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The Ultimate Park City Travel Guide
Updated: Jul 11
Park City, Utah is an underrated place to visit in the US. We're here to show you why you should plan a trip to this picturesque mountainside city.
Known for its beautiful mountains and ski resorts, Park City has much more to offer than just that. Keep reading to learn helpful details such as the best time to visit, how to get here, and what to pack in this Park City Travel guide.
If you don’t want to hit the slopes, check out our article on other great things to do in Park City! Before you go, take a look at our recommendations so you can make the most of your time here.
Now for the ultimate Park City Travel Guide. Here you can learn about the rich history, enjoy stunning views, and eat delicious food. This is your sign to visit Park City, Utah!
Table of Contents:
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Park City Travel Guide: City Overview
Located in Utah, Park City neighbors the larger, and more well-known, Salt Lake City. Park City is known for its incredible ski resort that attracts many winter visitors and locals alike.
Park City started out as a silver mining town and grew to become one of the top ski destinations in the world. The current population sits at just over 8,400 people, so the town itself is not very large but is often busy with tourists.
The 2002 Winter Olympics were held in Park City, and you can still visit the Olympic Park where the games were held. It's actually still used as a training facility. This is just one of the many fun activities available here.
Pre-Trip Planning for Park City
As you start to plan your trip to this Utah city, there are some details you should be aware of so you can make the most of your time in Park City. Below we'll cover the best time to visit, how to get to Park City, transportation in town, and where to stay.
Best Time to Visit Park City
The best time to visit Park City depends on what you would like to do here. If you are looking to ski or snowboard, you will want to visit between December and March. This is the ski season and when the ski resorts are open.
Park City is also a great hiking and outdoor adventure destination. Between finding the best trails, mountain biking, and hopping on a scenic lift, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will love visiting Park City in the summer.
If you are looking to enjoy these outdoor activities, plan your Park City trip between June and August. Spring and fall are also great times to visit as the weather is generally chilly, but mild. Crowds will also be smaller during the spring and fall months.
To avoid the largest crowds, visit Park City somewhere between April and May or October through November.
How to Get to Park City
If you plan on flying to Park City, book your plane ticket to Salt Lake City International Airport. From here, book a shuttle or taxi from Salt Lake City to Park City in advance. We used Salt Lake Express and they were great. Just make sure you know where your drop-off location is and how far it is from your accommodation in Park City.
You can also rent a car in Salt Lake City if you are looking to visit other places, or if you're staying in Salt Lake City but want to take a day trip or two to Park City. Accommodation can often be pricier in Park City, so staying in Salt Lake is a great option.
If you're driving to Park City, be aware that it is in a bit of a "bubble." There is Salt Lake City, Park City, Provo, and a few smaller surrounding towns, but once you're outside of this "bubble" it is much more rural.
There are also multiple national parks in Utah, so you can make a road trip out of your Park City trip and check out a park or two. Just always make sure you have enough gas to get to the next stop when you're driving in Utah.
Do you need a car when visiting Park City?
There are free buses in Park City that you can hop on to get to most places. It's not a very big city, so between the buses and walking, you'll be able to get pretty much anywhere. This is a great option if you're on a budget and plan on staying only in Park City.
Another option is to rent a car in Salt Lake City. This would give you a way to get to Park City as well as a means of transportation while staying in Park City. If you want to be able to visit nearby attractions, such as Homestead Crater or Utah Olympic Park, then a car will definitely be useful.
Be aware that parking in Park City, especially downtown, can be very hard to find. And if you're driving to Park City Mountain Resort to go skiing, they also started charging for parking. One of the free buses drops you off right in Mountain Village, so park your car in a free lot and catch the bus over.
Once in Park City, be aware that rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, are few and far between. We spent about 45 minutes waiting for a driver, and we went through 4 cancellations. So either rent a car or utilize the buses and pack a pair of comfy walking shoes!
Where to Stay in Park City
There are a plethora of places to stay in Park City, but being a relatively small city, you must book in advance if possible. I recommend booking your place to stay at least four months in advance, especially if you want to plan a ski trip to Park City.
The ski resort itself is large. You can actually stay on-site and have ski-in/ski-out access, or stay in town closer to shops and restaurants. Take note that many places sell out months in advance. With that being said, here are the best affordable places to stay in Park City.
