Exploring Things to Do in North Salt Lake, UT: Trails, Parks, and Nearby Trips

by Doug Cary

North Salt Lake is a trailhead town in Davis County, sitting on the southern edge of the county where it borders Salt Lake City. Most of its attractions are outdoors and cost nothing, while the larger entertainment draws sit a short drive away. This guide organizes your options around two main choices: climbing on dirt trails versus walking flat paved paths, and staying in town versus taking a short drive.

If you are using a weekend here to scout a move, the housing market gives you time to look without feeling rushed. Across all homes, the median sale price dropped 4.6% year over year, and listings recently sat for a median of 51 days on the market. You can explore the foothills in the morning and still have the afternoon to compare neighborhoods.

Key Takeaway

Start with the free foothill trails: the Bonneville Shoreline Trail climbs above town for valley views, and the flat, paved Legacy Parkway Trail runs about 11.5 miles toward Farmington when you prefer not to climb. North Salt Lake keeps its activities mostly outdoors, so for dinner, shows, or a full-day attraction like Lagoon, plan a short drive south to Salt Lake City or north to Farmington.

Who This Guide Is For

You are planning a day or weekend in North Salt Lake, or scouting it as a place to live, and deciding which outdoor spots and nearby trips are worth your time.

How to Choose Your Activities in North Salt Lake

Do you want to climb on dirt for views, or stay on a flat, paved path? Climbing points to the foothill trails and golf section; flat terrain points to the flat trails and city parks section.

For the bigger picture, see Pros and Cons of Living in North Salt Lake.

Are you staying in town all day, or happy to drive? Staying in town keeps you in the trails, parks, and events sections, but driving opens up nearby trips like downtown Salt Lake City, Lagoon, and Antelope Island.

Does it need to be free? The trails and city parks cost nothing to visit. Eaglewood Golf Course, Lagoon, and Antelope Island charge fees, which are listed in their profiles below.

Are you here to judge whether to live here? Read the housing market section after the one-day plan to see how current prices and inventory look.

Foothill Trails and Golf in North Salt Lake

The eastern side of North Salt Lake pushes up against the foothills, and the spots over here require elevation and physical effort. The payoff is views over the valley toward the Great Salt Lake and the Oquirrh Mountains.

The hillsides are exposed and catch the sun early, so plan accordingly. Every route on this side involves climbing, either on foot or in a golf cart.

Bonneville Shoreline Trail

The climb is worth it for the views. The city's official trail guide identifies Tunnel Springs Park as a trailhead, with the path heading south through open space into Salt Lake City. You can also access it from the Wild Rose Trailhead Park at 650 East Skycrest Lane, which connects to the Wild Rose Loop Trail before joining the main route.

The trail follows the old shoreline of prehistoric Lake Bonneville, so you are walking a former beach that the lake reached about 18,000 years ago before it drained. Check the North Salt Lake trail map for parking details and any closures after wet weather before heading up.

It is a dirt path and it climbs. It is not the pick for a casual stroll or a road bike.

Eaglewood Golf Course

This is the paid, in-town option for a half-day outdoors. Eaglewood Golf Course is a city-owned public 18-hole course, open to anyone without a membership requirement, and the hillside setting gives you scenery without leaving town.

Current green fees run $21 to $28 for 9 holes and $42 to $55 for 18 holes. Book a tee time and confirm current rates directly with the course before you arrive.

What you give up is a flat walk. The hillside holes make walking the course harder than the scorecard suggests, it costs money, and it requires booking ahead.

Flat Trails and City Parks in North Salt Lake

When the foothills sound like too much work, the western side of town offers paved paths and neighborhood parks, built for bikes, long walks, picnics, and field sports.

You trade the sweeping valley views for flat, easy terrain. This is where you go to cover distance quickly or set up for a relaxed afternoon outside.

Legacy Parkway Trail

This is the pick for a long ride or walk without any climbing. The flat, paved path parallels Legacy Parkway for 11.5 miles between I-215 in Salt Lake City and I-15 in Farmington, extending south right into North Salt Lake.

You can ride from North Salt Lake all the way to Farmington on pavement without sharing a road with cars. It is a solid route for road bikes and long-distance runners.

