What Are the Best Trails and Picnic Areas at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City?
Liberty Park, Salt Lake City's oldest park, has three walking loops: a paved multi-use path, a wood chip trail for walkers only, and an inner sidewalk. It also has shaded lawns for picnics and the reservable Rice Pavilion in the northeast corner. Streetcar Flats, at 2201 S 900 E in Sugar House, sits about a mile and a half south of the park, so a morning walk or a sunset picnic is a short drive or bike ride away.
Streetcar Flats has studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments with open layouts and boutique-style finishes, and it's just steps from the S Line streetcar. Living in Sugar House puts some of the city's best green space close to home, and Liberty Park is one of the easiest places to enjoy it.
Streetcar Flats Guide to Liberty Park Trails & Picnic Areas
Liberty Park is Salt Lake City's second-largest park. Its trails circle a collection of historic buildings, a tree-lined pond, and one of the country's oldest aviaries. This guide covers which loop to walk, where to set up a picnic, how pavilion reservations work, and what's worth a stop along the way.
Which Liberty Park Walking Loop Should You Choose?
Liberty Park's three loops are layered inside one another, so you can pick the surface and pace that suits the day. Each one has its own rules and feel.
| Loop | Surface | Best For | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Use Path | Paved | Jogging, walking, skating, biking | One-way counterclockwise traffic, with separate slow and fast lanes |
| Wood Chip Loop | Wood chips | Walking and easy running | Pedestrian-only, with softer footing that's easier on the joints |
| Inner Sidewalk | Concrete | Casual strolls | Closest to the park's interior landmarks and picnic lawns |
The paved multi-use path is the most popular of the three. Trail guides list its outer circuit at roughly 1.4 miles with almost no elevation gain. Everyone travels counterclockwise, and faster users pass on the left, which keeps head-on run-ins to a minimum. Users are limited to two side by side. Dogs are welcome on every loop as long as they're on a leash no longer than six feet, in line with Salt Lake City park rules.
If you're training for a race, the paved path's fast lane gives you an uninterrupted loop to repeat. If you'd rather slow down and take in the scenery, the wood chip trail or inner sidewalk is the better fit.
What Can You See Along the Liberty Park Trails?
A lap around Liberty Park passes more history and culture than most people expect from a city park. A few stops are worth building into your route.
Tracy Aviary Is Home to More Than 300 Birds
Tracy Aviary, at 589 E 1300 S in the park's southwest area, covers eight acres of themed exhibits and botanical gardens. It's home to more than 300 birds from around the world, including species that are endangered or extinct in the wild. The aviary is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4 p.m. It also runs daily programs such as bird demonstrations. Admission requires a ticket, so plan on a separate stop rather than a quick walk-through.
Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts Offers Free Admission
The Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts is in the center of the park, inside an adobe home built more than 150 years ago. It's the only museum in the country dedicated to a state-owned collection of contemporary folk art, with pieces made by artists from Utah's American Indian, rural, occupational, and ethnic communities. Admission is always free. The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and its current exhibition, "Once Upon a Tree," runs through January 9, 2027.
The Isaac Chase Mill Dates Back to 1852
Near the museum stands the Isaac Chase Mill, finished in 1852 and widely recognized as the oldest standing commercial building in Utah. It's a quick but worthwhile detour, especially if you enjoy local history.
Liberty Pond Is a Peaceful Place to Pause
Liberty Pond sits in the park's southeast corner near the gazebo. It's a scenic halfway point, with mature trees and regular visits from ducks and geese. The pond is also one of the most photographed spots in the park, especially when the leaves change in the fall.
With a museum, an aviary, and a pioneer-era mill all along the same loop, a walk at Liberty Park can easily become a half-day outing.
Where Are the Best Picnic Spots in Liberty Park?
Liberty Park's wide lawns and old shade trees make it one of the best picnic parks in Salt Lake City. You don't need a reservation for a casual picnic, but a little planning helps you get a good spot.
