Welcome to Parley’s Historic Nature Park.
Parley’s Historic Nature Park is an expansive 87-acre property at the mouth of Parley’s Canyon. This unique park encompasses a wide range of spaces cared for by SLC Public Lands’ Trails and Natural Lands team, Salt Lake County, and even volunteers, making it a space that serves our community and aims to protect and restore Utah’s water quality, cultural and natural resources.
- The Nature Park
With hiking trails, historic sites, off-leash dog areas, and water access points for pups and humans alike, the Nature Park at Parley’s is one of our most visited parks. - Protected Natural Lands
These are areas of upland and wetland restoration where our ecologists are fostering the return of native plants and wildlife. - Tanner Park
This Salt Lake County-managed park includes playgrounds, lawns, and athletic fields. - Tanner BMX Park
This portion of the property is an expert-level, volunteer-managed bike park within the no-dog area. It is best appreciated from the perimeter unless you are an expert rider!
Each of these areas offers park-goers varied experiences. Let’s explore all there is to see and do in and around Parley’s Park.
The Nature Park: What to See and Do Here
As a nature park, the land is intended as a community open space. It is a critical habitat for many plants and animals native to Utah. Trails are maintained for your use. However, much of the park is intentionally left wild, which makes it a prime spot for many of the activities we enjoy as Utahns.
HIKING AND JOGGING TRAILS
Whether you’re visiting alone, with a group, or with your best furry friend, the nature park has miles of trails. Make sure to use only the designated access points to splash in Parley’s Creek with your pup. Access points are clearly labeled and if you’re unsure, ask a Park Ranger. Visit the nature-focused South Loop Trail in our protected lands during quieter hours to catch a glimpse of wildlife (no dogs, please). Look for wildflowers and native plants. Take in views of the Wasatch and Parley’s Canyon. See a trail map here.
Note: Park Rangers patrol daily and staff will post signage indicating how you can keep yourself and your furry friends safe. Pay attention to posts about hazards such as poison ivy, high water, or animal sightings such as elk, deer, and coyotes.
OFF-LEASH DOG AREAS
Visitors to Parley’s Historic Nature Park can enjoy one of the nation’s largest off-leash dog areas. Stretching over a mile in length, it provides two water access points for pups and humans alike to cool off in warmer weather. Let your pups run and play in designated areas but please be sure to pick up after your dogs and place waste in the bins located within the park. Rain and snowmelt carry water from our natural lands into the streams. We must be mindful of the impact our traffic has on the sensitive ecosystems within the park and beyond.
Note: Please look for signage indicating which areas are closed off to dogs and stay in designated off-leash areas. This helps protect local flora and fauna and the safety of your furry family members. Always watch for seasonal changes in water flow in the park. Water access points are open for dogs year-round, but seasonal runoff can make for hazardous water conditions. Several dogs have been washed away into culverts during high runoff season.
HISTORIC SITES
In the mid-1800s, Parley’s Canyon became the easiest route to enter the Salt Lake Valley. Animal-drawn carriages frequently passed through and were charged a toll at the stream, just below the Sons of Utah Pioneers Headquarters. Structures and amenities were built to aid pioneers in their travel. Portions of those structures remain today.
Hikers can view historic sites such as a sandstone aqueduct from the 1890s and the Dudler’s Inn from the 1860s, whose foundation and wine cellar are still standing to this day.
Protected Natural Lands
In addition to the historic sites and the expansive off-leash dog area, Parley’s Historic Nature Park also houses one of Salt Lake City’s largest nature preserves. Here, visitors can see a glimpse of what natural habitats may have been present before the major development of the valley.
As traffic increased in the valley, non-native invasive grass species were introduced, forcing out native plants, changing the flow of water, and limiting habitats and food sources for native wildlife. Salt Lake City’s Trails and Natural Lands crews have put extensive work into the ecological restoration of these upland and wetland habitats inside Parley’s.
Our Trails and Natural Lands team has worked to remove invasive grasses and reintroduce native wildflowers, cacti, juniper, desert almonds, bee plants, and many more. As crews have fostered the return of native plants, we’ve seen improved water quality and flow. Larger populations of wildlife are also returning to the area.
This progress is exciting and can be viewed from some trails. Please protect sensitive ecosystems by remaining behind the fences! For more information on how you can protect those ecosystems, visit slcbewild.com.
Tanner Park
While Tanner Park sits just above and connects to Parley’s Nature Park, it is managed by Salt Lake County. With a playground, tennis courts, pavilion, and amphitheater, it is a great place to meet with family or friends for a picnic, athletic fields, or a local event. Learn more about Tanner Park on the Salt Lake County Parks page.
Tanner BMX Park
Within the boundaries of Parley’s Nature Park, you’ll find Tanner BMX Park, which is managed by a specialized volunteer group. With plenty of technical jumps, this part of the park is reserved for expert BMXers only. Keep to the perimeter and enjoy watching experienced riders on the trail. For the safety of riders and pets alike, dogs are strictly prohibited from the BMX Park.
Visit today!
Whether you’re interested in a hike, playing in the water, seeing native flora and fauna, learning about Utah’s history, exercising your pup, or sport fields and park events, Parley’s and its surrounding properties have a park experience for you. We’re excited to see you out there! Explore more here.
Resources:
View the Historic Landscape Report
View the Parley’s Management Plan