Ensign Downs Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Ensign Downs Park is a popular recreational area located in Salt Lake City, Utah.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park boasts beautiful natural scenery, an extensive trail system, and a range of activities for visitors of all ages.

One of the main draws of the park is its extensive trail system, which offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The trails wind through the park's scenic hills, valleys, and meadows, providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

In addition to its trails, Ensign Downs Park is home to several points of interest, including a playground, picnic areas, and a fitness course. The park also features a large pond, which is stocked with fish and popular among anglers.

Interesting facts about the area include that Ensign Downs Park was once a dairy farm before being converted into a public park, and that it is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and several bird species.

The best time of year to visit Ensign Downs Park is during the warmer months, when the park's trails and outdoor activities are most accessible. Visitors should be aware, however, that the park can get crowded during peak season, especially on weekends and holidays.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks