Utah Map

Request Free Visitor Guides

Big Water (Dog Lake) Trail

This record is no longer active on our site.

For more information about Biking in Salt Lake City, Wasatch Mountains or Davis County, please search our full coverage of Salt Lake City Biking, Wasatch Mountains Biking or Davis County Biking.

Basics
Location:
In Millcreek Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains east of Salt Lake City
Length:
6.5 mile roundtrip
Difficulty:
Beginner
Time To Allow:
1 - 2-1/2 hrs.
Elevation Change:
960 feet

Description

Very popular Big Water Trail to Dog Lake is a great introduction to mountain biking in the Wasatch. It is a relatively easy single track path through nice forest to a pretty alpine lake. (Note: To prevent excessive use, biking is allowed only on even-numbered days.)

Details

Location:
In Millcreek Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains east of Salt Lake City
Length:
6.5 mile roundtrip
Difficulty:
Beginner
Time To Allow:
1 - 2-1/2 hrs.
Elevation Change:
960
Additional Details:
After the first 1-1/2 miles, the Big Water trail separates from the Upper Mill Creek Canyon (Great Western) trail. (The GW trail takes you another 1600 feet vertical to the Wasatch Crest.) The Dog Lake trail becomes a bit steeper and rougher, but still not too tough.

Dog Lake is a total of 3.1 miles from the trailhead, with a total vertical rise of around 900 feet. Lake GPS is N 40° 40.064'' W 111° 38.331''. At Dog Lake, kick back and have lunch, then enjoy a high-speed cruise back down. It''s over all too soon.

Little Water and Upper Big Water trails are optional routes back from Dog Lake, but are steeper than the Big Water trail.

Dogs on leash are allowed on Mill Creek Canyon trails, but don''t take Fido over the ridge into Big Cottonwood Canyon! About 150 feet past Dog Lake, dogs are absolutely outlawed. If you''re caught with a dog in Big Cottonwood, you WILL be busted, you WILL go to court, and the fine is NOT trivial!

The trail continues past Dog Lake over the ridge into Big Cottonwood Canyon, to join the Mill D North Fork trail, from which you can head up to Desolation Lake, or drop down to the Big Cottonwood road near Reynolds Flat.

Information provided by utahmountainbiking.com.

Map + Directions

Basic Directions
Getting there: Get to Foothill Blvd on the east bench of Salt Lake City via I-215. Exit at 39th South. Take 3800 South eastbound into the Canyon. Drive all the way to the top of the canyon, where the Big Water Trail parking area will be obvious at GPS N 40° 40.922' W 111° 38.914'.

(Note: the gate to upper Mill Creek Canyon is open to cars July 1 to November 1. Mountain bikes are only allowed on upper Mill Creek trails on EVEN numbered days!)


Copyright © 1997 - 2024 The Go Travel Sites. All Rights Reserved and.

Email Page Link

Complete the form below to email this page to a friend or family member's email. You can send yourself an email as well. Your email and your recipient's email will NOT be shared with anyone. See our full Privacy Policy for details.
:
:
:
 
 
 
:
Copy Yourself on the Email Yes No
:
:

1

Select one or more Free Visitor Guides below

2

Complete the form to receive your guides by mail

Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Salt Lake City. More Visitor Guides are available in Utah. Click here to view them all!

Davis County Davis County Davis County
Northern UtahJust north of Salt Lake City, Davis County is known as the ultimate playground for fun, entertainment, and outdoor adventure. Within minutes, you can enjoy a round of golf at one of ten courses, explore over 500 miles of trails and bikeways, ski world-class downhill slopes, go sightseeing at Antelope Island State Park and the Great Salt Lake, or enjoy family fun at seven different amusement centers like Lagoon, the largest amusement park in the Intermountain West.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Heber Valley Heber Valley Heber Valley
North Central UtahHeber Valley is a true “Four Season” destination beautifully situated between the towering Wasatch and Uinta mountain ranges amidst gorgeous lakes, blue-ribbon trout streams and top rated golf courses.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Park City Summer Park City Summer Park City Summer
North Central UtahMade famous by the Sundance Film Festival, Park City is a favorite with locals and the world. Ski resorts, scenic beauty, and Main Street draw visitors to this mountain city.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Salt Lake Salt Lake Salt Lake
North Central UtahSalt Lake City is the cultural center of Utah and where most of the state's people reside. There is plenty to see and do here, just ask the locals.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Box Elder County Box Elder County Box Elder County
Northern UtahBox Elder County is known as a land of contrasts. Visit the the quaint and beautiful town of Brigham City, or get outside and experience any number of outdoor activities within scenic Box Elder County.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Utah - Life Elevated Utah - Life Elevated Utah - Life Elevated
StatewideWith five national parks and more than 40 state parks, Utah offers a wealth of outdoor activities for families & adventurers alike. Order your free Travel Guide today.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Park City Winter Park City Winter Park City Winter
North Central UtahMade famous by the Sundance Film Festival, Park City is a favorite with locals and the world. Ski resorts, scenic beauty, and Main Street draw visitors to this mountain city.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Ski Utah Ski Utah Ski Utah
Utah
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Visit Ogden - Northern Utah Visit Ogden - Northern Utah Visit Ogden - Northern Utah
OgdenVisit Ogden - Northern Utah
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.