Nearby Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

• Peacocks @ Allen Park: Nestled in the Sugar House neighborhood, Allen Park is a quiet, artsy area where remnants of free-roaming peafowl still draw visitors. 

• Raptors @ Jordan River Parkway (Arrowhead Park): This stretch of the Jordan River offers great opportunities to spot Swainson’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, and kestrels soaring above the cottonwoods or perched along the river corridor.

• Moose @ Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon): Just a short, accessible walk around Silver Lake often results in sightings of moose grazing in the wetlands, especially early in the morning or at dusk.

• Bison and burrowing owls @ Antelope Island: Less than an hour from Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park is home to one of the largest free-roaming bison herds in the country, along with burrowing owls, pronghorn, coyotes, and shorebirds.

• Wild horses @ Dugway Mountains (Onaqui Herd): West of the Salt Lake Valley, the Onaqui Mountains are home to one of Utah’s most iconic wild horse herds. Access is remote, high-clearance vehicles are recommended. They are best viewed in spring and fall.

• Bonneville cutthroat trout @ Millcreek Canyon: This canyon offers accessible roadside pull-offs and shaded streams where Bonneville cutthroat trout can often be spotted swimming in clear pools.

• Mountain goats @ Mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon: Keep an eye on the cliffs above the canyon entrance, especially in spring and early summer, when mountain goats descend to feed on new vegetation.

• Rattlesnakes @ Rattlesnake Gulch, Millcreek Canyon: True to its name, Rattlesnake Gulch is prime habitat for rattlesnakes. Stay alert and observe from a safe distance if you encounter one on a trail.

• Red fox @ Big Cottonwood Regional Park: This urban green space in Holladay is occasionally home to red foxes. Early morning walks offer your best chance at a glimpse.

• Pelicans and waterbirds @ Decker Lake: Located just west of downtown, Decker Lake attracts American white pelicans, Canada geese, and various migratory waterfowl. Viewing is best in spring and fall.

• Migratory shorebirds @ Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge: Though a bit of a drive, this world-renowned bird refuge is well worth the trip. Visit during spring and fall migrations for peak shorebird activity, including avocets, stilts, and phalaropes.

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Wildlife Institutions in Salt Lake City:

• Hogle Zoo: Located near the mouth of Emigration Canyon, Hogle Zoo is your chance to see a wide range native species upclose, including cougars, bighorn sheep, bobcats, and yellow-bellied marmots. 

• Tracy Aviary (Liberty Park): One of the oldest aviaries in the U.S., Tracy Aviary houses over 130 bird species including golden eagles, bald eagles, American white pelicans, and barred owls. 

• Tracy Aviary’s Jordan River Nature Center (Pia Okwaiwai): Situated along the Jordan River in South Salt Lake, this nature center offers bird blinds and walking trails with chances to view wild raptors and shorebirds in restored wetland habitat.

• Eccles Great Salt Lake Audubon Wildlife Center (Lee Kay Center): Just west of downtown, this new center sits along the southern shoreline of the Great Salt Lake and provides opportunities to see great blue herons, shorebirds, and other waterfowl. The surrounding wetlands are critical stopovers for migratory birds.

• Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter (Park City): Though technically just outside the Salt Lake Valley, Swaner Preserve is well worth the short drive. The 1,200-acre preserve is home to moose, sandhill cranes, and a variety of wetland species. Guided tours and boardwalk trails provide easy viewing access.

• Red Butte Garden: Adjacent to the University of Utah, Red Butte Garden is a great place to spot local wildlife. Birds, butterflies, and even rattlesnakes can be seen along the garden’s trails, particularly in spring and summer.