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Warm summer days are the perfect excuse to find new ways to cool off. From shady alpine escapes and crisp mountain water to icy cocktails and frozen treats, the Wasatch Back has plenty of refreshing ways to spend the day. Check out some of our favorite cool-down ideas in Park City and beyond.
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Get Wet!
Park City MARC | 1200 Little Kate Rd
The city's rec center opened its new outdoor aquatic facilities in June 2026 with a 25-meter/8-lane lap pool, a zero-depth-entry recreation pool with a climbing wall, a hot tub, and a water slide for kids. It's one of the best in-town options for a serious lap swim or a full family pool day without leaving Park City.
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Park City Aquatic Center | 2465 Kilby Rd
The Aquatic Center offers swimming and diving lessons, open swim, lap swim, water fitness classes, and scuba certification. It's worth checking the schedule ahead of time, since school groups and lessons can take over parts of the pool.
Basin Rec Field House | Kimball Junction
A new lap pool, indoor splash pad, turf area, and hot tub make this an easy, close-to-home option when you don’t want to drive far. It is better suited to a quick cool-down than a full day out and is convenient enough to fit into an otherwise ordinary day.
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Go For A Walk!
Armstrong Trail – Dawn’s Loop
Located near the Silver Star area of Park City, this moderate loop is one of the best warm-day hikes close to town. Armstrong climbs gradually through shady aspen groves before connecting with Dawn's Trail for the descent, offering a refreshing, forested escape without requiring an all-day adventure.
McLeod Creek Trail
Running about 4 easy miles between Park City and the Old Ranch Road area, McLeod Creek Trail is a relaxed choice for a warm summer day. The mostly gentle path follows the creek through stretches of aspens, greenery, and open meadow, offering cool creekside scenery and intermittent shade. |
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Charlie's 9K
High above Park City near Empire Pass, Charlie's 9K is a moderate trail that stretches over 5.5 miles one way, though it is easy to turn around whenever you're ready. At roughly 9,000 feet, the trail offers cooler mountain air as it rolls through forest and alpine meadows filled with summer wildflowers and sweeping Wasatch views. |
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Catch A Ride!
Summer Chairlifts at the Resorts
Take the easy way to cooler mountain air with a summer chairlift ride at Park City Mountain or Deer Valley. Ride high above the valley, then spend the day hiking alpine trails, mountain biking, taking in the views, or simply enjoying the fresh mountain air.
Deer Valley Summer Lift Tickets
Park City Summer Lift Tickets
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Hot Air Balloon Rides
Start your day above it all with an early-morning hot air balloon ride over Park City. Flights typically launch around sunrise, when the air is cool, the winds are calm, and the mountains glow in the first light of day.
Rainbow Ryders | Bigfoot Balloons | Skywalker Balloons |
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Stay Frosty!
Ice Baths Wim Hof-style ice bath sessions have picked up a real following, beyond just the athlete recovery crowd. Sessions typically run in small groups and often start with a sauna session, so it's an easy thing to book with friends or family as an activity rather than just a treatment.
Plunj | Avanto | SaunaWild | Soho Saunas
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Park City Ice Arena | 600 Gillmor Way
Enjoy open ice skating sessions at a full Olympic-size indoor rink most afternoons in the summer, alongside private lessons and skate rentals. |
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Treat Yourself!
Mack’s Finest Gelato | Park City local Mack Tilling has spent two decades perfecting his gelato craft. Mack’s is a perfect stop for small-batch gelato with a rotating lineup of creative flavors and Italian classics.
Java Cow | Java Cow is a longtime Main Street favorite for cooling off on summer days. The star is its house-made ice cream; don’t miss the pistachio or any of the seasonal fruit flavors when they are available. In Kimball Junction, visit I Love Moo, Java Cow’s sister shop. |
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Grab a Cold One!
No Name Saloon | No summer visit to Main Street is complete without a stop at No Name Saloon. Grab a cold beer or cocktail and head to the famous rooftop patio, where the lively atmosphere, mountain-town character, and prime people-watching make it one of Park City’s quintessential summer hangouts. |
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Alpine Distilling’s Social Aid & Pleasure Club | Alpine Distilling’s Social Aid & Pleasure Club offers a stylish escape from the summer heat, with an intimate, atmospheric setting that feels worlds away from the beating summer sun. Settle in with a beautifully crafted cocktail, like the French 76, and enjoy a cool, sophisticated break from a day on Main Street.
