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Outdoor Adventures

🧗 Outdoor Adventures for Kids in Cottonwood Heights, UT

12 hiking, farms, nature centers, and outdoor adventure spots rated and reviewed by families.

Activities & Venues in Cottonwood Heights

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Conservation Garden Park botanical garden in South Jordan, UT Activity
Photo: M.C. Rivetti
4.8(845)Free6 mi · South Jordan

Conservation Garden Park offers 8 acres of stunning water-wise gardens that turn learning about sustainability into an adventure for kids. With winding walking paths, tranquil ponds teeming with fish and turtles, and beautifully landscaped demonstration gardens, this hidden gem provides a peaceful outdoor escape where children can explore nature while parents gather inspiration for their own yards.

🕑 1.5-2 hours
Mount Olympus Trailhead hiking area in Holladay, UT🧗 Adventure
Photo: Mustafa Bulent Igdelioglu
4.8(721)Free2 mi · Holladay

Mount Olympus Trailhead offers families a perfect introduction to hiking in Utah's stunning Wasatch Mountains. While the full summit trail is challenging, the lower portions provide accessible, family-friendly paths where kids can explore nature, spot wildlife, and enjoy breathtaking canyon views without the commitment of a full mountain ascent.

🕑 1.5-3 hours for families hiking the lower trails to the first saddle and back
Millcreek Canyon hiking area in Millcreek, UT🧗 Adventure
Photo: Darija Meier
4.7(403)Free5 mi · Millcreek

Millcreek Canyon offers families an easily accessible mountain escape just minutes from Salt Lake City, featuring multiple hiking trails suitable for little legs, gentle creek areas where kids can splash and play, and shaded picnic spots perfect for family lunches. The well-maintained paths wind through beautiful scenery with opportunities to spot wildlife, making it an ideal introduction to hiking for younger children while still offering enough variety to keep older kids engaged.

🕑 2-4 hours depending on which trails you choose and how much creek play time you allow
Willow Heights hiking area in Cottonwood Heights, UT🌳 Park
Photo: Yang Song
4.7(225)Free

Willow Heights in Cottonwood Heights offers families a peaceful escape with excellent playground equipment, scenic walking trails, and open green spaces perfect for picnics and games. Located near Big Cottonwood Canyon, this highly-rated neighborhood park provides a relaxed atmosphere where kids can play freely while parents enjoy the beautiful Utah mountain views.

🕑 1.5-2.5 hours
Hoof & Vine steak house in Farmington, UT🌾 Farm
Photo: Linda Bernini
4.6(700)$$$2 mi · Farmington

Hoof & Vine is an upscale steakhouse in Midvale that caters to families seeking a refined dining experience. With its farm-to-table concept and quality cuts, it's a great spot for special occasions or when you want to treat the family to a memorable meal in a welcoming atmosphere.

🕑 1.5-2 hours
Millcreek Common park in Millcreek, UT🌳 Park
Photo: Millcreek Common
4.5(527)Free6 mi · Millcreek

Millcreek Common is a modern community park that serves as the heart of family fun in Millcreek. With a well-designed playground, refreshing splash pad, and expansive open lawn for running and playing, this gathering space offers something for every family member. The park hosts seasonal events throughout the year, making it a destination worth visiting again and again.

🕑 2-4 hours
Little Dell Recreation Area park in Cottonwood Heights, UT🧗 Adventure
Photo: Darlene O

Little Dell Recreation Area offers an ideal introduction to mountain trails for families with young adventurers. This accessible spot features gentle paths around a picturesque reservoir where kids can spot wildlife, skip stones, and explore nature without the challenge of steep climbs. The easy-access trailhead means less time coaxing tired toddlers and more time enjoying the stunning Wasatch Mountain scenery.

🕑 1.5-2.5 hours
Intermountain Health Intermountain Medical Center hospital in Murray, UT Activity
Photo: Intermountain Health Intermountain Medical Center

The healing gardens at Intermountain Medical Center offer a surprisingly serene escape for families seeking a quiet outdoor space in Murray. These thoughtfully designed gardens feature meandering walking paths, soothing water features, and peaceful green spaces that provide a calm environment for gentle strolls with children who need a relaxing outdoor experience.

🕑 30 minutes to 1 hour
🧗 Adventure

The Fort Union Boulevard Trail offers families a safe, smooth paved pathway that's ideal for introducing young children to biking, teaching them to ride without training wheels, or enjoying leisurely family strolls. This well-maintained multi-use trail winds through Cottonwood Heights neighborhoods, providing a car-free environment where kids can safely practice their cycling skills while parents enjoy scenic mountain views.

🕑 1-2 hours
🧗 Adventure

Bengal Boulevard offers families a beautiful paved trail system perfect for biking, scootering, and stroller walks through Cottonwood Heights. With gentle terrain that's ideal for beginners and stunning mountain views, it's an excellent spot for families looking to enjoy Utah's outdoor beauty without tackling difficult trails.

🕑 1-2 hours
Mount Olympus Trail route in Millcreek, UT🧗 Adventure
Photo: Marissa Dunn
Free3 mi · Millcreek

Mount Olympus Trail offers multiple hiking options in Millcreek Canyon, making it ideal for families who want to experience Utah's stunning mountain scenery without committing to extreme difficulty. The lower portions of the trail system provide accessible nature walks with rewarding views, perfect for introducing kids to mountain hiking while staying close to Salt Lake City.

🕑 1.5-3 hours depending on how far up the trail you venture with kids
Bell Canyon Trail route in Sandy, UT🧗 Adventure
Photo: Volodymyr Sheremeta
Free4 mi · Sandy

Bell Canyon Trail offers adventurous families a rewarding 4.5-mile round-trip hike through stunning Wasatch Mountain scenery, culminating in a beautiful waterfall that makes the moderate climb worthwhile. The well-maintained trail winds through shaded canyon areas and opens to breathtaking vistas, providing an excellent introduction to mountain hiking for active families with older children who are ready for a real hiking challenge.

🕑 3-4 hours round trip including breaks and time at the waterfall

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