The downside: it parallels a highway, so expect traffic noise for long stretches and little shade on hot afternoons.

Foxboro Regional Park

This park is the place to go for a pickup game or a picnic, not a major destination in its own right. It provides a gathering space for field sports and outdoor events.

Check the city's reservation calendar before counting on open field space on a weekend. Local sports programs use the fields, and a Saturday morning can leave you with nowhere to play.

Tunnel Springs Park

Located near the corner of Eaglepointe and Parkway Drives, this park functions primarily as a trailhead for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Plan it as an hour-long stop that pairs well with a hike, not a standalone reason to drive across the valley.

North Salt Lake Events and City Recreation

Liberty Fest is North Salt Lake's signature annual summer celebration. The 2026 schedule features events on June 27 including the 5K Color Run at Legacy Park, an auto fest on July 2, and fireworks at Eaglewood Golf Course on July 3. Confirm this year's event dates on the city calendar, as they change yearly.

Beyond the summer festival, the city operates a recreation department focused on youth classes and sports leagues. The summer recreation program offers classes at Hatch Park for children ages 3 to 12, and residents also use the South Davis Recreation Center for additional programs.

Where to Eat and Shop Near North Salt Lake

Dining and shopping in North Salt Lake are spread along commercial corridors like Highway 89 and Redwood Road rather than concentrated in one district. You will find most of your daily stops along these main roads or in neighboring Bountiful and Woods Cross.

Because the options are scattered, you will likely drive between errands and meals. Confirm restaurant and shop hours before you go, as schedules vary widely along the highway corridors.

Things to Do Near North Salt Lake

North Salt Lake's focus on free outdoor recreation means the larger paid attractions sit outside the city limits. These are the half-day or full-day trips that complement the town's trails.

If you want a museum, a roller coaster, or open water, you will need to head north or south. Each of the spots below requires a short drive, but they expand your options considerably.

Downtown Salt Lake City

Downtown is where you go for dinner, a show at the Eccles Theater, or a museum visit. North Salt Lake does not have a central entertainment district, so Salt Lake City becomes the default choice for a night out.

It is a short drive south and a completely different pace from the Davis County trails. The catch is that downtown parking is mostly paid, and southbound I-15 backs up at rush hour. Drive the route at the hour you plan to travel and schedule evening trips after the commute clears.

Lagoon in Farmington

This is the big-day attraction a short drive north when you want a full day of rides instead of a trail. Lagoon has been operating since the 1880s, tracing its roots to an 1886 lakeside resort before moving inland to Farmington in 1896. The operating season runs from late March through the last Sunday in October each year. Check current hours and ticket prices on Lagoon's site before planning your trip.

Admission requires a budget, and summer weekends draw the biggest crowds. It is also completely seasonal, closing for the winter.

Antelope Island State Park

Head here for wildlife and open views of the Great Salt Lake. The island features a free-roaming bison herd that descends from 12 animals introduced in 1893, now managed at roughly 500 to 550 animals.

The day-use entrance fee is $15 per vehicle, with a discounted $10 senior rate, $5 per motorcycle, and $3 for pedestrians or cyclists. Check the state park site for seasonal bug and road conditions.

What you give up is a quick trip. The drive across the causeway makes this a half-day commitment at minimum, and there is a fee to enter.

Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area

This area offers open wetlands and wildlife viewing just north of town, and it works well as a seasonal outing when the higher trails are icy or muddy. Check the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources page for current conditions before driving out, as some roads or areas close at certain times of year to protect the habitat.

How to Spend a Day in North Salt Lake

Stringing these trade-offs together by time of day gives you a workable itinerary. You cover the elevation early and finish with a flat ride or a night out, moving from the foothills in the morning to the valley floor in the afternoon and ending with a short drive for dinner.

Morning on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Start here to take advantage of cooler morning air on an exposed climb. Trailhead parking is also easier to find before the midday crowds arrive. You can treat the hike as an out-and-back, turning around whenever you have seen enough.

Summer heat builds fast on the foothills, so a late start makes this harder. Bring plenty of water.

Afternoon on the Legacy Parkway Trail

Switch from climbing to flat terrain for the afternoon. Ride or walk a stretch of the paved path north and turn around, or swap in Eaglewood Golf Course if you prefer a different pace. This part of the day is about covering distance without the physical strain of the morning hike.

