Spring Break is often seen as an either/or — you can either do something fun and exciting all week long, or you can do nothing — there is no in-between. Activities labeled “fun and exciting” include week-long Alternative Spring Break trips or visits to different cities or different states. These adventures are all well and good, but if you’re looking for a more low-key reason to get out of the house, look no further than City Creek Canyon at City Creek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City. The trail is most easily accessed by walking through Memory Grove but is also accessible via car by turning right about halfway through the one-way Canyon Road and pulling up to the main gate.
City Creek Canyon is a beautiful foot- and bike-path lined on either side with all sorts of vegetation. Sloping gently uphill and nicely paved for much of the trail, the hike demands only as much as much as you are willing to give. Park benches line the main trail, allowing you to take a break whenever you need to catch your breath or simply enjoy the view around you.
Though named for the same Salt Lake City river as is City Creek Shopping Center, the two areas are vastly different. City Creek Canyon, unlike the shopping center, can be enjoyed without spending a single cent. Additionally, the canyon is exceptionally dynamic in that it can be enjoyed solo or with friends, something not always possible in a mall. You’ll likely find you’re not the only one to use the trail for peaceful introspection.
This fairly easily accessed day trip can take one hour, a few hours or even half a day, depending on your mood and energy level. You can bring along a lunch and eat somewhere secluded or rent a park bench for a grand total of $3 if you want it for a longer time span. The trail’s location is also close enough to downtown Salt Lake City to allow you to visit until you get hungry and then drive into downtown for a bite.
No matter how you structure it, any visit to this peaceful wonder is bound to help you come away with a more relaxed attitude so important at this point in the school semester. Make your Spring Break your own — don’t give in to guilt for not doing enough over this hopefully stress-relieving week. Short day trips are easy, affordable and sometimes more fun than the longer trips that require more planning and often more stress. Whether you want a brief escape from any spring break responsibilities or a longer visit to recharge your batteries, City Creek Canyon is there for you.