Guides/Overland routes/Utah
Overland route25 midifficulty: easy

Cascade Springs Scenic Backway

RegionUtahAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Cascade Springs Scenic Backway — overland route near Heber City, Utah, Utah
Photo by Ctel2177 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
25mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Mostly paved with a graded-gravel segment near the springs. Any passenger vehicle handles it in summer.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty in the upper canyon.
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Cascade Springs Scenic Backway is a 25-mile route on Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest that connects the Alpine Loop in American Fork Canyon to Heber Valley via the Cascade Springs area. The route mixes paved highway and graded gravel, climbing the back side of Mount Timpanogos and dropping into Heber along Snake Creek Canyon.

Most of the road is paved; a six-mile graded-gravel segment near Cascade Springs itself is suitable for any passenger vehicle in dry conditions. The route closes seasonally with snow.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Seasonal closure. The gravel segment closes in winter.
  • Steep grades. Use lower gears on descent.
  • Heavy summer traffic. Cascade Springs is popular; expect parking pressure on weekends.
  • Wildlife. Moose and deer common in the lower segments.
  • Cell service. Spotty in the upper canyon.

Location

25 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 40.462, -111.483

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townHeber City, Utah
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r04/uinta-wasatch-cache/recreation/opportunities/scenic-drives
ClosedNov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Approx. location40.462, -111.483

Getting there

Directions

From Heber Valley (east access). Take SR-220 west from Midway. The road climbs through Snake Creek Canyon to Cascade Springs, then continues west onto the Alpine Loop.

From American Fork Canyon (west access). From the Alpine Loop, take the Cascade Springs Drive turnoff at the signed junction. The road descends through the gravel segment to Cascade Springs and continues to Heber Valley.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The backway connects American Fork Canyon (Alpine Loop) to Heber Valley via the Cascade Springs area on the southern slope of the Wasatch. Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF's Pleasant Grove Ranger District manages the corridor. Cascade Springs itself is a developed USFS day-use area with boardwalks over the namesake travertine springs.

Trail Overview

Twenty-five miles, mixed paved and gravel, point-to-point. The graded-gravel segment near the springs is the only unpaved section and is suitable for any passenger vehicle in dry conditions. Total drive time is one to two hours including stops.

Where to Camp

Multiple developed USFS campgrounds in American Fork Canyon (Little Mill, Granite Flat, Mt. Timpanogos). Wasatch Mountain State Park near Midway has additional developed camping. Dispersed camping is restricted in much of the corridor; check with the Pleasant Grove Ranger District before relying on it.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • The gravel segment closes in winter. Confirm road status with the Pleasant Grove Ranger District (801-785-3563).
  • Cascade Springs itself has a small parking area and boardwalk; allow time for the walk.
  • Combine with the Alpine Loop for a longer scenic drive.
  • Watch for moose in the Heber Valley side of the route.
  • The route is popular with motorcycles; share the road on tight curves.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Cascade Springs Scenic Backway?
Cascade Springs Scenic Backway is rated easy. The route runs 25 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Cascade Springs Scenic Backway?
Mostly paved with a graded-gravel segment near the springs. Any passenger vehicle handles it in summer.
When is the best time to visit Cascade Springs Scenic Backway?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Is there cell service at Cascade Springs Scenic Backway?
Spotty in the upper canyon.