Discoveries in Salt Lake range from botanical gardens and farm history to river corridors, city parks, and seasonal mountain trails. You can tailor your focus to culture and scenery, with guided tours, animal encounters, or hiking and biking options.
Gardens, Animals, and Farm History
Red Butte Garden combines landscaped garden areas with hiking trails: the gardens span more than 21 acres, and the trails extend for five miles. Together with the University of Utah, the garden forms the State Arboretum of Utah. Guided tours take visitors through the themed gardens and Natural Area; reservations may be required.
The 75-acre Wheeler Historic Farm combines a working farm with a public park. Offerings include wagon rides, seasonal events, farmers markets, trails, and a playground. Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation operates the site as an agricultural museum and a place for outdoor recreation. The collection includes nearly 6,000 artifacts and educational objects related to Utah's agricultural history and early rural life from 1887 to 1940.
Tracy Aviary is located in Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. Its eight acres feature themed exhibits and botanical gardens; the experience also includes more than 300 birds, interactive bird shows, keeper presentations, and encounters with free-roaming animals. At Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, Penguin Encounters and Stingray Encounters offer up-close animal experiences. Advance reservations are recommended. The Penguin Encounter also includes a behind-the-scenes meeting with penguins and hand-feeding smelt; restrictions and scheduling requirements apply.
River Corridors, Parks, and Trails
Jordan River Regional Park encompasses about seven miles of river and open space. Parley's Trail offers another way to connect trails and city parks: it links the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in the east with the Jordan River Parkway in the west, passing through residential neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, Millcreek, South Salt Lake, and West Valley.
Sugar House Park spans 110 acres and has a large pond and hilly areas for sledding. It also provides access to Parley's Trail. A 1.38-mile road with a 16-foot-wide inner lane for pedestrians is also part of the park. In Salt Lake City's City Creek Canyon, a paved road and a parallel singletrack trail run side by side—a practical difference to consider when choosing a trail surface.
Dimple Dell Regional Park is a 630-acre natural area stretching from east to west between the residential areas of Sandy. The Wrangler Trailhead at 1300 East provides access to the park and has parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain. Since amenities may change operationally, check before your visit.
The Rose and Yellow Fork Canyon recreation area near Herriman offers opportunities for hiking, running, mountain biking, horseback riding, and birdwatching. Mountain biking is permitted only in designated areas; check the current trail map before riding. Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park has more than 13 miles of multi-use trails within the Southwest Canyon Trails Network.
Seasonal Mountain Scenery and the Great Salt Lake
Summer mountain activities are seasonal: Brighton Resort's hiking trails lead to alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and expansive ridgelines. In summer, Solitude offers the Lake Solitude Trail for hiking; trail conditions vary by season. Summer activities in the Cottonwood Canyons include climbing, bouldering, wildflower hikes, trail running, mountain biking, and lake excursions. Solitude Bike Park in Big Cottonwood Canyon is also open in summer.
Dogs and pets are not allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon; check for any current exceptions before visiting. Solitude Mountain Resort is located in the Salt Lake City Protected Watershed. These restrictions are important to keep in mind when planning activities in this area.
The Great Salt Lake is another nearby natural area. It is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi and a remnant of prehistoric Lake Bonneville. The lake and its islands offer opportunities for sailing, kayaking, floating, birdwatching, hiking, and biking.
Culture and Local Gardening
Historic Temple Square is in the center of Salt Lake City. Places to visit on and near the square include the Conference Center, the FamilySearch Library, The Tabernacle, and the Church History Museum. Access to individual sites may vary during renovations. At Heritage Village in This Is the Place Heritage Park, you can see demonstrations of historic leatherworking, woodworking, blacksmithing, and spinning.
Wasatch Community Gardens offers paid campus tours of urban organic gardening by request, with tips on growing, harvesting, and eating healthy organic foods. Free Wednesday Walk-Throughs in the community gardens are also held during the growing season; dates may vary. The Spring Plant Sale takes place every May and features more than 45,000 food-growing plants from the certified organic City Farm. Dates and availability may vary.
Explore more destinations: Midvale, Sandy, South Jordan, Murray, Salt Lake City, West Jordan, Draper, Holladay, Taylorsville, Alta, Cottonwood Heights, Riverton.
For the broader travel overview: Utah.
