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Looking for the best things to do in Park City in summer? From hot air balloons to visiting Bald Mountain, this is how to spend summer in Park City!
The silver mining boom town of Park City, Utah, is best known as a winter destination. It hosted events at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and it’s getting a second turn in 2034 when the Games return to Salt Lake City. Park City Mountain, Deer Valley and the Utah Olympic Park will share roughly half the events between them, which means the bobsled track you can ride down this summer is the same one the world will be watching.
I honestly think there’s nothing like the summertime in the mountains. The blue skies, the crisp mountain air, the scent of the pines, the bright colours of the wildflowers… I could easily go on. There is something about being in the mountains in summer that just feels better.
Naturally, there are many excellent summer outdoor activities to enjoy in Park City. From fly fishing and hiking to extreme tubing and hot air ballooning you’ll soon be singing from all that fresh mountain air. When you’re ready to relax, enjoy a decadent wine and cheese picnic while kicking back and listening to some tunes during the Deer Valley Concert Series.
Oh, also, Park City has an incredible FREE bus system covering many of the popular destinations. So this is a great place to enjoy a drive free vacation. I think that means you get to enjoy a few more craft beers if you don’t drive.
Hopefully you can use this blog post when planning the best things to do in Park City in summer. This really is one of the top places to visit in Utah when the sun is shining!
Summer weather in Park City
Summer here runs from late May to late September, and it’s one of the more comfortable mountain climates in the American West. Warm days, cool nights, and very little humidity.
| Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| May | 18°C / 65°F | 2°C / 36°F |
| June | 24°C / 75°F | 7°C / 44°F |
| July | 27°C / 81°F | 11°C / 51°F |
| August | 26°C / 79°F | 10°C / 50°F |
| September | 21°C / 70°F | 5°C / 41°F |
July and August are the warmest and the safest bet for reliable weather. June is greener with fewer people about, while September is my quiet favourite for cooler air and the first colour in the aspens.
What surprises people is that Park City barely gets hot. It averages only around five days a summer above 32°C (90°F). If you’ve come up from Moab or Zion, arriving here feels like someone has turned the temperature down.
The flip side is the evenings. At around 7,000ft the temperature drops away fast, and after a 27°C afternoon you can be sitting on Main Street in single figures. Bring a fleece or a light down jacket. You’ll use it every night.
One more thing to plan around: through July and August, mornings are usually clear and thunderstorms build in the afternoon. If you’re hiking, start early and aim to be off exposed ridgelines by early afternoon.
How many days do you need in Park City?
Three full days is the sweet spot. That gives you one day on Main Street and around town, one day up a mountain, and one day for whatever you’re most excited about, whether that’s rafting the Provo River or throwing yourself down an Olympic ski jump on an inflatable tube.
Two days works if you’re passing through on a wider Utah road trip, but you’ll be picking between things rather than doing them all.
Four or five days is where it starts to feel like a proper holiday. You get room for a slow morning, a long hike, and an afternoon doing nothing much at all, which in the mountains is arguably the whole point.
One thing worth building the trip around: Park Silly Sunday Market and Savor the Summit only run on set dates, so if either appeals, check the calendar before you book flights.
Quick facts
| Where is it? | Park City, Utah, around 35 miles east of Salt Lake City |
| Nearest airport | Salt Lake City International (SLC), roughly 40 minutes |
| Summer season | Late May to late September |
| Getting around | Park City Transit and High Valley Transit, both free |
| Do you need a car? | No |
| Elevation | Around 7,000ft in town, higher on the trails |
| How long to stay | 3 to 4 days |
| Biggest events | Savor the Summit (late June), Park Silly Sunday Market, Deer Valley concerts |
Things to do in Park City in Summer
Get acquainted with the historic main street
Obviously, the first of your list of summer activities in Park City should be to get oriented by making your way to the historic Main Street. Not only is the Main Street worth visiting all on its own, it is also the central hub for activities in Park City.
With silver mining rush origins, Main Street has maintained some of its 1800s charm. Saloons and boarding houses have been converted into chic galleries and boutique stores: you can spend hours just taking it all in. Here, you’ll also find book stores, cafes, and restaurants to suit all tastes. Take a ride on the trolley for the full experience.
Catch a concert while surrounded by mountains
In Park City in summer, the hills really do come alive with the sound of music. Park City’s event calendar is jam packed over the summer months. One favourite is the Deer Valley Concert Series, set in the natural amphitheatre created by the mountains. Previous acts have included Ben Harper, Michael Franti, and the John Butler Trio.
To get the full experience, pre-order yourself a gourmet picnic – or bring a backpack full of wine and cheese yourself – then kick back and enjoy some of the best things life has to offer all in one place.
Park Silly Sunday
If you’re in Park City on the right Sunday, make time for Park Silly. Main Street closes to traffic and the whole stretch turns into an open air street market, running 10am to 5pm rain or shine.
