North Fork Environmental Center
5100 North to Tintic Road, Liberty
Welcome to the trail!
Swanson’s North Fork Environmental Center is a field trip spot for the Weber School District that gives kids a safe and fun nature learning experience. For our tyke hike purposes, it’s an easy 3/4 mile walk up a shady dirt road (which is usually closed to traffic) and ends at a real tepee! Our family visits the disc golf course just beyond the tepee multiple times a year, if not for the thrill of the game, then definitely for the scenery. You can’t beat the location, nestled beneath Ben Lomond Peak and surrounded by lush wildflowers and trees. It is truly breathtaking!
How to get there
From Valley Market in Eden, drive northwest on Highway 162 for about 2.5 miles where you merge onto 3500 E and continue about a half mile to the three-way stop near Liberty Park. Turn left on 4100 N then right on 3300 E and continue driving north for about 1.3 miles. Follow the sign for the Environmental Center, turning left on 5100 N. In 1.5 miles you’ll come to a dirt pullout on your right near a gate topped by the Center’s name. Park here, outside the gate, even if it is open (it’s usually closed, unless the nearby campground is being used or a field trip is in session). There is enough space for a handful of cars, but no restrooms are available.
Trail at a glance
Total distance: 0.7 miles one way (1.4 miles round trip out and back)
Elevation gain: 284 feet (it’s a gentle uphill slope all the way to the Center, making the trip back to the car a breeze!)
Destination: a life-size tepee with gorgeous mountain and valley views nearby
Tyke perks: tepee, disc golf (bring your own frisbee and try tossing it in a basket or two), snow machines parked at the Center (don’t touch, but fun to look at), Camp Shawnee campsite name signs (some of the names are quite unusual and fun to spot for your little readers)
Notable flora: wildflowers (bluebell, mules ear, geranium, dyer’s woad, forget-me-not), ferns, trees (chokecherry, aspen, oak, maple)
Fascinating fauna: moose, porcupines, mountain lions, deer, birds, butterflies
Watch out for:
cars (very rarely are they on the road, but if the campground is occupied by a group or the Center is hosting a field trip, you may see some)
mountain lions (I’ve never seen them, but I know people who have!)
moose (I have seen them while playing disc golf in the evening - so cool! - just give them their space and enjoy them from a distance)
bikes (you’ll occasionally see a mountain biker heading up the road, but since it’s a road and not a single track trail, there’s plenty of room for everyone without much stress)
While you’re hiking
This one is pretty straight forward: to start, shimmy under or climb over the gate and cross the wide dirt parking lot, continuing up the road through the trees. On your left you’ll be passing the Shawnee Camp sites with their unique names posted along the road. (My reader tyke likes to announce which site we’re passing as we wander up the hill.) This is private property, so stick to the road and explore with your eyes as you pass. On your right you’ll hear, but won’t really see, a stream flowing parallel to the road. The trees give pretty good cover along the way, but there will be some sunny spots, so make sure you are adequately prepared.
At about mile 0.3 you’ll walk by a brick pavilion, still part of the campground, and just beyond that you’ll pass through another gate (it’s always open). You’re about halfway now. (Don’t forget to pick any dyer’s woad you see along the sides of the road!)
At about the half mile mark, you’ll be able to spot the green roof of the Environmental Center through the trees up ahead. (Remember to be respectful as you pass the buildings and equipment that are part of the Center.) When you get to the top of the road, you’ll see a low sign on the trail pointing the way to the disc golf course. Turn right and follow the road as it narrows past the sheds and snow machines for about 0.1 mile.
The tepee will be off to the left of the trail in the trees. (Note: it is only set up during the warm months, so if you come by in the late fall through early spring, it will likely be put away for the season.) I’ve never met a tyke who doesn’t want to step through the door to imagine a different life for at least a minute or two. The shade here is a lovely spot to rest and snack. (If you brought your disc along, there are two baskets just steps away for a little putting practice.)
When you’re done, simply turn around and head back the way you came. I hope you enjoyed your hike! Let me know what you think (of this one or any of the others) by hitting reply or commenting below. Happy trails!