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!
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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!