Top 12 Best Parks to Explore in Utah County
If you are shopping for home builders in Utah county, consider a company that is creating new communities with plenty of outdoor recreation close by. McArthur Homes offers gorgeous properties near some of the best parks in Utah county. These welcoming spaces feature amenities of every sort, designed to accommodate various interests, activities and lifestyles.
Patriot Park
Inspired by America’s pastime, this baseball-themed sports complex has something for folks of all ages. Toddlers and older kids can enjoy the numerous playground structures, which feature giant baseballs, a life-sized glove slide, a giant catcher’s mask, climbing structures, rocking horses and more. The grounds also include baseball fields, pickleball courts, picnic areas, pavilions and plenty of seating to take in all the action.
Nielsen’s Grove Park
Located in southwest Orem, this historical destination has reopened after being restored with plenty of modern-day upgrades. The grounds are ideal for young children – offering a playground, a carousel swing and a lively duck pond for observing adult waterfowl and their young. Visitors can also enjoy walking paths, picnic areas, a reflecting pool and water fountains.
Paul Ream Wilderness Park
Visitors can enjoy a true piece of wilderness located mere blocks from Interstate 15 in Provo. This pristine, seven-acre area of woodlands and wildlife features a pond filled with ducks, fish and other critters. Visitors can enjoy the convenience of a 55-space parking lot, onsite restrooms, a playground area, walking trails, four rentable pavilions and picnic pads with BBQ stands and picnic tables.
Highland Glen Park
Situated in northern Utah County, this 3.25-acre park features a large pond with designated areas for fishing, swimming, paddle boarding and more. Wildlife lovers can watch the ducks go about their daily activities, while families who enjoy an afternoon picnic can find the perfect spot to set up camp for the day. Visitors can also enjoy walking trails, a volleyball court, a playground and plenty of benches for resting in the shade.
Big Springs Park
A quiet stream trickles through the center of this gorgeous park alongside a walking trail lined with picnic tables and plenty of towering shade trees. Located in Provo Canyon, the grounds are perfect for an afternoon with family and friends in the fresh air of the great outdoors. Plenty of off-street parking makes the area ideal for day hikes, group gatherings and cookouts. The scenery is breathtaking, especially in the fall, as the leaves change colors and you might even spot a deer.
Timpanogos Cove Park
Located in Cedar Hills, this is among the best parks in Utah County. The grounds offer two playgrounds – one for toddlers and another for older kids – with exciting play structures which feature ladders, slides, climbing walls and more. The park also features five picnic pavilions, a natural amphitheater, a basketball court and plenty of grassy areas for playing and enjoying the sunshine. Visitors can use the grounds for daily exercise such as walking, running, bicycling and enjoying the breathtaking mountain views.
Bandwagon Park
This historic landmark commemorates the Lehi Silver Band, a Utah State treasure whose heyday was in the early 1900s. Funded by a Federal grant in 1976, the grounds were established to commemorate the bicentennial signing of the Declaration of Independence. Visitors can view the original bandwagon while playing on a modern replica located among the many playground attractions, which include slides, bridges, tunnels and more. The City of Lehi has also provided two pavilions, two dozen picnic tables, restrooms and plenty of parking.
Mt. Timpanogos Park
Located in Provo Canyon, this 12-acre recreational destination welcomes visitors with dogs, families with kids and people who love mountain biking, hiking, picnicking and stunning mountain views. The grounds can accommodate gatherings such as wedding parties and family events, with on-site restrooms and six pavilions that can seat 24-40 people. The grounds also feature the Cascade Hosting Center and the Timpanogos Bowery, which can be rented for large gatherings of up to 160 people. The entire area boasts plenty of shade trees and well-kept grassy areas.
Wayne Bartholomew Family Park
Located in Springville, this park features a huge pond that offers a variety of beach-like activities amid the Utah foothills. Visitors can wade, swim, fish, play beach volleyball or paddle about in rafts and small boats. The grounds feature restrooms, showers, a snack bar, plenty of space for picnics, and five pavilions with BBQ stands. Other amenities include walking trails, a large parking lot and plenty of trees for relaxing in the shade.
Bicentennial Park
Another of Provo’s hidden treasures, this wilderness-like destination is located just minutes from Interstate 15. The grounds feature a spring-fed duck pond, natural wetlands, an adjacent boardwalk, a dog park, walking trails, disc golf, a playground with swing sets, slides, ladders, and a large adjacent pavilion with plenty of seating. Visitors are also welcomed by a 75-space parking lot, huge grassy areas for playing, restrooms, drinking fountains and large shade trees.
Nunn’s Park
Built in 1897 in Provo Canyon, this historic landmark is named after pioneer L.L. Nunn and commemorates the first use of hydroelectric power along the Provo River. The grounds offer biking, camping, fishing access, restrooms, two pavilions and eight fire pits. Visitors can view wildlife throughout the park, including birds, chipmunks, squirrels, and occasional deer. A centrally-located parking lot provides access to trails for hiking, mountain biking and jogging, while towering trees provide shade and scenery throughout the park.
Palisade State Park
This 22-acre treasure is part of the Orem park system and features two tennis courts, soccer fields and a playground. The grounds also feature the Splash Pad, a unique fountain-like feature that is perfect for cooling off during the warmer months. Visitors with large parties can access the large, 120-seat pavilion, while three smaller pavilions welcome parties of up to eight people. The park also offers a walking trail, restrooms, a snack shack and two rentable canopies.
If you’re looking for a new place to explore or just itching for a change of scenery, Utah county has everything you need and more. With so many outdoor recreation destinations at your fingertips, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular place to call home. And if you’re still on the fence about whether or not moving here is the right decision for you, McArthur Homes would be happy to show you around some of our new homes that are perfect for families. Contact us today to get started!
Categorized in: Things to Do in Utah County, Utah County
This post was written by Paige Giles
