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This section of The Jordan River Parkway is one of the few sections that offers a loop around both sides of the river. It features some beautiful woods, great views, and the Little Cottonwood Confluence. We do this trail often as part of our healthy walking group.
Quick Details:
Length: 1.8 mile loop
Trail Type: Connector, loop, or out and back.
Difficulty: DR2, DR3. The main trail is paved and mostly flat. The alternate trail is hard packed and mostly flat as well.
Elevation Gain: 22 feet.
Restroom: Yes, but I don’t think they are open in winter.
Dogs? Yes, but they should remain leashed at all times.
Other Info: Cities: Murray. Jordan River Mile Markers: 29
To Get Here:
If coming from the north, take i15 to 4500 S, go west. Turn left on 500 west. Take that to Murray/Taylorsville rd (4800 s) hang right, then immediately left into Arrowhead Park.
If coming from the south, take the 5300 S exit. Go west, turn right on Murray Blvd. Turn left on Murray/Taylorsville rd (4800 s), then immediately left into Arrowhead Park.
The Trail:
We followed the Jordan River Parkway south from Arrowhead Park.
Nice view of the river. We had seen a beaver here previously, so naturally we came back to look for one.
Some American coots.
The river. The Little Cottonwood Confluence is just to the left.
The confluence.
Little Cottonwood Creek. Looking quite a bit more robust down here than it did up at Crestwood Park just a few days ago.
The river again.
Not the best shot, considering it is on the other side of the tree, but we saw a Northern flicker.
Boardwalk though a swampy section.
Lovely wooded section.
If you are feeling more adventurous, there is also a non paved trail that stays near the river.
The mountains.
Mile Marker 29.
The little pond seems a little low on water at the moment.
Duckies!
Squirrel!
I love that I am seeing these signs popping up at our local waterways.
Duckies!
The little pond again.
S Curve.
The trail.
Crossing over the river, looking upstream.
Downstream.
Now we are no longer on the Jordan River Parkway, but a sister trail that goes down the other side of the river.
The river and mountains.
Again.
We ran into a woman who had her dog off leash, however her dog seemed to have good recall, and she even asked us if we would like her to leash him. None of us had our dogs with us today, so we didn’t really see an issue.
Now normally I am very strict in that if the rules say your dog must remain leashed, you should follow that rule, so everyone can enjoy the area. Like I said, we didn’t have our dogs today, and if we did this encounter might have gone down differently, but today, I just want to say I appreciate that a fellow human had just the most basic amount of etiquette and respect for other trail users. Seriously, it isn’t hard. If more people followed her example we could all enjoy our trails in harmony.
This higher riverbank is a prime spot for kingfisher and bank swallow nesting. You can see some of the holes in it.
This side of the river is quite woodsy.
The river again.
More woods.
Fun family tree.
The river again.
With the mountains.
I’m not 100% sure, but I believe these are caused by beavers. We saw similar holes in a section with a lot of other beaver activity on the James Madison TR to Redwood TH Park section.
This part of the trail is a little closer to the riverbank than I would like, but it is pretty short.
Riverbend.
Panoramic.
Another one of those weird lean-to structures I see on random trails.
River again.
Mountains.
From here you have a choice to continue following the river, or take a shorter route through the woods. We opted for the latter.
Into the woods.
Stump that looks like a toilet.
Mountains again.
Crossing back over the river at 4800 S.
As I said, we do this section often, but it is a particularly lovely section. Plus I really enjoy the little healthy walks with my friends. It is a great way to get some exercise and catch up, while enjoying some nature. 9 out of 10 squirrels today.
As for difficulty, it is fairly flat and pretty easy. The main Jordan river Trail is paved, so DR2. The trail on the other side of the river is not, so DR3.
Dogs are allowed, but should remain leashed.
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