City Creek Canyon Trail & Visiting Information

City Creek is a small but historically important mountain stream that measures about 14.5 miles long. The creek served as the major water supply for Salt Lake City until 1882. Currently, it continues to offer drinking water for the Avenues and northern parts of the city. Most of City Creek's currents come from melting snow from nearby mountains. But it flows year-round due to the natural springs at the head of the creek, which is about 8 miles up the City Creek Canyon.

The beautiful paved City Creek Canyon is a great source of top-quality drinking water. The Salt Lake City has designated the canyon a Protected Watershed and Nature Preserve. The canyon has fantastic trails for hiking, biking and wildlife-watching, with beautiful water fountains and vistas along the way.

City Creek Canyon is located about one mile away from the Utah State Capitol building and the downtown Salt Lake City. The detailed address is Bonneville Boulevard and Canyon Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84103. There's a little park at the mouth of the canyon - Memory Grove. It's a monument to Utah's veterans and the small park is also a great place for a rest or picnic.

A single road extends up the canyon. You need to walk up the road from the Memory Grove Park or you can walk by Bonneville Boulevard. The canyon road is only open to limited numbers of private vehicles. The canyon is only accessible to vehicles through "B" Street and 11th Avenue to Bonneville Boulevard. Then you can make a right at Canyon Road and go about 300 feet. The Canyon Gate House will be in front of you.

City Creek Canyon has specific regulations on vehicles to the canyon. All motorized and non-motorized vehicles must observe the restrictions to avoid any potential injuries.

CarsThe Canyon is open to the public from 8:30 am to 10 pm. But cars are not allowed up the canon after 8 pm on regular days and 6:30 pm on holidays. Private vehicles are allowed on the canyon road on holidays and even calendar days in the summertime, from Memorial Day weekend to the last even day of September. Private motorized traffic is prohibited in the canyon on odd numbered days and during the winter.

BicyclesBicycles are limited to the paved road and are prohibited on any unpaved roads in City Creek Canyon. Guests can ride bicycles up the canyon on ODD calendar days in summer, except holidays and Memorial Day. If weather permitting, road biking is available all days during the winter.

As all vehicles are restricted on the narrow paved road along the City Creek, this quite corridor provides a pleasant hike through a narrow riparian trail. The primary trail is paved and can bring you quickly away from the urban congestion. The whole trail is quite easy for hikers of all ages until the last 2 miles, which is filled with elevation gain.

A dirt path runs parallel with each side of the main trail in the lower section. The branch can lead you more wonderful habitats, like dense forests and open fields above the creek. Within the last 2 miles of the trail, you'll walk in a national forest and nature preserve and encounter with moose, mountain lions and elk and other animals.

In addition to hiking, City Creek Canyon has up to 30 picnic areas. Picnic areas 1 to 23 can hold 12-70 individuals, depending on each site capacity. Fees for these sites vary from $3 to $25. The Rotary Park picnic areas 24 through 30 have a capacity of 12 to 200 persons. Reservation fees range from $3 to $75.

All these picnic sites can be reserved on holidays and even numbered calendar days in summer. The City Creek Canyon accepts reservations after the first Monday of March. Reservations can be made 5 days in advance by calling 801-483-6705. Phone booking must be paid at time of call with a credit card, including Visa, American Express, MasterCard and debit card.

Reservations within 3 days can be made in person at the City Creek Gate House. You need to pay in cash or by check. For more canyon picnic site availability info, please call 801-483-6705.

Learn More about City Creek Canyon

http://www.slcgov.com/utilities/ud_citycreek_reservations.htm