Rock Canyon's Hidden Treasure: A Guide to Finding the Real Cave

Rock Canyon Cave, Provo Utah

At first glance, Rock Canyon in Provo might not seem like the most inviting place. Its cliffs are jagged, and it lacks the lush rivers of other canyons. But it reminds me of certain people in life—those who might not give the greatest first impression, but become a huge blessing if you give them a chance. Rock Canyon is a treasure for those who choose to explore it, a place that pushes you to become stronger through its many adventures. This is my guide to its greatest treasure: the real Rock Canyon Cave.

The Golden Nugget 🌟

Don't Miss This: The REAL cave! There are two other spots people mistake for the cave—an overhang and a dangerous drop. The real one is a safe, walkable cave located about 2 miles up the trail, with the entrance visible from the trail between the 3rd and 4th bridges.

STEP INSIDE THE CANYON & CAVE

This immersive 360° video takes you right inside the cool, dark passages of Rock Canyon Cave. But first, join me for a walk down the canyon trail to experience the scale of its massive, jagged cliffs. This is a true local's adventure you won't want to miss!

"This canyon is a treasure for those who chose to give it a chance... I hope you can see the similarity in how giving people who don’t draw you in with their first impression might be a huge blessing in your life."

Adventure at a Glance

🏞️ Location: Rock Canyon, Provo, Utah
🚶‍♀️ Activity: Hiking, Caving, Rock Climbing
⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)
☀️ Best For: A great family hike, accessible caving, watching rock climbers.
⏳ Recommended Time: 2-3 hours for the round trip hike to the cave.
🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: The main cave, the mountain spring water fountain, the views of Squaw Peak.

My Rock Canyon Story

The hike up Rock Canyon is a steady, easy climb, crossing over 5 different bridges as you go. The most important thing is to constantly look up! The beauty here is in the amazing rock formations and watching the brave climbers work their way up the cliffs. About halfway up the trail, keep an eye out for a cute drinking fountain with refreshing, cool mountain spring water. The main cave is the star of the show. It's not a claustrophobic crawl; you can walk through while scrunched down, and it goes back a good distance. It's the perfect beginner's cave and a fantastic "Green Time" activity for the whole family.

Rock Canyon Cave Provo, Utah

A Sobering Reminder: Safety on Squaw Peak

The trail to Squaw Peak also begins in Rock Canyon. It's a much harder, more dangerous trail. Tragically, on one of the days I was hiking here, a man fell from the peak and died. Life is so fragile. If you choose to hike Squaw Peak, please go prepared, know your limits (remember, down is harder than up), and be incredibly careful.

Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints

♦️ Finding the Cave: The trail to the real cave is found just past the 3rd bridge on the main path. Look for paths heading across the stream between the 3rd and 4th bridges.
♦️ Bring a GREAT Headlamp: A regular flashlight or phone light is not enough. A powerful, hands-free headlamp is essential for safety and to truly appreciate the formations inside. Don't forget backup lights!
♦️ Stay Safe in the Cave: Do not try to go into any areas that are clearly blocked off. These are for your safety.
♦️ Look for the Fountain: The mountain spring water fountain is a fun and refreshing stop along the trail.

Love Caves? More Utah Adventures!

If exploring Rock Canyon Cave sparked your interest, here are a few other great Utah caves to check out!

Maple Canyon Cave: A cool cave/overhang with a ladder to climb up.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument: A strenuous hike leads to a stunningly beautiful, protected cave system.

A Sobering Reminder: Safety on Squaw Peak

The trail to Squaw Peak also begins in Rock Canyon. It's a much harder, more dangerous trail. Tragically, on one of the days I was hiking here, a 42-year-old man, Michael Sean O'Donnal, fell from the peak and died while helicopters were searching for him. Life is so fragile. If you choose to hike Squaw Peak, please go prepared, know your limits (remember, down is harder than up), and be incredibly careful.

Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints

♦️ Finding the Cave: The trail to the real cave is found just past the 3rd bridge on the main path.
♦️ Bring a GREAT Headlamp: A regular flashlight or phone light is not enough for the cave. A powerful, hands-free headlamp is essential for safety and to truly appreciate the formations inside. Don't forget backup lights!
♦️ Stay Safe in the Cave: Do not try to go into any areas that are clearly blocked off. These are for your safety.
♦️ Look for the Fountain: The mountain spring water fountain is a fun and refreshing stop along the trail.
Between the third and the fourth bridge you want to watch for the cave, and the trail back to the cave is after the fourth bridge

3rd Bridge - After this watch for trails to get to the Cave. There are trails around the 3rd bridge, and trails around the fourth bridge, or if the water is low, you can just cross the stream.

The river around the Cave. The first part of the Rock Canyon Trail, the water is all piped in. It is refreshing when you get up higher and get to enjoy this cute stream during your hike.