Facility Overview
500 South Park, frequently identified by trail runners and cyclists as the Legacy Parkway 500 South Trailhead, is a dedicated open-air surface parking facility situated along Frontage Road at 500 South in Woods Cross, Utah. Designed primarily to serve visitors accessing the continuous trail networks and open wetlands of southern Davis County, this lot features a straightforward, paved layout engineered for quick ingress and hassle-free departures. Because the facility is an uncovered outdoor surface lot, there are zero overhead height barriers, offering infinite vertical clearance. This makes the area exceptionally welcoming for high-profile vehicles, lifted four-wheel-drive trucks, roof-rack-equipped SUVs, cyclist vans, and vehicles hauling roof tents or rear bike trays.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Set along the junction of Woods Cross and the edge of the scenic Legacy Nature Preserve, this lot places visitors within steps of premier outdoor recreational corridors and within minutes of key South Davis hubs:
- Legacy Parkway Trail: Direct on-site access to the expansive, 14-mile paved multi-use trail running from North Salt Lake up to Farmington, connecting to the greater 100-mile Golden Spoke trail system.
- Legacy Nature Preserve: Bordering more than 2,000 acres of protected wetlands, shorebird nesting areas, and stunning sunset viewpoints across the Great Salt Lake basin.
- Bountiful Pond Recreation Area: Situated just over 1.5 miles to the north, offering shoreline fishing, non-motorized paddle craft, and looped nature paths.
- South Davis Recreation Center: Located approximately 2.5 miles east, featuring an Olympic-sized ice rink, indoor pool complex, and extensive fitness amenities.
- Historic Downtown Bountiful & Main Street: Located under 3 miles away, hosting popular local dining spots, boutique retailers, farmers markets, and community events.
- Downtown Salt Lake City & Delta Center: Approximately a 12-to-15-minute drive south along I-15 or Legacy Parkway (SR-67), providing seamless park-and-ride regional utility for stadium sports and concerts.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Navigating to 500 South Park is seamless thanks to its strategic position alongside major transit arterials. Drivers can access the parking lot directly off the West 500 South corridor and the adjacent Frontage Road system. The facility provides immediate connections to the Legacy Parkway (SR-67) interchange and sits less than two miles west of Interstate 15 (Exit 315). For public transit commuters, the Woods Cross FrontRunner Station is situated roughly 2 miles east at 750 South 800 West, granting rapid commuter rail access to Ogden, Salt Lake Central, and Provo. Pedestrians and cyclists can step straight out of their vehicles onto the separated pedestrian grade ramps, bypassing road intersections entirely.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Paved open-air surface lot with clearly marked standard and wide vehicular stalls.
- Direct gateway access to the paved Legacy Parkway Trail and unpaved nature trail routes.
- ADA-compliant parking stalls marked with universal accessible signage and level ramp transitions.
- Unrestricted vertical clearance accommodating tall camper vans, adventure rigs, and vehicles with rooftop sports gear.
- Free public municipal parking with no time meters or mobile payment apps required for day users.
- Trailhead informational signage outlining local route segment lengths, regional map points, and preserve ordinances.
Ideal For
- Cyclists and Triathletes: An optimal launching pad for long-distance training rides north along the protected Legacy Parkway Trail or south toward the Jordan River Parkway.
- Runners, Walkers, and Dog Walkers: Daily exercisers seeking paved, car-free multi-use paths away from congested commercial corridors.
- Birdwatchers and Nature Photographers: Nature lovers taking advantage of early morning bird migrations and panoramic sunset light over the Wasatch Range and Great Salt Lake wetlands.
- Recreational Commuters: Active commuters combining cycling with transit links to nearby employment centers across Davis and Salt Lake counties.
Visitor & Driver Tips
Because 500 South Park serves as a principal access point for trail traffic, the lot can experience brisk turnover during pleasant weekend mornings and temperate summer evenings. Arriving before 9:00 AM on Saturdays or late in the afternoon allows drivers to claim the most convenient stalls. While the lot is situated in an open, low-traffic zone, visitors are encouraged to lock their vehicles and stow all sports gear, bags, and valuables out of sight. Although winter snow removal is conducted on primary access lanes, trail conditions can vary during sub-freezing weather; outdoor enthusiasts should exercise caution during shoulder-season freezing cycles.