Park City, Utah, has a reputation as the ideal place for outdoor fun in winter and summer. It’s easy to fall in love with the area’s painted skies, pristine forests, and mountain backdrops. Perfect temperatures during summertime makes it easy to go hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, or rafting in this adventure-lovers paradise.

Here Are the Best Things to do in the Summer in Park City.

Summer Events in Park City

Park City offers countless entertainment options. Summertime provides unique opportunities to experience epic open-air shows under blue skies and starry nights.

Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater

Virtually every night during summer, you can catch a free concert at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. The free summer concert series has included pop artists such as Jason Mraz and stunning classical orchestras. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket with cheese and wine for a romantic date or social time with friends and family.

Kimball Arts Festival in Park City

This eclectic arts festival is one of the best summer events in Park City. There are amazing things to do for kids and adults, from free art walks and live performance art to art auctions and live music. Every member of the family can paint their own masterpiece or create a cool sculpture. After dark, take in an open-air film screening or comedy show.

Farmers Market

Every Wednesday, residents can smell and taste the freshest fruit, veggies, and artisan foods that Utah has to offer. This sprawling farmers market also has freshly cut flowers and handmade crafts. On Sundays, another great way to have a blast as a family is the Park Silly Sunday Market, a street festival that celebrates great food and incredible music.

Savor the Summit

Foodies can’t resist the temptation of one of North America’s largest al fresco dining events. An uninterrupted table runs through the center of Historic Main Street, allowing residents to dine under the stars while sampling the world-class cuisine of the Park City Area Restaurant Association. It’s all the posh service you’d expect from legendary restaurants, but with the most beautiful and romantic backdrop ever.

Aerial Show at Park City’s Olympic Park

The Flying Ace All-Stars Freestyle Show treats residents to professional aerial skiers and snowboarders performing spectacular tricks. The lineup includes celebrated Olympians and members of the U.S. National Team. Utah Olympic Park was the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics, and it features numerous free museums, ropes courses, and climbing tours.

Fly Fishing

The numerous rivers around Park City provide plenty opportunities for fly fishermen to catch coveted rainbow trout. There are also wild brown trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, and mountain whitefish year-round. It’s not hard to find a secluded location where you can fish undisturbed with endless miles of gravel-bottom rivers.

Two famous fly fishing rivers, the Provo River and Weber River, are among the best trout fishing destinations in the United States, with over 3,000 trout per mile in some spots. They’ve both been awarded the coveted blue-ribbon designation for fly fishing. If you’re looking to score a trophy trout, these rivers belong on your bucket list.

Golf

Park City has an extensive private and public golf course community. Verdant scenery and tree-studded fairways await at tournament-level courses such as the Park Meadows Country Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course in one of the prized real estate locations. Other local favorites with popular reviews include residential private golf course, Promontory Ranch, Red Ledges, Victory Ranch, and Glenwild.

Biking & Hiking

In the summertime, Park City turns into the premier destination for mountain biking in the United States. The surrounding forests and mountains offer over 400 miles of maintained biking and hiking trails with various difficulty levels. Skirt river banks, zoom through lush forests, and ascend rocky peaks for the ultimate views. Then, relax on the edge of a canyon munching on an energy bar and taking in the wilderness’s complete serenity.

Many biking aficionados consider Park City to be better than Moab (although Moab is just a short distance away). Not only does this area have shaded pine forests, but it also stays much cooler during summer. Both novice bikers and pros can ride faster, harder, and longer.

Every year, Park City hosts stage 6 (stage 5 is in nearby Canyons) of the legendary Tour of Utah, a seven-day road cycling tournament featuring world-class athletes. Stage 6 covers almost 80 miles and climbs 10,000 feet from Historic Main Street.

Families and friends can also hike the trails around the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Managed by the Park City Mountain Trails Foundation, these trails offer miles of high-altitude desert and beautiful forest to explore. If you prefer to experience the outdoors on horseback, you won’t be disappointed by Park City’s breathtaking hills and valleys.

Rafting & Water Sports

Park City is surrounded a variety lakes and reservoirs that are popular for boating. With crystal-clear, smooth water, they’re ideal for wakeboarding and waterskiing. The Jordanelle Reservoir is only 20 minutes from Park City, and it has plenty of room for water sports, hiking, and camping. Spend all day on the water and share a relaxing bonfire at night.

Mirror Lake is closed to motorized watercraft, but it’s great for sailing, windsurfing and trout fishing. Bear Lake, a few hours north, offers fantastic kayaking opportunities with stunning scenery in the background. Other Park City lakes and reservoirs for water lovers include Emerald Lake, Deer Creek Reservoir, and Rockport Reservoir. They’re all nestled among the Uinta and Wasatch Mountains.

Ziplining & Hot Air Balloons

For the ultimate combination of speed, exhilaration, and views, adventure-loving residents need to experience ziplining down the mountain. There are two high-speed ziplines (plus alpine slides) in Park City. One is located at Canyons Resort (Park City Mountain Resort), the largest ski resort in North America with more than 7,300 acres of wilderness and trails.

Enjoy an unforgettable perspective with a hot air balloon ride exploring the Uinta Mountains and Cottonwood Canyons from high in the sky. There’s no better way to see Park City and the gorgeous horizons all around.

Living in America’s Best Outdoor Wonderland

The spectacular vistas in Park City provide outdoor enthusiasts with endless things to do and see. There’s nothing like satisfying your cravings for adventure in incredible alpine forests. Life in Park City is unforgettable every day. To find the best home for your ideal lifestyle, explore the communities in Park City with the help of a trusted real estate agent. Call me at (435) 659-6381 for more information!

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Disclaimer: Events and activities may be canceled or postponed until further notice due to COVID-19. You may check for the most recent local calendar updates for upcoming events on my website at https://kristenbarber.com/local-events/.

Photo Credit: Kyle T Perry