The catch is that it doesn’t run every week. There are 11 dates across the summer:
- June: 7, 14, 21, 28
- July: 12, 19
- August: 30
- September: 6, 13, 20, 27
That leaves a long gap between mid July and the end of August, which is right in the middle of peak season. So if Park Silly is one of the reasons you’re coming, check the dates before you book flights.
Between the stalls you’ll find musicians, street performers and entertainment for the kids, making it a great day out for the whole family. Get a taste of the local produce, score yourself some bargains, and pick up some unique regional handicrafts while you’re at it.
Hot air balloon rides
Get the best view Park City has to offer by taking a magnificent hot air balloon ride. Starting at sunrise, the flights are normally one hour in duration – though budget at least 3 hours for the whole experience.
You’ll be treated to views of the glorious green landscapes of the valleys and Wasatch mountains, bathed in the warm glows of dawn. Seriously, you don’t want to miss this.
There are a few operators available in Park City, you can book in with a group, or hire your own balloon for a more private affair.
Take a chair lift to Bald Mountain
For those who prefer their good views a little closer to the ground, take the chair lifts up to Bald Mountain, or stop halfway at Silver Lake Lodge. Departing from Deer Valley, take the Silver Lake Express to mid-mountain, then change to the Sterling Express.
At the top and mid-mountain, there are many hikes you can choose from, including taking a wander around the board walk at Silver Lake. Or, simply enjoy the views from the lift.
By the by, the gorgeous wooden building at mid-mountain, Silver Lake Lodge, is an amazing bed and breakfast with spectacular views. Keep this one in mind if you’re planning something special.
Utah Olympic Park
If you’re looking for high adrenaline summer activities in Park City, make your way to Utah Olympic Park. Host to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, this park – often referred to as UOP – features many outdoor activities to keep the blood pumping.
Get your thrills racing down the bob-sled run, flying through the air on zip-lines, or clambering your way through a high ropes course. For the truly game, experience speeds of up to 80km per hour as you hurtle down an Olympic ski run in the Extreme Tubing adventure.
Practically, a Gold Pass gets you a full day of activities including the alpine slide, extreme tubing, ziplines and the ropes courses. It starts at around $80, and prices rise the closer you book to your date, so book early. The Summer Bobsled Experience isn’t included and has to be added on in person.
The best part is that getting into the park is completely free. Both museums, the Alf Engen Ski Museum and the Eccles 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum, cost nothing, and you can wander the grounds and watch freestyle skiers training into the splash pool without spending a penny. If you’re travelling with kids and a budget, that’s a properly good afternoon for nothing.
Ride the alpine slide and mountain coaster
Somehow this doesn’t get mentioned nearly enough, but Park City Mountain runs one of the longest alpine slides in the world over the summer. You take the PayDay lift up from the base, grab a sled, then control your own speed down a concrete track that runs for more than 3,000 feet.
There are four separate tracks with different twists and drops, so it’s worth doing more than once. My advice is to take the first run steady to learn where the corners are, then absolutely send it on the second.
Next to it you’ll find the Alpine Coaster, which is a different beast entirely. You’re strapped into a car on an elevated rail that weaves through the trees, and unlike the slide it runs all year round.
There are height restrictions on both, and they’re stricter for driving than for riding as a passenger, so check before you queue if you’ve got smaller kids with you. Combo tickets covering one ride on each work out cheaper than buying separately, and they can sell out on busy afternoons, so buy online if you’re heading up late in the day.
Go for a hike
Surrounded by forest covered mountains and valleys, Park City has some amazing hikes on offer. Explore the high alpine lakes and aspen groves, and be rewarded with stunning mountain views.
To enjoy two alpine lakes, check out the 4.5km Bloods Lake and Lackawaxen trail. Bring a picnic and your swimsuit! The trailhead is on Guardsman Pass, the parking lot has 40 spots which fill quickly during peak season, and law enforcement is known to ticket vehicles parked on the roadside.
For a slightly more challenging trail, try the 5.5km Armstrong loop, which begins at the Silver Star Cafe.
Mountain biking
One of the most popular summer activities in Park City is tearing through the mountains on a bike. Nothing beats the rush you feel racing down the mountains, crisp mountain air tinged with scents of pine rushing past you.
You’re spoiled for choice, with over 700km of quality mountain biking trail in the area. Difficulties range from family friendly to extreme. You can even take your bike up some of the chairlifts and save your legs for the way down.
Last Friday Art Gallery Stroll
On the last Friday of each month, you can roam the streets and enjoy some of the best art Park City has to offer, for free! Between 6 and 9pm, around 15 galleries open their doors to the public, offering a memorable evening of wine, art, and entertainment.
