Farmington Creek - Fairgrounds Section

Farmington Creek is a nice creek in Farmington Utah. The city has divided it into 4 segments. The Upper Canyon, Lower Canyon, City, and Fairgrounds. There is also a segment on The GSL Shorelands Preserve that was formerly referred to as Farmington Creek but is now called the Nature Trail. The fairgrounds Section is the only one we hadn’t explored yet, so since I wanted something super easy today we decided to check it out. This segment of the trail is paved and is pretty much next to the creek for most of the way.

Quick Details:

Length: 1.6 miles loop, or out and back. With option to add more.
Difficulty: DR2. Paved, almost flat.
Elevation Gain: 19 feet.
Restroom: Not at this TH.
Dogs? Yes, leashed. There is also a dog park next to the fairgrounds.

To Get Here:

There are 3 trailheads with parking. The Clark Lane TH is what we used for the City Segment, today we parked at the fairgrounds and accessed it via the Rails To Trails Trail (also paved). To get here take the Park Lane exit from I15 and head west. Turn left on 1100 west. You will eventually come to the Legacy Events Center and then the County Fairgrounds. Park at the SW end of the parking lot and take the paved path back. There were no signs saying not to park there, so I imagine as long as there is not an event at the fairgrounds you are okay. We didn’t have an issue. Also, the city’s trail page says to park there as well, so I think it’s okay.

The Trail:

You will walk along the Rails To Trails Trail for about 2/10’s of a mile. Also knows as the Denver and Rio Grande Western Rails Trail. This runs from Bountiful to Roy currently. We did a short segment of it in Bountiful doing a random loop.

The mountains above the fairgrounds.

A hawk chillin in that tree.

At about 2/10’s of a mile you will reach the creek. there is a paved trail heading east on either side of it. I wasn’t sure which one to take, so we took the left side. You can actually take either one, they both connect later, in fact it made it a nice loop option.

So now you will walk along the creek, with the fairgrounds to your left.

The creek is very shallow here.

The paved trail dipped below the raised stream bed, but we found this thin trail along the top of it.

I thought all these trees along the stream would be a good spot to maybe see an owl, but no such luck today.

We reached the road. You can continue along the sidewalk here out to the Clark Ln Trailhead about .35 mile, but its next to the road, crosses over 2 freeways and train tracks. We decided to just cross over to the trail on the other side of the creek and head on back.

Sign on the north trail option.

Heading back on the south trail.

Itty bitty waterfall.

Mountains above.

Fluffy clouds.

Farmington Canyon and Lagoon.

One last look at the creek now that we have hit the Rails To Trails Trail again.

The mountains above the fairgrounds again.

One last look at the Rails To Trails Trail as it continues north.

Paved trails through neighborhoods are not usually my favorite, but as far as those go, this is a pretty nice one. I definitely like it better than the Buffalo Ranch Trail. Not to mention, it’s a good winter option when avalanche danger is high, it was nice and quiet and did follow the creek. Going with 6 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, it is completely paved and fairly flat. DR2.

Dogs are allowed, but should be leashed. There is also a dog park next the the fairgrounds if you want to let them play. As always, clean up after your furry friends.