Lower Bells Canyon Falls is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the corner of Wasatch Blvd and Little Cottonwood Canyon Road. There are also ways to get there by hiking up through the neighborhoods south of the main trailhead, but you have to park on Wasatch Blvd. The main trailhead has a sign and restrooms. On a weekend, get there early, parking spaces fill up fast.
The first ½ mile makes a few switch backs to get over the ridge between Little Cottonwood Canyon and Bells Canyon. This area is surrounded by scrub oak and can get hot and exposed on a summer day. But it offers some spectacular views of the Salt Lake Valley. At the top of this section of the trail it opens up to a hollow containing Lower Bells Canyon Reservoir. No Dogs or Horses are permitted past this point because of the watershed. You can fish in the reservoir, but only with artificial bait.