Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve | Layton

Hiking Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve - LaytonRoadside Attraction Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve - Layton Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve

Layton

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Roadside or Easy Hike

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. South southeast wind around 6 mph.

58 | 34

Sat

Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

56 | 39

Sun

Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.

43 | 31

Mon

A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

45 | 26

Tue

A chance of rain and snow before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow between 8am and 11am, then a chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 28

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SEASON: Any. Summers can be hot and buggy.
WATER: Bring All You Need

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. South southeast wind around 6 mph.

58 | 34

Sat

Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

56 | 39

Sun

Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.

43 | 31

Mon

A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

45 | 26

Tue

A chance of rain and snow before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow between 8am and 11am, then a chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 28

View Full Weather Details
Heading to the Observation Tower.

Heading to the Observation Tower.

On the eastern side of the Great Salt Lake, near Layton, is the site of the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve. The preserve, owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, provides essential habitat from some of the over 250 species of birds that use the Great Salt Lake as their home or as a stopover point during migration. For families, bird lovers, and Great Salt Lake enthusiasts, this is an excellent place to spend a few hours. The preserve has a boardwalk that meanders through it, offers views of the Great Salt Lake and usually many bird species. The preserve has a pavilion and observation tower as well. My pre-schooler absolutely loved climbing the stairs of the observation tower to take in the scenery.

I feel like the preserve is often overlooked, or simply not well known, but definitely deserves a visit. On the lovely fall afternoon we visited, only one other group stopped by. The preserve is open from 6am to 9pm March to October, and 7am to 9pm November to February. There is no cost to visit.

Note: Please be respectful when visiting. Pack out any trash you pack in, and pickup and errant trash you may find.
Bug Note: This is the Great Salt Lake after all, and can be buggy in warmer times of the year. Late fall, winter, and early spring are my preferred times to visit.
The wetlands and boardwalk from the Observation Tower.

The wetlands and boardwalk from the Observation Tower.

Getting There

Take exit 330 (Layton Parkway) in Layton off of I-15 and head west across the highway, turning right (north) on Main Street. Follow Main Street north for 0.3 miles to Gentile Street. Turn left (west) onto Gentile Street and follow it for 3.1 miles to 3200 West. Turn left (south) on 3200 West and follow it about 1 mile to its end at the preserve.

A fun place to run around!

A fun place to run around!

Route

From the parking area, the trail heads south, past restrooms and a small building before reaching the pavilion. The trail goes in a loop from the pavilion, around the wetlands to an observation tower, then back to the pavilion.


Maps

Route / 1.85 miles / Elevation Range 0 - 4,216 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12T 413722mE 4543976mN

N41° 02' 33" W112° 01' 35"
Pavilion

12T 413802mE 4543721mN

N41° 02' 25" W112° 01' 32"
Observation Tower

12T 413511mE 4543318mN

N41° 02' 11" W112° 01' 44"

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