The Best Ways to Experience Fall Foliage in Park City
November 2, 2021
Park City is one of Xplorie’s favorite vacation destinations and continues to remain a top trending travel destination for 2021 for any season! The fall foliage season in Park City is short but spectacular. The changing colors begin in late September in the higher elevations and by early October the hillsides are covered in golden aspens, red scrub oaks, and fiery red maples with an autumn glow across Deer Valley, Canyons Resort, Park City Mountain, and the nearby Heber Valley.
Whether you’re on the trails, cruising one of Utah’s most scenic byways, soaring through the skies, or soaking up the fall foliage views from your private hot tub, we’ve got the top tips for the best ways to experience fall foliage in Park City
Hiking Trails
Lost Prospector Trail (easy 3.7-mile loop): The Lost Prospector Trail is an easy loop close to Main Street in the heart of Park City. This family-friendly Park City trail takes you through the golden aspens, vibrant Gambel Oaks, and red maples with picture-perfect views of Old Town, Park City Mountain, and the Deer Valley. This trail connects to the Gambel Oak Loop for a longer hike and locals recommend you hike counter-clockwise for the best fall foliage views of Park City.
Hike through towering Aspen groves!
Park City Mountain Jenni’s Trail (3-mile loop): Hike the slopes of Park City Mountain Resort on Jenni’s Trail. This gentle trail begins at the Park City Mountain Resort and weaves through towering aspen groves and mountain forests leading to soaring views of the ski resort and town. This trail connects to a number of different loops to extend your hike.
Iron Mountain Trail (2.35-mile round trail): The Iron Mountain Trail is a short, moderately steep hike through Iron Canyon with an overlook boasting wide views of Park City Old Town and the colorful ski slopes in the distance. The contrast of the evergreen pine groves with vibrant red maples and lush aspens, and spectacular Park City views makes this trail well worth the climb.
Rob’s Trail (moderate 5-mile trail): Rob’s Trail is a pet-friendly Park City fall foliage trail near Canyon’s Resort. This easy, well-marked trail climbs gently through the golden aspens with views of the Canyon Resort ski slopes. Rob’s Trail is an out and back trail with many other clearly marked loop trails for a longer hike.
Park City is perfect for a family hiking trip
Mountain Biking
Park City boasts over 450 miles of mountain biking trails ranging from single track to technical downhill trails in the rugged alpine peaks. Many of the Park City trails are accessible to both hikers and mountain bikers including the Lost Prospector Trail, Jenni’s Trail, and Rob’s Trail. There are a couple of other top Park City mountain bike trails worth adding to your fall foliage leaf-peeping itinerary.
See the sights on a bike!
Park City Mountain Armstrong Trail (Intermediate 3.8-mile loop): The Armstrong Trail on Park City Mountain has a 1,262 vertical gain on a leave-covered trail, surrounded by the fall colors of quaking aspens, colorful oaks, and red maples. The trail connects to the easy Dawn’s trail to loop back down the mountain or continue to the Mid-Mountain trail to connect to dozens of trails through the Wasatch Mountains looking down on the fall foliage in Park City.
The Round Valley Trail System offers some of the best fat biking and fall mountain biking in Park City, with an extensive 40-mile trail system of single and double-track trails for all ages and levels. The Round Valley trails are located in the valley and wind through the high desert sagebrush and scrub oak with outstanding views of the Park City ridgeline and the Uinta Mountains.
Scenic Drives
Emigration Canyon: If you’re driving from Salt Lake City to Park City, take the scenic route to the I80 via Emigration Canyon. The canyon begins near Hogle Zoo and This is the Place Heritage Park, a monument marking the first wave of Mormon pioneers to Salt Lake City. The canyon climbs up past the famous creekside Ruth’s Diner to the summit of Little Mountain with views of the Salt Lake Valley and Parley’s Canyon. Continue on and meet up with the I80 at Mountain Dell Reservoir.
Guardsman Pass Scenic Byway: Guardsman Pass is one of the most scenic byways in Utah leading from Park City into Big Cottonwood Canyon or south to the Heber Valley and Wasatch State Park. This backcountry drive boasts spectacular scenery with golden aspens, red oaks, and panoramic views of the Heber Valley.
Guardsman Pass Scenic Byway
Spectacular views of American Fork Canyon
Alpine Scenic Loop: The Alpine Scenic Loop in the Heber Valley is simply spectacular. From Guardsman Pass travel south past Deer Creek State Park and turn towards Sundance. The 20-mile loop takes you along twisty mountain roads through rugged high alpine landscapes, evergreen forests, and brilliant maples. Highlights of this scenic loop include Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort, Timpanogos Cave National Monument, American Fork Canyon, the dramatic vertical limestone cliffs in the Provo Canyon, and Bridal Veil Falls, all surrounded by autumn splendor.
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway: The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is a scenic mountain road that winds east from Jordanelle State Park through the town of Kamas and onto Bald Mountain Summit overlooking the High Uintas. This is one of the highest roads in Utah with a number of attractions on route including the Provo River Falls, Moosehorn Lake, Mirror Lake, easy access to the top hiking trails in the Uintas, and a spectacular display of fall foliage.
Horseback Ride Through the Heber Valley
Another family favorite for fall foliage near Park City is a trail ride through the backcountry of the Heber Valley with KB Horses. The Heber Valley trail rides are customized for each group to ensure a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience surrounded by nothing but nature and the beauty of fall.
Zipline Above the Trees
Get a birds-eye view of the spectacular fall foliage as your soar above the treetop canopies over Rainbow Bay in Deer Creek State Park in the Heber Valley. Zipline Utah boasts the world’s longest over-water zipline in the world and is the ultimate fall foliage experience for adventure seekers. The Soaring with Eagles tour is designed for beginners or boost your adrenaline on the Screaming Falcon Adventure Tour, either way, you’re guaranteed the best views of the Wasatch Mountains in fall.
Take a Ride on the Heber Valley Railroad
A great fall experience awaits at the Heber Valley Railroad, only a short scenic drive from Park City. Travel along the shoreline of Deer Creek Reservoir with majestic Mt. Timpanogos views on the Lakeside Limited or through the Heber Valley on the Deer Creek Express. If you’re visiting Park City with kids, the Pumpkin Train is a fall family favorite with entertainment, treats, and a pumpkin souvenir from the Pumpkin Patch.
Take a Photo at The White Barn
The historic McPolin Farm is located between Park City and Canyons Village and is home to the White Barn, an iconic Park City landmark and a top destination for photoshoots in Park City. The barn dates back to the late 1800s and is particularly beautiful in the fall season. The scenic nature trail through the golden aspen groves and historic big White Barn is the perfect setting for a fall photoshoot with your tribe.
Where to Stay in Park City
Xplorie partners with iTrip Park City, SkyRun Park City White Drift Vacation Rentals, and StayLuxe Vacation Rentals to ensure you find the perfect home-away-from-home for your fall getaway in Park City. From luxury penthouses in Canyons Village and peaceful lakeside retreats in Deer Valley to spacious family homes and historic cottages in the heart of Old Town, you’ll enjoy the comforts of home, outstanding amenities, and free Park City activities for each day of your stay.
