Top 4 Ogden City Parks to Visit This Summer

Located near the mouth of Waterfall Canyon and the tranquil Ogden River, the scenery surrounding Big-Dee Sports Park will not disappoint. This one-of-a-kind Ogden park features a fitness training loop built/maintained by the GOAL Foundation - producers of the Ogden Marathon. This training loop is on a 1.5-mile paved trail that has nine interactive fitness stations along the way that are fun and free to use for people of all ages.

Dee Park also offers visitors a playground, a covered picnic area, and a public barbecue, part of the Ogden River Parkway, and has a large grassy field perfect for running around with pets and family. A few nearby family-friendly attractions are just a short walk away, such as the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park and the Ogden Botanical Gardens.

The Ogden Botanical Gardens is a carefully maintained garden accompanied by surrounding mountain peaks, making a profound yet relaxing experience with nature.

The Botanical Garden’s building is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the outdoor garden itself opens one hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunset. Visitors can explore the 11-acre public garden right along the Ogden River where they will find hundreds of flowers, perennials, and trees. The garden has several themed sections, such as rose gardens or oriental, each one offering a unique variety of plants.

The High Adventure Park is the king of all playgrounds in Ogden, making it an absolute favorite for youngsters. Located in Ogden’s river district, the playground boasts 10 climbable structures, plus slides, swings, and unique equipment - all perfect for wearing out your little ones. This park sits right along the Ogden River Parkway, a beautiful paved trail running 17 miles of the Ogden River (feel free to dip your toes!).

Only a 10-minute walk away, Farr Better Ice Cream has been a local favorite since the 1920s and offers over 100 flavors of ice cream to choose from. If you're the type who prefers adult refreshments (and great food), check out the locally-renowned Ogden Beer Company, which is also just a short walk away. Those feeling adventurous can take a five-minute walk to The Front, Ogden’s premier climbing gym, for an exciting indoor climbing experience.

Fort Buenaventura is a historic park that originally existed as the Great Basin region’s first-ever Anglo settlement. Today, Fort Buenaventura lives on as an outdoor recreation area that includes a carefully crafted replica of the original fort. The 26-acre park offers a rich history and a wide range of outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, canoeing, and more.

Fort Buenaventura is also home to one of the best disc golf courses in all of Utah, The Fort. The Fort is an 18-hole championship-level disc golf course with a beautiful mountain backdrop. This course may not be ideal for first-timers as it’s easy to lose discs to the frequent water features and the dense woods.

The Centennial Trail forms a loop around Ogden and the surrounding towns. This 27-mile trail connects the Ogden River Parkway to the Bonneville shoreline trail. It follows both the Ogden and the Weber Rivers, and is most frequently enjoyed by bikers, but is also perfect for a walk or jog. No matter your outdoor recreation preference, there's a section of the trail for you. Whether you’re looking for a steep mountain bike climb, a peaceful stroll through the heart of Ogden, or a place to play disc golf you can find it on the Centennial Loop.