Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Managed by United States Forest Service
12,489 acres58.5 mi of trail
Grandview Peak TrailMeadows TrailBlack Mountain TrailCity Creek Trail+1
No dogs
Directionsto the trailhead
Photo: Invictus323 · CC BY 4.0A−Outdoors
Outdoors in Salt Lake City
10% of Salt Lake City’s land is conserved, and 98% of residents live within a half mile of a park
158 miles of mapped trail cross Salt Lake City, 1.4 per square mile of land. 10% of Salt Lake City’s land is conserved, about 7,067 acres. The biggest trail networks: Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (58.5 mi), Salt Lake City Regional Athletic Complex (2.8 mi), This is the Place Heritage Park (2.1 mi).
Ahead of 84% of U.S. towns · #23 of 119 in Utah. What drives it
Conserved land
10%
7,067 acres · of 110.9 sq mi of land
Trails
158 mi
1.4 per sq mi of land
Park land
1,717 ac
8.3 acres per 1,000 residents
Near a park
98%
of residents within ½ mile
Bike routes
263 mi
162 mi lanes · 66 mi paths
Highest peak
9,403 ft
Grandview Peak
Lakes & rivers
22
3 boat launches
What kind of outdoors town is Salt Lake City?
Read from the map. The page puts what stands out first.
Outdoors grade
How much outdoors does Salt Lake City have?
On conserved land, trails, park land and how close residents live to a park, Salt Lake City is ahead of 84% of U.S. towns, #23 of 119 in Utah. Trail miles hold the grade up; park acres per resident pull it down.
A−
OutdoorsA character grade: shown, never part of Salt Lake City’s overall grade.
Conserved land10% of the land · typical UT town 3% · U.S. 4%A−Trails1.4 miles of mapped trail per square mile of land (158 mi) · UT 1.1 · U.S. 0.4APark land8.3 acres of park per 1,000 residents (1,717 acres) · UT 7 · U.S. 13C+Parks close to home98% of residents within a half mile of a park · UT 91% · U.S. 72%A−
All U.S. towns we grade (21,298)Ahead of 84%
LessMore
Utah towns of 2,500+ (119)Ahead of 81%
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Salt Lake City ranks #136 on Outdoors.
How sure. Graded on any three of the four inputs instead, the letter would range from A− to A. Trails and many small parks come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by volunteers, so coverage varies from town to town; the half mile is a straight line from each census block, so a river or highway in the way isn’t counted against it.
PAD-US, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors), Census 2025 Gazetteer and 2020 blocks; details in Sources below. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →
The map
Conserved land, trails & bike routes
Tap a number to zoom to a park. Tap a layer to hide it.
Easements protect land from building but are usually private.© OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Places to walk
Pick a walk
The longest trail network is Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, with 58.5 miles. Directions go to the nearest trailhead or public parking.
