The first two miles follow an old jeep road up the canyon and difficulty is easy. The upper two miles are a narrow trail that can be hard to follow at times; difficulty on this portion is moderate.
Center Canyon is located approximately eight miles southeast of Heber City on US Hwy 40, and is well-labeled with pull-through parking.
DIRECTIONS: From Heber, go south on Highway 40 (10.6 miles from where US-189 meets US-40), a sign on the north side of the road reads "Center Canyon". Pull onto this dirt road and park where available. Head south along the double track and through a gate to start the hike.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy to moderate
LENGTH: Trailforks says this trail is 2.2 miles (one-way), but we have heard you can go much further and connect with other trails
AVERAGE HIKE TIME: Give yourselves at least an hour to explore this beautiful canyon
TRAIL USERS: Hikers, bikers, horses, and dogs (and we were told ranchers lease this land every other year, so keep an eye out for cows!)
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO HIKE: Open all year but access to the parking lot is limited in winter because they do not keep it plowed. We love this hike in the spring/summer/fall
TRAIL CONDITIONS: You must rock hop over Daniel's Creek a few times, otherwise it is mostly smooth double and single track
SUN EXPOSURE: This trail is mostly exposed so hike early or late on hot days
WATER: No drinking fountains, but plenty of water for your dog if the creek is running
RESTROOMS: None at the trailhead, closest restroom is at the Whisky Springs picnic area (which is a super fun pavilion/firepit area with a short paved trail, we highly recommend it)
WATCH FOR: Bees! A beekeeper had about 60 hives alongside the trail about 1/2 mile in. We love bees and feel if we let them do their job they will let us pass by in peace. But we know some hikers are nervous of bees and thus should avoid this trail.
H: 47°
