10 summer adventures in and around Park City
Summer 2023
Written By: Merlin Varaday | Images: Courtesy Deer Valley Resort
Summer in Park City is truly underrated. The Wasatch Front’s incredible beauty is at its finest, and the adventures are limitless. Here are a few to add to your bucket list — they will take you up mountains, zipping over rivers and even soaring up in the sky! If you love Park City in the winter, get ready to experience all that summer has to offer.
Hiking the Mid Mountain and Red Cloud Trails
This moderately challenging, 3.9 mile out-and-back hike will treat you to mountain views and possibly even wildlife sightings. The trail is easily accessible from Deer Valley Resort. There is a 750-foot incline, and although this is a popular trail, there is little mountain bike traffic. The view from the top is always worth the effort.
UTV and ATV rides with Wasatch Excursions
Thrilling two- or three-hour guided UTV tours are yours for the taking with Wasatch Excursions. Head out in a two-, three- or four-seater “machine” over 25-plus miles of off-road trails. Wildlife sightings are frequent and unguided rentals are also available, as are one-person ATV tours.
Boating at the Jordanelle Reservoir
What’s summer without water sports? High in the Wasatch, you can kayak, motorboat, jet ski and stand-up paddleboard at the beautiful Jordanelle Reservoir with a little help from Jordanelle Rentals & Marina. The full-service outfitter provides all the necessary equipment you need to have a fun day on the water.
Horseback Riding with Boulder Mountain Ranch at Deer Valley
Boulder Mountain Ranch’s professional guides offer small-group horseback riding adventures, matching the experience and comfort level of the rider with the horse — gentle dispositions ensure a safe and enjoyable ride. Many rides begin just 10 minutes from Main Street, making this summer excursion easily accessible.
Challenge Courses with Zipline Utah
Zipline Utah’s seven course options will inspire your family or friend group. Ride the 3,900-foot zipline over Rainbow Bay (the longest zipline over a body of water in the U.S.), cross up to seven suspension aerial bridges, climb 15 spiral staircases and ride up to 10 individual ziplines. Your feet will never touch the ground on their Screaming Falcon Full Adventure!
Hot Air Balloon Rides with Bigfoot Balloons
Experience the most memorable sunrise of your life with a hot air balloon ride over Park City with Bigfoot Balloons. The three-hour adventure includes set up, flight and landing, followed by a Champagne toast. You’ve never seen the Wasatch Range until you’ve seen it from the air! Private or shared rides are available.
Paddleboard Yoga in the Homestead Crater
The Homestead Resort in Midway boasts one of the most incredible natural phenomena in Utah — a geothermal crater below a 55-foot beehive-shaped dome. Visitors can repel in from the top, explore the man-made tunnel, and swim, snorkel or scuba dive in the crater’s warm waters. One of the property’s most standout offerings is their paddleboard yoga class.
Mountain Biking at Deer Valley Resort
With nearly 70 miles of mountain biking trails and an elevation change of 3,000 feet, Deer Valley Resort is just as exciting in the summer as it is when the mountains are covered with fresh powder. The biking trails are accessed by three chair lifts — Silver Lake Express, Homestake Express and Sterling Express — and there are lessons and rentals available all summer long. Each Tuesday between June 21 and August 16, the lifts will stay open late for “Twilight Tuesdays.”
Fly Fishing on the Provo River with Utah Fly Guides
Ever dreamed of fly fishing? Utah Fly Guides offers full and half-day adventures on the Provo River, Weber River and other “hidden waters” around Utah. Their professional fly-fishing guides will create a personalized experience which could very well end with a picture of you and your trophy catch!
Tee Time at Canyons Golf
In addition to offering fantastic skiing and snowboarding in the winter, the Canyons Village side of Park City Mountain also boasts an 18-hole, par-70 golf course with over 550 feet of elevation change. Tee times can be booked 30 days in advance or the day of. Ask about season passes and hotel stay-and-play packages.
