Salt Lake City

Public Lands Department

publiclands@slcgov.com

Be Wild: Jordan River

Be W.I.L.D. — Jordan River.

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.

W — Welcome

Parkway & Waterway

The Parkway Trail welcomes all: walkers, joggers, skaters, bikers, and more. Explore the Jordan River Trail Map North in Salt Lake City. For questions, contact a Park Ranger or the Department of Public Lands.

You can access an extensive volunteer-created map with all boat ramp access points and bridge locations.

Pay Attention
  • The trail is used by many people using many different modes of transportation. Be aware of other users and your surroundings and ensure you can hear when others try to pass. 
  • When passing new trail signage, be sure that you take a moment to orient yourself and make sure you are heading in the right direction. 
  • Be aware of the weather and different trail conditions. The trail may be slippery during icy, snowy, or wet conditions. 
  • Please report any damaged or dangerous parts of the trail on SLC mobile.
Water Trail Access Points

There are five official boat ramps for the SLC segment of the Jordan River Water Trail. Other areas may have limited or no access to take a boat out of the river corridor. Here’s a list of access points and their status:

  • 2100 South @ Surplus Canal – future designated portage location is in development. This is currently a steep, unimproved river bank.
  • 1700 South (Glendale Park) – official SLC-managed cement boat access ramp on the river’s west bank.
  • 1300 South (3 Creeks) – while designed without a formal access ramp, boats may access the river from the east side banks at certain water levels.
  • Modesto Park (~1180 South) – a functioning boat ramp on the west bank NOT managed by SLC Public Lands.
  • 1000 South (Peace Gardens) – an unofficial boat dock on the east bank NOT managed by SLC Public Lands.
  • 300 South (Alzheimer’s Park) – unofficial boat access on the east bank NOT managed by SLC Public Lands.
  • 200 South (Fisher Mansion) – official SLC-managed NEW cement boat access ramp on the river’s east bank.
  • North Temple (Gadsby Trailhead) – official SLC-managed boat access ramp on the river’s west bank.
  • 920 North (Cornell Street) – official SLC-managed boat access on the east side of the river.
  • 1800 North (Riverview/Redwood Rd TH) – official SLC-managed NEW cement boat access ramp on the river’s west bank.
  • Porter’s Landing (about the equivalent of 2800 North, in North Salt Lake) – official NSL-managed boat ramp.
Be Prepared
  • Floatation devices and footwear are recommended. Keep track of party members.
  • Be prepared to encounter debris and potential hazards in the water, including downed trees. Fluctuating water levels can move debris around and change the current in the river channel. Low water levels may make climbing out of the river corridor difficult.
  • A canoe chute between Fisher Mansion (200 South) and North Temple is present. Proceed with caution.
  • The Water Trail experience varies greatly depending on the amount of water flow. Check the SL County Stream Gauge at 1700 South before your journey to know what to expect.

I — Inclusive spaces

Click on the topics below to learn how everyone can share space along the Jordan River.