Park Regency | Affordable, free shuttle to the mountain, hot tub
Marriott's MountainSide | Ski-in/ski-out, heated pool and hot tub
Condos at Canyons Resort | Canyons side of Park City, steam room & sauna
Best Activities in Park City
Park City is well known for its amazing ski resorts and well-maintained ski runs. Park City Mountain is one of the best ski resorts in the US; there are a few others in the Park City area including Deer Valley and Brighton.
It's no surprise that one of the best activities in Park City is skiing and snowboarding. This a great place to hit the slopes for any level skier or snowboarder as there is a variety of trail lengths and difficulties.
Park City is also home to the famous Sundance Film Festival which attracts many film lovers. In the summer, you can still enjoy the mountains by hiking, mountain biking, and more. There is plenty of fun to be had in Park City; keep reading to find out more.
Ski Trip Itinerary Park City Edition
Ready to plan an epic winter vacation? What better way to enjoy the cold months than with a ski trip!
This planned-for-you Park City ski trip itinerary makes it super simple to book your own ski trip today. And Park City is a great place for beginners and families to enjoy skiing!
Skiing and Snowboarding at Park City Mountain Resort
If you plan on skiing or snowboarding in Park City, make sure you know what to pack for a ski trip. Before you hit the slopes, book your lift passes in advance and get any rental gear you might need.
Also, make sure you check out the trail maps so you have an idea of the mountain layout and what runs you want to do! Park City Mountain is one of the largest ski resorts in the US, so you definitely don't want to get lost.
Park City Mountain Resort has an incredible variety of runs. It really is perfect for nearly any skier or snowboarder. The ski school at Park City is phenomenal, making it great for beginners and families. There are also many blue and black runs for more advanced skiers and boarders.
Do be prepared for crowds though. Park City can get extremely busy as it's a great place to hit the slopes. If you can try to avoid planning a winter trip here during school breaks and holidays. January and February are generally pretty slow as kids are back in school.
Other Fun Things to Do in Park City
While Park City boasts a world-renowned ski resort, there are many other activities here for those visiting in warm months or those who don't want to hit the slopes.
A really fun area to explore on foot is the historic downtown district. Make sure you check out the Park City Museum to learn about the city's neat history! Or take a trip to the Homestead Crater and soak in the natural hot spring for a relaxing time.
Some of the most popular fun things to do in Park City are:
Mountain Biking
Sundance Film Festival
Snowshoeing
Paddle Boarding
Olympic Park
Just to name a few! Check out our top picks for fun things to do in Park City here.
What to Pack for Park City
Winter gets very cold in Park City so bring lots of layers. Rather than wearing one super thick coat, wear layers so you can stay comfortable all day. Start with a t-shirt or long sleeve, add a warmer layer like a fleece pullover, and add a winter coat on top. A winter coat or ski jacket is necessary for winter, even if you're not skiing or snowboarding.
If you’re visiting in fall or spring, still bring a fairly thick winter coat as it can be sunny and nice out one day, but super cold the next. A pair of boots will come in handy too, especially if it’s snowy, as well as a hat and some gloves in the winter!
Essentials for Winter Park City:
Waterproof winter coat
Fleece pullover
Gloves, scarf, and hat
Long pants
Summer temperatures in Park City can reach the 80s, so short sleeve shirts, tank tops, or shorts are a good idea. If you plan on doing outdoor activities do not forget sun protection. You don't want to spend your entire trip sunburned.
Summer Essentials for Park City:
Where to Eat in Park City
You'll be surprised by how great the food options are in Park City. Even Park City Mountain Resort boasts a variety of great restaurants for those who plan on visiting. But even if you aren’t skiing, this area is so worth checking out for a meal.
The historic downtown district also has many restaurants to choose from, and it is a fun and cute area to walk around.
The best places to eat in Park City are:
Harvest
Salt Box
Atticus Coffee
El Chubasco
Big Dipper
Sammy's Bistro
Pink Elephant Coffee Shop
Yuki Yama Sushi
Park City is definitely well known for its mountains and amazing ski slopes, but it has so much more to offer. Remember to pack warm layers if you’re visiting in the fall, winter, or spring, and plan your transportation in advance if traveling from Salt Lake City to Park City.
Enjoy hiking, soaking in a hot spring, mountain views, delicious food, and more while visiting Park City. If you have time, spend a day exploring Salt Lake City as well. Happy planning, and enjoy your stay in the wonderful Park City, Utah! Is it your first time visiting?
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