City Creek Canyon is a valuable source of high quality drinking water, and has been designated a Protected Watershed and Nature Preserve by Salt Lake City .
Remember that the watershed is fragile, as you enjoy the serenity of this canyon, please treat it with respect!
General Canyon Information
How do I get to City Creek Canyon?
Park Hours
Cars
Biking
Speed Limit 15 mph!
Walking/Jogging
Dogs
Picnic Reservations and Information
Rotary Park Picnic Area
Wildlife
Fishing
Hunting
City Creek Canyon History
General Canyon Information
Use
Restrooms
Pick Up Trash
Prevent Forest Fires
- Observe restrictions and
put out fires
Prevent Erosion - Stay on trails
Dogs are not allowed above picnic site #16
Swimming and
wading in the stream is prohibited
"What you see today you may drink tomorrow!"
The
City Creek Canyon Master Plan was adopted by the Salt Lake City council
in 1985, which led to its designation as a Nature Preserve and
annexation of the entire Canyon into the City.
The
City Creek Water Treatment Plant is located approximately 3 miles from
the canyon entrance off Bonneville Boulevard .
The
area above the water treatment facility has been declared a Protected
Watershed to preserve this high quality drinking water source.
Click here for enlarged map
How do I get to City Creek Canyon ?
The only vehicle access
to City Creek Canyon Park and Nature Preserve is from "B" Street and
11th Avenue to Bonneville Boulevard , a one
way street, to Canyon Road (park map). Turn right at Canyon Road and go
approximately 300 feet to the Canyon Gate House.
See Trails page .
Park Hours
The
canyon is open from 8:30am to 10:00pm. Cars are not allowed in the
canyon after 8:00pm. On holidays no cars are allowed up the canyon
after 6:30 pm. The canyon will close at 8:00pm on holidays.
In
the event of an emergency, visitors may be required to leave the
canyon. No refunds will be issued.
Cars
Private vehicles are
allowed on all holidays and even calendar days during the summer period
from Memorial Day in May to the last even day in September. The canyon
is closed to private motorized traffic during the winter and on odd
numbered calendar days.
Bicycles
Bicycles are allowed only on the paved road. Bicycles are not
allowed on unpaved roads in City Creek Canyon.
Bicycles are allowed on ODD calendar days except on Memorial Day to
the last weekend in September except holidays.,
and are not allowed on EVEN numbered calendar days.
Subject to winter restrictions, road biking is allowed all days from
October 1st until Memorial Day weekend. The canyon is closed to
private vehicles at this time. However, maintenance vehicles may be
on the road at any time.
Bicycles are to stay on the hill side of the road away from the
creek for bicycle/pedestrian safety.
Speed Limit & Safety
Canyon speed limit is 15 mph for all motorized and non-motorized
travel (including bicycles).
Failure to observe bicycle and vehicle speed restrictions may result
in citations and serious injury.
Drive, Bike, Run and Walk Safely! The canyon road is used
extensively by runners, walkers, bicyclists, dogs on leash, and
public vehicles. Maintenance vehicles may be on the road at any
time!
Walkers, Joggers and Strollers
Pedestrians should stay
on the creek-side of the road, bicycles on the hill side of the road
away from the creek.
Dogs
Dogs must be on leash at all times in areas they are allowed. Dogs
are not allowed in the protected watershed area which is located
above picnic area # 16.
Dispose of dog waste in proper waste bags and bins.
Dogs commune with humans and can transmit disease into the water
supply. Dogs are not allowed in the drinking water supply watershed,
above or within 1000 feet of the Water Treatment Plant (see map).
Wading or swimming in the creek is not allowed (dogs or people).
Picnic Reservations and Information
Reservations
Picnic sites may be reserved on all holidays and even numbered
calendar days from Memorial Day weekend through the last weekend in
September. The canyon is subject to closures due to snow or adverse
weather. Picnic reservations may be made after the first Monday of
March. Reservations can be made up to 5 days in advance over the
phone with a credit card by calling (801) 483-6705. Requests by
phone must be paid at time of call with Visa, MasterCard, American
Express or debit card. Reservations within 3 days of the requested
date may be made in person at the City Creek Gate House, with cash
or check payment only. For current Canyon information and picnic
site availability call (801) 483-6705. Refunds are not issued for
any reason, including emergencies or weather. A reservation date and
location may be changed with 48 hours notice upon availability.
