Old Emigration Trail

Utah

2 Reviews

The Old Emigration Road once ran from Salt Lake City to City of the Rocks, Idaho where it linked to the California Trail. Today, a section of this historic migration route is an off-road, mutli-purpose trail connecting West Point to Syracuse. It’s also known as the Syracuse or Bluff Trail.

The journey begins at 1300 North in West Point, traveling east. The scenery here mostly comprises residential neighborhoods, opening up into marshes and farmland as one gets further along. The Wasatch Mountains and Antelope Island are observable in the distance. At about the 4.25-mile point, travelers will encounter a junction in the trail at Fremont Park. Here, take the left and follow the signage towards Jensen Park.

At the northern end of Jensen Park, trail users m head south over the bridge, turn east at Gentile Street. Trail users may choose to head north again, for a final loop around the park.

The Old Emigration Trail is accessible and family friendly. However, there are a number of on-road crossings that should be approached with caution. This is also not a shady trail, so come prepared with water, a hat or visor and sunscreen, especially during hotter months.

Parking and Trail Access

The Jensen Nature Park trailhead is located at 3176 South Bluff Road in Syracuse, Utah. Drive west on Gentile Street in Layton, UT for approximately 4.0 miles. Turn north onto Bluff Road and continue 0.8 miles to Jensen Nature Park on the west side of the road.

The northern trailhead is located at at 4055 W 1300 N in West Point, Utah. There is a small parking lot about 1.1 miles west on 1300 N.

The trail can also be accessed at any of the street crossings along the route.

Potential for Better

July 2021 acewickwire

Started at Jensen Nature Park with intent to ride the loop at south end of trail but lots of construction and confusing detours. Returned to Jensen Nature Park and rode north to W 300 N street. Looked like trail ended there, so turned around. My bad for not consulting map and would have seen left turn for short distance and then continue north. Oh well. There is some signage along the trail but only one sign post indicating Old Emigration Trail the remainders have other names for different segments, I guess. Anyway not a clearly marked trail and several places of construction on going. Trail surface was fine and plenty wide enough. Maybe at a later date if back in the area would give it another try.