Salt Lake City Regional Athletic Complex
Park
98 acres2.8 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trailhead
This is the Place Heritage Park
Managed by This Is The Place Foundation
128 acres2.1 mi of trail
Dogs on leash
Directionsto the trailhead
Liberty Park
Managed by Salt Lake City
97 acres1.4 mi of trail
Dogs on leash
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
Temple Square
Managed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
13 acres0.9 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Riverside Park
Park
28 acres0.6 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
All 88 parks & preserves
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest12,489 acres · 58.5 mi of trail · United States Forest Service
DirectionsSalt Lake City Regional Athletic Complex98 acres · 2.8 mi of trail
DirectionsThis is the Place Heritage Park128 acres · 2.1 mi of trail · This Is The Place Foundation
DirectionsLiberty Park97 acres · 1.4 mi of trail · Salt Lake City
DirectionsTemple Square13 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
DirectionsJordan Park33 acres · 0.7 mi of trail
DirectionsRiverside Park28 acres · 0.6 mi of trail
DirectionsSunnyside Park30 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsInternational Peace Gardens10 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsNorth Gateway Park6 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsGlendale Park14 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsWasatch Hollow Park6 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsEnsign Downs Park6 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsLee Charles Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park5 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Salt Lake City
DirectionsTanner Park10 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation
DirectionsFife Wetland Preserve7 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsHidden Hollow6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsWasatch Hollow Nature Area4 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
Sugar House Park115 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsCottonwood Park20 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsLindsey Gardens Park16 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
Directions17th South River Park11 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
Directions9th South River Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsPoplar Grove Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsBonneville Glen3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · LDS Salt Lake Bonneville Stake
DirectionsMeadows Park2 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsRosewood Park27 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsFairmont Park25 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsConstitution Park19 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Salt Lake County
DirectionsPioneer Park13 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsHerman L Franks Park10 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsRotary Glen Park7 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsSorenson Multicultural and Unity Fitness Center7 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsJefferson Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsThree Creeks Confluence2 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsImperial Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Gilgal Sculpture Garden1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsMiami Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Salt Lake City
Faultline Gardens Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsEnsign Peak Memorial Garden1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsWestpointe Park23 acres
DirectionsDonner Trail Park14 acres
Directions11th Avenue Park13 acres
DirectionsSherwood Park12 acres
DirectionsWashington Square10 acres
DirectionsWarm Springs Park10 acres · Salt Lake City Parks
DirectionsLibrary Square10 acres
DirectionsModesto Park8 acres
DirectionsAllen Park7 acres · Salt Lake City
DirectionsPopperton Park7 acres
DirectionsReservoir Park7 acres
DirectionsDilworth Park5 acres
DirectionsPresidents Circle5 acres
DirectionsGallivan Center4 acres
DirectionsBend in the River4 acres
DirectionsMemory Grove Park4 acres · Salt Lake City
DirectionsStratford Park4 acres
DirectionsParley's Way Park3 acres
DirectionsRedwood Meadows Park3 acres
Brigham Young Historic Park2 acres
DirectionsCity Creek Park2 acres
DirectionsWasatch Elementary School Playground2 acres
DirectionsRichmond Park2 acres
DirectionsMadsen Park2 acres
DirectionsChapel Glen2 acres
DirectionsHillcrest Park2 acres
DirectionsBackman Community Open Space1 acres · Salt Lake City
DirectionsLaird Park1 acres
Blaine Natural Area1 acres
DirectionsKimball-Whitney Cemetery Park1 acres
DirectionsKay Rees Park1 acres · Salt Lake City
Jackson Park1 acres · Salt Lake City
Olympic Legacy Plaza1 acres
DirectionsSteenblik Park1 acres · Salt Lake City Parks
Swede Town Park1 acres
Davis Park1 acres
Taufer Park1 acres
DirectionsGuadalupe Park1 acres
DirectionsNavajo Circle1 acres
DirectionsThe Episcopal Church Center of Utah1 acres · Episcopal Diocsese of Utah
DirectionsFifth Ave Park1 acres
DirectionsKilowatt Commons Park1 acres
DirectionsPeoples Freeway Park1 acres
DirectionsMeadUp1 acres
Directions6th East Park1 acres
DirectionsPugsley Ouray Park1 acres
DirectionsKletting Park1 acres
DirectionsShipp Park1 acres
Who protects it
7,067 conserved acres
10% of Salt Lake City’s land. Who manages Salt Lake City’s conserved land, from the USGS Protected Areas Database. Approximate, because parcels can overlap.
U.S. Forest Service4,316 ac
State fish & wildlife1,287 ac
Town or city747 ac
State parks385 ac
County223 ac
Other state land125 ac
Regional agency107 ac
National Forest · 4,316 acState Conservation Area · 1,287 acLocal Park · 835 acState Park · 501 acUnknown Easement · 106 ac
Good to know
Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors. 116 acres are conservation easements, usually private land. Public access isn’t recorded for 1 of 106 parcels. The walks above are places people visit.
