10/29/2026
Utah Hidden Gem this week: Grotto Falls, tucked inside Payson Canyon on the Nebo Scenic Loop.
From Nephi, you are looking at about 35 to 40 miles north and roughly 45 to 60 minutes depending on your route and where road conditions stand. It is a short enough drive that you could pair it with a night at Payson Lakes Campground and make a real trip out of it.
The hike itself is about 0.6 miles round trip, mostly level, through forest to a small waterfall set in a natural alcove. Stream crossings, tall trees, and a finish that is worth every step. Little kids can handle it. That is not a guarantee most Utah hikes can make.
A couple of things worth knowing before you go. The canyon road is narrow and winding, so plan to park the trailer at your campsite and drive the tow vehicle to the trailhead. Trailhead parking is limited and you do not want to find that out after pulling a 30-foot rig up there. Also, conditions on the Nebo Loop change fast in October. Check current road status with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest before you head up, and verify any active fire or access restrictions directly with the forest service. We do not want you driving an hour to find the road closed.
If you want to make a weekend of it, we have travel trailers available and can help you figure out what works. Give us a call at 435.681.3026 or browse at lonepinerents.com.