We spend a lot of time showing you many of Utah’s most beautiful outdoor spaces. But, these places aren’t just for our enjoyment – they’re part of the legacy we’ll leave our children and grandchildren. The best way to teach your kids to appreciate Utah’s natural beauty? Get out and explore it! Here’s a nature preserve that you don’t want to miss.

The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve encompasses 4,400 acres and is an important sanctuary for thousands of birds during their migration seasons.

The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve/Facebook

The preserve is located in Layton, at the end of 3200 West.

Google To get driving directions, click here.

Take a stroll down the boardwalk trail to get up close and personal with the wetlands and its inhabitants. Don’t forget your binoculars!

The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve/Facebook

The boardwalk is accessible to everyone. It’s about one mile long. The Nature Conservancy offers an audio tour. Click here for more information, and to download the tour.

TheTrekPlanner/YouTube

Along the way, you’ll find little signs with information about the different bird species that call this place home during the year.

TheTrekPlanner/YouTube

Learn more from the information kiosks on the boardwalk, too.

TheTrekPlanner/YouTube

In the springtime, you might be lucky enough to see nest full of eggs - like these pheasant eggs.

The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve/Facebook

Is there anything more adorable than a bunch of baby geese?

The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve/Facebook

Climb the 30-foot-tall observation tower for a bird’s eye view.

TheTrekPlanner/YouTube

More than 250 species of birds live here at least part of the year. Some species are year-round; others stop by during their migrations.

Gary Leavens/flickr

The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve is open April through September from 7 AM to 8 PM; October through March from 8 AM to 5 PM. There’s no admission charge to visit this beautiful place!

The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve/Facebook

For a virtual tour of the preserve, take a look at this video posted on YouTube by TheTrekPlanner:

The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve/Facebook

Google

To get driving directions, click here.

TheTrekPlanner/YouTube

Gary Leavens/flickr

Have you taken your family to the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve? Tell our readers all about your trip!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.