Picnic Area Fees and Amenities
See
the canyon map for locations of picnic sites and amenities such as
toilets and water.
Picnic areas 1 through 23 can generally accommodate 12-70 persons,
depending upon the site capacity. Fees vary from $3.00 to $25.00. (see
map). Click here to
see area map (PDF)
The
Rotary Park areas 24 through 30 can accommodate groups of 12 to 200
persons. Reservation fees are $3.00 to $75.00.
Day
use fee is $3.00 per vehicle for those without reservations. Check
with the gate guard for available sites that have not been reserved.
To make a reservation Click Here
Rotary Park Picnic Area
The
Salt Lake Rotary Club established Rotary Park in City Creek Canyon
in 1921. The Rotary Club of Salt Lake restored and rededicated the
upper portion park in 1996, and continues to support Salt Lake City
Department of Public Utilities in maintenance of this area in the
park.
See
"
City Creek's Rotary Park: A Partnership with the Rotary Club "
for more information.
Rotary Park and other City Creek picnic sites are reserved by
contacting Watershed Management at (801) 483-6705.
Fishing
Other than restricted access areas near water treatment plant
facilities and as posted, fishing is allowed in accordance with the
current fishing proclamation issued by the
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources .
Anglers must wear clean waders while in the stream.
Please clean and dispose of fish waste outside the canyon to protect
the water supply and keep the area clean for others.
Wildlife
As
a nature preserve, City Creek Canyon is home to many wild animals.
This affords a unique opportunity to observe deer, moose, elk,
badger, cougar and many other animals in their natural habitat.
Common sense is the rule: keep a safe distance and do not approach
wild animals such as cougar and moose!
See
related article
Animals of the Wasatch Front Watershed and information provided
by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources on what to look for and
do when encountering wildlife in the Watershed.
Hunting
Currently, deer are the only animals that can be hunted in City
Creek Canyon , and are limited to the
area one mile above the water treatment plant (approximately 4.5
miles from the canyon entrance).
A
City Watershed permit is required. Call 483-6705 for information on
these permits.
During the hunt, public vehicle access is limited to those with a
valid City Creek Hunting Permits.
See
the
City Watershed hunting link for additional hunting and permit
information.
City Creek Canyon History
City Creek was the first water source used by the Mormon Pioneers
settling the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. In the early years water
flowed through ditches for irrigating gardens. Residents hand dipped
water for their culinary and domestic needs.
In
1866, City Creek was first diverted into a municipally-owned, piped
water distribution system to provide fire protection and culinary
water supply to city residents.
Chlorine was added to City Creek water in 1917 to inactivate
(disinfect) water-borne pathogen bacteria in the public drinking
water supply.
Excessive and careless recreational use during the early 1900's
resulted in noticeable pollution of the City Creek Canyon drinking
water supply, and the canyon was closed to public use from 1952 to
1966.
In
1953, City Creek became the site for Utah 's
first municipally owned water treatment plant.
A
$10M upgrade of the treatment plant was completed in 2006.
City Creek Canyon collects water from 19.2 square miles of watershed
that feeds the 14.5 mile-long City Creek stream. Flow in
City Creek varies from about 7 cubic feet per second
( cfs ) in
the winter to over 45 cfs at peak runoff
in May.
The
maximum recorded flow in City Creek during the floods of 1983 was
322 cfs
, which resulted in considerable debris flows, flooding and
damage through downtown Salt Lake City as State Street was converted
into a temporary "river" after debris clogged the City's storm drain
pipes.
Major repairs and reconfiguration of the City Creek storm drain
system was accomplished following the 1983 and 1984 floods to reduce
the risk debris damming and future flooding.
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