New bike trails and equestrian opportunities coming soon to Salt Lake County
Apr 29, 2024, 6:00 AM
FILE: Draper Mayor Troy Walker and city manager David Dobbins pedal beside each other while taking journalists on a mountain biking tour of the city’s Corner Canyon trail network on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. Photo credit: Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County is adding bike trails and other new features to Butterfield Canyon that will provide more recreation opportunities this summer.
The county opened more than 13 miles of trails last August at Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park. That was phase one of the project.
Callista Pearson, communications and public relations manager with SLCo Parks and Recreation says they’re now adding to the trail network.
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Two trails, used exclusively for mountain biking, are now about 30% complete. They should be open by the summer, weather permitting.
“This is a great opportunity for people to go out on mountain bike trails that are not really long trails,” said Pearson. “It’s a looping system, so if you get tired, you can go back to your car and take a rest.”
The council also recently approved funding to improve equestrian access to the trail system and add a parking lot. Parks and Recreation officials said these developments will hopefully relieve some congestion on other popular trails in the county.
“Pretty much everybody living in the south or southwest region of Salt Lake Valley is definitely benefitting from these trailheads and network,” Pearson said. “It’s also probably relieving a little pressure off of the Draper trails that are well-loved. It’s important to expand opportunities as our valley keeps growing, and the demand for recreation gets bigger and bigger.”
