Buffalo Peak Hike & the Kyhv (Squaw) Peak Road Overlooks

Things to Do September 30, 2026 8 min read ✓ Updated September 30, 2026

Abigail Giordano Senior Writer, Provo.com How we make Provo.com

Look east from Provo and the next summit north of Kyhv Peak, the old Squaw Peak, is Buffalo Peak. It is the rare summit above the city that most families can stand on with almost no hiking at all: the road that climbs behind the mountains comes within about half a mile of the top. Pair it with the overlooks on the way up and it is one of the best evenings out close to Provo.

This guide covers the drive in order, the walk to the top, the longer version for people who want a real hike, and when the road is open. The rename and the road's rules are covered in more depth in our Kyhv Peak guide.

Quick facts


The walk	About a mile round trip from the road, with roughly 250 to 300 feet of climbing, per route guides and trail apps
The longer hike	From the Kyhv Peak Overlook: a little over 4 miles round trip and about 1,400 feet, per trail apps
The road	Kyhv Peak Road, formerly Squaw Peak Road, off US-189 about two miles up Provo Canyon
Surface	Paved switchbacks, then dirt and gravel past Hope Campground
Season	The road closes for snow, typically about November 1 to May 1
Land	Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

The drive, in order

The turnoff. Kyhv Peak Road leaves US-189 on the right about two miles up Provo Canyon. Signs and some apps still say Squaw Peak; it is the same road.

The paved switchbacks. The lower road climbs in tight bends with pullouts along the way. The views start early, which is why plenty of people never go farther than this, especially at sunset.

The fork. Partway up, the road splits. The right branch climbs to the Kyhv Peak Overlook, the paved viewpoint with a railing and parking that is the valley's standard panoramic photo. The left branch is the way to Buffalo Peak. Directions to the two places sound nearly identical for exactly this reason, and they land in different spots.

Past Hope Campground. On the left branch the road passes Hope Campground, and the pavement ends soon after. From here it is dirt and gravel. In dry weather most people drive it slowly in an ordinary car; a high-clearance vehicle is more comfortable on the rough stretches, and nobody should try it in mud.

The saddle and the trailhead. The road climbs to its high point and crosses a saddle. Route guides put the Buffalo Peak trail on the right here, roughly 7.7 miles from the highway, with parking beside the road.

Farther on. A short way past the trailhead the dirt road reaches the Rock Canyon Overlook, which looks down into the canyon rather than across the valley, and beyond that Rock Canyon Campground, the starting point for the shorter approach to Kyhv Peak.

The walk to the top

The trail leaves the road through a gap in the fence and climbs a wide path that soon levels out, with views opening in several directions. A few side paths branch off; stay on the one heading for the obvious high point ahead. The last pitch to the summit is short and steep, and loose in places, so take it slowly with small children.

From the top the view runs across Utah Valley and Utah Lake, with the Wasatch stacked to the north. On a clear day the view south reaches Mount Nebo above the far end of the valley; a Forest Service photographer caught exactly that view from the top of this road in July 2019.

Most people are up and back in well under an hour, which leaves time for the overlooks on the way down.

Making a real hike of it

If the short walk feels like cheating, start at the Kyhv Peak Overlook instead. A trail runs from the overlook to Buffalo Peak, and trail apps put the out-and-back at a little over four miles with about 1,400 feet of climbing. It is a good conditioning hike early in the season and a quiet one on weekday evenings.

For the full climb, the route to Kyhv Peak itself starts down in Rock Canyon and gains around 3,000 feet; our Kyhv Peak guide and our Rock Canyon guide cover it.

When to go

May through October, roughly. The road closes for snow, typically from around November 1 through about May 1, and both dates move with the weather. Do not drive up assuming it is open in the shoulder months; check with the Forest Service.

Fall color comes early here. These slopes are among the first in the county to turn, which makes late September and early October the busiest weeks of the year on the road. Go on a weekday if you can. Our fall guide covers timing across the valley.

Sunset and after. The overlooks are busiest at sunset, for good reason. Stay a little longer and the height and the ridge between you and the city make this one of the closest usable stargazing spots to Provo; our stargazing guide compares it with darker sites farther out.

Practical notes

There are no services at the Buffalo Peak trailhead; bring water, especially for kids.
Park fully off the road, and never block a Forest Service gate.
Much of the surrounding national forest allows dispersed camping, and the road is a well-known corridor for it; our camping guide covers the rules.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, and an exposed summit is the wrong place to be in one.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Buffalo Peak hike?

From the trailhead on the road, about a mile round trip with roughly 250 to 300 feet of climbing; route guides and trail apps agree on those figures within a few hundred feet of distance. Most people are up and back in under an hour. The last stretch to the top is short but steep.

How do you get to the Buffalo Peak trailhead?

Turn off US-189 onto Kyhv Peak Road about two miles up Provo Canyon. Where the road forks, the right branch climbs to the Kyhv Peak Overlook; take the left branch past Hope Campground, where the pavement ends. Route guides place the trailhead near the road's high point, a saddle roughly 7.7 miles from the highway, on the right side of the road.

Is Squaw Peak Road the same as Kyhv Peak Road?

Yes. The peak was renamed Kyhv Peak by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names in September 2022, and the road and overlook took the new name with it. Some maps and navigation apps still use the old one, which is why both names turn up in directions to the same place.

Can a regular car make it to Buffalo Peak?

In dry conditions most people drive it slowly in an ordinary car, but the road beyond the pavement is dirt and gravel with rough sections, and a high-clearance vehicle is more comfortable. Do not try it wet or muddy, and check conditions after storms.

When is Kyhv Peak Road open?

The road closes for snow, typically from around November 1 through roughly May 1, and both ends of that window move with the weather. The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is the authority on its current status.

Is Buffalo Peak a good hike for kids?

It is one of the easiest real summits near Provo for families, because the walk is short and the reward is a true top with a valley view. Hold small children's hands on the final steep pitch, and remember the drive up is a large part of the outing.

Can you hike to Buffalo Peak from the Kyhv Peak Overlook?

Yes. A trail runs from the overlook to Buffalo Peak, turning the short walk into a real hike: trail apps put the out-and-back at a little over four miles with about 1,400 feet of climbing.

Which overlook on Kyhv Peak Road has the best view?

The paved Kyhv Peak Overlook is the classic panorama of Provo and Utah Lake, with a railing and parking. Buffalo Peak's summit adds height and a wider sweep for a short walk, and the Rock Canyon Overlook, a little farther along the dirt road, looks down into the canyon itself. On clear days the view south reaches Mount Nebo.

Abigail Giordano

Senior Writer

Abigail Giordano is a senior writer at Provo.com covering student life, family resources, and community events across Utah Valley. Her writing focuses on making Provo more accessible and navigable for newcomers, students, and families — the practical guides that help people feel at home faster.

Buffalo Peak and the Kyhv Peak Road Overlooks: The Easiest Summit Above Provo