Adventures

Admittedly, until working on this story I considered disc golf in the same fringy, hippie-ish category as kicking around a hacky sack or slacklining, i.e. something to do after a mountain bike ride, hike or river run, usually with a frosty recovery beverage in hand. It turns out that not only is disc golf a legitimate sport, with its own pro league called the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association), but it’s also a fantastic form of exercise for both your body and your brain. 

“I lost 30 pounds when I started playing disc golf,” says Scott Belchak, founder and executive director of ElevateUT, a nonprofit dedicated to growing disc golf in Utah.

How to Play

Before I get into why disc golf is good for you, let’s discuss what it is. The rules for disc golf are like traditional golf, but rather than hitting a ball with a club toward an actual hole in the ground, disc golfers throw plastic discs, or Frisbees, toward elevated metal-chain baskets. (Fun fact: the Frisbee was invented in 1957 by Richfield, Utah native Walter Fredrick Morrison.) Most disc golf ourses have nine or 18 holes. (Yes, disc golfers still call them “holes” despite there being no holes.) Each disc golf hole has a designated par, and the player that logs the least number of throws for the round is the winner. The biggest divergence between traditional golf and disc golf is the course itself: rather than being situated on flat, somewhat one-dimensional fairways, bunkers and greens, disc golf courses utilize the land’s natural undulations and vegetation.

Because disc golf courses alter the land only minimally, carts are usually not typically used in play. As such, players are required to walk the entire course, usually around three to five miles. And walking, as you likely already know, is an excellent form of exercise. What’s more, walking in nature can provide a necessary mental reset. Last year University of Utah researchers Amy McDonnell and David Strayer published results from a study where subjects walked around Red Butte Garden wearing electroencephalography (EEG) sensors. They found that after walking the garden, study participants experienced improved executive control (the ability to solve problems, make decisions and coordinate disparate tasks). And then all that aiming and tossing of a plastic disc into metal baskets enhances your hand-eye coordination, too.

“Because you’re using your hand and arm to propel the disc, versus a club to hit a ball, and because disc golf baskets are raised rather than sunken into the ground, players have a more intimate relationship with the action itself as well as the environment disc golf courses are set within,” Belchak says.  

Cost to Play

What’s more, disc golf has one of the lowest costs of entry for a summer sport you’ll find, by far. It’s free to play 95 percent of disc golf courses across the U.S., including the dozens here in Utah (with many more on the way). And a beginner-level disc set, which Ben Marolf, owner of Utah’s only disc golf shop, Another Round (6092 S. 900 East, Murray), says should include a driver, a putter and a mid-range disc, will set you back only about $30. (In addition to carrying both new and used discs, Marolf’s store is a great resource for disc golf league info and, after the store’s liquor license comes through this summer, enjoying a post-round cold beer.) 

Where to Play

Wasatch Front beginner-friendly disc golf spots include park-style courses like:

1. Disc on 6th, a 9-holer at Midvale City Park (425 6th Ave., Midvale) 

2. Tetons, a family-friendly 9-holer within West Jordan’s Teton Estates Park (9380 Targhee Dr.) 

3. River Bottoms, a newer disc-golf track offering 9 holes for novices alongside a more advanced 18-hole course, designed in part by Belchak at Rotary Park (958 W. 12300 South)  

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Summer in Utah is a wonderful time of sunshine, mountain air and endless trails—it can also be hot, dry and dusty. In addition to creating volatile wildfire conditions, the weather can leave your whole body feeling a bit parched and in need of a respite. Fortunately, the Beehive State is full of literal and figurative oases in the desert, with a host of alpine lakes, mountain reservoirs and waterfall-fed swimming holes. Here’s our list of the best swimming spots in Utah.  Some of these require a decent hike to get to, while others are just feet from the car, but they’re all perfect for staying cool on a summer day.

Swimming Near SLC

Salt Lake City has swelled into a major urban population center, but there are all types of unique swimming opportunities nearby.

Burraston Ponds: Just a 30-minute drive south of Provo, in Mona you’ll find Mona Reservoir and the Burraston ponds. (There used to be rope swings, bummer.) But still there are deep refreshing pools of water to plunge into, The Burraston Ponds have a small parking lot and are easy to find just by typing the name into Google Maps. More information at santaquin.gov.

