Way back in 1935, Maggie Miller donated a section of Red Butte Creek to Salt Lake City with the idea that it would be a sanctuary for wildlife and children. Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park is still a wonderful oasis in the city that is fun to explore or just take a pleasant stroll around.
A 1 mile loop takes you around the park, which is built on a hill, but it’s not very steep. We passed some joggers and a few families out for a nice stroll. Our boys loved looking for wildlife, too. We spotted several birds including a hummingbird, cedar waxwings, goldfinches, and a black-headed grosbeak. We also saw two garter snakes, a half dozen squirrels, and a gigantic snail.
This trail is a perfect short stroll. It’s very shady and thick, and it gives you the feeling of a rainforest as you walk along with the birds singing overhead and the stream chuckling along in the distance. This is the ideal place to take grandma for a walk, though there are a few stairs you’d have to avoid if she’s on wheels.
There are interpretive signs along the route that give information about the trail as well. One tells about a beautiful stone bridge that was constructed as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal. Others talk about the wildlife and the donation of the land.
A few side trails lead down to the creek if you want to throw some rocks in, which our boys always love to do. We enjoyed this getaway right in the heart of Salt Lake City. If you are looking for an easy nature trail, visit Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park.
Directions
If you’re up for a leisurely Sunday stroll, Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park is the perfect place. It’s address is 1710 E 900 S, and there is street parking here. We actually parked by The Bonneville Glen area which is at 1050 S 1500 E in SLC because there was a large parking lot. We parked and walked through the Bonneville Glen into the Miller Bird Refuge since these two parks are connected.
