Be W.I.L.D. — Foothills
Celebrate the beauty of our Public Lands while fostering community connection and responsibility. Dive into the diverse parks and open spaces our city boasts and join us in making our shared outdoor spaces more vibrant and cherished.
— Quick Links —
Learn more about the Salt Lake City Foothills
Visit the Foothills homepage to learn more about current projects, trails, and future plans.
Hiking
in the
Foothills
Biking
in the
Foothills
Dogs
in the
Foothills
W — Welcome
The Foothills Natural Area consists of approximately 6,000 acres of canyons, open sagebrush grasslands, and scrub-oak woodland bordering the northern and eastern limits of Salt Lake City. The Foothills’ vision is to provide a variety of recreational trail and cultural experiences for diverse ages and abilities while managing the Foothills’ environmental resources for future generations.
Find a Trail
Visit SLCTrails.com. For guidance on which trails suit you, talk to a Foothills Park Ranger or Public Lands staff.
Current Projects
Salt Lake City Public Lands Department has initiated the development of new trailheads and amenities at five existing access locations: Victory Road, Bonneville Blvd (Salt Dome), 18th Ave (Hilltop Road), Popperton Park, and Emigration Trailhead.
This project will provide increased safety, improved accessibility, educational opportunities, and will meet increasing demands for recreation in the Foothills.
I — Inclusive spaces
Public Lands has three goals for the Foothills: ENJOYABLE, ACCESSIBLE, and SAFE. For these goals to be realized, ALL users should keep in mind the physical and emotional needs of others as well as their own. Learn trail use guidelines and support a welcoming and inclusive environment.
When should I yield to other users?
Many trail users are familiar with the “Yield Triangle,” in which bikes yield to runners and hikers, and runners also yield to hikers. We always recommend using your best judgement. For example, if a hiker sees a hard-working biker coming up the trail toward them and the hiker has time and space to let the rider safely pass, go ahead and yield. You could even cheer them on! If a biker is riding downhill, the biker needs to be aware of other trail users and go slow around blind curves and yield at trail junctions.
Take it slow and say hello!
There is tremendous thought and energy going into building a positive trail community, not just in Salt Lake City, but around the country as well. While different trail systems may have different directions and logos, the goal of most systems is to offer a positive experience for all its users. Take a look at the program that the Trail Partners Foundation developed to help alleviate conflict and build a strong trail community.
L — Limit your impact
The Foothills are home to a multitude of animals and plants that make this area so special and unique. Trail users are visitors, so let’s leave them better than we found them by following some basic principles.
Quick tips to reduce your impact
- Always stay on the trail. Do not short-cut trail junctions or switchbacks, widen trails to avoid mud or other obstacles, or create new trails. Be aware of the impact of your feet, wheels, and paws, and let’s let nature be nature.
- If you bring it with you, make sure it leaves with you. Please clean up after your pet and ensure litter gets put into a waste receptacle.
- Check the weather before you head out. Could there be mud on the trail? Is there rain in the forecast? Consider an alternative to using the trails if conditions are wet and muddy. Widening of trails and braiding of trail junctions considerably worsen during the mud season.
- Learn more about specific guidelines for hiking/running, biking, and dogs in the Foothills!
D — Do what you can
Are you interested in giving back to the Foothills? Do you want to contribute to building a better Foothills community? The Public Lands Department is developing a Foothills Stewardship program for the long-term care of its trails and open spaces. Visit our stewardship page for information.
What’s your Foothills Footprint?
Take our quiz and learn about your Foothills knowledge and impact!