About this Location

Facility Overview

Wheeler Historic Farm Parking Lot North serves as one of the primary arrival points for the beloved Wheeler Historic Farm, a 75-acre public park and working agricultural site operated by Salt Lake County in Murray, Utah. Situated on the north edge of the property near the junction of 900 East and Southwood Drive, this open-air surface parking facility provides quick, level access to the farm’s most frequented amenities, including the historic farmhouse, the Education Center, and the scenic North Lawn. The layout features clearly marked stalls with standard lane widths that allow smooth two-way circulation.

Because it is a ground-level, uncovered outdoor surface lot, the North Parking Lot offers unrestricted vertical clearance. It easily accommodates all standard vehicle profiles, including passenger sedans, crossovers, full-size pickup trucks, large passenger SUVs, and high-roof conversion vans. Visitors equipped with roof racks, rooftop cargo boxes, bicycle racks, or kayak carriers can enter and park with complete peace of mind, without the clearance worries common to multi-story garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned in the heart of the Salt Lake Valley, this lot puts drivers steps away from historic charm and outdoor recreation:

Wheeler Historic Farm: Directly adjacent. Visitors can tour the restored 1898 Victorian farmhouse, meet farm animals (cows, sheep, goats, horses, and chickens), take tractor-drawn wagon rides through Wheeler Woods, and explore the rustic Activity Barn.
North Lawn & Outdoor Education Center: Directly bordering the lot. Hosts community gatherings, educational workshops, star-viewing events with the Clark Planetarium, and the renowned Wheeler Farm Sunday Farmers Market.
Fort Wheeler Playground: Located approximately 200 feet southwest of the parking stalls, offering extensive play structures, swings, and open lawns for families.
Little Cottonwood Creek & Perimeter Trails: Multi-use crushed gravel and paved walking loops run along the creek and border the back 40 acres of the farmstead, linking into local regional trails such as the Murray Canal Trail.
Fashion Place Mall: Located approximately 1.8 miles west, offering premier regional retail, department stores, and dining options.
Intermountain Medical Center & Murray Park: Situated approximately 2.5 miles northwest, providing top-tier medical facilities and Murray's expansive municipal park with sports fields and the Murray City Amphitheater.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Navigating to the Wheeler Historic Farm North Lot is straightforward from almost anywhere in the Salt Lake metropolitan area. Motorists traveling along Interstate 215 (the Belt Route) can take Exit 9 for 900 East and proceed north for less than a half-mile to Southwood Drive. Alternatively, drivers approaching from State Street (US-89) or Interstate 15 can access the farm via 5300 South or 6400 South / Winchester Street. Street ingress and egress are direct, with clear sightlines onto Southwood Drive and 900 East (Utah State Route 71).

Public transportation connections are accessible nearby. Utah Transit Authority (UTA) operates Bus Route 209 along 900 East, stopping within short walking distance of the farm's entrance. For rail connections, commuters can link to the UTA TRAX light rail (Red and Blue Lines) and the FrontRunner commuter rail at the Murray Central Station, situated roughly 3 miles to the northwest.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Free Public Parking: Complimentary vehicle parking with no meters, parking passes, or gate fees required for regular daily park visitors.
Open-Air Surface Lot: Generous surface layout with wide turning radiuses and completely open headroom for oversized family vehicles and trucks.
Designated Accessible Spaces: Clearly marked ADA parking stalls conveniently situated closest to paved entry walkways and curb cuts.
Direct Paved Trailhead Access: Seamless transition onto paved and graded walkways leading to the Activity Barn, restrooms, and trail systems.
Lighting & Visibility: Basic outdoor lighting fixtures for safe navigation during early dawn outings and scheduled evening events.
Dog-Friendly Connectivity: Immediate access to on-leash walking paths along Little Cottonwood Creek and the farm perimeter.

Ideal For

Families & Children: Ideal for parents, grandparents, and school field trip chaperones visiting the animal yards, playground fort, and seasonal wagon rides.
Sunday Farmers Market Shoppers: The closest dedicated parking area for loading fresh local produce, artisan bread, and handcrafted goods during market season.
Runners, Walkers & Dog Owners: Serving fitness enthusiasts and pet owners utilizing the perimeter trail networks along Little Cottonwood Creek.
Event & Wedding Guests: Convenient parking for visitors attending private receptions, corporate retreats, and birthday celebrations at the Activity Barn and pavilions.
Astronomy & Outdoor Enthusiasts: An optimal arrival point for seasonal evening star parties and solar viewing gatherings hosted on the North Lawn.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During the peak summer and autumn seasons—especially during the Sunday Farmers Market (typically June through October) and the annual Pumpkin Days festival in October—the North Lot can fill to capacity quickly. Planning your arrival early in the morning helps guarantee a spot without circling. If the North Lot is full, visitors can use the secondary South Parking Lot accessed off 900 East.

Because this facility borders high-activity family areas and playground access pathways, always maintain low speeds and remain watchful for children, strollers, and pets crossing between parked cars. Please be aware that Wheeler Historic Farm operates from dawn to dusk daily; overnight parking is prohibited, and park gates close after daylight hours unless a permitted evening event is underway.