in Big Cottonwood Canyon to a genuinely unusual waterfall. The “donut” name comes from the falls itself: Mill D South Fork Creek pours through a hole it has worn in the roof of a rock grotto, so the water appears to vanish into a doughnut-shaped opening in the cave ceiling before dropping into the chamber below. It's a favorite first hike for newcomers to the outdoors and an easy, rewarding escape for locals trading city bustle for pine forest and rushing water.

From the trailhead, a well-marked path winds through cool evergreen forest and open meadow, following the creek up toward the falls. The last stretch involves a bit of a rock scramble up slick, stream-polished stone to reach the mouth of the grotto and get the classic view up into the donut — go slowly here, as the wet rock is genuinely slippery and causes plenty of scrapes and turned ankles. Climbing on top of the cave for a photo down through the hole is especially dangerous: the mossy lip is treacherously slick, and falls from the top have caused several deaths over the years. The classic — and far safer — view is from below, looking up into the donut.

The total distance depends on the season and how far up you can drive. From about July 1 through October 31, you can usually drive the extra 0.8-mile dirt road past the large lot to the upper trailhead, shrinking the hike to as little as 1.4–1.5 miles round trip; the rest of the year (and whenever the upper road or the highway gate is closed by snow) it stretches to roughly 3 to 3.5 miles. Either way it's a gentle grade suitable for kids, and in winter it becomes a lovely, easy snowshoe. In early spring, count on lingering snow and ice — especially on the final rock scramble to the falls, which turns slick and tricky — and note that the restrooms and upper parking often aren't open yet.

One crucial thing to know: Big Cottonwood Canyon is a protected drinking-water watershed for the Salt Lake Valley, and its watershed rules are strict and firmly enforced: under them, dogs are not allowed anywhere in the canyon and swimming or wading is prohibited, even on a hot day, so plan to leave the pup at home. These rules keep the water clean for the hundreds of thousands of people who drink it downstream.

Because it's so beloved and so close to the city, the small dirt parking area fills fast; in summer, come at first light or on a weekday to find a spot and beat the crowds. Bring water, wear shoes with real traction for the wet final scramble, and pack a camera for the falls and the forest. Check current road and gate status in Big Cottonwood Canyon before heading up, especially outside of summer, and enjoy one of the Wasatch's classic little adventures.