Provo River Parkway

Favorite Places along the Provo River Parkway

The Provo River Parkway follows the Provo River upstream from Utah Lake to Vivian Park, some 15 miles. One would think that this trail passes through many different habitats where lots of different kinds of birds can be seen, but this is not really the case. The habitat along the river and thus the parkway is very repetitive, meaning that adjacent places are very similar. This means that the parkway offers very few different habitats, which can be visited individually rather than walking the whole distance.

My favorite places to visit along the Parkway are:

Riparian-agrarian

The Provo River Ox-Bow. At about mile marker 1, a tight bend in the river was isolated when the river broke through, leaving a crescent-shaped pond. Here the parkway splits and goes both ways around the pond providing views from all angles of the pond, island and shrubs. Many migrants are found at this spot making it a favorite of local birders. Get here by parking in the Harbor Road parking lot about a mile east of the Provo Boat Harbor.

Riparian-downtown

The best place to see birds close to the city is at the BYU Movie Lot parking, next to the Plumb-tree Plaza. After parking and admiring the view from the pedestrian bridge, turn downstream and follow the path under 2230 North. Under the bridge, look closely for the American Dippers nesting there.

Riparian-canyon

Of the many brushy places in the canyon, the most productive is a hundred yards west of the Canyon Glen parkway access, where springs create a hidden marsh right next to the trail. Here small skulking birds are often found year round. Park at Canyon Glen at the west end of the parking lot and take the bridge over the river, turning east onto the parkway at the restroom. Be extra careful for skaters and bikers as this is a very busy section of trail.

Riparian-mountain parkland

Hands down, consistently the best place along the parkway in every season is the eastern end of the trail, at Vivian Park. The first 200 yards west on the trail produces a surprising variety of birds seen nowhere else along the parkway. One of the best birds found here in the spring and summer is the Grey Catbird, which is seldom reported elsewhere.

Of course, a stray migrant or even a nesting pair of special birds might be seen anywhere along the parkway or the Provo River, just waiting to be discovered by a trained observer. If you happen to find a unique or uncommon visitor, please note your location as precisely as possible and report the sighting on the birdnet so that others may enjoy the sighting as well.