With so many natural wonders and modernly landscaped parks, it is easy to understand why Utah is home to one of the nation's most healthy and active populations. Visitors who like parks will love Salt Lake City, a town of living history sites, urban parks, and of course, the Great Salt Lake.
Great Salt Lake
- The first thing most visitors will want to do upon arrival in Utah's capital city is to visit the Great Salt Lake, a 20,000-square-mile saline lake just 10 miles northwest of downtown. The Great Salt Lake is the second saltiest lake in the world, and the largest U.S. lake west of the Great Lakes. As millions of migratory birds come to the Salt Lake every year, it offers prime birdwatching as well as wildlife viewing. Another park dedicated to a natural wonder is Timpanogos Cave National Monument, just 40 miles southeast of the city. Alongside a park ranger, visitors hike a 1.5-mile trail that climbs to 6,730 feet, where they discover three beautiful caves. Inside the caves are geologic formations and underground pools.
This is the Place Heritage Park
- Salt Lake City also has its share of heritage and living history park sites. At This is the Place Heritage Park, visitors can walk through a living history village with adobe houses, schools, churches, and shops. This pioneer town is built to resemble the original Mormon settlement of Deseret and visitors truly get a taste of pioneer life as they talk with costumed villagers, see demonstrations, and take wagon rides. There is also a visitor center documenting the Mormons' journey from Illinois to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
Urban Parks in Salt Lake City
Some urban parks in Salt Lake City include Red Butte Garden, Liberty Park, Memory Grove Park and City Creek Park.
- Red Butte Garden is a botanical garden and arboretum located on the campus of the University of Utah. Visitors can hike to the rock house, learn about native plants, savor a sack lunch at the Lunchtime Garden Lecture Series, paint a picture in the Fragrance Garden, visit the Children's garden, or enjoy seasonal events and exhibits like the Utah Orchid Show and Garden After Dark for Halloween fun.
- Liberty Park, spanning 100 acres, includes the Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts as well as the Tracy Aviary. With miles of walking and jogging trails, a paddleboat and duck pond, playground, picnic areas, and children's museum and amusement park, Liberty Park is the perfect place to spend a fun-filled day.
- Memory Grove Park is a quiet, serene park with running and walking trails in the heart of the city.
- At City Creek Park, wooden bridges cross the stream running through the beautifully landscaped area with nice views of the city.
With a favorable climate moderated by the nearby Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City is a great place to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities as well as the mountain and lake scenery. Urban parks, national monuments, and historical sites combine to create a unique park experience for visitors to Salt Lake City.
