If you’re looking for a way to experience Taylorsville Lake State Park beyond the usual trail walk, the park’s Permanent Orienteering Course is one of the most interesting ways to do it. It turns the landscape into a puzzle—one that invites you to slow down, pay attention, and actually see the terrain instead of just passing through it.
Why This Course Stands Out
The course is available year‑round and includes 13 mapped control points, all located south of the main park road. Each checkpoint is marked by a brown post with a unique number, making it clear when you’ve found the right spot. The start and finish are easy to find too—just south of the park shelters.
It’s flexible: go solo, go with a friend, bring the kids, or turn it into a casual competition. No reservation, no fee, no pressure.
How to Read the Map (It’s Simpler Than It Looks)
This map uses the standard orienteering color system, which makes it a lot more intuitive than most people expect:
- Brown shows the shape of the land—hills, dips, and contour lines
- Green & white show forest density
- Yellow marks clearings
- Blue is any water feature
- Black covers manmade structures and rock features
Your route is marked in purple:
- A triangle for the start
- Numbered circles for each control
- A double circle for the finish (same as the start)
Your job is simply to visit them in order. The fun comes from choosing how to get from one to the next.
The Real Appeal: You Start to Notice Everything
Orienteering changes the way you move through the park. Instead of just following a trail, you start scanning ridgelines, tree lines, clearings, and creekbeds, matching what’s in front of you with what’s on the map.
It can be surprisingly absorbing—and surprisingly calming.
A favorite tip from the course map: if you ever feel disoriented, just head due north until you reach the park road. Clean and simple.
A Good Fit for Just About Anyone
The course works well for:
- Families looking for something active and inexpensive
- Scouts and youth groups
- Couples exploring the park for the first time
- Friends who want something outdoorsy but different
- Locals who’ve done every trail and want a new challenge
It’s exactly the type of approachable, low‑barrier outdoor activity the state loves to see communities highlight.
What to Bring
Nothing fancy—just:
- Comfortable shoes
- Water
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Optional: a compass (but you don’t need one to start)
Long pants are helpful if you plan to leave the trail to reach a control point.
Ready to Try It?
Pick up or download the map, start near the park shelters, and give yourself permission to explore at your own pace. Whether you’re competitive or just curious, orienteering at Taylorsville Lake State Park is an engaging way to get outside and experience the landscape in a fresh way.
