Tucked away in the lush folds of Wasatch Mountain State Park, Cascade Springs is one of Heber Valley’s best-kept secrets—though the secret is definitely getting out! With crystal-clear water bubbling out of the mountainside, a series of picturesque boardwalks, and serene ponds surrounded by wildflowers and wildlife, this spot feels like something out of a fairytale. Whether you’re a local looking for a peaceful escape or a visitor exploring Utah’s scenic wonders, Cascade Springs is a must-see stop.
A Natural Wonderland
Cascade Springs is a natural artesian spring system that pours out an astonishing 7 million gallons of fresh water a day. The water bubbles up from underground and tumbles gently over limestone terraces, forming a series of waterfalls and pools teeming with aquatic life. It’s a haven for trout, birds, butterflies, and dragonflies—and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a moose or deer grazing nearby.
The water is so clear you can see all the way to the bottom of the pools, making it a favorite for nature photographers and curious kids alike.
Easy and Family-Friendly
One of the best things about Cascade Springs? It’s easy to get to and perfect for all ages. A network of paved and wooden boardwalk trails loops around the springs, so strollers and wheelchairs are welcome. You don’t have to be a seasoned hiker to enjoy this beautiful place—just bring your sense of wonder.
The walk is short and sweet (about a mile round trip) with plenty of places to stop, rest, and soak in the scenery. There are benches scattered along the trail and interpretive signs that explain the area’s geology, plants, and wildlife.
“Slow down, explore at your own pace, and reconnect with nature.”
How to Get There
Cascade Springs is located in Wasatch Mountain State Park, just a short drive from Midway. You can access it via the Cascade Springs Drive, which is a beautiful drive all on its own. Or you can loop your drive and access via the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway.
Come See for Yourself!
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful morning walk, a fun family outing, or a scenic stop on your Utah adventure, Cascade Springs delivers beauty, tranquility, and a refreshing taste of the wild. It’s a little slice of paradise just waiting to be discovered.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your water bottle, load up the family, and come see the magic of Cascade Springs for yourself. You’ll leave refreshed, inspired, and maybe even a little more in love with the natural beauty of Heber Valley.
The Heber Valley has caught the wave of a global sporting trend: disc golf is on the rise, with the region playing its part in this rapid expansion. For those unacquainted, this popular sport uses rules similar to golf; however, instead of hitting balls into designated holes, players throw small plastic discs (think mini-Frisbees) at a target.
Disc golf is usually played on a course with 9 or 18 targets, which are wire baskets, hung with chains designed to catch the discs. Players throw a disc from a tee pad in hopes of landing it into a basket for a score. Similar to par, the goal is to complete each ‘hole’ in the least amount of total throws.
Even more attractive, 90% of disc golf courses invite players to tee off without charge, with only a handful of private US venues charging an average daily fee of $5. This budget-friendly sport easily undercuts more traditional pastimes such as golf (with 16,000 courses across the US, the average round will set you back by more than $50), and tennis, boasting 14,684 facilities nationwide, many of which come with substantial private club membership fees.
Another rapidly growing game, pickleball, holds a slight edge with 10,724 facilities available to the public. However, private pickleball clubs do exist, often requiring members to pay monthly or annual dues.
Scott Belchak Designer of the Wunder Course
Bobby Course Builder and Maintainer at Wasatch Wunder
Wasatch over Wasatch
Disc golf’s appeal extends beyond its affordability. The sport is swiftly becoming a family-favorite, with growing numbers of parents and children enjoying the game together. Concurrently, there’s been an increase in both youth and adult competitions for men and women alike. Take professional player Page Pierce, for instance. Known for her skillful technique and accuracy, Pierce’s throws outmatch those of many men in the sport (Paige Pierce Is Taking Disc Golf To the Moon”, 2023 ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED).
Heber City Parks and Recreation installed a beginner-friendly 9-hole disc golf course in Southfield Park several years ago. In Midway, a multi-use park, which includes a dog park, boasts a 9-hole disc golf course offering longer holes than Southfield. It’s a picturesque spot featuring a stream, playgrounds, and youth ball fields.
It’s also no ‘wonder’ that one of Utah’s most exceptional disc golf and hiking experiences can be found right in our backyard at the Wasatch Wunder Disc Golf Course (DGC). The Wasatch Wunder DGC provides a challenging mix of wooded fairways, bridge-crossed streams, short technical holes, and several lengthy ones that put any disc golfer’s accuracy and driving skills to the test.
