Jordan River Parkway
Jordan River ParkwayThe Jordan River Parkway is an easy-going paved bike and roller blade trail. This review is of the Utah County portion, 7.5 miles long, from Utah Lake to the Jordan Narrows. The trail is lightly traveled, hugging the edge of the Jordan River. This photo shows the river as it passes through the Thanksgiving Point golf course.

Just north of the Lehi main street access, there's Willow Park for a shady biking lunch. The trail intersects roads at the Jordan River pumps at Utah Lake, on Lehi's main street, and at 1500 North.

Getting there: Intersect the trail along any of the three roads described above. A good ride for kids is to catch the trail at main street and ride north to the turnaround at the Jordan Narrows, for a round trip of 10 very easy miles.

Pumphouse/model airplane field at Utah Lake (southernmost entry): GPS N 40° 21.723'  W 111° 53.913'. (To get to the pump house, take Lehi Main Street west and turn left -- south -- just before you reach the river, following the flying field signs.)

Lehi Main Street (middle entry): drive west through Lehi on Main Street. About a mile after leaving town, you'll see the trail cross the road (about 100 yards east of the river), GPS N 40° 23.225'  W 111° 54.101'. Or drive into Willow Park and catch the trail there.

Northern access: take State Street north in Lehi to 1500 North. Turn west and drive about 1.5 miles. You'll see the parking area for the trail at the river bridge, GPS N 40° 24.366'  W 111° 53.887'.

The Jordan River in Utah County is a large (by Utah standards), warm, slow-moving river that's fun to float. Catch the river near flying field, and paddle 5 miles to the 1500 North bridge, where there's easy access to get your boat out.