The biggest protected parcels
| Parcel (PAD-US) | Managed by | Acres | Public access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasatch National Forest National Forest | U.S. Forest Service | 4,316 | Open |
| Lee Kay State Wildlife Center State Conservation Area | State fish & wildlife | 1,137 | Restricted |
| Pioneer Trail State Park State Park | State parks | 197 | Open |
| Jordan River OHV/ Modelport State Park State Park | State parks | 166 | Open |
| Utah State Department of Wildlife Resources 519 State Conservation Area | State fish & wildlife | 144 | Restricted |
| Regional Athletic Complex Local Park | Town or city | 126 | Open |
| Sugarhouse Park Local Park | County | 103 | Open |
| Liberty Park Local Park | Town or city | 91 | Open |
| Parleys Canyon Bst Local Other or Unknown | County | 76 | Open |
| Utah State Fair Park State Park | Other state land | 60 | Open |
5 smaller protected places aren’t shown.
Things to do
307 places to go in Salt Lake City
Beaches, playgrounds, peaks, falls and more. Pick a kind.
Public pools in Salt Lake City
Crimson Lagoon
DirectionsCrimson Outdoor Lagoon
DirectionsPlaygrounds in Salt Lake City
Dog Run
DirectionsLaird Park
DirectionsLighthouse Point Splash Zone
DirectionsRotary Play ParkIn Liberty Park
DirectionsSugarhouse PlaygroundIn Sugar House Park
DirectionsWestminster Park
Directionshollow log
Directions184 playgrounds are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Dog parks in Salt Lake City
600 Lofts Dog Park
DirectionsFairmont Dog ParkIn Fairmont Park
DirectionsPup Club
DirectionsZoomie Zone
DirectionsPlus 11 dog parks without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see them.
Boat launches in Salt Lake City
Fisher Mansion Boat Ramp
DirectionsGadsby Trailhead Boat Ramp
DirectionsPlus 1 boat launch without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see it.
Waterfalls in Salt Lake City
1 waterfall without a name on the map.
Scenic views in Salt Lake City
Canyon OverlookIn Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
DirectionsEnsign Peak
DirectionsMeridian PeakIn Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
DirectionsMount Van CottIn Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
DirectionsOverlookIn Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
DirectionsState of Utah
DirectionsVista Mound
DirectionsPlus 16 scenic views without a name on the map.
Peaks in Salt Lake City
Grandview Peak9,403 ft elevation · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
DirectionsBlack Mountain (East Summit)8,261 ft elevation · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
DirectionsBlack Mountain (West Summit)8,150 ft elevation · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
DirectionsTwin Peaks6,247 ft elevation · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
DirectionsPencil Point6,129 ft elevation
DirectionsEnsign Peak5,417 ft elevation
DirectionsPicnic areas in Salt Lake City
#1 - RaspberryFee
Directions#10 - Birch GroveFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#11 - PipelineFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#12 - Pleasant ValleyFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#13 - Barney's HollowFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#14 - Sugar BowlFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#15 - PinesFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#16 - Hidden SpringsFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions22 more picnic areas
#17 - Lodge PoleFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#18 - Box ElderFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#19 - ShadybrookFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#2 - Hidden FallsFee
Directions#20 - Sparkling SpringsFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#21 - Maple GroveFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#25 - Club ServiceIn Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#26 - Vocational ServiceIn Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#28 - International ServiceFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#29 - Weeping RockFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#3 - Cherry Tree GroveFee
Directions#4 - Box ElderFee
Directions#5 - Elbow TurnFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#6 - WatercrestFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#7 - Eagle RestFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#8 - Hidden GroveFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions#9 - Lower Birch GroveFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions22 - Freeze HollowIn Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions23 - North ForkIn Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions24 - Freedom & BrotherhoodIn Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Directions27 - Community ServiceFee · In Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
DirectionsSecret Wayside
Directions52 picnic areas are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Community gardens in Salt Lake City
4th East Community GardenWasatch Community Gardens
Directions9-Line Community GardenWasatch Community Gardens
Directions9-Line Orchard
DirectionsBU C GardenUniversity of Utah
DirectionsEsther's Garden
DirectionsFairpark Community GardenWasatch Community Gardens
DirectionsGateway Community GardenWasatch Community Gardens
DirectionsGrateful Tomato GardenWasatch Community Gardens
Directions10 more community gardens
Harrison Community GardenWasatch Community Gardens
DirectionsLiberty Wells Community GardenWasatch Community Gardens
DirectionsNuh Eevaat GardenUniversity of Utah
DirectionsOg-woi People's Orchard and Gardens
DirectionsPopperton Plots Community GardenWasatch Community Gardens
DirectionsRichmond Park Community GardenWasatch Community Gardens
DirectionsRose Park Community GardenWasatch Community Gardens
DirectionsRose Park Neighborhood Center Community GardenWasatch Community Gardens
DirectionsSill GardenUniversity of Utah
DirectionsSugar House Community GardenIn Sugar House Park · Wasatch Community Gardens
DirectionsPlus 3 community gardens without a name on the map.