The course owes its existence and ongoing upkeep to a lively team of dedicated and hardworking volunteers. Scott Belchak, Jacob Beach, and Bobby Grieve are among the lead builders and maintainers of the Wasatch Wunder DGC, with Belchak also spearheading the organization and promotion of tournaments at the course. A seasoned designer and builder of several disc golf courses in Utah, Belchak’s expertise has been instrumental in bringing the Wunder DGC to life.
In addition to upcoming tournaments, WunderMent taking place in May and WunderFall in September, the Wasatch Mountain State Park, and Wunder DGC are also gearing up to host the Utah State Disc Golf Tournament in October 2023. This small-town event promises big-time excitement, so stay tuned for more details.
Perhaps the most breathtaking course “set amidst the stunning mountain terrain of Wasatch Mountain State Park,” and taking high-altitude disc golf to a whole new level is ElevateUT Disc Golf’s new course: The WoW. Situated west of The Wasatch Wunder on Guardsman Pass with 8,400 feet of elevation, the WoW boasts spectacular mountain meadows, aspen groves, winding rivers, and dramatic vistas.
This incredible 5,600-foot long, par 56 course was the catalyst for disc golf’s journey at Wasatch Mountain State Park. The Wasatch Wunder was created to utilize the nine existing baskets previously acquired by the State Park. With the success of the Wunder, it comes as no surprise that the first tournament held at the new course had the, pardon the pun, WoW factor.
Wasatch over Wasatch (WoW) hosted their first fundraising disc golf tournament July 29-30. It was a fun, action-packed two days of excitement and camaraderie!
Players of all ages, from kids to seasoned pros, showed off their skills and love for the sport. The competition was fierce, and there were some jaw-dropping moments on the course, including two aces!
The WoW tournament wasn’t just about competition; it was about giving back too. Thanks to the non-profit’s efforts, the generosity of MVP Disc Sports, and the tremendous support from participants, a whopping $9,902 was raised for the project, and for ElevateUT Disc Golf’s mission to increase disc golf courses in the area.
If you want to explore a little further out from Heber City and Midway, Trailside Park in Silver Springs / Park City boasts a nine-hole disc golf course that is a fun, hilly experience. In Provo, my favorite is the Utah State Hospital’s 18-hole DGC with manicured lawns, hills, trees, long fairways, and a bit of history in the form of a 1930s-era stone amphitheater and “castle” above the 17th and 18th holes!
The future looks lofty for disc golf in Heber Valley—be sure to grab a disc and join the fun!
Once again, it’s that time of year. The remnants of the black snow are melting leaving odds and ends of buried treasures, or bits of trash on the curbs. The birds chirp a little louder in the mornings. And blades of grass are popping up along the fairways. It’s Spring. It’s golf. It’s time.
“Golf…is the infallible test. The man who can go into a patch of rough alone, with the knowledge that only God is watching him, and play his ball where it lies, is the man who will serve you faithfully and well”. – P.G.Wodehouse
Perhaps you were lucky enough to spend the winter with John Paupore, the Director of Golf at Red Ledges. While Red Ledges is a private course, the winter indoor school he runs is open to everyone. The school offers both group and private instruction, and a variety of clinic programs. During the colder months you can stay warm and enjoy the scenery while you practice your shots inside; hitting balls through two garage doors that are open to the snow-covered course.
John, a golfer since his dad put a putter in his hands at the age of seven, is feeling the opening day magic start to build. While a day on the course in spring is particularly weather-dependent, John has a smile in his voice as he talks about the start of a new season as a “rebirth of everything.” February is when everyone starts to get ready for it all to begin again. He is ready.
There will be a concern about carts this Spring. As sanitation and safety have come to the top of everyone’s list, the four golf courses in the Heber Valley — Red Ledges, Soldier Hollow, Wasatch State Park Golf Course, and The Homestead — have all adopted special procedures to ensure golfers are comfortable.
Chris Stover, the golf pro at Wasatch Park, knows golfers are concerned about COVID. He emphasizes Wasatch is in compliance with all state guidelines. He believes “going down the rabbit hole” to revamp his business model during last year’s pandemic season has paid off for both patrons and staff. Masks are on when in the building but not mandatory on the course. Carts are washed and sanitized; tee times are spread out to allow golfers to be at safe distances while waiting to tee off.
