Hiking Ferguson Canyon

Wasatch Front

Overview

( Rated 4.0 / 1 Ratings )

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RATING: Easy to Moderate Hike

LENGTH: 2-3 hours (3.6 miles)

MAPS: DRAPER, UT

Thu

80 | 53

Fri

77 | 54

Sat

71 | 51

Sun

75 | 50

Mon

81 | 54

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SEASON: Summer, Fall

GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

WATER: Bring all you need.

Thu

80 | 53

Fri

77 | 54

Sat

71 | 51

Sun

75 | 50

Mon

81 | 54

View Full Weather Details

hike

wildflowers

dog friendly

family friendly

access: paved

View from near the overlook of the Salt Lake Valley

Ferguson Canyon is one of the lesser visited canyons along the Wasatch Front. Make no mistake, it is popular, but not nearly as trafficked as many of the trails in Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, or Millcreek canyons. The canyon, just south of Big Cottonwood Canyon, is a steep granite-walled canyon with a small stream bubbling down from Twin Peaks and Storm Mountain high above. It is a lovely, shaded canyon to hike in and was one of my favorite places to rock climb back in the day.

Hiking from the trailhead about 0.7 miles reaches the climbing area where sheer granite cliffs line the canyon. If you are looking for a short outing, this is a lovely one. The first part of the hike is exposed to the sun, but once in Ferguson proper, it is quite shaded and lovely. More motivated hikers can continue up Ferguson Canyon on a steep trail about 2 miles one way to an outstanding overlook of Big Cottonwood Canyon and the Salt Lake Valley. The overlook is definitely my recommendation for a good 1/2-day outing. The trail continues higher up the drainage to about 9,000' in elevation for those looking for more distance.

Dog Note: This, unlike many other canyons along the Wasatch Front, allows leashed dogs. Please pick up after them and keep them under control at all times, so the area continues to be open to dogs.

Conditions Note: The hike requires crossing a creek three times. In summer and fall, this is generally straightforward; with a little athletic rock hopping, you can keep your feet dry. In early spring, flows can be high enough you will get your feet wet and potentially high enough to be difficult.

History: The canyon is named after Isaac Ferguson, an early pioneer who settled in the area. The canyon was also used briefly for gold mining when gold fever brought miners to nearby Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons as well, but never produced much.

Wildflower Note: This hikes lower elevations can make for excellent wild flowers in late spring and early summer.

Upper Ferguson

Getting There

Parking Note: The trailhead has limited parking, and no street parking is allowed in the neighborhood. On busy weekends, it can fill up early. If need be, there is usually parking available at Ferguson Park just down the road that you will pass on the way to the trailhead.

Ferguson Canyon is on the east side of the Salt Lake City Valley. Get there by taking I-215 to the east, taking exit 6 off the interstate, and heading east.

Follow 6200 South, which becomes Wasatch Blvd, for 1.8 miles to the stop light and signs for Big Cottonwood Canyon. Continue straight at this light, toward Little Cottonwood Canyon.

0.3 miles past the light and Big Cottonwood Canyon, turn left (east) onto Prospector Drive, the first road on the left after the light. It enters a neighborhood and immediately comes to a T. Go right.

There are signs for Ferguson Park from here. It is about 0.1 to where Ferguson Park is on the right. This is the overflow parking if needed. Continue on Prospector Drive about 0.2 miles more to Timberline Drive. Turn left onto Timberline Drive and follow it a few hundred feet to the Ferguson Canyon Trailhead and two small parking areas on the right.

Enjoying the cliffs in the climbing area.

Route

From the trailhead, follow the dirt road to the large water tank when the road becomes a trail. Follow the trail as it makes a switchback down the hillside and comes to a major junction about 1/3 of a mile from the trailhead. Left is part of the Bonneville Shoreline trail and heads to Big Cottonwood Canyon. Go right instead.

The trail heads up Ferguson Canyon, passing a Wilderness Boundary sign in a few minutes. The canyon narrows as steep granite cliffs begin to line the canyon. This is a stunning area!

The trail stays on the right side of the creek through this section, with some smaller side trails going to climbing areas. Stay on the main trail; it reaches its first crossing at the base of a tall cascade. From this first crossing, there will be 2 more. These, except in very high water, are generally passable with dry feet and strategic steps on rocks.

The route steepens as it climbs the drainage. About 1.25 miles from the trailhead, the trail makes a left and begins climbing up and away from the stream. The trail makes a few switchbacks before reaching a final junction about 1.7 miles from the trailhead. Go left here as the trail levels out and traverses around to the overlook of Big Cottonwood Canyon, then ends. If you go right at the final junction, the right-hand trail continues up Ferguson Canyon another 2 or so miles to about 9,000' in elevation to where the trail ends in the meadow below Storm Mountain.

Return the same way.

Photos

One of the stream crossings at moderate flow.

Getting started on the trail past the water tank.

Maps

Route / 3.58 miles / Elevation Range 5,245 - 6,707 ft.

Printable Maps:

Trailhead	12T 433322mE 4495797mN N40° 36' 37" W111° 47' 17"
Jct - Go Right	12T 433632mE 4496165mN N40° 36' 49" W111° 47' 04"
Jct - Left	12T 434799mE 4495862mN N40° 36' 40" W111° 46' 15"
Overlook	12T 434751mE 4496038mN N40° 36' 45" W111° 46' 17"

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Ferguson Canyon | Wasatch Front