Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in South Jordan

"Located at the Wasatch mountain range, Red Butte Garden has over one hundred acres of botanical vegetation and several hiking trails crisscrossing through its varied landscape. Red Butte Garden is a versatile botanical garden, and it has exhibitions that include sculptural and art exhibits in addition to floral exhibits, and it also hosts music concerts in the summer. There are themed gardens and seasonal exhibitions, as well as free movie nights during the summer."

"Groomed gardens and grassy hills provide a natural playground for families.at the Red Butte garden and Arboretum. In the Children’s Garden, kids will enjoy the koi pond, maze, and splash pad when the weather’s warm. Bring a picnic and enjoy some time outdoors enjoying one of the more relaxing things to do in Salt Lake City with kids."

"The Red Butte Garden, operated by the University of Utah, spans roughly 100 acres. It features an arboretum, an amphitheater, various hiking trails, and more."

"Spread out over more than 80 acres, Liberty Park is Salt Lake City's largest public park and home to a variety of recreational activities. This green space is a lovely nature retreat with mature trees, and many residents come here in summer to picnic or relax under the shady canopy of leaves. Ideal for a family outing, the park has numerous things to do, including tennis courts, bocce ball courts, basketball courts, and a public swimming pool."

"Liberty Park covers an impressive 80 acres of land which makes it the largest park in the Salt Lake City area. Due to its size, you can expect a huge range of activities here and you can go walking, hiking, or biking around the green slopes. There are a range of sports and recreation grounds here such as basketball courts and volleyball nets, as well as a swimming pool."

"Liberty Park is the oldest park in Utah and second largest park in Salt Lake City at 100 acres. There is so much to do here. There are walking paths all around the park great for getting some exercise and fresh air."

"This “secret garden”, on a side street in the middle of town, is one of Salt Lake’s gems. Carved and curated by Mormon bishop and businessman Thomas Battersby Child Jr in the late 1940s, the garden is an arguably unsettling tribute to the man’s life and religion, featuring stone-carved sculptures and engravings portraying Biblical stories and church history. Highlights include a curious Joseph Smith Sphinx, an unflattering self-portrait by Child, a sacrificial altar and random carved body parts strewn here and there.749 East 500 South, +1 801 582 0432, gilgalgarden.org."

"Thomas Child built Gilgal Garden in the mid 1900s as a way “to give physical form to his deep-felt beliefs.” This small garden, tucked away in a non-descript street in the Liberty Wells neighborhood, is a wacky, weird, and yet beautiful place. Strewn across moss-covered hills lay some of the most abstract sculptures of arms, legs, hearts, and verses from the Bible. If you need a break from traffic and screaming kids, spend an hour or so meandering around this unique corner of Salt Lake City and have your eyes and minds opened."

"The federal government operated the Utah State Prison here for nearly a century before the city redesigned and repurposed the site as a public park. This giant space has everything you need for a family or community party, a sports event (see: basketball court donated by the Utah Jazz), or just a morning cardio workout—the 1.38-mile road encircling the park features a 16-foot-wide inside lane for walkers, runners, cyclists, roller-bladers, and skate-ski trainers. Set up a picnic near the large, duck-filled pond, or follow the sidewalk on the park’s west edge under 1300 East and explore Hidden Hollow’s meandering paths, native vegetation, and rushing Parley’s Creek."

"Sugar House Park is a public urban park in Salt Lake City, spanning 110 acres throughout the city's Sugar House neighborhood. The park is located on grounds formerly housing Utah's first state prison, Sugar House Prison, which operated until 1951. Today, it offers two children's playgrounds, a 4.5-acre scenic pond and fountains, and more than three miles of visitor walking, jogging, and cycling paths, including a loop path that spans the park's perimeter."

"Located in Salt Lake City’s Sugar House neighborhood, Sugar House Park is a 110-acre park (the largest park in the city). And this is an ideal place to visit your family and kids. Especially, many people visit this park for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding on hills, and many other winter activities in the winter months."