Spring brings a new crop of golfers to the Heber Valley courses. While there are always familiar returning golfers, Chris Newson, pro at Soldier Hollow, thinks he will see more golfers this season as everyone has spent the winter cooped up. While the courses in Wasatch County regularly see destination-oriented golfers and those coming from Salt Lake City, Chris anticipates welcoming a new crop of golfers looking to escape the indoors. Work will be starting soon to get both the Gold and Silver courses at Soldier Hollow in shape. For those unfamiliar with the courses; Soldier Hollows Gold Course is a mountain course with significant elevation change throughout the course and within each hole. The Silver Course is a more open, parkland-style course with shorter and wider fairways, and an amazing view of Mount Timpanogos.
Not only is spring a time to work on your swing, but it is also a time to see old friends and do a little of everyone’s favorite winter sport “bench golfing”. Spring fever ramps up as the PGA Tour starts, and once the winter weather breaks it is full speed ahead.
Soldier Hollow is a public State-run facility and follows all guidelines and mandates issued by the State for a safe and fun environment. While 2020 was a year in flux, Chris is confident that his teams are well-prepared to meet the new season.
The start of the golfing season provides a wonderful opportunity to go shopping for: new shirts, new clubs, new shoes and of course a new golf hat. Mike Jurca, head golf pro at The Homestead, is looking forward to the pro shop, cart barn, and locker rooms, receiving a face-lift in the near future. New ownership in the last 15 months has committed to setting The Homestead apart from other public courses. Their goal is to create a high-end experience at a reasonable price for the public course golfer as well as provide a high-end resort experience for guests.
Even though the weather is hit and miss, Mike says the phone starts ringing towards the latter part of winter. Golfers are looking for opening dates or trying to secure that first tee time before the spring green has sprung.
How do those greens stay so beautiful? While many of us are still on the ski slopes, the golf courses are getting ready for a spring opening. The main ingredient is not the grass seed. It is the fertilizer and, of course, Mother Nature’s contribution — water. Lots of water. Should everything turn brown, they can always paint. Yes, paint. Many golf courses use paint to deliver better fairway playing conditions while avoiding overseeding and reducing their consumption of water, fertilizer, fuel, and other resources.
“As you walk down the fairway of life, you must stop and smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.” – Ben Hogan
You don’t have to go to the Masters in Augusta, GA to smell the roses or view one of the greatest landscaping gifts we’ve ever been given. Each year the majesty and natural landscape of Wasatch County becomes a mecca, drawing thousands of golfers from around the world — this is their place of choice.
Golf is a game of integrity. And bonding. Friendships made on the green have lasted for decades and lifelong golfing partners have been created on every course. Business deals are solidified. And special bonds between family members are formed.
It’s Spring. It’s golf. It’s time.
Time to reconnect and renew. Time to take a lesson. Time to get out on the fairways, take off that mask, and shout “I love this game!”
Traditional school sports may not resonate with all youth — for those who find passion in drawing a bow and arrow — they’re in luck. Wasatch County School District offers Archery through physical education classes and an Archery Club. Archery is a skill that requires focus and discipline, something competing students know a lot about. In the past eight years, archers from Wasatch High and Rocky Mountain Middle School have collectively won eleven (WHS 5, RMM 6) state championship titles. That’s pretty impressive!
The district’s archery program begins in the 4th grade. In keeping with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), students engage in after-school clubs where the sole focus is on archery and technique. Matthew Zierenberg, former long-time Archery instructor, said that despite the extra time away from home, Archery Club programs have made a profound difference in students’ confidence and help create social opportunities for them. These students come together several times every week to collectively refine their cleanest shots.
What sparks a student’s interest in shooting using a bow and arrow? You might be surprised to learn that for the majority it’s not hunting. Matthew has found that most of the youth in the program don’t come from hunting families and aren’t there to learn archery for bowhunting. Most of the students are there because they love the sport and it’s a lot of fun!
One dynamic unique to the district’s Archery Club is that students can become certified as peer instructors. Zierenberg said, to his knowledge, it has not been done anywhere else. With up to 300 students participating in archery each year, these student instructors have the opportunity to learn valuable leadership skills, as well as other character traits highlighted by Olympic Archers.
TARGET PRACTICE
Wasatch School District also offers Scholastic 3D Archery (S3DA) and Olympic Archery in the Schools (OAD). Each program focuses on a different style of archery.
NASP participants use one type of bow and one type of arrow, so the competition is based solely on technique shooting targets.
