SALT LAKE CITY — In a welcome sign of gradual re-entry to life after the COVID pandemic, reservations have opened for most City Creek Canyon picnic sites and for individual campsites at Affleck Park, located on State Route 65, about two miles east of Little Dell Reservoir. These sites will be open beginning Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day weekend also marks the return of the traditional summer travel season on the City Creek Canyon road. Beginning May 30 motor vehicles will be permitted on even-numbered calendar days and on the summer-season holidays of Memorial Day, 4^th of July, July 24^th, and Labor Day. Bicyclists are allowed on the Canyon road only on odd-numbered days, except Memorial Day. The odd-even schedule continues through the month of September. Pedestrians are permitted every day. Dogs must always be leashed.

The Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLCDPU) manages City Creek Canyon and Affleck Park as parts of its watershed. Source waters in the canyons surrounding Salt Lake City provide nearly 60 percent of water to more than 360,000 people in the Salt Lake Valley. Recreational use in City Creek and Affleck Park was drastically reduced or curtailed during the COVID-19 shutdown, for the summer 2020 season.

There are still some restrictions in place. Due to remaining pandemic precautions, all group campsites in Affleck Park Campground and picnic areas for more than 50 people in City Creek Canyon will remain closed until further notice.

“We are excited to open these beautiful and popular sites again to the public, even with a few limitations still in place,” said Patrick Nelson, Watershed Program Manager for SLCDPU. “We know our canyons really add to the quality of life in and around Salt Lake City, and we’re happy to see people enjoy them again.”

To reserve space in City Creek Canyon or Affleck Park, please visit: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/slc/home?onlineSiteId=2

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