3-Day Summer Itinerary in Park City, Utah

Visitors to Park City are often surprised at the summer appeal of this town that’s well known for its winters. The doors of possibility swing wide open when summer comes around in Utah. Where else can you enjoy a morning mountain bike ride on some of the best trails in the country and then cool off by stand-up paddle boarding on a giant reservoir, before heading out and enjoying a night on the town?

You can get a lot done in a long weekend here, and for those visiting, there are plenty of outfitters to get you set up with any gear you might need. Even the locals have a hard time keeping up with all of the different outdoor activities you can enjoy here, but that’s what makes this town such a great destination for anyone who enjoys life outside. 

Day One

For starters, let's jump on some bikes and knock the travel rust off with one of the many great trail options. Park City is the first ever International Mountain Biking Association’s Gold Level Ride Center and boasts over 400 miles of world-class trails. Any trip to this mountain town wouldn't be complete without some two-wheeled adventures. If you've never been to town before and are just looking for a nice tour, then rent some beach cruisers and ride along the dozens of miles of paved bike trails that take you through open spaces, restaurants, shops, the famous White Barn, and back to your hotel, rental home or condo. If you want to mountain bike but are intimidated by steep single-track, head over to Round Valley for a scenic ride in nature without the heavily technical terrain. Advanced riders should check out the Mid-Mountain Trail, a world-renowned ride with amazing views, or head over to the Trailside Bike Park for some skill-building and jump tracks.  

After you’re recovered and your heart rate has gone down, late afternoon is the perfect time for an easy going stand-up paddle boarding session in the Deer Valley Ponds before enjoying an outdoor concert at any one of the various venues. Artists ranging from the Utah Symphony to well-known pop stars play all summer long. 

Day Two

Start your second day right by getting a birds eye view of town on a sunrise hot air balloon ride. Local guiding companies Skywalker Balloon Company and Park City Balloon Adventures offer weather-dependent daily tours and we can’t recommend it enough. It's a serene and breathtaking experience that you won't soon forget. 

Once you hop off the balloon, head on over to the base of Park City Mountain Resort and take advantage of all of the fun activities offered with the Adventure Pass. From the alpine slide and coaster, to scenic lift rides, to miles of hiking and biking trails, you'll have a great time exploring the United States’ largest four-season resort. If you still have some biking in you after Day One’s ride, you can even take advantage Park City’s legendary lift-access bike trails. 

When the sun begins to set, the fun doesn't stop. Main Street and Old Town are bustling areas full of award-winning restaurants and bars, boutique shops, art galleries and nightlife. The Wasatch Brew Pub, Firewood Restaurant, and High West Distillery stand out among the many choices in this packed stretch of restaurants, but you really can’t go wrong with any choice you make. In fact, we think the food here might be just as good as the adventures.

Day Three

Spending the last day immersed in nature around Park City is the ideal way to end your Park City getaway. The wildflowers and wildlife make for a magical day on the trail. You can skip the drive to a trailhead and stick around town by jumping onto the Armstrong/Spiro Loop or Jenni's Trail above Park City Mountain Resort. 

Further from town, along the beautiful Mirror Lake Highway are the Uinta Mountains. Ruth Lake, Hayden Peak or Lofty Lake Loop are all great day hikes, and in return for the longer drive time it takes to reach these trailheads, you’ll enjoy scenic alpine views and less foot traffic than hikes closer in to town. 

Another must-do is a stop at Utah Olympic Park, where you'll find a one-of-a-kind place for thrills and adventure. The summer bobsled, alpine slide, extreme tubing, rope courses and zip lines all make for a gold medal-worthy playground. You can even watch people practicing their aerial skiing routines into the bubble pool or catch a rock climbing competition on the right day. Regardless of what is going here, it's active and outdoors, so you can't go wrong.

For more adventure ideas to throw into your weekend plans, check out our 10 Must-Do Summer Adventures in Park City!