Howdy pardner! If you’re yearnin’ for a taste of the Old West to bust the summer routine, gather up your posse and make your way over to our little valley in the Rocky Mountains – Park City! There’s plenty of Old West history and activities to keep any cowboy or cowgirl entertained – even the littlest of buckaroo’s!
Taking a Break During a Fantastic Trail Ride!
Sometimes the best way to see the view is from the back of a horse! There are plenty of outdoor outfitters that offer horseback riding experiences to all levels of riders. My favorite place to hit the trails is up at the Stillman Ranch, located about 20 minutes outside of Park City, in the rugged and beautiful Uinta Mountains. The Stillman Ranch hosts over 10,000 private acres of pristine alpine meadows and shaded mountain trails. You might even catch a glimpse of the cabin they used to film Grizzly Adams at! The horses are in good form and trustworthy, and the cowboys are knowledgeable with loads of great stories to tell along the way. Rocky Mountain Recreation is the outfitter who will assist you in planning your horseback riding adventure, so mosey your way on over and enjoy a day of riding on the range!
Cool Off on a Warm Summer Day with a Rafting Trip Down the Weber River
Another great way to wrangle in a good time is to check out an adrenaline filled white water rafting trip with All Seasons Adventures. The folks at All Seasons offer experienced “River Cowboys” to host you down the river. You’ll enjoy basking in the sun, gazing at the stunning scenery, and the rush of speeding down the rapids of the Weber River. All Seasons offers delicious lunches during your river adventure, and transportation to and from your lodging accommodations. A rafting adventure is a fun and exciting way to beat the warm summer weather and enjoy a little relaxation with your friends, colleagues, or family. All seasons also offers kayaking tours for those who want to get a little bit more wet during their trip! Both are a great way to capture some amazing scenery typical to the West, and to add a little extra excitement to your stay!
Get Your Cowboy (or Cowgirl) on at Burns Authentic Cowboy Shop
Ok, if you’re going to act the part, you might want to look the part! Located right on Main Street in Park City you’ll find Burns Cowboy Shop. Burns offers high quality and comfort with a whole bunch of that cowboy style, and they offer amazing handcrafted western wear. You’ll find cowboy boots, cowboy hats, leather boots, fantastic buckles, jewelry, western fashion accessories and even custom crafted western saddles! You’ll find all that is western at Burns and walk out looking like you’re re ready to rule the range!
Finger Lickin’ Good BBQ at Bandits!
Finally, you’ll need to end your day with a good old western BBQ! There are many places you can find yummy western fare in Park City. You’ll find delicious oak grilled BBQ at Bandits, where they truly embrace Park City’s Old West history of being right in the middle of “Outlaw Country”. Although you won’t necessarily have to cross paths with any bad guys during a visit to Bandits, you will have a chance to tangle with some of the best BBQ this side of the Rocky Mountains! Ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and steaks – you’ll find it all grilled and smoked to perfection at Bandits!
Ride on in to Park City and experience a taste of the Old West!
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.
