State Parks Near Park City
Just 20 minutes north and south of Park City, you’ll find two Utah state parks where you can let your outdoor adventures run wild. Rockport State Park presents a wonderland for water sports with a 3D archery range, while Wasatch Mountain State Park offers the opportunity to partake in winter sports and mountain biking. Both parks have plenty of things to do in any season, all while surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Rockport State Park
Northeast of the city is Rockport State Park centered around the body of water known as Rockport Reservoir.
You can make the most of the 1,080 acres of water surface by launching your boat, or renting one, for water skiing, tubing, or wakeboarding in the summer. Rentals for kayaks, wave runners, pontoon boats, and paddleboards let you approach the water your way, and you can even rent water trampolines with slides or inflatable loungers. Fishing from shore or from a boat is also possible with trout and bass among the catch.
Camping is available year-round with five different campgrounds to pitch your tent or park your RV throughout the park’s 770 acres. You can also rent cabins or yurts to accommodate more people, or opt for a glamping tent complete with a queen bed and solar power.
During the warmer months, be sure to check out the family-friendly 3D archery range. Nine different stations along a three-quarter mile stretch feature full-size beavers, boars, deer, and zombies. There’s also live music and fishing tournaments popping up around the marina.
During the winter you can access nearby snowmobile trails or set up on the frozen water for ice fishing. Be sure to stroll by the Old Church onsite to see a slice of history from 1892 that has been revived as an event space.
Wasatch Mountain State Park
Head south of Park City to reach Wasatch Mountain State Park, a nearly 23,000-acre preserve located in the Wasatch Mountains which form the distinctive horizon of northern Utah.
Snow on the ground means it’s time to bundle up for winter sports. At the northern end of the park you’ll find a 7.2-mile Nordic ski track that takes skiers of all abilities through both hilly and flat terrain. Further south is Soldier Hollow, the Nordic skiing venue for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Along with 31 kilometers of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, there is a tubing park with 1,200-foot sliding lanes, a lift service, night tubing, and a sound system pumping tunes all day. Additionally, there are about 90 miles of maintained snowmobile trails for exploring at a faster clip.
Come summertime, get ready to camp and hike in the fresh mountain air. Camping sites range from the traditional, no-electricity setup to slightly more modern with showers and a paved parking pad. Once you’re settled in, there are miles of trails dedicated to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, as well as nearly 30 miles of trails for off-highway vehicles like ATVs.
Through spring, summer, and fall, you can golf any of the four 18-hole courses located within Wasatch Mountain State Park. Plus, bring your binoculars for year-round birding and wildlife viewing, or check out the park’s two historical areas.
While you’re in Park City, visit the nearby state parks and experience nature’s very own playground.