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Emigration Canyon
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Emigration Canyon 2020
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Location	Salt Lake County, Utah, USA
Coordinates	40°46′N 111°46′W / 40.767°N 111.767°W / 40.767; -111.767
Area	25 acres (10 ha) (landmarked area)
Built	1847
NRHP reference No.	66000737
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	October 15, 1966
Designated NHL	January 20, 1961

Emigration Canyon is a city and canyon in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, located east of Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Range. Beginning at the southern end of the University of Utah, the canyon itself heads east and northeast between Salt Lake City and Morgan County. Its boundaries do not extend to the county line, nor do they encompass all of Emigration Canyon, as parts of it are within Salt Lake City. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,466.

A portion of Emigration Canyon, located in This Is the Place Heritage Park, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961 for the canyon's significance in the Mormon migration of the 19th century.

Demographics

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2021)

History

Emigration Canyon was significant in early Utah history as the original route used by pioneers entering the area. It was part of the Hastings Cutoff route used by the Donner Party in 1846 (not affiliated with the Mormon Pioneers) and where the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. As Brigham Young looked over the canyon, he declared, "This is the right place. Drive on." These words have become famous in Utah history. The event is commemorated with This Is The Place Heritage Park at the mouth of the canyon. Throughout Emigration Canyon, there are several historic markers designating camps, trail markers, and milestones where the Mormon Pioneers passed while on their way to the Salt Lake Valley. One example of these milestones is called Lost Creek Camp.

The township of Emigration Canyon was formed on January 8, 1997.

In 2015, the township's residents voted to incorporate and become a metro township.

In May 2024, Emigration Canyon and all other metro townships were incorporated as cities.

Local attractions

Hogle Zoo, the main zoo in the Salt Lake City area, also lies at the mouth of the canyon but is within Salt Lake City limits. Emigration Canyon is home to Camp Kostopulos, established in 1967 by the Kostopulos Dream Foundation as a summer camp for disabled children, teens, and adults. It is adjacent to the historic Ruth's Diner, established in 1930.

Cycling

Emigration Canyon is one of the most accessible canyon rides from Salt Lake City. With a length of 7.7 miles and an average grade of 5 percent, there are approximately 1,300 feet of elevation gain from the mouth to the top, which cyclists often refer to as "Little Mountain". There is a good shoulder to ride in, and locals are used to bicycling traffic. There are restrooms located at the bottom of the canyon and the top, but these may be closed during the winter months.

Proposed development

Much of Emigration Canyon is protected within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. With its proximity to Salt Lake City, unprotected areas have been of interest to property developers; since 2001, the Utah Open Lands Conservation Association has raised funds to preserve numerous parcels of land in the canyon, totaling over 260 acres (110 ha) as of 2016.

See also

• List of census-designated places in Utah
• Mormon Trail
• List of National Historic Landmarks in Utah
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Salt Lake County, Utah

References

1. "Emigration Canyon UT ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
4. "Emigration Canyon". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved April 1, 2008.
5. "NHL nomination for Emigration Canyon". National Park Service. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
6. Sharp, Jonathon (February 6, 2024). "Salt Lake Co.'s 5 metro townships on track to become cities as bill heads to Cox's desk". ABC4 Utah. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
7. "Unita-Wasatch-Cache National Forest". United States Forest Service. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
8. "Owl Meadow Saved!". Utah Open Lands Conservation Association. September 26, 2016. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2017.

External links

• Emigration Canyon Metro Township Online
• Emigration Canyon Trails Master Plan Archived October 7, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
• Utah.com Archived June 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine

v t e Places adjacent to Emigration Canyon, Utah
Morgan Henefer Coalville Salt Lake City Emigration Canyon Park City Millcreek Holladay Alta

v t e Municipalities and communities of Salt Lake County, Utah, United States
County seat: Salt Lake City
Cities	Bluffdale‡ Cottonwood Heights Draper‡ Herriman Holladay Midvale Millcreek Murray Riverton Salt Lake City Sandy South Jordan South Salt Lake Taylorsville West Jordan West Valley City
Towns	Alta Brighton Copperton
Metro townships	Emigration Canyon Kearns Magna White City
CDPs	Granite
Unincorporated communities	Snowbird
Ghost towns	Bacchus Bingham Canyon Garfield Lark
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Utah portal United States portal

v t e Mormon Trail landmarks
Illinois	Nauvoo
Iowa	Garden Grove, Iowa Mount Pisgah, Iowa
Nebraska	Winter Quarters Chimney Rock Courthouse and Jail Rocks Scotts Bluff
Wyoming	Register Cliff Fort Laramie Independence Rock Devil's Gate Martin's Cove South Pass Names Hill Fort Bridger
Utah	Big Mountain Pass Emigration Canyon This Is the Place Heritage Park First Encampment Park

• Canyons and gorges of Utah
• Central Overland Route
• Mormon Trail
• Donner Party
• National Historic Landmarks in Utah
• Salt Lake City metropolitan area
• Cities in Salt Lake County, Utah
• Census-designated places in Utah
• Census-designated places in Salt Lake County, Utah
• Canyons and gorges of Salt Lake County, Utah
• Natural features on the National Register of Historic Places in Utah
• National Register of Historic Places in Salt Lake County, Utah
• Cities in Utah