Getting from the foothills to the parkway means driving across town. This is not a single walkable loop.

Evening in Salt Lake City

Head downtown for dinner and a show, since that is where the evening options are concentrated. Alternatively, drive north to Lagoon if the amusement park is in season.

You will need to time the drive after rush hour and budget for downtown parking. A quiet evening in town is not what this city offers.

North Salt Lake Housing Market If You Are Thinking of Moving

If you are using your visit to scout a move, the current market gives you room to negotiate. Across all homes, prices are down slightly year over year, and inventory sits at a comfortable 4 months of supply.

Doug Cary Team can help you compare current listings near the trails. Use the Davis School District boundary lookup to confirm school assignments for any specific address, and never rely on a listing's claim.

Single-Family Homes

The median sale price for a single-family home recently sat at $563,275, a 7.3% drop from a year earlier based on 43 sales. With prices down and a median of 44 days on the market, you have time to look at homes without feeling pressured.

The drop does not make every listing soft. Some single-family homes still sold above their list price, so a well-priced property can still draw competition.

Townhouses

Townhouses sold for about $145,000 less than single-family homes at the median, coming in at $418,005 based on 19 recent sales. They cost more per square foot, though: $280 compared to $259 for detached houses. You are paying for less space and likely less exterior upkeep.

The 19-sale sample means the year-over-year swing may not hold steady. Monthly HOA dues come on top of the purchase price and vary by community, so ask the HOA for current dues and what they cover before comparing a townhouse to a house.

At a Glance

All homes, North Salt Lake (90 days ending 2026-09-30): median sale price $519,752, down 4.6% year over year
All homes (90 days ending 2026-09-30): 66 homes sold; median 51 days on market
All homes (90 days ending 2026-09-30): sale-to-list 98.3%; 12.3% sold above list price
All homes (90 days ending 2026-09-30): 4 months of supply; 85 homes in inventory; median $268 per square foot
Single-family (90 days ending 2026-09-30): median sale price $563,275, down 7.3% year over year, based on 43 sales
Single-family (90 days ending 2026-09-30): median 44 days on market; sale-to-list 98.3%; 14.3% sold above list; 3.8 months of supply; 53 in inventory; median $259 per square foot
Townhouse (90 days ending 2026-09-30): median sale price $418,005, down 16.4% year over year, based on only 19 sales, so treat the change with caution
Townhouse (90 days ending 2026-09-30, 19 sales): median 54 days on market; sale-to-list 98.8%; 10.5% sold above list; 3 months of supply; 19 in inventory; median $280 per square foot

North Salt Lake FAQs

What County Is North Salt Lake In?

North Salt Lake is in Davis County, not Salt Lake County. It sits at the county's southern edge where it borders Salt Lake City.

What Is North Salt Lake's Zip Code?

The ZIP code for North Salt Lake is 84054. This code covers the city, which is bordered by Woods Cross to the north and Bountiful to the northeast.

How Far Is North Salt Lake from Salt Lake City?

It is approximately 8 miles from North Salt Lake to downtown Salt Lake City, about 12 minutes under normal conditions. Drive the route at the hour you plan to travel, because rush-hour traffic on I-15 is slower.

Is North Salt Lake Safe?

For 2024, the North Salt Lake Police Department recorded 244 total Part I crimes, including 9 violent and 235 property crimes. That works out to a combined rate of about 10.34 crimes per 1,000 residents, or roughly a 1-in-97 chance of being a crime victim. When evaluating safety, compare rates per 1,000 residents, use the same year and offense categories across cities, and look at the trend over several years.

Is North Salt Lake a Good Place to Live?

The city offers direct access to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and the Legacy Parkway Trail for outdoor recreation. In the housing market, buyers currently see 4 months of supply and 85 homes in inventory, suggesting a market where you are not rushed to decide. Drive your commute at the real hour you will travel, and confirm schools with the Davis School District boundary lookup.

Does North Salt Lake Have a Downtown?

The city does not have a traditional downtown, but it adopted a Town Center Master Plan in 2016 to guide redevelopment. A Town Center Zoning District was established to implement that plan and regulate building forms, calling for a contiguous, distinctive town center through a Form-Based Code.