A suspension bridge is a fine reason to keep walking uphill. On this short canyon route, the bridge arrives as a proper little destination: a crossing over a small watercourse, the sound of rushing water below, and a broad look across the southern Salt Lake Valley once you reach it.
The hike has enough switchbacks, rocks and changes in pitch to feel like a real outing, but it remains a manageable one for many families. Children have a clear goal in sight from the start—the bridge—and that can be more motivating than simply asking them to walk another mile through the canyon.
The route begins from the Orson Smith trailhead area, where a small climbing rock gives younger hikers something to investigate before the walk even begins. From there, signed directions point hikers uphill toward the Bridge Loop.
Choose the gradual side or take the climb
The loop offers two personalities. One side provides a more gradual approach, while the other is steeper and gives the outing a little more of a workout. Both lead to the bridge, so the choice can be made around the energy level of the group rather than fear of missing the main attraction.
Signs make the route straightforward to follow, and the trail is also used as an out-and-back by some hikers. For a first visit, the loop format adds a welcome bit of variety: you are not simply retracing every turn on the way back down.
The path is not flat or stroller-smooth. Rocky sections, narrower stretches and a few steeper slopes give it a light, honest hiking texture. A child who is comfortable walking on uneven ground may do well; for very young children, a carrier is more practical than a stroller or wagon.
A bridge worth stopping for
The bridge is the natural pause point. It spans the creek or watercourse below, where the rush of water adds a little drama to a crossing that already tends to hold children’s attention. It is a simple pleasure, but a good one: walk across, look down, walk back, then take a moment to see how far the canyon opens around you.
Near the bridge, the view widens beyond the immediate canyon walls toward the southern Salt Lake Valley. The combination of close-in rock and vegetation, moving water, and open valley country keeps the destination from being only a photo stop.
A side trail offers access to water below the main route. It is an appealing detour for hikers who want to linger around the sound of the creek rather than immediately turn their attention to the return walk.
Short enough for an afternoon
Expect an outing in the neighborhood of one to two hours, depending on the route chosen, the pace of the group and how long everybody spends at the bridge. A commonly cited estimate puts the walk at about 1.6 miles round trip, with the bridge roughly a mile from the trailhead, though a relaxed family outing can easily take longer.
That modest scale is useful for mixed-age groups. Preschoolers through teens can approach the trail differently, and older children may enjoy taking the steeper side of the loop while younger ones focus on the bridge, rocks and the small discoveries along the way.
Rock and wood-post resting spots appear along the trail, including a few with limited shade. They are handy places to take a breather during the uphill portions without turning the hike into a rush.
Open country, canyon shade in small doses
The scenery shifts between greener canyon stretches and exposed, open terrain. The latter brings the long valley views, but it also means the route can be bright and warm in direct sun. Shade is limited rather than dependable, so water, a hat and sunscreen belong in the daypack.
The openness also gives the trail some late-day appeal. The bridge and valley outlook can make a pleasant place to be near sunset, when the walk is less about covering ground and more about lingering over the landscape.
Keep an eye on the edges of the route instead of just the destination. Birds, lizards and even a gopher snake have been spotted here. Poison oak also grows in noticeable patches along parts of the trail, another good reason to keep to the path and discourage children from brushing through vegetation.
Dogs, picnics and trailhead basics
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail, and the posted reminders to clean up after them help keep this compact, family-friendly route pleasant for everyone. The bridge makes a fine canine turnaround point, though the rocky surface and sunny exposure are worth keeping in mind for paws as well as people.
Picnic tables near the Orson Smith parking area give the outing an easy before-or-after-hike option. The trailhead area also has water fountains and restrooms when those facilities are open, though restroom availability can vary.
Parking at or near the trailhead is free. Space can be easy to find at some times and harder to come by during busier visits, particularly when the bridge and trail are drawing a crowd. Once on the route, though, the signed climb, a bit of canyon texture and that dangling crossing provide a satisfying amount of destination for a relatively short walk.