Trails & water
25 named trails and 22 lakes & rivers
Named trails
Open to bikes · 46.9 miHorses · 1.8 miUnpaved · 122.7 mi
Grandview Peak Trail5.6 mi
Bonneville Shoreline Trail - Parley's Point Section3.6 mi
Meadows Trail3.5 mi
Black Mountain Trail3.4 mi
City Creek Trail2.3 mi
Avenues Ridge Trail2.2 mi
Bonneville Shoreline Trail - West City Creek Section2.2 mi
Bonneville Shoreline Trail - Twin Peaks Section2.1 mi
Bobsled Trail2.1 mi
Lower City Creek Loop2.0 mi
15 more trails
Bonneville Shoreline Trail - Valleyview Section
1.9 miLakeline Trail
1.9 miCity Creek Pipeline Trail
1.9 miTower Connector
1.9 miSkyline Trail East
1.8 miBonneville Shoreline Trail - North Salt Lake section
1.6 miCity Creek - Rudy's Connector Trail
1.6 miBonneville Shoreline Trail - Mount Wire Section
1.5 miBonneville Shoreline Trail - East City Creek Section
1.4 miBonneville Shoreline Trail - Mount Van Cott Section
1.4 miTerraces Trail
1.3 miBonneville Shoreline Trail - Dry Creek Section
1.3 miLost Lad Trail
1.2 miSmuggler's Gap Trail
1.2 miVictory Switchbacks
1.2 miLakes & rivers tap for directions
Baileys LakeBrickyard Center PondpondBrickyard East PondpondBrickyard West PondpondBrigham Young Historic Park PondpondBrighton CanalCity CreekpondCrocodile pondpondDuck PondpondElephant PondpondGrizzly PondpondLiberty LakelakeMount Olivet ReservoirreservoirOtter PondpondReflecting PoolpondRocky Shores pondpondSears LakelakeTiger PondpondWatering HolepondoCity CreekJordan River
Biking & sports
263 miles of bike routes
Bike lanes are often missing from the map in smaller towns, so that number is likely low.
162 mi
painted or protected bike lanes
66 mi
off-road bike paths
34 mi
shoulders & shared lanes
Jordan River Trail DetourBike route
0.3 miCourts & fields
100Tennis
86Basketball
51Soccer
43Baseball
39Pickleball
11Volleyball
9Beach volleyball
9Football
Includes school and college facilities, which aren’t always open to the public.
History along the way
History →233 places on the National Register, 5 of them National Historic Landmarks
The country’s official list of places worth saving (National Park Service). The map also marks 80 historic points from OpenStreetMap: plaques, memorials and old buildings.