"The International Peace Gardens are a public botanical garden facility within Salt Lake City's Jordan Park, originally designed in 1939 and opened in 1952. The garden is operated by the Salt Lake Council of Women's Past Presidents Council and spans 11 acres along the banks of the Jordan River, meant to symbolize the spirit of world peace, democracy, and brotherly love. 28 nationality gardens showcase Utah's diverse ethnic and cultural populations, with garden sections representing countries throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe."

"The diverse cultures that have contributed to Salt Lake City's character through the years are honored in this park, which lies along the Jordan River. Visitors will enjoy the quiet atmosphere and the variety of statues, windmills, and gardens that pay tribute to the more than 25 ethnic groups which have settled the Salt Lake area. Read more about International Peace Gardens →"

"Fewer know of the Jordan River Park at about 10th South along the river. And fewer still know of the International Peace Gardens within this park. These gardens are a lovely space filled with flowers, trees, bushes, statues, and artful installations, each of which are dedicated to a different part of the world."

"Call the EcoCenter (1258 Center Dr, 435.649.1767) to book a guided snowshoe tour (Saturdays, 8:30 to 10 a.m.), or simply stop in to rent snowshoes, grab a map, and get the gate code for the Wetland Discovery Trail. Once on it, be sure to keep an eye out for deer, squirrels, coyotes, hares, and elk. Afterwards, take a minute to wander through the EcoCenter to check out the winter exhibit or climb the four-story wildlife observation tower."

"The Pony Express National Historic Trail was the famous 19th-century route used for all the essential communication needs from Missouri to California. For example, it was helpful to transport letters, massages, and all the other important things. Traveling from Missouri to California means passing eight states."

"This small, picturesque park, is tucked away at the bottom of the Avenues neighborhood. It was constructed in the 1920s to honor the soldiers lost in World War I and features several memorials to Utah’s veterans, as well as a replica of the Liberty Bell. Not only is Memory Grove just a few minutes’ walk from downtown, but it also connects to City Creek Canyon which features a winding creekside forest road perfect for walking, running, and cycling, as well as several trails."

"The cute neo-Gothic Assembly Hall hosts free daily organ recitals at noon, while the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at the domed Tabernacle. It shelters an 11,623-pipe organ and has acoustics so finely tuned you can hear a pin drop in the pulpit from the back of the hall."

"The last important building is the Assembly Hall, located at the southwest corner of the square. The exterior gives it the appearance of a Gothic cathedral, but the interior is not built in the Gothic style – which is a bit disappointing."

"Montgomery Lee Fine Art gallery features realistic as well as impressionistic paintings and sculptures. The mother-daughter duo of Linda Lee and Jennifer Lee-Fargo have been representing primarily 20th century artists for over 23 years now. At 2,600 square feet, the large gallery presents a stunning range and selection of art and is well worth a stop on Main Street."

"For over 50 years, this attraction has brought contemporary art to Utah. The gallery showcases over 40 different artists and includes representational and abstract pieces. In addition to resident art, Meyer Gallery also spotlights featured artists."

"Just across the street from Pioneer Park on 300 south lies Bruges Waffles & Frites, unquestionably one of the best spots for a decadently sweet treat in downtown Salt Lake City. Bruges has a variety of menu items but are best known for the liege waffles. You can enjoy your waffle with a variety of toppings but my standby’s are always crème fraîche and seasonal fruit (usually raspberries or peaches in the summer)!"

"Born in the restaurant's namesake city, Bruges, Belgium, owner Pierre Vandamme brought with him Belgium's famous yeast-raised Liege waffles. Endowed with the traditional sugar pearls in the dough, these waffles are served hot and eaten with the toppings of your choice: creme fraiche, Belgian chocolate sauce, various berries, crunchy speculoos spread or vanilla bean ice cream."