8 Bucket List Summer Adventures in Park City, Utah
Hit the trails in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains.
Whenever you're in Park City, no matter where you are in town, you're never too far from one of the trailheads leading to over 400 miles of trails for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. That's enough to keep even the most motivated trail junky satisfied for a lifetime. It's no wonder so many adventurers call this place home. Park City's network of incredible trails has earned the recognition as a Gold-level Ride Center from the International Mountain Bicycling Association - the first place in the world to achieve this award!
With so much beautiful terrain to explore (whether on foot or on two wheels), it can be tough to know where to start. We've been lucky enough to spend a lot of time exploring Park City so we thought we'd share a few of our favorite must-do adventures to get you stoked for summer in the Wasatch. The best part about summer adventures in Park City is that when your day's done, you've got a huge selection of amazing concerts and events to pick from. There's nothing like good food and drink and live music on a long summer night in the mountains.
It'll be a relatively tough climb to the summit but you'll be rewarded with amazing views from Desolation Peak. Keep an eye out for wildflowers during the summer and grazing deer in the alpine meadows along the trail.
This paved trail is a great place for a mellow adventure close to town but away from traffic. With minimal elevation gain, it's perfect for families or anyone looking for a leisurely adventure in a beautiful place.
Explore a little bit of Park City's mining town history on this fun adventure close to town. Just head all the way to the top of Main Street and follow the stream. The wildflowers in the summer are unreal!
This is a 22.8 mile point-to-point ride with 13 sections that link Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Village and Canyons Village. This is a really popular mountain bike ride, but it's also open to and commonly used for hiking and trail running.
This is a nice and mellow hike with options to connect with other trails if you're looking to extend your trail time. The trail meanders through aspen and pine trees that provide lovely shade during the hot summer months.
Iron Mountain is a short but stout hike at 3-miles round trip and 900 ft. of elevation gain. The views are 100% worth the short climb and you'll also have a pretty good shot at spotting some wildlife.
The RTS trail is the place to get your kids, or new mountain bikers, hooked on riding. It's an easy ride with beautiful scenery, plus it's right at the base of Utah Olympic Park, so there is plenty to see and explore nearby after a quick ride.
Catch majestic views of Park City, Deer Creek Reservoir, and Clayton Peak from the top of Empire Pass Ridge. It's a pretty mellow hike but there are options to extend it if you wish, which makes it a good adventure for a day trip.
Cover photo: Chris Engelsman
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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