Get to the River Festival is an annual event featuring “river-focused celebrations and conservation activities” during September. West Jordan is joining in by hosting a 30-day photo scavenger hunt with prizes.

The Jordan River has 46 miles of trails to explore, 200 species of bird to see and 51 miles of river and parkway highlighting the “amazing slice of nature through the most urbanized and populated region of Utah’s Wasatch Front,” per the Jordan River Commission.

“Thousands of people each year turn out to celebrate the many wonderful things the river has to offer, as well as volunteer to help clean up and restore the river to make it a destination for all to enjoy for generations to come.”

Events will focus on educating attendees about the trail and river and conservation, creating community and celebrating another year.

Ashley Dupler, West Jordan’s events manager, said the photo scavenger hunt will allow participants to “show off the river’s beauty.”

A relay paddler from a previous year’s race at the “Get to the River Festival” floats down by the Jordan River Parkway. (Courtesy of Get to the River Festival)

“The scavenger hunt, as part of the Get to the River event, is one of our favorites because it really shows off the river's beauty,” Dupler said. “It's more than just a waterfront—it's a living piece of our history and a sanctuary for local wildlife." 

Participation is free for the hunt and anyone can take pictures along the Jordan River Trail in West Jordan and submit them by scanning the QR codes found along the route, filling out a form found on West Jordan’s Jordan River Scavenger Hunt webpage or emailing them to [email protected]. Make sure to submit them before the end of the month to qualify. 

"What I love most is that it runs for a whole month, not just a single night,” said Sheri Miller, West Jordan events assistant. “It gives everyone the chance to get out and enjoy it whenever it fits into their busy lives."

The city has already posted the picture prompts online which include:

• A bug
• A fun-shaped rock
• A colorful leaf
• Giving someone a high-five
• A furry friend
• Grass
• A stick
• A trail sign 
• The mountains
• Something yellow 
• Ring the bell by Layer’s bedding (Gardner Village)
• Visit the Water tower (Gardner Village) 
• Snag a free piece of salt water taffy at the Chocolate Covered Wagon (Gardner Village) 

Winners for the scavenger hunt will be chosen randomly at the end of the month and be contacted in mid-October. Three prizes will be awarded, including a hammock, a Carhartt lunch cooler and a camping chair to enjoy the great outdoors even more. 

Happy hunting!

More events will be happening along the river throughout the month, including community walking and biking, trail service and cleanup projects, tree planting, nature workshops, bird watching and more. Find the full calendar of events online at https://jordanrivercommission.gov/get-to-the-river-festival/.