High West Distillery | Another of Park City’s can’t-miss watering holes, High West Distillery is the perfect place to cool down with an expertly crafted cocktail on a warm summer day. Sip a seasonal creation, like the refreshing High West Lemonade, or settle in with one of their classic whiskey-forward favorites while soaking up the lively Old West atmosphere in the heart of Park City. |
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Get Wet!
Rainbow Bay Aqua Park
Floating just offshore at Deer Creek Reservoir, Rainbow Bay Aqua Park turns cooling off into a full-on summer adventure. Climb, bounce, and slide your way across the inflatable obstacle course or rent a paddleboard or kayak for a more laid-back afternoon on the water.
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Deer Creek Reservoir | With gorgeous blue water and Mount Timpanogos rising in the distance, Deer Creek Reservoir is one of the Heber Valley’s best places to spend a warm summer day. Swim, boat, paddle, jet ski, or take on the Aqua Park, then find a spot along the shore to relax and soak in the mountain views. Grab lunch and drinks at The Lakehouse.
Ross Creek Access to Jordanelle | Follow the shoreline trails from Ross Creek for an easy to Jordanelle Reservoir. Ross Creek feels calmer than the lake’s busier recreation areas, thanks in part to its non-motorized water access away from the heavy boat traffic at Hailstone, making it a peaceful place to cool off by the water after a summer hike. More info on Jordanelle's access points, including the Ross Creek Access, here. |
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Take a Hike!
Cascade Springs | Cool off with an easy stroll along this scenic boardwalk above Midway, where artesian springs spill through a series of naturally terraced cascades and pools. With no serious hiking required, it is an easy summer outing for kids, older visitors, or anyone looking to trade the heat for cool water, mountain air, and the sound of rushing falls. The paved access road also makes it a fun destination by e-bike or motorcycle.
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Rock Cliff Boardwalk at Jordanelle | Trade the heat for a peaceful stroll along the Rock Cliff Boardwalk, where paths wind through lush wetlands near the Provo River and Jordanelle Reservoir. Surrounded by water, greenery, and mountain views, it is an easy, refreshing way to slow down and spend a warm summer afternoon.
Huber Grove Trail | Escape the summer sun with an easy walk along the Huber Grove Trail, where shady aspens and a historic apple orchard create a peaceful mountain retreat. The short, gentle trail is perfect for slowing down, enjoying the cooler mountain air, and spending a quiet summer afternoon surrounded by greenery. |
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Grab a Cold One!
The Lakehouse at Deer Creek
Few places in the Heber Valley feel more like summer than The Lakehouse, where you can sip a cold cocktail with Deer Creek Reservoir and the Wasatch Mountains spread out in front of you. The waterfront setting is especially beautiful around sunset, and the full bar offers craft cocktails, beer, and a curated wine list. For something bright and summery, try the Orchard by the Garden, made with gin, lemon, Cointreau, and elderflower liqueur.
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Midway Mercantile | Midway Mercantile’s shaded garden patio is an inviting place to settle in with a cocktail on a summer evening. The restaurant is known for thoughtful seasonal food and a great drink selection; the Rosemary Gimlet is one of its signature drinks and an especially fitting choice for summer, while the New Fashion offers something richer for whiskey lovers.
Café Galleria | With its expansive outdoor patio and live music throughout the summer, Café Galleria is one of Midway’s best places to linger over a cold drink as the day begins to cool. Grab a beer or glass of wine, find a table outside, and settle in for an easygoing evening on historic Main Street. The restaurant’s summer music series runs from May through September, weather permitting. |
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Cool Treats!
Dairy Keen
This longtime Heber favorite is the place to go when a warm summer day calls for a classic, thick milkshake. Made with the restaurant’s homemade ice cream, these famous shakes come in dozens of flavors, including fresh strawberry, orange Dreamsicle, horchata, s’mores, Oreo and banana cream pie. |
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Dandelion Gelato
Tucked along Main Street in Midway, Dandelion Gelato is a charming place to cool down with small-batch gelato and sorbetto made from scratch. The rotating menu pairs Italian classics with creative seasonal flavors, such as toasted marshmallow stracciatella and lemon elderflower sorbetto.
The Spot Shave Ice
For something especially light and refreshing, stop by The Spot for a treat of colorful shaved ice in your choice of flavors. Check their social media for their hours before visiting. |
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Get Wet!
Smith & Morehouse Reservoir
Wakeless-boating-only keeps this spot quieter and better-suited to standup paddleboarding than the bigger reservoirs. Set in a genuinely picture-perfect valley in Weber Canyon, with boat ramps, fishing access, and nearby camping. One of the better options for water without crowds. |
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Upper Provo River Falls
One of Utah's best waterfalls, and one of the easiest to reach. No hiking is required, with a large, easy-to-find parking area right off the Mirror Lake Highway. Three distinct sets of falls let grippy-shoe wearers scramble along the boulders at the water's edge. A rare combination of dramatic and genuinely low-effort.