S3DA employs compound bows, with sights and equipment more tuned to the archer shooting foam animals (3 dimensional) as well as standard targets. Ethical bowhunting and wildlife conservation.
OAD has the young archer shooting from an Olympic recurve bow, the focus on archery and character development.
Peer instruction is a model of genuine sportsmanship also described by local competitive archer, Dustin Pyper (owner of Pyper Archery). At any level of archery competition, “If one competitor broke their bow, an opponent would lend his or her personal equipment to finish the tournament.” This is not a coerced or obligatory kindness. It is just how the archery community behaves and it plays into the daily actions of these young archers.
BOWHUNTERS ARE RECREATIONAL ARCHERY
Our iconic valley community is rooted in mountain life — connected to the virtuous people and natural world around us. Within that culture is a tradition of bowhunting. There was even a local archery shop, iBowhunt, that closed just a few years ago. Bowhunting is not competitive in the athletic sense; it is driven by a primordial desire to be part of the ecosystem. A bowhunter practices precision at the range. To keep up their skill many local bowhunters also shoot recreationally. For some this means taking practice shots on their property or that of a friend, but for most that’s not an option. For those wanting to practice on 3-dimensional foam animal targets set on a hiking trail, known as a 3D course, or participate in festivals or competitions, they would need to travel outside the valley. As of this writing, there is only one archery event that comes to Heber; the Timpanogos Archery Competition at the fairgrounds in mid-March. However, archers across the county are hoping that that is all about to change with the opening of an Archery range in Wasatch Mountain State Park.
THE PLACE TO SHOOT
Tracy See, Manager of Wasatch Mountain State Park, explained that a group of local archers came to her expressing their desires for a range. Tracy began to have a vision of what our state park could offer archers and went to work. Funding came from a series of state grants, with one of those derived through the Pittman-Roberston Act. With the generosity of a local contractor, Lance Epperson, the first phase of the range was completed in the spring of 2020.
There are currently six shooting lanes with adjustable distances and target bags. Archers can hang their bow before and after shots on racks between lanes. There are benches for friends, tables for equipment, and a specific target for shooting broadheads. Plans to expand with a 3D walking course will likely come to fruition this spring. In addition to standard targets, NASP certified targets are readily deployed so students can take advantage of the range according to NASP guidelines.
The range can be used by clubs and private instructors. If you look you might just find Dustin Pyper there offering tips to help you shoot better. He expressed that it is great to have a place to shoot. According to the Archery Trade Association, simply having a place to shoot increases the possibility of more interest in the sport. The association also reports steady growth in archery across the nation from all walks of life. Ranges and archery parks have been part of that growth. The growth transcends local businesses as well. Locally, there has been a strong demand for new bows from Pyper Archery, especially before and after archery hunting season, and around Christmas.
Pyper Archery in Heber opened for service and sales in August of 2020. Dustin Pyper is a seasoned archer, shooting on PSE Archery’s staff for the last 4 years and has been an avid archer for 24 years. He knows the ins-and-outs of bows. He spends a lot of time with his patrons helping them understand the dynamics of the bow and how that translates to shooting it.
With the new range come new opportunities for archery enthusiasts, bowhunters, students, and the community to come together and share their talents and ideas. Maybe, just maybe our community of archers will coalesce into an Archery Club or two — aside from the school clubs. Walking and shooting the 3D course will undoubtedly be a fun family hike. Parents might find themselves trying to keep up with their kids who are frequently practicing archery among their peers at school. Bowhunters and other archers will surely meet, while other individuals and groups may take up a bow for the first time. Who knows, maybe the Heber Valley will hold its own archery events.
One thing’s for sure — if we learn from the example of our local archery students — we’ll understand that shooting and competing together not only makes a difference in our skills but in the fellowship of our community.
GET THE GEAR
READY TO JOIN IN THE SPORT? Pyper Archery sells PSE bows, accessories, and service. Whether you are a bowhunter or a middle school archer, or just getting started, they can help: 435-640-1713.
SAVE THE DATE
May 8th, 2021 is National Archery Day. National Archery Day recognizes one of the oldest sports still in existence. Archery has been around since before 2800 BC when bows were being used for hunting and battle.
HOME ON THE RANGE
DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE A RANGE RIGHT HERE IN THE VALLEY? Wasatch Mountain State Park Archery range is located on the north side of Snake Creek Road, near the western reaches of the golf course. Info: 435-654-1791.
