The Best Way to Beat the Heat: Park City Cool Down Summer Retreat

The reasons for visiting Park City in the summer are as varied as the people that travel to the popular tourist town. From mountain biking, hiking and golf, to ziplines and mountain coasters, to festivals, music concerts, and outdoor markets, it’s no surprise that locals say, “come for the winter, but stay for the summer.”

Brandi Christoffersen

July 28, 2024

Not only is Park City blessed with seemingly endless bluebird skies — an average of 229 sunny days per year versus the US average of 200 — but the town’s summer climate is idyllic, with temperatures averaging in the mid 80s.

Due to the comfortable environment, ‘sunbirds’ — a loving nickname for tourists from the hot desert states, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada — are regular visitors from June through September.

Sunbirds and Second Homes

Roger Johnsrud from Henderson, Nevada said, “I visit every year without fail. This year I am staying at Marriott Mountainside and am introducing some of my friends to the town. I have been showing them around Main Street and the farmers market, and we have gone on some nice hikes and long walks.”

Not surprisingly, second homeowners also find the summer months the ideal time to stay in Park City. Many of these ‘honorary locals’ spend multiple weeks enjoying the mild climate and fresh mountain air. El Paso, Texas couple, David and Suzie Novick, adore everything about the charming town during this time of year. As they explained, they “delight” in exploring the mountain trails, locating hidden groves and walking around the shops at Old Town.

The Novick’s stay in Park City three to four times a year, and “always in the summer for at least five weeks.” One of their favorite things about the town is the fare-free public transit system, with its 20 zero-emission buses and nine full-time bus routes. “We take them everywhere,” said Suzie.

Park City Attractions

As a point of fact, tourists and visitors are often pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to travel throughout the town. With city transit being free and so convenient, rental cars are rarely needed. Not only are the buses effortlessly accessible, but Summit County offers a popular and simple bike share program. This project allows riders to hop on an E-bike for a quick jaunt around the block or for a longer, more adventurous excursion. Not to mention, there is the historic Union Pacific Rail Trail, which provides a scenic, paved route around the town, which is straightforward to follow and easy to walk or ride.

In addition to the many walking, hiking and biking escapades the area has to offer, Park City Mountain has an entire entertainment sector dedicated to the young and the young at heart. The Alpine Slide is a mile long mountain coaster that winds through loops and curves at speeds up to 25 mph. Plus visitors can experience a scenic lift ride, rock climbing wall or the Legacy Launcher Trampoline.

As first time visitors from Oklahoma, the Chu family was enthralled by all the exciting and thrilling activities offered on the mountain. Said son, Elijah, “We rode the Alpine Slide and the Alpine Coaster. We also did the Zipline! They were all amazing.” When asked if the family planned to return to Park City for another vacation, mother, father and son all gave an emphatic, “Yes!”

Summer Staycation

But of course, Park City is not just for out-of-staters or second homeowners. Many couples, families and groups from around Utah visit the easy-to-reach town for a summer staycation.

For the multi-generational Lowe family from Eagle Mountain and Brigham City, their week-long holiday in Park City is a biannual treat. When I bumped into their family in Old Town, the Lowe’s were exploring the farmers market at the base of Park City Mountain and doing some shopping. Grandparents, Jeff and Linda, arrange for the family to gather every two years at their timeshare.

“We all meet up here and have some fun,” Jeff explained. As for grandchildren, Kayden, Becca, Clair and William, they “love the hotel and the pool,” and that their room “has a mini-kitchen.” For mom Rachel and dad Mathew, Park City is a welcome retreat. “We look forward to it each and every time.”

Farmers Market at the base of Park City Mountain.

The truly nice thing about visiting Park City from June through September is that you can’t come at a bad time. In addition to all the recreational options, live music and outdoor concerts are constantly playing around the town. July 4th and Labor Day both feature a parade and small-town activities. The Kimball Arts Festival is at the beginning of August, and nearly every Sunday is the Park Silly Market. In addition to the Park City Museum, the Utah Olympic Park has a ski museum and a bobsled track, and every weekend the Flying Ace Freestyle Show is featured at the Olympic pool.

With so much to offer, it’s really no wonder that Park City is consistently rated one of the top places to visit in the United States. As Suzie Novick exclaimed, “Park City is our happy place! The cares and worries from our regular life just fade away when we get up here.”

Feature Image: Park City — World-Class recreation in our own backyard. Photos By Brandi Christoffersen

Go Local, Outdoors, Park City

Brandi Christoffersen

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*The remainder of this article is available to Utah Stories subscribers and includes in-depth reporting from Utah distillers on barrel selection, aging techniques, and experimental finishes.

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