MOUNTAIN DANGER: Massive Boulders Bury Utah Hiking Trail After Heavy Rain Triggers Landslide Near Bridal Veil Falls

 

A dramatic rockfall near Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon, Utah, sent massive boulders crashing onto a popular paved hiking trail on October 23, 2026, burying sections of the path beneath tons of rock and debris. Video footage captured the moment large boulders tumbled down the slope and struck the Provo River Trail, sending a thick cloud of dust through the surrounding autumn forest. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m., following heavy rainfall the previous night that officials identified as the trigger for the slide. The falling rocks damaged trees and infrastructure while leaving part of the heavily visited recreational route covered in debris. Despite the scale of the collapse and the danger posed by the falling boulders, no injuries were reported.

Utah County officials responded by closing the affected trail and park area, extending approximately a quarter mile east of the parking lot, as a precaution against further rockfalls. The incident also prompted an earlier-than-planned winter closure, restricting access to an area popular with hikers and visitors drawn to the scenic waterfall and canyon landscape. Cleanup operations have been deferred until spring, meaning substantial sections of the trail may remain inaccessible for an extended period. The heavy rainfall highlights how saturated ground and unstable slopes can contribute to sudden rockfalls, particularly in steep canyon environments. Officialsโ€™ closure of the area underscores the continuing risk to visitors, even after the initial collapse has ended.