For popularity, the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge is up there with the Living Room Lookout Hike. The trail is high traffic, but short and sweet! 2.3 miles to be exact with 440 feet of elevation gain. There are a lot of other trails in this area so utilizing All Trails for a trail guide is helpful! There are also plenty of trail signs. This trail is also commonly called the Draper Suspension Bridge.
The Trail
The trailhead for the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge hike is shared with many other hikes. This particular trail actually utilizes portions of several trails, including the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, to create the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge Loop.
I completed the trail in a counter clockwise direction. No matter which direction you take the loop, the trail starts with several switchbacks. From the counter clockwise direction the trail flattens out once you reach the Bonneville Shoreline Trail portion. Then as you turn a corner you can finally see the pedestrian suspension bridge in front of you! Obviously Winter and I had a quick photoshoot here before crossing the bridge and heading back down the trail. In total the trail took us just over an hour with about 15 minutes of trying to get Winter to look at the camera.
Before you go
Unlike many of the hikes I complete, this trail does require dogs to be on leash and is regularly patrolled for leash compliance. All the trails in the area are multiuse for hikers, dogs, trail runners, horses, and mountain bikers! So always be respectful of who has the right-of-way and be aware of your surroundings. Additionally, some of the trails here are not dog friendly, so always pay attention to trail signs. The trails were all clearly marked if no dogs were allowed.
I also highly recommend completing this hike on a weekday to reduce the number of people you see. The trailhead in Orson Smith Park leads to several different trails. I completed this hike on a Thursday and the parking lot was over half full. A BIG BONUS: plumbed restrooms at the trailhead.
Enjoying my adventures with Winter? Check out more hikes in Utah that we have completed.
nice pics… good distance too. miss y’all
It was a great short hike to knock out! Super fun.