Pineview Reservoir: While not exactly a secret, Pineview Reservoir is one of the best spots to take a dip near SLC and Ogden. The reservoir is ringed by mountains, which provide not only incredible views, but also surprisingly good protection from the wind. Pineview Beach on the reservoir’s west end is flat and sandy and feels distinctly more like a natural lake than many of the dammed bodies of water in Utah.

East Canyon Reservoir: East Canyon is a famous, historical pioneer route for groups from Brigham Young’s Mormon pioneers to the ill-fated Donner Party. You can retrace their steps in a significantly less arduous manner by visiting East Canyon State Park for a dip in the reservoir. The snowmelt-fed water is surrounded by mountains and seems miles further from civilization than the short 25-minute drive would indicate.

Swimming in the Uinta Mountains

The Uinta Mountains are home to more than 1,000 pristine natural alpine lakes. Unlike those in the Cottonwood Canyons, they aren’t part of the watershed so they’re perfect for swimming. Access them all just east of Kamas and Park City via the Mirror Lake Highway (S.R. 150).

Ruth Lake: Ruth Lake is only about a mile from the trailhead, which is 35 miles up S.R. 150 from Kamas. Enjoy the mellow hike through open meadows with views of the surrounding mountains like Hayden Peak before rewarding yourself with a dip.

Mirror Lake: The namesake of the famous road through the Uintas, Mirror Lake is easily accessible as it’s right off the road. Because of that proximity, it can get a little crowded from time to time, but the near perfect reflection of the surrounding mountains alone makes it worth the visit. A well-maintained path surrounds the entire lake, so you can go for a nice scenic walk while finding the perfect spot to hop in. Mirror Lake is 32 miles up S.R. 150.

Wall Lake: Start from the Crystal Lake Trailhead (26 miles up S.R. 150), and head up the Notch Mountain Trail for about a mile to reach Wall Lake. Wall Lake is flanked by cliffs of varying sizes you can jump off depending on how daring you’re feeling. The Crystal Lake Trailhead gets a little crowded, but people dissipate quickly as you head up the trail and reach Wall Lake.

Swimming in the Utah Desert

These are the literal oases we were talking about. Utah’s famous desert landscapes are dotted with refreshing, picturesque swimming holes.

Touquerville Falls: Touquerville Falls is a wonderful spot to visit after spending a day at nearby Zion National Park. The road out there is a rough, 12-mile OHV trail. It’s passable with most relatively capable 4×4 vehicles, but it’s not one to be attempted in your ’88 Civic or rusted-out Ranger. The road can also be hiked by the hearty. Either way, once you reach the several levels of cascading waterfalls, you know the effort was worth it.

Calf Creek Falls: Located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Calf Creek Falls is named for the surrounding steep sandstone walls, which served as a natural pen for calves. It’s about a three-mile hike to reach Lower Calf Creek Falls with its stunning 130-foot waterfall and a deep swimming pool. Upper Calf Creek Falls takes more effort to reach, but it has a 90-foot waterfall of its own and far fewer visitors. The historic rock art on the stone walls helps the miles pass quickly.

Mill Creek Waterfall: Ever the popular tourist destination, Moab is teeming with people looking to cool off after a long day in the sun, mountain biking or hiking through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. The Mill Creek Waterfall Trail is less than a mile from downtown Moab. The full trail is a 7.5-mile out-and-back, but if you just want to make it to the waterfall for a swim, it’s shy of two miles total.

For more ways to cool off this summer, see our list of Best Water Attractions to Stay Cool this summer. 
If you’re interested in pairing a hike with your swim, check out our list of 6 Essential Utah Hikes.

Discover more outdoor inspiration, and find all our adventure coverage. And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best of life in Utah?

When your kids start pestering you about being bored this summer, just tell them to take a hike. Then pack some Kind bars, water bottles and bug spray, and get everyone in the CR-V for a little trip. Once you reach the trailhead, your dad joke will finally click. With longer days and sunnier weather, now is a great time to start hitting local hiking trails with the family. Here are some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in the Wasatch this summer.

Ensign Peak

The Trail: While a bit of a climb for kids just starting out, it’s a short trail — 0.8 miles — and offers plenty of opportunity to rest and look out toward the city below along the way. You’ll see a mixed crowd on your way up (teens hanging out before the prom, moms pushing off-road strollers, marathon trainers, hipsters with their dogs) and historical markers explaining the trail’s historical significance, particularly for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You can see the pillar at the peak from miles away. Once there, you’ll have one of the best views of the Salt Lake Valley. Getting There: Head north on State Street in Salt Lake City, turn right onto 300 North, turn left on Edgecombe Drive, look for the trailhead on your left and park across the street. Take Note: It’s a short hike, but you’ll want to hang at the top for a while. Bring snacks.

