CENTERVILLE—Trails are a big deal in this community which has a network of trails traversing the city’s eastern hillside. While they are frequently enjoyed by local residents, many outdoor enthusiasts across Davis County are becoming aware of the great treasures the trails in Centerville are. Trails Committee Chair Mike Remington said he meets them all the time as he enjoys the trails himself. 

“They love coming to the trails in Centerville because they’re not as busy as some of the Salt Lake trails,” he said. “They’re just a great place that’s not terribly busy; it’s pretty low-key but very enjoyable.” 

“People are well aware of the Deuel Creek Trail and the Parrish Creek Trail; more people are learning about the Sunset Trail,” he added.

The trails committee is an active group itself, not just making decisions about the trails but regularly getting out on them themselves. These are people who not only use the trails but actively work to improve them. A June 3 National Trails Day project — Parrish Creek Trail maintenance — was the first of several that Remington anticipates will be completed this summer.

“If there’s a group of people that want to do a project, we’ll make a list of things that are readily available,” he said.

Remington, a lifelong Centerville resident, is a trail runner, hiker and mountain biker. The Centerville Farmington Journal caught up with him recently after a run on the Parrish Trail.

The trails give local residents an opportunity to enjoy nature, Remington said. “It gives them a place to get some exercise and explore places that they don’t normally go. We’ve got some beautiful canyons and a handful of different waterfalls in these canyons. For the most part, it’s pretty accessible to the community; it’s just on the hillside.”

Spencer Summerhays is the city council liaison with the trails committee. The assignment is a natural fit — as a mountain biker, Summerhays, and his wife Julie who prefers to hike, frequents the city’s trails often.

The outdoors and being able to recreate outdoors have always been an important priority for the family, he said.

Earlier this year Centerville City acquired a 32-acre parcel on the hillside from longtime resident David Nash. Several trails traverse the property.

“We felt really great about it because it just preserves the hillside and continues to preserve access to important trails such as Barnard Creek and the Parrish Creek Trail,” Summerhays said.

The trails committee has a Facebook page, Centerville City Trails, where members and others regularly post photos of their time on the mountain. The committee is also working on a trails master plan which they hope will help guide development in the future and protect the trails for future generations to enjoy. 

“The goals of this master plan are to clearly identify the existing trails and to put in what our hopeful trails are,” Summerhays said.

Both men appreciate the opportunity Centerville’s trails give them to do what they love most. 

“Every time I’m up there, I always think how lucky we are to have the close resource for the community to use,” Remington said.  

Deuel Creek Trail has a trailhead and kiosk just north of what is known locally as the ATV bowl, below the V on 100 South on the east bench. The trail is actually divided into north and south legs. The Deuel Creek North Trail begins with a fairly steep climb just off the Fire Break Road. It then levels out before descending to the creek side and continuing up the canyon where it merges with the Deuel Creek South Trail.

Parrish Creek Trail is also very popular with a trailhead at the top of Parrish Lane. The route, which involves a steady climb, follows a ridge between Parrish Canyon and Centerville Canyon. About three miles up, the trail reaches Centerville Peak. From the peak the trail continues another three miles to Skyline Road.

Parrish Sunset Trail: The trail is approximately 0.75 mile long and somewhat steep. It begins just off the Fire Break Road about 300 yards north of the Parrish Canyon Trail parking area.

A complete list of Centerville trails, along with maps and other information, can be found at https://www.centervilleutah.gov/174/Trails.