fall art adventure guide

Explore the rich history upon which this community was built, from pioneers and gritty miners, to ghosts, and the eventual transition to world-class mountain destination! Here are some opportunities to uncover the colorful stories of how we got here and how things used to be.

olympic legacy         

At the Alf Engen Ski Museum, up at the Utah Olympic Park, you can get a taste of the living Olympic legacy in our mountain town. Learn about the history of skiing, famous skiers, and the science of Utah’s snow and various winter sports. You can even try your hand at ski jumping with the Take Flight simulator.

On the weekends, catch the Flying Ace All-Stars Freestyle Show at the Utah Olympic Park. Olympians and National Team athletes perform acrobatic tricks on skis and snowboards as they ride jumps into the Olympic Freestyle Pool.

Located at 3419 Olympic Pkwy. The museum is free of charge.

THE WAY THINGS WERE

The Park City Museum tells the colorful history of the town’s silver mining days full of outlaws and rule-breakers, complete with the original territorial jail built in 1885. Learn about the town’s history with interactive exhibits, original artifacts, and engaging storytelling. And explore exhibits like a stagecoach, a refurbished bar, and a skier subway.

The museum also hosts a Historic Home Tour showcasing some of Park City’s most interesting historic homes dating back to the 1870s and a Historic Walking Tour of historic downtown.

The museum is located at 528 Main Street and open every day from 11am-5pm. Check the events calendar here for additional hikes and lectures about the area

ECHO FROM THE PAST

The Echo Canyon Church was built in 1876 by Protestants and was used as a schoolhouse during the week. Check out the Late Gothic Revival architecture and admire the hand-made brick, which was fired on site.

The Echo Canyon Post Office building is still in use today and dates back to 1854. Make sure to explore this piece of postal service history.

Echo Canyon School was constructed with two rooms and served about 40 students a year from 1914 to the 1940s. It resembles a train depot, and some speculate that the Union Pacific Railroad contributed to its construction.

Echo, Utah is located just past the Echo Reservoir, off I-80. Echo Canyon is 24 miles long and named from the sounds that reverberate off the high cliff sides. The trail (I-80) through Echo Canyon was used by many- from Native Americans to Mormon Pioneers to Silver Miners as their way to descend into the Salt Lake Valley. There are various historical points and rock formations along the way. You can pick up an Echo Canyon Driving Guide at the Historical Society Museum.

fall FRIGHTS

Park City Ghost Tours offers history with a side of haunting. Every evening at 8 pm, meet at 415 Main Street for a tour of Park City’s paranormal side.

Be sure to make a reservation at least 24-hours in advance by calling 435-615-7673.

THE TALE OF THE RAIL TRAIL

The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail is 28 miles of mostly-unpaved state park that traces the coal & silver routes of the previously narrow-gauge track from Echo to Park City. In 1992, the stretch became the first non-motorized rail trail in Utah and is open to the public as a state park. You can hike, bike, e-bike, or even ride horses along all or parts of the trail. The journey offers stunning views of the area’s mountains and wildlife. There are 16 plaques along the trail that offer information about historical events in the area.

ART THAT ROCKS

On the prominent Coalville Ledge are some cool petroglyphs and pictographs that have been dated back to 200 to 1300 AD based on the headdresses that are depicted. The petroglyphs are believed to be from the Ute and Shoshone tribes, and maybe others as well. It’s pretty uncommon for one site to show multiple histories, so it’s worth taking a look.

IT’S MINER TIME

Miners’ Day in Park City celebrates the silver mining heritage with some unique festivities - a 5K race, Running of the Balls (nope, not a typo), and a parade.

The Miner’s Day festivities are held every Labor Day in Historic Old Town. Proceeds of the event benefit local charity projects.