Although it is still officially summer here in the mountains of Park City Utah, the trees have begun to change the air has an autumnal feeling, and the nights are filled with the changing seasons chill. This is truly great news for ski and snowboard bums alike, as it means winter is fast approaching and our famous Utah powder will be flying shortly. If I recall, our first snow last year took place at the beginning of October! Until that day arrives, and until the slopes or our world class ski resorts open, there is no reason to not enjoy the beauty that is fall in Park City! If you’re looking for a few fall activities in Park City to keep you busy, a few suggestions are listed below.
Fall Colors Abound Each Autumn in Park City
1. Park City Farmers Market. Enjoy the bounty of the fall harvest at the weekly Farmer’s Market, located in the lower cabriolet parking lot at Canyons Resort. Bring your bag and fill up with fresh Utah sweet corn, fall squash, and local meats and cheeses. As fall sinks in, bring the family and pick out a pumpkin to carve, or grab a bunch of apples to take home and dip in to some caramel – a true autumn treat!
2. Enjoy Lunch/Dinner Outside. Head over to one of your favorite Park City dining establishments and enjoy an afternoon sitting in the fall sunshine, gazing at the changing leaves and relishing every last minute of the Park City outdoor dining experience. Soon we will be relegated to cozying up our fireplaces and eating raclette cheese (doesn’t sound too bad, does it?), so enjoy the opportunity to sit outside and enjoy the scene. I have a few favorite spots to dine outside for lunch or dinner in Park City – although there are many to choose from. The Glitretind restaurant located in Deer Valley has a spectacular deck with views of the Deer Valley ski slopes. Beautiful for both lunch and dinner, make sure to try their Caesar Salad or famous Stein Burger! I also love Prime Steak Sushi Bar, located in the Prospector area of Park City. They have a fabulous patio surrounded by an herb garden, aspen trees, and happy little squirrels running around. Finally, grab a café table and enjoy a homemade soup, sandwich or salad at Uptown Fare, a true local’s favorite in Park City. Located at the very top of Main Street, across from the Wasatch Brew Pub, the owner creates a hand crafted selection of soups and salads each day for delighted diners. She’s probably most famous for her tomato soup and turkey sandwiches, as she roasts a whole turkey every morning so that her sandwiches are filled with thick slices of fresh Thanksgiving Day goodness! You’ll often find the mayor of Park City, and other local celebrities holding court at Uptown Fare – it’s a slice of Park City culture!
Take Advantage of Beautiful Outdoor Dining Options In Park City
3. Take a Hike! Ride Your Bike! As the busy summer season winds down, the over 400 miles of trails in and about the Park City area become a little less traveled. It’s a fantastic time to take the family on a hike and perhaps see a bit of the wildlife that lives in our little ski town, but be careful – don’t get too close! If mountain biking is your thing, be sure to check out the adrenaline boosting downhill at Deer Valley! Ride a chairlift up, and zoom down the mountain again and again. If cruising along is more your speed, Park City Mountain Resort offers some amazing beginner and intermediate trails, as does the Round Valley area. If you need to rent any gear, make your way over to Silver Star Ski & Sport, located in the Silver Star Village, or to White Pine Touring located on Park Avenue in Park City.
Hike or Ride Your Bike in Park City During the Fall
Stand Up Paddleboarding at the Jordanelle Reservoir. Mountain Vista Touring offers autumn sunset stand up paddle boarding tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays through September 20th. Interested participants will meet at the Lodge at Stillwater between 5:30 and 6:00PM, receive about 15 minutes of instruction, and then carpool down to the Jordanelle for a sunset paddle board experience from 6:30-8:30PM. After returning back to the lodge from your paddle board experience, everyone will gather for a late dinner and drinks at Scotty’s Bar & Grill. The cost is $20 per person, and rental boards are available for $20 as well. Don’t feel like leaving you dog out of the fun? Bring him along for the ride! Headlamps are provided for participants.
Annual Scarecrow Festival. Join in the fall fun at the McPolin Farm on September 22nd, bring along a team of four, and build a scarecrow for all to enjoy throughout the fall months! The event includes fun for everyone with events like pumpkin paining, games, face painting and cookie decorating. Make sure to bring all of the necessary items to create your scarecrow masterpiece – come up with a fun theme! Stuffing for your scarecrow will be provided, as well as the appropriate structure to mount your scarecrow on. Tickets are available at the Park City Library, and the cost for a group of four is $30. The scarecrows line the trail for all to enjoy the weeks following the competition, so even if you don’t build your own scarecrow, it’s a great walk to check out what others have created!
Fall at the McPolin Farm in Park City
About Jim Bizily
I am an outdoor enthusiast, parent of two awesome boys, and Property Manager in beautiful Park City, Utah. After years in engineering and entrepreneurial projects, I decided to move to Park City Utah to start a business managing lodging and vacation rentals.
