Mountain biking Germania Park in Murray
Think there’s no mountain biking on the Salt Lake Valley floor? Think again. Germania Park in Murray is the only place we know of that offers singletrack in the middle of the city. Okay, so we use the term “mountain biking” loosely here, but if you need a quick fix close to home, then this little patch of trails has you covered.
Signage marks the start of the mountain bike ride in Murray City's Germania Park. (Photo: Jared Hargrave - UtahOutside.com)
Germania Park is your typical city park with playgrounds nestled among baseball and soccer fields. But just beyond the manicured grass and planted trees is a tiny network of singletrack that flows along the Jordan River. As far as mountain biking goes, the trails at Germania Park are nothing – there’s no climbing, no fast downhills, and really nothing to get your heart racing about.
So why even mention Germania Park? Well, if you’re a beginner mountain biker, if you are short on time and want to ride some dirt smack in the middle of the valley, or if you’re not a skier and are willing to ride ANYTHING to get your fat-tire fix in the middle of winter, then Germania Park is a great (and pretty much only) choice.
Callista Pearson experiences singletrack in the city at Germania Park. (Photo: Jared Hargrave - UtahOutside.com)
Despite the wow factor, Germania Park can actually be pretty fun. The singletrack twists and winds through grassy knolls and stands of bushes that grow along the banks of the Jordan River, where overlooks are plentiful. The whole area is a natural oasis, isolated in the middle of the metropolis. Tight corners and blind spots make good practice for anyone getting on singletrack for the first time, making the park a sweet spot for kids or newbies to get some skills practice before hitting more mountainous terrain.
In all, the trails here barely add up to a mile of riding, though you can do multiple loops and ride in varying directions to keep boredom at bay. You can also hop onto the paved Jordan River Parkway when you’re done to rack up more mileage.
High voltage powerlines are always humming overhead at Germania Park. (Photo: Jared Hargrave - UtahOutside.com)
Although it’s nice to have a bit o’ singletrack in the city, it does feel very urban. High voltage powerlines are constantly humming overhead, making an otherwise outdoorsy experience less so. The inner loop trails also seem a bit unused, as many sections are overgrown and covered in grass. But if you’re willing to overlook the negatives, a good time can be found here, especially if it’s a family trip on two wheels.
GPS track from a recent mountain bike ride of Germania Park.
To get to Germania Park, exit I-15 at 5300 South and head west.Turn right at 1070 West and follow the road to Germania Park. From here, ride your bike on the paved trail north until you see some singletrack on the left marked by a brown post. This is where you begin. If you can’t find it, keep riding on the dirt horse path or the Jordan River Parkway. You’ll eventually see singletrack at various points in the area and can hop on at any time.
Awesome! Thanks for the info!