City Creek Canyon Trailhead
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
City Creek Canyon Trailhead offers an easily accessible urban nature escape, providing a paved trail that follows a creek, ideal for family walks, runs, and bike rides. Its unique value lies in the blend of natural serenity with city proximity, offering a beautiful setting, especially known for autumn foliage and monarch butterflies.
Key Highlights
- ✓Fully paved, easy (gradual incline) trail, suitable for bikes, strollers, and walkers.
- ✓Follows a picturesque creek, providing pleasant sounds throughout the journey.
- ✓Features public restrooms and picnic areas conveniently located along the path.
- ✓Very shaded for most parts, offering respite from the sun.
- ✓Known for beautiful autumn foliage and sightings of monarch butterflies.
- ✓No cars are allowed on the trail after October 1st, enhancing safety and tranquility.
- ✓Offers a parallel dirt trail option for a varied hiking experience.
- ✓Provides a quick and serene getaway from downtown Salt Lake City.
Standout Features
- ⭐Paved trail surface for easy navigation with strollers, bikes, and young walkers.
- ⭐The constant presence of the creek provides a soothing natural soundtrack.
- ⭐Ample shade along the trail, keeping it cooler on warm days.
- ⭐Availability of public restrooms and picnic spots directly on the trail.
- ⭐Stunning natural beauty, particularly the autumn foliage and monarch butterflies.
- ⭐Car-free access after October 1st, making it safer for families.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Be prepared for shared trail use; bikers should be mindful of runners/walkers, and all users should watch for incoming traffic.
- →Check current construction updates before visiting to confirm open trail length, as sections are closed until 2027.
- →If biking, be aware of the steady uphill climb on the way in, and enjoy a breezy downhill return.
- →Bring an extra layer, especially if biking downhill, as shaded areas can be chilly.
- →Exercise caution for potholes and small stones on the paved path, particularly if biking.
- →Consider parking along Bonneville Blvd if the main trailhead parking is full.
- →Bikers should adhere to the 15 mph speed limit and follow traffic protocol (uphill right, downhill left).
- →Explore the dirt trail option (west of the paved path) for a different hiking experience.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Significant construction closure is in effect until 2027, closing the path beyond Barney's Hollow (around 2.8 miles from the start).
- ⚠Can be quite crowded, especially on Sunday mornings, with many bikers, runners, and walkers.
- ⚠The trail has a steady, slow uphill incline for most of the way up, which may not be a 'leisure ride' for bikers.
- ⚠Descending on a bike can be chilly even after 10 am due to shade, requiring extra layers.
- ⚠Horse flies have been noted around picnic spots, potentially impacting quiet enjoyment.
- ⚠Limited main parking available, sometimes requiring parking along Bonneville Blvd.
- ⚠Watch out for potholes and small stones on the paved road which could damage bike tires.
Price & Value
Excellent value as access to the trail is free, including free parking and public restrooms, offering a high-quality outdoor experience at no cost.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •The paved trail is suitable for strollers and likely wheelchairs, making it accessible for families with diverse needs along the open sections.
- •No specific accommodations beyond the paved path were mentioned.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food is permitted, with multiple picnic spots available along the trail for family meals or snacks.
- •No food vendors are mentioned, so plan to bring your own provisions.
🚗Parking Info
- •Free parking is available at the trailhead.
- •Parking can be limited, especially on busy days.
- •Overflow parking is available along Bonneville Blvd if the main lot is full.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Can be moderately crowded, especially on Sunday mornings, with many bikers, runners, and walkers.
- •Likely quieter on weekdays, but specific quiet times are not detailed.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Bikers are expected to adhere to a 15 mph speed limit.
- •There is an informal traffic protocol: uphill traffic keeps right, downhill traffic keeps left for bikers.
- •No cars are allowed on the trail after October 1st, enhancing safety for pedestrians and bikers.
- •Users are advised to watch out for other trail users (runners, bikers) and potential road hazards (potholes, stones).
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you seek complete solitude, as it can be busy with various users, especially on weekend mornings.
- • If expecting a flat, entirely leisure bike ride due to the continuous uphill incline.
- • If sensitive to horse flies and planning an extended picnic without bug repellent.
- • If your primary goal requires access beyond the current construction closure point.
Pricing/Package/Events
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Meg
3 weeks agoMany bikers on the trail. Some runners and walkers. The trail is an easy (gradual incline) paved trail that follows the creek. Parking is free, and there are public restrooms available. The path is open until just beyond Barney's Hollow, where it is closed for construction.
Yang Song
6 months agoI’m new to SLC and still in awe of how accessible nature is living in the middle of the city. I came to bike city creek canyon (fully paved) in mid October. Road at around 2.8 mile to the end was closed due to water treatment plant reconstruction until 2027. Quite a lot of walkers runners and bikers on a Sunday morning. No more day restrictions for bikers in October though. Very shaded along the trail for the most part and sun won’t peak over the mountains into parts of the canyon even after 10 am so it was actually a little chilly for me on a bike when going down hill. Also, I did not know going in was a steady slow uphill pretty much the entire time. It was definitely not a leisure ride. Going out however is a straight breezy gliding through. Just be under 15 mph speed limit, watch runners and incoming bikers, and a couple of pot holes and some small stones on the road that may cause damage to your tires. Picnic spots on the side seem very peaceful, but I’m not sure if you could sit still with horse flies around. This is definitely a place of solitary within no distance to downtown.
Tori Dumke Hillyard
a year agoGorgeous spot for a paved autumn bike ride! The beautiful foliage and ease of access make this a must-see for my fall bike-rides. Added bonus: so many monarch butterflies! Took my e-bike + 2 kids in trailer up the 5.5 mile trail that has a steady incline, especially at the end. It follows the creek so you’re accompanied by the pleasant sound of flowing water the whole way. Public restrooms and picnic areas are available all along the path. The gate closes October 1, so no cars to worry about! Lots of walkers and joggers. From my understanding the protocol is uphill traffic right, downhill traffic left. Bikers should note the 15 mph speed limit Parking is pretty limited but you can park along Bonneville Blvd. if needed.
Kim Nguyen
4 years agoThe canyon is close enough to easily get away from the city and tucked away enough to enjoy the serenity of Mother Nature. When I need a good long walk, run, or hike this is my place. The sound of the streams, the touch of crisp air, and gorgeous mountainous backdrop sets the perfect atmosphere.
Amy Palmer
8 years agoGreat easy hike. 6.2 miles round trip. I recommend the dirt trail right west of the paved path. You'll see tons of pathways to it Fun going up that way and down the paved path. There's even bathrooms on the way and little picnic areas.