Overview
City Creek Canyon is an anomaly. It starts at the edge of Memory Grove Park, a few hundred feet from the Utah State Capitol, climbs 6 paved miles through a narrow forested canyon, and delivers you into a completely different version of Salt Lake City than the one you left behind. No cars on bike days, no noise, no development past the first quarter mile. Just the creek, the road, the cottonwoods, and the climb.
The access rules are simple but specific: bicycles are allowed in City Creek Canyon every day. Cars are allowed on even calendar days only (and only to the Rotary Park picnic area at mile 1.5). This means on odd-numbered calendar days, the canyon road is entirely car-free — a rare and genuinely pleasant thing in an urban canyon. Check the day before you go. If it's an odd day, ride it. The experience is worth planning around.
At 12.22 miles out-and-back with 1,406 feet of gain, this is a moderate climb that punches above its weight in terms of the experience it delivers. The gradient is steady without being aggressive — this is a good option for riders building canyon fitness, for early-season shakeout rides when the longer canyons are still wet, and for any morning when you want an hour of peace without fighting traffic on the way to the trailhead.
The Route
The ride starts at the Bonneville Shoreline Trailhead parking area near the Memory Grove Park entrance and follows the single paved canyon road north.
Miles 0–1.5: Lower Canyon The first mile and a half feels semi-urban — restrooms at Memory Grove, a few picnic areas, and the Rotary Park turnaround that marks the limit of car access on even days. The gradient is gentle here, mostly under 4%, and the tree canopy closes quickly. This section is shared with walkers and joggers regardless of day — keep your speed reasonable and announce yourself when passing.
Miles 1.5–4: Into the Canyon Past Rotary Park the road narrows to single-lane, the canyon walls close in, and whatever ambient city noise was following you disappears. City Creek runs alongside the road — clear, fast water over smooth cobbles — and the cottonwoods and maples overhead create a tunnel of green in summer. The gradient picks up to 5–6% through this section and holds. Find your tempo here and settle in.
Miles 4–6.1: The Upper Canyon The upper section opens slightly as the canyon broadens toward its head. The grade remains steady, never brutal but never easy, and the road surface holds up well through the upper miles. The turnaround is at the upper gate — the road ends at a locked gate that marks the upper watershed boundary. There's a small clearing here that makes a good rest and food stop before the return.
The Descent The return is fast and shaded. The narrow middle section requires attention — the road is tight enough that you'll want both hands on the brakes through some of the bends. In the lower canyon, watch for pedestrians who may not be expecting downhill cyclists approaching at speed. Give yourself extra room for the corners and save the sprinting for the open lower section.
What to Bring
- One full bottle — the climb is short enough that 1 bottle gets most riders through; the creek is not treated and not a water source
- Light layers — the canyon is shaded and can be significantly cooler than the city below, especially in early morning
- Nothing else required — this is a short urban climb; simplicity is part of the appeal
Local Tips
- Access day check: Odd calendar days are fully car-free — worth planning your week around if you want the cleanest experience. On even days, cars are permitted to Rotary Park at mile 1.5; the upper canyon is still car-free.
- Best window: Early April through late October; the canyon opens up for cyclists well before the alpine rides do. Weekday mornings are the quietest; weekend mornings can see significant pedestrian and jogger traffic in the lower canyon.
- Parking: Memory Grove Park has a small lot off Canyon Road — it fills by 8am on weekends. Street parking on the surrounding neighborhood streets is the backup.
- No dogs: City Creek Canyon prohibits dogs at all times, watershed rules.
- Post-ride: You're six blocks from downtown. Publik Coffee on 300 South or Laziz Kitchen in the 9th and 9th neighborhood are both worth the short ride down the hill.