After 20 Years In The Making, This Utah Trail Is Officially Open
By Courtnie Erickson|Published September 19, 2023
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Courtnie Erickson
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From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
If you are like me, you love to spend time outdoors. While lakes and campgrounds are excellent places to spend the day in nature, there is nothing quite like a park. In August 2023, Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park, a park in Salt Lake County, officially opened and provided more than 13 miles of multi-use trails near Salt Lake City. And while we are all excited about this outdoor area, it hasn’t been an easy project. In fact, this has been a project that has taken more than 20 years to complete.
Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park is located in Salt Lake County. The park features up to 13 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians within the Southwest Canyon Trails Network. The use of this park is specific to trails only and it provides connections to Yellow Fork and Rose Canyons.
The Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park is a partnership between Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, Kennecott Rio Tinto, and the Bureau of Land Management. What makes this park unique is that it sits on reclaimed land that was once used for mining.
Due to several factors involving the land, it has taken quite some time to complete the trails and park. It required many years of acquiring permissions and agreements to use the land as well as time to create the trail itself.
Before the trail was officially open, Wasatch Adaptive Sports explored the path multiple times on adaptive bikes. Other individuals were also invited to explore the trail, including first responders.
Projects are still in the works before the park is officially complete. For example, the trailhead parking lot is under construction and is expected to be completed in December 2023. A temporary parking lot is available at the intersection of U-111 and Herriman Highway.
For more information on the new Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park, and the trail near Salt Lake City, visit the Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation website.
Have you visited the Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park? If so, what was your experience like at this new Utah destination? Let us know in the comments. If you have time, check out another new park in Salt Lake County — Pioneer Crossing Regional Park. And before a day on the trails, check out our ultimate hiking packing list, featuring 75 must-have hiking accessories.
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