South Summit Aquatic Center
This Aquatic Center is built for a full afternoon rather than a quick dip, offering a leisure pool with a big slide, splash pad, lazy river, and inflatable obstacle course. This is a solid, low-key alternative if you don't want to make the drive to the bigger water parks. |
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Take A Hike!
Mirror Lake Loop | This easy 1.5-mile walk follows the shoreline of Mirror Lake, with picturesque views the entire way. The path stays shaded and cool for most of the route, and it's a reliable, low-commitment option if you're short on time or hiking with kids.
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Ruth Lake | An effortless hike suited to families of all ages (two miles round trip) with genuinely rewarding scenery for the effort involved. It's a great hike to pair with a picnic at the lake.
Lofty Lake Loop | The most demanding option in this stretch, a 4.3-mile trail with real elevation change, but it passes four distinct alpine lakes along the way. It's best suited to older kids and confident hikers, but it's worth it if you want to visit multiple lakes in one trip. |
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Cool Treats!
Hi-Mountain Burger | Kamas
Step into this nostalgic Main Street favorite for an old-fashioned milkshake or classic soda-fountain treat. The historic setting and thick, hand-spun shakes make it an especially fun place to cool down after a warm day in the Kamas Valley. Don't miss the raspberry-pretzel shake that is worth the drive alone!
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The Soda Shack | Kamas
The Soda Shack is a laid-back summer stop for Hawaiian-style shave ice, soft serve, fruit-infused waters, and mixed sodas. With outdoor seating near the creek, it is an easy place to slow down and enjoy something cold on a hot afternoon.
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Just outside the Wasatch Back, but worth the extra 30–45 minutes.
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Get Wet!
Float the Provo River | Provo Canyon
This chilly, mellow float is best enjoyed on a hot, sunny day! You can rent or bring your own tube for a self-guided ride or go with a fully guided tour. It's a lower-intensity alternative to rafting, and is great for groups with mixed ability levels.
HighCountryAdventure.com | Viator.com |
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Bridal Veil Falls | Provo
Our local gold standard of waterfalls, Bridal Veil Falls is famous for a reason. The 1.4-mile trail is right out of the parking lot and gives you an amazing view with minimal effort. Pair it with a day of tubing on the Lower Provo River, and picnic or barbecue afterward at Bridal Veil Falls Park. Convenient parking makes this one of the easier "big" waterfalls to actually visit.
Timpanogos Falls (Lower & Upper) | American Fork Canyon
Pick from two distinct waterfalls at two very different commitment levels. Expect about 90 minutes round trip for the Lower Falls, versus a demanding 4-hour hike for the Upper Falls. Either route delivers a beautiful hike with a real waterfall payoff.
Float the Weber River | Weber Canyon
Climb into a tube or raft and let the waters of the Weber River carry you through one of northern Utah’s most scenic canyons, between Henefer and Taggart. Calm stretches provide time to enjoy the views, while light rapids add just enough excitement to be adventurous. River conditions vary, and the float contains rocks, bridges, currents, and rapids, so life jackets and an experienced outfitter are strongly recommended.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument | American Fork
This impressive limestone cave system remains a steady 43-48°F year-round regardless of what's going on outside. The Centennial Lantern Tour is the most popular option among several tour choices. Bring a light layer of clothing as the temperature drops inside.
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Stewart Falls | Provo, via Alpine Loop from Midway
Don't miss this magnificent, multi-tiered waterfall plunging about 200 feet. It's reached via a moderate 4-mile round-trip trail starting near Aspen Grove. The trail winds through vibrant aspen forests and is also good for birding, with some off-leash areas for dogs along the route. Steep and rocky in sections, but the payoff at the falls makes it worthwhile. |
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Resort Update!
Deer Valley® Resort
WINTER RESERVATIONS
NOW AVAILABLE!
Winter may still feel a long way off, but planning for Deer Valley’s 2026–27 season is already underway. Lift tickets, ski lessons, rentals, and child care are now on sale, giving skiers an early chance to lock in their preferred dates before popular holiday periods fill up. The timing is especially exciting as Deer Valley prepares to grow to approximately 4,500 skiable acres and 32 lifts, including the new Hail Peak Express and seven additional runs.
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We hope these refreshing ideas inspire you to make the most of summer in Park City and throughout the Wasatch Back. Whether you head for the water, seek out a shady trail, or cool down with a cold drink or frozen treat, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season.
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