The 10 Best Hiking Trails Near Park City Utah This Winter!
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McPolin Farm Nature Trail
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Lofty Lake Loop Trail
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Round Valley Rail Trail
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Jenni's Trail
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Bald Mountain Trail
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Silver Lake Trail
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Iron Canyon Trail
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Fantasy Ridge Trail
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Dawn's Trail
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Glenwilde Loop Trail
The 10 Best Hiking Trails Near Park City, Utah
“I took a walk in the woods, and came out taller than trees.” – Henry David Thoreau
If you're visiting Park City as an outdoor enthusiast, you're in for a real treat. It should come as no surprise that the best hiking trails near Park City, Utah, are as varied in length and intensity as the natural landscape that shrouds this winter wonderland during the later months. This bustling Utah community boasts a wide range of public parks, scenic trails, state parks and preserves and other amazing opportunities for hikers looking for a good day trip in the great outdoors surrounded by the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.
In fact, Park City boasts “one of the most extensive, continuous trail systems in the nation” with “400 miles of continuous, non-motorized recreational trail,” according to the Mountain Trails Foundation. In addition, Park City was recently recognized as the “Best Town Ever” by Outside magazine for its multitude of outdoor recreational opportunities. Whether you are a neophyte hiker or an experienced trailblazer, you will find just the right Park City hiking trail to suit your needs.
Best Hiking Trails Near Park City
To prepare for your Park City hiking excursion, make sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes, bring a fully charged cellphone, check weather conditions in advance and pack plenty of water, high-energy snacks and sunscreen, as well as hiking poles if you’re going on a steep hike. In addition, if you are planning to bring Fido along on your hike, check to see if the trail is dog-friendly (and whether or not they are allowed off leash).
Also, note that some trails are accessible to both hiker and mountain bikers. Last but not least, be on the lookout for wildlife and always give any animals you encounter on the trail plenty of space. Here are 10 Park City hiking trails you need to know about, and you can access them without a reservation during regular hours.
1 | McPolin Farm Nature Trail | Easy for the whole family, this entire Park City trail is paved, so it is ideal for groups with kids or anyone with a mobility aid. There's no need for any previous experience or expertise, and there are miles of paved trails that give you views of grazing horse pastures and even McLeod Creek. By the way, the Farm Trail captured the No. 1 spot on Visit Park City’s list of “5 Park City Hikes with the Best Nature Views.” Note that the Farm Trail is pet friendly (pets must be on a leash at all times).
DISTANCE: 1.75 miles | DIFFICULTY: Easy
WHERE: The Farm Trailhead is located on the east side of HWY 224 directly across from the McPolin Barn. Paved parking lot and trailhead kiosk. Bathrooms nearby at the McPolin Barn accessed via the tunnel under HWY 224.
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2 | Lofty Lake Loop Trail | Check out this 4.5-mile loop trail near Kamas, Utah. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 hr. 17 min. to complete. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are June through September. Dogs are welcome, but they must be on a leash.
DISTANCE: 4.5 miles | DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
WHERE: This hike starts at the Pass Lake Trailhead just on the Highway near Pass Lake. Start on the Weber River trail. After a short distance you will come to the Lofty Lake Trail on the right. Continue around .7 miles and you will come to the Cuberant Lake Trail junction but continue to the right past Kamas Lake 1.3 miles until you arrive at Lofty Lake less that 1 miles from Kamas Lake. Either return the way you came or continue up the pass and drop down to Scout Lake near a boy scout camp working south and west until you arrive back at the Weber river trail and return to you car.
3 | Round Valley Rail Trail | Discover this 7.1-mile loop trail near Park City, Utah. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 hr. 47 min. to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and road biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are April through November. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.
DISTANCE: 7.1 miles | DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
WHERE: Quinn's Junction Trailhead (84098 Gillmor Way)
4 | Jenni's Trail | At the base area near the First Time Lift, you will find signage for Jenni’s Trail. Follow the meandering, gentle uphill trail through gorgeous Aspen groves with smooth switchbacks that cross numerous ski runs until it opens up to some beautiful views of Park City Mountain. The trails are a bit of a choose your own hiking adventure, as you can go as long or as short as you want, try an out and back or a loop, by hooking up with a couple of other trails. Partway up Jenni’s Trail, there’s an intersection to head down the lower portion of Crescent Mine Grade (CMG) that will allow you to cut back to the base for a shorter loop hike. To complete Jenni’s trail in its entirety, ignore the CMG turn off and keep going up until you get to Mid-Mountain trail, where you can turn around and head back down Jenni’s or for a longer hike head across Mid-Mountain Trail till it connects with CMG on the right to take you back down to the base.
