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36 reviews, and only 1 from a skater. Now there will be 2. We've skated all, and portions, of this trail over the past 20 some years. We've personally participated in numerous community open houses, held by the JRT commission, for its current and future welfare, and continually advocate for trail quality, maintenance, on behalf of skaters and cyclists as trail users. Sadly, the JRT has deteriorated in many areas of its 45 miles that it has become unsafe to skate, which limits skating to very few sections - an occasional decent 5 mile stretch here or there along its entire length. Outside of those meager offerings of a few decent sections of trail, skaters will encounter: huge cracks; worn, rough surfaces, and uneven rooted pavement; tar snakes; dilapidated wood bridges, and more.
In respect to unmaintained trails, and degraded poor surface quality in many areas, most of the Jordan River Trail is essentially unsafe for skating, and is in need of repairs and upgrading. While the JRT could be an amazing trail, its poor trail surface quality and lack of upkeep fall short of deeming it as such. From a walking standpoint sure it's fine. But, from skating standpoint, or as a few cyclists in the comments above put it - they were disappointed, and rightly so.
Adding information and understanding about trail maintenance & upkeep: Shared trail systems need to address safety from all user aspects. Trails are maintained by the municipalities that oversee the respective sections of the JRT running through their city or county. Complaints about trail safety issues, and surface quality conditions should be directed not only to respective overseeing parks & recs, but directly to jurisdictional city or county councils - as these government agencies are the ones charged with public life, safety, & welfare, and they are the ones responsible for determining annual budgets for trail upkeep and maintenance, which often fail to include necessary funds for trail upkeep and maintenance.
Signage along its length is more than adequate. Overall, the JRT is a pretty scenic corridor, as trails go. Occasional benches set directly next to the trail pavement are unsafely positioned, and create hazards and obstacles for users. Some of the newer, larger bridge crossings are sketchy for skaters to cross safely, and require skills to navigate steep downhill grades with either a U-turn or a wall at the bottom. Good luck.
There are other issues of safety that have surfaced. There is currently a section closed as Salt Lake City resolved how to address safety issues along the trail. To further my point: when civic agencies turn their back to the trails they are responsible for, it's not only deteriorated trail quality, but unfortunately safety issues can be the result. As reposted, from SLC City, on April 1 2025: "Closure part of a coordinated effort to improve trail and disrupt illegal activity,
Salt Lake City is temporarily closing a section of the Jordan River Parkway Trail between Cottonwood Park and 700 North as part of a comprehensive initiative to address environmental degradation, infrastructure challenges, and persistent public safety concerns.
This temporary closure, which is expected to last several months, is an effort to reclaim and revitalize public spaces and make them safer from illegal activity. In recent months, this area has seen an increase in environmental harm and criminal behavior, prompting growing concern from community members, neighbors, and trail users."
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To recap, the Jordan River Trail could be an amazing trail, and public resource, but it falls short due to unkept conditions noted above.
Let's talk Trail Quality & Safety: Like all trails we've skated, or cycled, over 3 plus decades, we've found most trails are simply not maintained. Legacy is another of those underfunded trails with deteriorated pavement, tar snakes, pavement gaps, and treacherous wooden bridge crossings with popping planks, in other words unsafe for skating. Legacy trail is in dire need or resurfacing. You're okay peddling a bike, but on skates or even running, it's surface quality is sketchy at best.
If only the municipalities along it's corridor, responsible for it's maintenance and upkeep, would invest the funding necessary to make Legacy a top rate trail. Trail maintenance is funded through municipal budgets, as cities and counties cannot bond public tax dollars for upkeep and maintenance. As result most trails in Utah, like Legacy, fall victim to no funding or priority given by municipalities for their upkeep. Despite decades of advocating request fall upon deaf ears. It's been disappointing to say the least to see such potential for what could be a top notch trail have basic maintenance be ignored.
Utah also needs laws for e-bikes on their trails. A 60# e-bike moving at +30mph poses threat to runners, skaters, walkers, and cyclists.
We parked at the city park in Elsinore and joined the bike trail a few blocks away. The asphalt trail was smooth and well-maintained for all 16.5 miles. There are a few moderate hills during the first 5 miles. The scenic part of the trail begins 10 miles in at the Candy Mountain Trailhead. The last 6.5 miles were our favorite part. We had ice cream and filled our water at the Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort.
Every adventure available. Although I just heard some of the downtown paths are being shut down. Lots of homeless, drugs, anything you want. So that adventure will end for a while while the homeless find new places to live along the river. The never ending battle. Salt Lake just doesn’t want to fix any problems that federal funding doesn’t take care of. So they just push the problem around the valley. Interesting but it makes for a great adventure along the river. Great trail. Be sure and check out the Saratoga Hot Springs down by Utah Lake.
I really enjoyed this trail. As a cycling and mom I would visit it again in biking with my kiddos but not for serious workout cycling
I love this trail from Taylorsville to Saratoga springs. The more northern part has some sketchy parts you probably want to peddle fast in. I also wouldn’t take kids on the more northern part of it but from Taylorsville south it is great for kids and families!
Very short trail but a great one if you want to do a trail clean up.
Great for cycling but a part of the trail is closed almost every other week but I enjoy it still . More north has great hills to get a good workout
This is a beautiful ride, but so many gates make it unbearable. Will not do it again.
We started at Ellison Park. Rode thru the park and a short distance on sidewalk and easily hit the trail. Ride about 6-7 miles south. Nice trail with more shade than expected but nowhere to stop at a picnic bench. Trail in between beautiful houses with interesting back yards. Sadly not a trail I would do again because of the zig zag barriers at every street. Had to walk bikes through them. Really not necessary as the streets were not busy ones. The barriers were more of a hazard themselves.
I started from Elsinore Park in Elsinore, UT and rode the trial to Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort; from beginning to end and back again.
I liked the trail better closer to the resort but it was on the whole a nice ride.
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