Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park

Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park (435/649-6839, http://stateparks.utah.gov, dawn-dusk daily year-round, free) consists of a multi-use, nonmotorized trail built to accommodate hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers. The trail parallels I-80 and runs 27 miles from Park City through the town of Coalville to Echo Reservoir. In Park City, from Park Avenue, turn onto Kearns Boulevard, then right onto Bonanza Drive, and after about 200 yards, left on Prospector Avenue, where you can catch the trail behind the Park City Plaza (parking area on the right).

The city park next to the former miners' hospital has picnic tables, a playground, volleyball and basketball courts, and ball fields.

Golf

Park City has two 18-hole courses. The city-owned Park City Golf Club (435/615-5800, www.parkcitygolfclub.org, $43 and up) is at Park Avenue and Thaynes Canyon Drive. An outstanding public course is at Wasatch Mountain State Park (435/654-0532, http://stateparks.utah.gov, $27-29), a short distance away in Midway.

Play miniature golf at Park City Mountain Resort (435/649-8111, $6).

Fishing

Fly-fishing is a favorite pastime in the mountain streams and lakes of the Wasatch Mountains. The Weber and Provo Rivers are well known for their wily native cutthroat, wild brown, and rainbow trout and Rocky Mountain whitefish.

Get your fishing license, supplies, and a guide at Park City Fly Shop (2065 Sidewinder Dr., 435/645-8382 or 800/324-6778, www.parkcityflyshop.com) or Trout Bum 2 (4343 North Highway 224, Suite 101, 435/658-1166 or 877/878-2862, www.troutbum2.com, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. in summer; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. in winter).

Park City Outfitters (435/647-0677 or 866/649-3337, www.parkcityoutfitters.com) and Local Waters Fly Fishing (60 North 400 West, Midway, 435/655-5858 or 800/748-5329) also lead guided fly-fishing trips.

Hiking

The ski areas open their trails to hikers in summer; pick up a trail map and just head out. Deer Valley, Park City Mountain, and The Canyons all offer lift-assisted hiking that takes walkers up to the high country without a wind-sucking foot ascent; see individual resorts for information. From downtown Park City, follow trail signs to the slopes; well-marked trails start just on the edge of town and head uphill. Park City Trails, by Raye Ringholz, describes many hiking and ski-touring possibilities in the area and offers a history and walking tour of Park City.

When hiking around Park City, stay clear of relics of the mining past that lie scattered about. You're likely to come across miners' cabins in all states of decay, hoist buildings, aerial tramway towers, rusting machinery, and great piles of mine tailings. Unlike other parts of the Wasatch Range, most of the land here belongs to mining companies and other private owners. Visitors need to keep a distance from mine shafts—which can be hundreds of feet deep—and respect No Trespassing signs.

Mountain Biking

This is a favorite summer activity in the Park City area, with more than 350 miles of mountain bike trails. Some of the local landowners, including ski resorts and mining companies, have offered access to their land and have even built trail sections at their own expense. Helmets are always required when riding on private land.
All three Park City resorts keep a lift open for bikers and hikers during the summer. Deer Valley has 55 stunning miles of single- and double-track trails; Park City Mountain has 35 miles of trails. The Canyons also offers mountain bikers gondola rides to the top of its lifts; from there they can access many trails. Mountain Biking Park City and Beyond, by Gregg Bromka, gives descriptions and maps of the trails open in summer.

Ballooning

Though expensive, a flight aboard a hot air balloon is an exhilarating experience. Balloons take off in the early morning year-round, weather permitting, and trips typically include a continental breakfast and post-flight champagne toast. The cost is $200 for one hour with either Park City Balloon Adventures (435/645-8787 or 800/396-8787, www.pcballoonadventures.com) or Morning Star Balloons (435/685-8555, www.morningstarballoons.com).

Horseback Riding

Red Pine Adventures (2050 White Pine Canyon, 435/649-9445 or 800/417-7669, www.redpinetours.com, from $69) offers trail rides of varying lengths; 1.5-hour rides start several times a day. Horseback rides are also available at the Canyons and at Park City Mountain.

Water Sports

Two-hour rafting trips down the Provo River Canyon are offered by High Country Rafting (435/649-7678, www.highcountryrafting.com, May-Sept., $39 adults, $25 children 12 and under). Trips start at Frazier Park, 30 minutes from Park City.

Similarly priced white-water trips down the Weber River, north of Park City, are offered by Park City Rafting (435/655-3800, www.parkcityrafting.com). Boating, water-skiing, and sailboarding are popular activities at the Jordanelle, Rockport, and Echo Reservoirs.