6 Salt Lake City Parks That are Perfect for Long Walks

Salt Lake City has no shortage of open space, but not every park is built for a good walk. Some are strictly playgrounds. Some have trails that dead-end after 200 feet. And some are genuinely excellent for getting outside and covering some ground — paved loops, creekside paths, connected trail systems, the works. This guide focuses on that last category: parks where the walking itself is the point, not just the backdrop.

Whether you're pushing a stroller, training for a 5K, or just trying to get away from your desk for 45 minutes, there's something here for you.

Sugarhouse Park (Salt Lake City)

Sugarhouse Park is one of the most popular walking and running destinations in the entire county, and for good reason. The paved loop around the park stretches nearly 1.5 miles and circles a large reservoir, giving you consistent water views for most of the route. It's flat enough for strollers and casual walkers but long enough that serious runners use it for training loops. On a weekday morning it's genuinely pleasant; on a sunny Saturday it gets busy, so plan accordingly. The open lawn and picnic areas make it easy to turn a walk into a longer outing, and the park is large enough that it never feels cramped even when the crowds are out.

Liberty Park (Salt Lake City)

Liberty Park is the go-to for a long paved walk in the city. The main loop around the park is close to 1.5 miles of wide, smooth path, and on any given morning you'll share it with runners, cyclists, dog walkers, and stroller-pushing parents — it's genuinely well-loved by locals. The park itself is massive by city standards, with a pond, mature trees, and enough open space that it never feels like you're circling a parking lot. If you want to extend the loop or just wander, there are interior paths to explore too. It gets crowded on weekends, but the size of the park absorbs the crowd better than most.

11th Avenue Park (Salt Lake City)

11th Avenue Park is the pick when you want views. Tucked into the Avenues neighborhood just below the foothills, the park sits at an elevation that gives you unmatched sightlines across the Salt Lake Valley — on a clear day you can see all the way to the Oquirrh Mountains on the west side. The walk up to and around the park has enough incline to feel like a real workout, which is part of the appeal. It's a quieter spot than Sugarhouse or Liberty, so if you want to get your steps in without navigating a crowd, this is a genuinely great option. Go in the morning for the best light on the valley below.

Wasatch Hollow Preserve (Salt Lake City)

Wasatch Hollow Preserve is the pick when you want something that actually feels like nature rather than a manicured park path. The trails here wind through a wooded stretch along Emigration Creek, with enough tree cover and natural vegetation that you can almost forget you're a few blocks from a busy street. The footing is more natural surface than pavement, which makes it a different experience from most of the parks on this list — less about racking up miles on a clean loop, more about a genuinely quiet, shaded walk. It's a favorite for dog walkers in the neighborhood, and the creek sounds alone make it worth a visit in the spring.

Glendale Regional Park (Salt Lake City)

Glendale Regional Park on the west side of Salt Lake City is one of the larger green spaces in the city, and the walking loop around the park is a legit option for a 20-30 minute moderate walk. The park also connects to the Jordan River Parkway trail system, so again you have options to extend if you want more mileage. The grounds include a golf course, sports fields, and plenty of open lawn — it has the feel of a proper regional park rather than a neighborhood pocket park. Stroller-friendly throughout.

Mill Hollow Park (Cottonwood Heights)

Mill Hollow Park in Cottonwood Heights is a quieter option that often gets overlooked in favor of bigger destinations up the canyon. The paved walking path through the park is well-maintained and pleasant for a casual stroll, and the surrounding neighborhood setting keeps things peaceful. It's a good pick if you're in the Cottonwood Heights area and want a quick loop without driving far. The path works well for strollers, and the park has enough open space that kids can roam while you get your steps in.

Remember: You Don't Always Need the Canyons

The canyons are great, but they're not the only option. Every park on this list proves that Salt Lake City proper has plenty of room for a real walk — wooded creek paths, elevated viewpoints, long paved loops, connected river trails. You can get a genuine workout, a peaceful nature fix, or both, without ever getting on I-215. That's one of the things we genuinely love about this city. The green space is right here, woven into the neighborhoods, and it's better than most people realize.