By Daniel Smith | [email protected]

There are no shortage of options for Utahns who are looking to spend time outside. And, luckily for urban Salt Lake City dwellers accessing the great outdoors is as easy as connecting onto a trail.  

Salt Lake City boasts dozens of paved, urban trails open to bikers, runners and dogs walkers.

Parley’s Trail, which runs from the mouth of Parley’s Canyon through Millcreek and Sugar House, meeting up with the TRAX S-Line, and finally arriving at the Jordan River Parkway, is particularly popular. Some sections are perfect for those seeking the peace of nature; other sections are a bit more urban and noisy. 

The Sugar House portion of the trail follows the S-Line up to the peaceful Hidden Hollow Reserve. It continues on past a stretch of faux red rock formations and wraps around the southern perimeter of Sugar House Park. This portion of the trail, though still crowded, is somewhat removed from the city’s traffic and commerce.

Once you move along the southern end of Sugar House Park, the scene becomes much more hectic. On a typical Sunday afternoon, the trail is populated with road bicyclists, casual bicyclists often on electric bikes, runners, families out for a stroll, dog walkers, and even the occasional group whizzing by on electric scooters. 

The trail continues along the park’s perimeter, passes over 1700 East and then runs parallel to I-80. Cars and trucks barrel down I-80 and, for the most part, the trail and freeway are separated only by a wire fence. This means that nothing buffers the freeway’s din, and the resulting roar is deafening.

This makes Parley’s less than ideal for anyone averse to loud noises, or who struggles with sensory processing disorders. If you hit the trail in the early morning, however, you can beat most of the traffic, both on the road and on the trail.

Despite the congestion and noise, there are parts of Parley’s which provide scenic views, notably of the Wasatch. The trail also connects the expansive Sugar House Park to the popular Tanner Park, a dog park featuring a short trail and a river, where visitors can enjoy views of the mountains and the Salt Lake Valley.

For a map and more info, visit www.parleystrail.org/map.