Farmington Creek

The Trail: You can make this a long hike, leading to nearby foothills, or shorten it for a fun, relatively flat, stroll with the family. For the latter, you have several options for your starting point. Personally, we like to eat lunch at the gazebo in Ezra T. Clark Park before taking the park’s short, shaded creek-side path and crossing the street to the trail that runs past Lagoon’s campgrounds. Stay on that path, and you’ll eventually see signs dubbing it “Lagoon Trail.” Don’t worry; you’re in the right place. You’ll hear screams from Colossus and pass Lagoon’s zoo (yeah, we know). You’ll also see horses on private properties. Once the “Lagoon Trail” ends, make a left on 200 West and notice where the Farmington Creek Trail continues across the street. This quaint, shaded path crosses the street again at 600 North, and eventually leads to the duck-filled Farmington Pond. Getting There: Set your GPS for Ezra T. Clark Park on 400 West (just north of State Street and across from Lagoon) in Farmington. Take Note: Catfish are biting in Farmington Pond.

Grotto Falls

The Trail: It’s a pretty sweet payoff for only a .6-mile out-and-back, the trail is easy on smaller legs, and it’s located along the Nebo Loop Scenic Drive, best known for its fall colors, but still stunning in summer. The trail ends with a show-stopping 20-foot waterfall and an open-ceiling cave that are perfect for Instagram. Dogs allowed. Getting There: From Salt Lake, take I-15 South to exit 250, turn left onto Main Street, turn left onto 100 North, turn right onto 600 East, follow the road to Payson Canyon and the Nebo Scenic Loop. You’ll see the trailhead about seven miles up the loop on your left. Take Note: Nebo Loop closes in the winter and usually opens to traffic on Memorial Day, depending on weather conditions. The trail can get muddy, prep accordingly.

Albion Basin/Cecret Lake

The Trail: You know this one, right? While the trail to Cecret Lake isn’t so secret, there’s a reason it’s such a popular summer hiking spot. Albion Basin, where you’ll start your hike, is famous for its stunning array of wildflowers (mid-August is your best bet). On the short trail to the lake (1.7 miles), you’ll likely see moose. At the lake itself, take your time to travel the perimeter and have your camera ready — it doesn’t have a bad side. Getting There: Alta will limit car access to Albion Basin this summer. We recommend taking Little Cottonwood Canyon Road to the Wildcat Base Area in Alta and parking there. Then walk to Albion Basin or hop on one of the shuttles. Get the details here. Take Note: Unlike the rest of the hikes we mentioned, no dogs allowed.

Suicide Rock/Parley’s Historic Nature Park

The Trail: It’s an easy trail with fun payoffs, filled with dogs. Stay left as you head into the canyon, and you’ll come to a shared biking/hiking trail with historical markers, including one for a wine cellar dating back to 1870. Keep heading east, and you’ll reach one of the major spots dogs go to splash. (Bring yours if it plays nice with others.) Once there, look left for Parley’s Trail, which goes over I-215 and connects to a trail offering an overhead look at the heavily spray-painted, yet oddly majestic, Suicide Rock, which clearly states “Sigma Chi rules!” Watch for bikes. Getting There: Park across the street or at Tanner Park, 2760 S. 2700 East, Salt Lake City, and walk up the hill for a minute or two. You’ll see the trailhead on your left. Take Note: Watch out for poop! Luckily, most dog owners are responsible… most.

Wild Rose

The Trail: This trail starts at a park, complete with slides and monkey bars, but don’t let your kids wear themselves out just yet. Toward the back of the park, you’ll see the trailhead that leads to a 2 ½-mile loop that offers a subtle climb and lookout point with a bench to chill out at the end, offering a stunning picture of the valley below. The trail includes maps along the way and much-needed shade during hotter months. Dogs welcome. Getting There: Set your GPS for Wild Rose Trailhead Park, North Salt Lake. The trailhead is on the east side of the park. Don’t be surprised if there’s a wedding taking place. Take Note: While we haven’t seen an actual wild rose here, summer wildflowers are on point.