Kays Creek Parkway Loop Around Hobbs Reservior

The Trail
This easy trail is about three miles long from the Kays Creek Trail parking area off 2125 East so long as you stay on the blue loop shown below. However, there are a number of possible access points to this trail and the length could vary widely based on where you start and stop.

Topographical Map (blue = loop; green = path over dam;
red = path to neighborhood)

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

The Kays Creek Parkway Trail is a popular paved trail used widely for walks and exercising. If you start from the parking area, the trail will be pretty flat until it ascends up the hill to the dam. The paved trail splits about 0.3 miles up from the parking area. We completed this loop going clockwise, so we went left here.

Trailhead at parking area

Trial Split

If heading clockwise from here, the paved trail continues around the north side of Hobbs Reservoir, crosses a bridge at the northeast side, and loops around. The paved path continues, but dead-ends along this east side with a dirt path heading up to a neighborhood.

However, just before the dead-end, another dirt path partially obscured by the trees heads down with some steps. This is also next to a green metal warning post. The path from here back to the dam is a dirt trail (the path between the two green dots on the topographical map above).

Dirt path heading down from paved portion of the trail

Steps heading down the dirt path

This portion of the trail is much rougher than the paved path, with short sections of up and down. Parts of the path are slick packed dirt, so use some caution if you don't have good tread on your shoes. However, overall there is minimal elevation change and the trail is otherwise easy and straightforward to follow.

Most of the trail follows the reservoir fairly closely and is surrounded by water loving vegetation. However, part of the trail rises further above the reservoir and is surrounded by dry climate vegetation, including prickly pears.

 

While we were there, we found that a group must have painted rocks to leave along the trail for hikers to enjoy. Our kids really enjoyed trying to find as many of these rocks as possible with their uplifting messages and bright pictures. We doubt these rocks will always be there, but they are fun to find so long as they are.

Not too far from the dam there is a boat ramp (labeled with a symbol on the topographical map above). However, be aware that posted signs forbid swimming in the reservoir. The trail reaches the dam again not far from this, and an opening in the fence here at the southwest end of the reservoir leads back onto the paved trail. Head west along this paved trail to complete the loop and return to the parking area.

Sign and path coming from south side of reservoir by the dam

This trail is open to dogs. There are no restrooms along the trail or at the trailhead.

Directions:
This trail is located in Layton, which is in Davis County, Utah. To get there from I-15, take Exit 334 and follow UT-193 east for about 4.4 miles to 2000 East. Turn right here, then turn left onto Deere View Dr. Take the second right onto 2125 East and continue down the hill to the end of the road where there is parking area. The trail starts from here.

Alternatively, depending on the place and direction you are coming from, it may be faster to take US-89. If you go this way, take Exit 404 and head west on UT-193 toward Hill Airforce Base. You will reach 2000 East about a mile after turning off US-89. Turn left here and follow the rest of the directions above.

GPS Coordinates: N41° 05.868' W111° 55.674'