Summit: Trails, Nature and Olympic Heritage

A nearly 30-mile rail trail, protected wetlands, and Olympic competition venues give a trip to Summit several clear focal points. You can choose among outdoor activities, nature watching, and sports and local history. When searching for a hotel in Summit, it’s worth prioritizing the destinations that will shape your stay: trails and protected areas, Utah Olympic Park, or historic sites such as the Park City Museum and Echo Church and School.

Trails and Natural Areas

Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park began as an abandoned railroad line and was dedicated as a non-motorized recreational trail in 1992. The nearly 30-mile trail offers opportunities for biking, hiking, horseback riding, and walking; in winter, visitors can cross-country ski there. The trail thus combines its history with a variety of outdoor uses.

Swaner Preserve permanently protects 1,200 acres of open space near Kimball Junction, which is in Park City, Utah. Its 850-acre wetland area provides important habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. In the preserve’s northern section, there are 10 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing. The trail network there covers less distance than the nearly 30-mile rail trail. At the Swaner EcoCenter, visitors can walk out into the preserve on a 400-foot boardwalk and look for wildlife from a four-story tower. Check the latest access information before visiting.

Olympic Heritage and Local History

Utah Olympic Park hosted 14 Olympic gold medal events in February 2002. The Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center houses the Alf Engen Ski Museum. Visitors can also ride a bobsled down the track; seasonal operations may vary. Check the dates for this experience in advance.

The Park City Museum is located in the Old Town on Historic Main Street. Echo Church and School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1876 in the Late Gothic Revival style. Echo Canyon also has an important historical connection: the route through the canyon was one of the most significant routes of western expansion. The museum, historic building, and canyon thus offer different ways to explore the region’s history.

Getting Around Summit and the Surrounding Area

Park City has a free public transportation system, with a free bus route in every area or neighborhood. Since transit networks and routes can change, check the latest schedule before traveling. From I-80, take exit 145 at Kimball Junction to reach Utah Olympic Park; road conditions may change.

Echo State Park provides easy access to Echo Reservoir for water sports and recreation and is one of the destinations in Summit County. Further afield in the region, you can reach the Bald Mountain Trailhead from Kamas via Highway 150: the route goes about 29 miles east to Bald Mountain Pass. Since road access may vary seasonally, check conditions before traveling.

Discover more destinations: Summit Park, Coalville, Park City, Kamas.

Discover more destinations: Utah County, Salt Lake, Augusta County, Carbon.

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