Beehive HouseBuilding · listed 1970
About itThomas Kearns Mansion and Carriage HouseBuilding · listed 1970
About itIsaac Chase MillBuilding · listed 1970
About itSalt Lake City and County BuildingBuilding · listed 1970
About itSt. Mark's Episcopal CathedralBuilding · listed 1970
About itZ.C.M.I. Cast Iron FrontBuilding · listed 1970
About itCathedral of the MadeleineBuilding · listed 1971
About it221 more on the History page.
When to get out
The best walking months in Salt Lake City: April to June and September
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the town and the daylight at its latitude. Outlined months have long days, highs of 59 to 86 °F and little rain for the place.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 9.6 | 10.6 | 11.8 | 13.2 | 14.4 | 15.1 | 14.8 | 13.8 | 12.4 | 11.0 | 9.8 | 9.3 |
| High (°F) | 38 | 44 | 54 | 61 | 72 | 83 | 92 | 90 | 80 | 65 | 51 | 39 |
| Rain (in) | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
July is the driest month (0.6 in) and the warmest (highs of 92 °F). 2.5 inches fall in April, the wettest month. Summer highs reach 92 °F, too hot for the outline. The climate in Salt Lake City →
Next door
Salt Lake City and its neighbors
Salt Lake City has the most mapped trails of the 7 towns around it. Tap a town to see its outdoors.
Salt Lake City158 miWest Valley City27 miEmigration Canyon25 miNorth Salt Lake14 miMillcreek13 miMagna5.9 miSouth Salt Lake4.4 mi
| Town | Conserved of land | Trail mi per sq mi | Park acres per 1,000 | Near a park ½ mile | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | 10% | 1.4 | 8 | 98% | A− |
| Millcreek | 4% | 1.0 | 4 | 75% | B |
| South Salt Lake | 1% | 0.6 | 2 | 95% | B− |
| Magna | 100% | 0.3 | 11 | 99% | A− |
| West Valley City | 2% | 0.8 | 4 | 96% | B |
| North Salt Lake | 13% | 1.7 | 4 | 91% | A− |
| Emigration Canyon | 32% | 1.4 | 172 | 3% | A− |
The four inputs of the Outdoors grade, from the engine; shares are of land, not water.
Questions about parks and trails in Salt Lake City
Where can I hike in Salt Lake City?
The longest trail networks: Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, 58.5 miles; Salt Lake City Regional Athletic Complex, 2.8 miles; This is the Place Heritage Park, 2.1 miles; Liberty Park, 1.4 miles. Each one is on the map above, with directions to the nearest trailhead or parking.
How much of Salt Lake City is conserved land?
10% of its land, against a typical 3% for an Utah town and 4% nationally (PAD-US). Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors: easements are usually private land.
Are dogs allowed on Salt Lake City’s trails?
OpenStreetMap records dogs as welcome at This is the Place Heritage Park (on leash), Liberty Park (on leash) and Sunnyside Park (on leash). For the rest, check the signs at the trailhead.
Where can I bike in Salt Lake City?
263 miles of bike routes are on the map: 162 of painted or protected lanes, 66 of off-road paths and 34 of shoulders and shared lanes. Named routes: Jordan River Trail Detour.
Is there public land near Salt Lake City?
56,981 acres of parks and open public land lie inside Salt Lake City or within 10 miles of it (PAD-US), 5,818 of them inside the city line.
How much outdoors does Salt Lake City have?
Ahead of 84% of U.S. towns on the Outdoors grade, #23 of 119 in Utah. The grade combines the share of land that is conserved, miles of mapped trail per square mile of land, park acres per 1,000 residents and the share of residents within a half mile of a park. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
Trail talk
Conditions, parking and favorite walks from Salt Lake City neighbors.
Share a tip
Sources
Where this page comes from
Conserved and public land: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), service updated July 2026. Parks, trails, playgrounds, beaches and other places: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), map data as of 2026-10-28. Land and water area: Census 2025 Gazetteer. Residents near a park: 2020 Census blocks. National Register: National Park Service. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →