- Utah County will begin a $7M project at Bridal Veil Falls after Labor Day weekend.
- Initial closures include lower parking lot and bridges; impacts expected through July 2026.
- Completion of the two-phase project is expected by 2027 and includes new amenities and enhanced safety measures.
PROVO — Construction on a $7 million project to revamp the land around an iconic waterfall in Provo Canyon will begin next week, and Utah County leaders say visitors should prepare for some impacts over the next two years as it's carried out.
The area's lower parking lot will be closed, along with bridges to the falls trail, beginning on Tuesday. Visitors planning to explore the area are encouraged to park at the upper parking lot or at Nunn's Park, but county leaders say parking may still be limited at the upper parking lot and Nunn's Trailhead at times.
The closures are expected to remain in place through July 2026. That's when a second phase of the project is set to begin, which involves closing the trail at the base of the falls for a complete reconstruction that could last over a year.
Bike traffic along the Provo River Parkway Trail will be rerouted across the river once the second phase begins, while access to the lower falls and trail will be limited. The county estimates the project will be completed by late summer or early fall in 2027, according to Utah County government spokesman Richard Piatt.
Once complete, the area will have a new grass park, pavilion and picnic area on the other side of the Provo River from the waterfall, as well as grass play areas and recreational amenities. Infrastructure improvements are also planned, while the bike and pedestrian paths will be separated for better safety in the popular area.
Upgrades to the hiking trail at the base of the falls are also planned, while parking is expanded and enhancements are made to the riverbank.
"These improvements will elevate the visitor experience through upgraded amenities and infrastructure, all while maintaining the scenic charm that makes Bridal Veil Falls a beloved destination," said Utah County Commission Chairman Brandon Gordon, in a statement.
County leaders had previously called for enhancements due to the falls' popularity, which made the area "very busy," leading to more conflicts between Provo River Parkway bikers and the many people who view the falls from its base.
Construction will begin as congressional leaders continue to seek to acquire 39 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in the area through a conveyance with the federal agency, following the Forest Service's rejection of a bridge proposal last year. Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Utah, is leading that effort after Utah County had proposed a land swap to acquire 63 acres of federal land in the area in exchange for 78 acres of county land in rugged terrain near Vivian Park upstream.
The conveyance is still going through the congressional process in Washington, which is why the project is being split into two phases, Piatt explained. The county received a conditional use permit to do work on the hiking path, which is why the county is currently working on that project; the bulk of Phase 2 work will be contingent upon receiving the conveyance.