The galleries are all conveniently based on or around Main Street. Enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the international restaurants, then take an evening stroll in the alpine air, appreciating some excellent art. For locations visit the Park City Gallery Association.
Get a seat at Park City’s largest outdoor dinner party
One of the most unique summer activities in Park City has to be Savor the Summit, aka Park City’s largest outdoor dinner party. Each year in June, the historic Main Street transforms into a chic dining venue.
The focal point is a stylishly decorated dining table that stretches the down Main Street. Here, 20 of the local restaurants will serve hundreds of diners.
No spots left at the table? This annual event is incredible to witness, so if you couldn’t reserve a seat in time, head to the beer garden and enjoy the live music.
Get out on the water
When considering summer activities in such a mountainous place like Park City, I’ll bet water sports didn’t spring to mind. However, with the high alpine lakes, and the proximity of the Weber and Provo rivers, there are actually a huge variety of water activities to choose from.
Take a leisurely ride down the river in a kayak or tube, go for a swim in the alpine lakes, pick up the pace with white water rafting, or try your balance with stand up paddleboard yoga. There are also some great opportunities for fly fishing. For more info on Park City water sports check out Visit Park City.
Horseback riding
Really embrace those silver mining town vibes by taking a horseback adventure. For the most stunning experience, book a sunset ride – this is also the best time for wildlife spotting.
With guided tours, and trails suitable for even the most novice of riders, this is a great outing for the whole family. Some longer tours even include a picnic lunch.
What’s new for 2026?
I’ve been updating this guide for a few years now, and 2026 is the biggest shake-up I’ve seen here. Deer Valley has come out the other side of an expansion that doubled its size, there’s a new hotel opening on the mountain, and the Olympic Park has quietly rebuilt how its tickets work. Here’s what has actually changed this year.
- Deer Valley’s first summer after the big expansion. The resort spent the winter adding seven new chairlifts, including a ten-passenger gondola serving the new East Village base area, taking it to 31 lifts and 4,300 skiable acres. This is the first summer you can properly explore it. The season runs 19 June to 20 September, and pass prices have come down across every tier. Extended hours and Twilight Wednesdays give you longer evenings on the bike trails.
- Canopy by Hilton opens at Deer Valley East Village. Opening summer 2026, this is the first Canopy in Utah, sitting steps from the Jordanelle Express Gondola and looking out over the reservoir. There are 180 rooms, a pool and hot tub, sauna, and more than 9,600 square feet of food and drink including a rooftop lounge. Worth knowing if you want something newer and a bit less formal than the Waldorf.
- Deer Valley’s food and drink festivals have grown. The Fire & Flavor Festival, built around open-fire cooking demonstrations from visiting chefs, has expanded from a single weekend to five. Entry is free with a $10 lift ticket from Snow Park, and one child rides free per paying adult. The Mountain Beer Festival then closes the season on 19 and 20 September, with full-strength Utah beers, live music and chairlift access included.
- The Gallery Stroll has picked up themed nights. The last Friday of the month wander along Main Street now has a proper programme behind it. This year that includes a Live Art Stroll with artists working in real time, and a Music Stroll on 30 September with performers dotted between the galleries. Twelve galleries take part on Main Street with three more off Kearns Boulevard, from 6pm to 9pm.
- Beware of Utah’s new ID rules. Since 1 January 2026, Utah law requires ID checks on all alcohol sales. Venues are scanning physical ID electronically on entry, regardless of your age. A photo on your phone will not do it. If you’re visiting from abroad, carry your actual passport on a night out or you’ll be turned away at the bar.
Where to stay in Park City
Waldorf Astoria Park City
Stay in style at the Waldorf Astoria Park City, which sits right in Canyons Village at Park City Mountain. You’re in the middle of everything without ever quite feeling like it, which is a difficult trick for a hotel to pull off. It’s about 35 minutes from Salt Lake City airport and 10 minutes from Historic Main Street, and there’s a complimentary shuttle running to Main Street all year round, so you don’t need a car to make the most of it.
Spend your evenings enjoying a spa treatment or a soak in the hot tub. In summer the outdoor pool comes into its own, with casual food and drinks served poolside so you never have to move very far.
Sundial Lodge by All Seasons Resort Lodging
The Sundial Lodge is another great centrally located place to stay – the Red Gondola is practically on its doorstep. This resort features a pool and deck chairs, so you can maximise your time soaking in the sunshine!
Aloha Après-Ski Hale
If you’re looking for something a bit more private, why not stay at Aloha Après-Ski Hale? Located in Park City, and with all your usual household amenities, this apartment will be your home away from home over the summer.
If you’re looking at where to stay, then check out my guide on the best boutique hotels in Colorado. This is perfect for planning your trip here! I’ve also written guides to Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs, Sun Valley, Telluride and Vail if you’re travelling to those places too.
So, what do you think, have I inspired you to travel to Park City this summer? Let me know in the comments below.
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