DISTANCE: 3 miles | DIFFICULTY: Moderate
WHERE: Start from the Park City Mountain Resort
5 | Bald Mountain | The Silver Lake Trail to Bald Mountain is one of Deer Valley's few foot traffic only trails, allowing hikers to walk in peace and avoid run-ins with downhill bikers. The trail takes you across ski runs and along the East side of Bald Mountain, which has beautiful views of the Jordanelle Reservoir. From the top, take in sights reaching from Guardsman Pass to Mount Timpanogos. If the chairlift is running you can spare your knees by riding down for free, or get the full 4 miles in by returning the way you came. Make it a loop by hiking down the other side of the mountain via Ontario Canyon trail, which is also reserved for hikers only. Note: dogs are not allowed on the mountain.
DISTANCE: 4 miles roundtrip | DIFFICULTY: Moderate
WHERE: Park at the Silver Lake Lodge parking garage and walk up to the Silver Lake base area. With the lodge behind you, walk left between Homestake Express and Silver Lake Express, following the trail into the trees. Note: parking is $30/day.
6 | Silver Lake Trail | Explore this 4.0-mile out-and-back trail near Park City, Utah. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 hr. 29 min. to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Dogs are welcome, but they must be on a leash.
DISTANCE: 4 miles roundtrip | DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
WHERE: Silver Lake Lodge at Deer Valley Resort
7 | Iron Canyon Trail | Iron Canyon Trail is a short and steep hike that takes you through some amazing aspen groves on the way up to a stunning panoramic view of Park City. This is not as popular as some trails, so it can be an escape from the crowds and a way to avoid mountain bikers in Park City, which can be hard to do. Bring your dog along the nicely shaded trail that is lined with wildflowers in the summer months. Once you get to the top you will see an amazing view of the Snyderville Basin and Park City below. You can see clear from Kimball Junction over to Bald Mountain of Deer Valley Ski Resort with the Uinta Mountains in the distance. This is a great trail to hit up after work on a hot summer day.
Make sure to not park in Iron Canyon Court (where the trailhead is located) or you will be ticketed or even towed. Just park down the road a bit where the signs let you know it's OK.
DISTANCE: 2.1 miles | DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
WHERE: Iron Canyon Neighborhood (just 5 minutes from downtown Park City)
8 | Fantasy Ridge | This six-mile trail winds through aspen groves and across a ridge-line to Canyons Resort's highest peak at 9,900 feet The pay off? 1,890 feet of elevation gain with panoramic views of both Park City and the Uinta Mountains.
DISTANCE: 6 miles | DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
WHERE: Canyons Village at Park City Mountain Resort
9 | Dawn's Trail | Enjoy this 3.6-mile out-and-back trail near Park City, UT. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 hr. 54 min. to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are April through October. Dogs are welcome, but they must be on a leash.
DISTANCE: 3.6 miles | DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
WHERE: Armstrong Trail, Park City Mountain Resort
10 | Glenwilde Loop Trail | Explore this 8.2-mile loop trail near Park City, Utah. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 3 hr. 29 min. to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking and mountain biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but they must be on a leash.
DISTANCE: 8.2 miles | DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
WHERE: Kimball Junction exit from I-80 (accessible from the Spring Creek Trailhead on Glenwilde Drive). To find the trailhead: from the parking lot, walk over to the bridge - the road one, not the bike one below.
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Need A Handy Trail Series Map? Your Hiking Wish Is Our Command!
If you're excited to hit the trail but not sure where to start, much less which direction your closest trail is in,... here's a super handy Park City trail map you can use to get oriented and on the path to sore feet, mountain top vistas, and the glory of sweat-earned inspo shots to adorn your instagram timeline with as you swap shots after your hike at one of Park City's best distilleries with your hiking crew!
Get Ready to Hit the Trails and Explore The Great Outdoors With Our Trail Series!
Whether you’re planning an epic day hike up Bald Mountain or a short leg stretcher to get some fresh air on the scenic Farm Trail, you’ll find the perfect hiking trail to suit you and your family’s needs in Park City! If you would like a little extra motivation to get you started, just heed the inspired words of legendary naturalist John Muir: “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”
Whether you're seeking solace from your recent victory on the Park City hiking trails scene or mountain biking trails, need an inside track for Park City hotel discounts, or you're just scoping the best Park City coffee shops or other places to eat in Park City, near some of the best hotels in Park City, you'll discover everything you need on our travel blog! Now go take a hike!
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