EcoTour Itinerary

Mountains and Marshlands

Davis County has repeatedly won acclaim as a top birding and wildlife viewing destination, with 36% of the county preserved in its natural state.

The Great Salt Lake wetlands are a critical link in the North and South America flyway - with 3 to 6 million migrating birds passing through and nesting annually. The Nature Conservancy made bird watching easy at the Shorelands Preserve with a mile long boardwalk and a 30 foot observation tower. Guided tours will show visitors the value of the wetlands and help identify some of the 250 species of birds that make the lake their vacation home.

You might want to hike, or rent a bike to search for birds at nearby Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. This is a complex network of dikes, designed to contain the fresh water for shorebird habitat, while making great hiking and biking trails.

Back in your car, drive the 7 mile causeway to Antelope Island from Layton (exit 332 on I-15). The volunteers at the visitor center can help guide you to great wildlife viewing and bird watching spots. A guided horseback ride can be tailored for the best wildlife viewing depending on the season. A ride through the cattails is great during bird migrations  during the months of March – May and August – October. A winter ride can be designed to look for bald eagles.

Plan another day on the east side of the interstate in the mountains. 28 miles of trails are maintained in the 37,000 acres of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. It is worth noting that Adams Canyon was picked as one of the top 50 Utah views by Explore Outdoors. The trail features three waterfalls. If a drive is more desirable, try Skyline Scenic Backway. The road may be rough, but you will encounter alpine scenery and fabulous views of the lake.

Before leaving, stop at the Utah House. Built by Utah State University to teach how to create environmentally friendly homes and landscaping. The beautiful surroundings are also created for sustainability through the life cycles.