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City Creek Canyon

Utah > Wasatch Range > Central Wasatch

Description

The mouth of City Creek Canyon is just north of downtown Salt Lake City and the canyon runs kind of east/west behind the avenues. The top of this canyon shares a ridge line with the upper reaches of Emigration Canyon.

This is a popular canyon among cyclists and dog owners. The road is CLOSED TO AUTOMOBILES EVERY ODD CALENDAR DAY from Memorial Day through the end of September and everyday through the winter. On even calendar days through the summer you can drive up the canyon but there is a $3/car fee. Bring exact cash. On these days, just pull up to the gate and someone will greet you and take payment. Dogs are allowed in this canyon at the crags lower in the canyon and up to just below water treatment plant but must be on leash at all times. The Shoreline crag might be hard to get a dog to. Above the plant, the canyon is watershed so dogs are not allowed.

The canyon has conglomerate (cobblestone) cliffs high up on the sides of the canyon toward the bottom and limestone crags and fins at the top. The cobblestone is of varying quality with some bands of super hard stuff and some bands that barely seem to stay together. Helmets are recommended. The limestone is unique and featured in places and blank and awkward in others. The routes get mixed reviews with a variety of old and new school offerings though little information has been published.

Getting There

By Car: Go to the top of B street in the avenues (roughly 300 east) or to the West end of 11th Avenue. At this point, go north onto Bonneville Blvd which is a one way street that takes you into the canyon. Turn right into the canyon after it crosses the creek.

By Bike: same as by car, or you can start in downtown and ride up through Memory Grove along the creek until it intersects with Bonneville Blvd. This section of road is always closed to automobiles. To get there, take North Temple east across State Street then take your first left (at a red brick apartment building). This road turns into Memory Grove. There is some un-metered public parking here along the road. This will increase your ride by about a mile over parking at the gate of the canyon on Bonneville Blvd. Remember to bring a lock and chain to secure your bike to a tree or something as it is not feasible to take your bike to any of the climbs. Tourists can rent bicycles in Salt Lake City at the intermodal hub in salt lake city at 250 south 600 west. A bike ride is a nice addition to a good day of climbing.

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City Creek
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Lange Jeffries
South Lake Tahoe, CA
[Hide Comment] I have been woking on the boulders in between area 7 and 8. Look close on the right side just past the bridge there is a great new tall boy with some trees that need to go! And to who ever bolted the slab up high on the left. Good job! Keep up the good work! May 3, 2013
GRK

[Hide Comment] lange- long time no see! help us properly name some of the shoreline "bat" routes: Shoreline Crag May 3, 2013
Chris Stocking
SLC, UT
[Hide Comment] Does anyone know where I can find beta on the limestone formations further up the canyon? Looks like there's some fun rock, and the description of this page implies that there's climbing to be found. I didn't see any bolts, but wasn't looking too closely. Would love to know what exists up there. May 8, 2023