Control Your Speed
  • The Jordan River trail is a multi-use trail frequented by diverse recreationists. Bikers use the trail for both recreation and commuting purposes.  Keep your head on a swivel and look all around you. 
  • In order to keep all users safe, it is important to travel at reasonable speeds and use extreme caution and reduce your speed on blind turns, in sections of dense use, on bridges, and at vehicular intersections. Be aware that some areas of the trail may be busier than others. 
  • A bell may be helpful in areas of the trail with low or no visibility, such as tight corners and bridges.
  • Remember that the trail is home to wildlife living on and adjacent to the river.  
Yield
  • Bike on the right side of the trail except to pass. Be aware of your surroundings and pass on the left when you can see far enough ahead to avoid collisions.
  • When passing, slow down to a controlled speed and give a wide berth to other trail users. 
  • Make your presence known to the trail user ahead of you.  
e-Bikes (and other e-transportation)
  • Salt Lake City ordinance states that dogs must be on-leash at all times while recreating along the Jordan River Parkway Trail. Our city is growing, and so is the number and diversity of our trail users. In order to limit the impact that we have on our natural resources adjacent to the trail, and the experience of other trail users, we encourage you to keep dogs on designated pathways, close to you, and on-leash at all times.  
  • An encounter with an off-leash dog is highly triggering and frightening for some trail users. All members of the public should feel safe while enjoying their public lands, particularly in designated on-leash areas. 
  • There are off-leash dog parks along the Jordan River Trail! If you are on a walk or run with your dog and you would like an off-leash opportunity, you can find those at Jordan Park (900 South) and Cottonwood Park (400 North)  
Dogs
  • Salt Lake City ordinance states that dogs must be on-leash at all times while recreating along the Jordan River Parkway Trail. Our city is growing, and so is the number and diversity of our trail users. In order to limit the impact that we have on our natural resources adjacent to the trail, and the experience of other trail users, we encourage you to keep dogs on designated pathways, close to you, and on-leash at all times.  
  • An encounter with an off-leash dog is highly triggering and frightening for some trail users. All members of the public should feel safe while enjoying their public lands, particularly in designated on-leash areas. 
  • There are off-leash dog parks along the Jordan River Trail! If you are on a walk or run with your dog and you would like an off-leash opportunity, you can find those at Jordan Park (900 South) and Cottonwood Park (400 North)  
Water Trail
  • The riparian corridor along the Jordan River is an essential habitat for many animals, including beavers, muskrats, migratory birds, and more.
  • Give wildlife their space. If an animal starts to change its behavior because you are near it, you are too close for its comfort.
  • Please don’t feed wildlife.

L — Limit your impact

Be Aware of the Impact of Your Feet, Wheels, and Paws

We are visitors in these community spaces. Let’s leave them better than we found them. If you bring it with you, make sure it leaves with you. Be aware of the impact of your feet, wheels, and paws.

Stay on Trail
  • Remain on the paved trail to maintain healthy vegetation and natural areas. 
  • No bikes are allowed in the Fred and Ila Rose Fife Wetlands Preserve.   
  • The trail is used by a diverse range of users and also a diverse range of wildlife. Please enjoy the sights and sounds, but give wildlife space and safety. 
  • Do not feed wildlife and disturbing wildlife, so others can enjoy it as well. 
Dogs
  • Please do not allow pets to run through open spaces or travel outside the trail corridor, as this leads to resource destruction and the spread of invasive weeds and can be unsafe for wildlife and your pets.  
  • Bag It and Bring It  
  • Always pick up your pet’s waste and bring it to the nearest trash receptacle. Please prepare for dealing with pet waste before heading out on the trail (have dog bags with you, don’t leave bags on the side of the trail to “pick up on that way back.”) 
  • Garbage cans are located throughout the Jordan River Trail, so you can quickly dispose of pet waste as you travel.
Be Wildlife Aware
  •  Keep dogs close and on a leash. Many animals live in and along the Jordan River year-round.  
  •  Avoid recreating with your dog in the waters along the river.  
  • Do not feed the wildlife! Feeding wildlife can cause the animals to become habituated to humans, leading to more aggressive encounters and disease. 
  • If you encounter wildlife, DO NOT APPROACH. An encounter with a human can cause a great deal of stress. Give the animal a clear escape route, keep your pet quiet and under control, and slowly back away without taking your eyes off the animal. 
  • The Jordan River has many different types of wildlife that rely on the waterway for life. Keeping your dog on a leash, under control, and out of natural areas increases our chances of seeing some unique, unusual, and extraordinary animals. 
  • The Fife Wetlands are a nature preserve, and dogs are prohibited. Please use the 9-Line bridge to navigate around the preserve if you have dogs with you. 

D — Do what you can

We Can All Do Our Part through Volunteer & Stewardship

We can all do our part through volunteering and stewardship. If we can give a little time and effort to our community spaces, they will remain places of refuge and rejuvenation now and for years to come. Learn more at https://www.slc.gov/stewardship/.

Salt Lake City Park Ranger Program

Park Rangers can provide more information about the Be WILD campaign. They’ll help connect you with volunteer opportunities, understand trail and park etiquette, and welcome you to new spaces in your neighborhood.