A few tips for picnicking at Liberty Park:
- Claim shade early. The lawns beneath the park's mature trees fill up quickly on warm weekends, so arriving before noon gives you the best choice of spots.
- Pick your spot by what's nearby. Lawns near the pond are quieter and more scenic. Spots on the east side put you close to the sand volleyball courts if you want to play a few games.
- Know where the restrooms are. There are four restrooms throughout the park, though the one at the tennis center is currently closed.
- Check concession hours. The concession stand in the southwest area typically runs Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., which helps if you forget drinks or snacks.
- Watch the clock. Park hours run from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., so there's plenty of time for an evening picnic after work.
Whether it's a quick lunch on a blanket or a longer afternoon with friends, Liberty Park has plenty of room to spread out.
How Do You Reserve a Pavilion at Liberty Park?
For larger gatherings, the Rice Pavilion in the park's northeast corner can be reserved for half-day blocks and holds up to 250 guests. Reservations go through Salt Lake City's Public Lands Department, and the process is simple once you know the steps.
- Check the season. Pavilion reservations run from the second Monday of April through the second Sunday of October. The 2026 season ends October 11.
- Create an ActiveNet account. All Salt Lake City pavilion reservations are made through the city's ActiveNet system.
- Book at least three business days ahead. Reservations can't be made on shorter notice, and popular summer weekends book up well in advance.
- Review the cancellation policy. Cancellations must be made 14 days before your date, and there are no refunds for bad weather.
- Call with questions. The reservations office is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (801) 972-7860.
If this season's dates don't work, reservations for the next season typically open in early February, which is worth marking on your calendar for spring and summer events.
What Else Is There to Do at Liberty Park?
Trails and picnics are only part of what Liberty Park offers. The park also has sand volleyball courts on the east side (reservable through the city), a basketball court on the west side, bocce ball courts and horseshoe pits, and wall ball courts next to the Liberty Park Tennis Center. In the summer, the seasonal Liberty Park Pool on the west side and the free Mondays in the Park concert series hosted by the Chase Home Museum add even more reasons to visit. The city is also reimagining the former Seven Canyons Fountain as a new public art feature, so keep an eye out for updates on that project.
With this much packed into one park, it's easy to mix a walk, a game, and a picnic into a single afternoon.
Liberty Park Makes Every Season Feel Close to Home
Between three walking loops, shaded picnic lawns, a reservable pavilion, and landmarks like Tracy Aviary and the Chase Home Museum, Liberty Park offers plenty of reasons to keep coming back all year. From Sugar House, it's close enough for an easy after-work walk or a weekend picnic.
When the day in the park is done, Streetcar Flats has its own spots to relax. There's a rooftop terrace with mountain views, a fire pit and outdoor hammocks, a fitness center for days when the weather keeps you in, and bike storage for your ride back from the loop. Choose from studio, one-, and two-bedroom layouts designed for however you like to live in Salt Lake City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Liberty Park in Salt Lake City?
Liberty Park is at 600 Harvey Milk Blvd in central Salt Lake City, between 900 South and 1300 South and 500 East and 700 East. It's about a mile and a half north of Streetcar Flats in Sugar House.
How long is the walking loop at Liberty Park?
The paved multi-use path around Liberty Park is roughly 1.4 miles, according to trail guides, and it's nearly flat. The park also has a wood chip pedestrian loop and an inner sidewalk for shorter or softer-surface walks.
Can you reserve a picnic pavilion at Liberty Park?
Yes. The Rice Pavilion in the northeast corner can be reserved for half-day blocks for up to 250 guests through Salt Lake City's ActiveNet system, from mid-April through mid-October, at least three business days in advance.
Are dogs allowed at Liberty Park?
Yes. Dogs are welcome at Liberty Park as long as they're kept on a leash no longer than six feet, including on the multi-use path.
Is there free stuff to do at Liberty Park?
Yes. The trails, picnic lawns, sport courts, and Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts are all free. Tracy Aviary and the seasonal pool charge admission.
What are Liberty Park's hours?
Liberty Park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Individual attractions like Tracy Aviary and the Chase Home Museum keep their own hours.