Top 10 Summer Activities in Salt Lake City

If you find yourself in Salt Lake City on a gorgeous summer day it would be a shame not to spend it outside.  Escape the city heat and head up into the mountains that surround the city to hike, bike, and enjoy some summer fun at the ski resorts.  Return to the city at night to catch an outdoor concert or a Bees game, Salt Lake City’s minor league baseball team.

(1) Mountain Bike in Mill Creek Canyon

Mill Creek Canyon offers miles and miles of awesome, well-maintained hiking and mountain bike trails.  Experienced riders love soaring down the popular Wasatch Crest Trail and beginner riders will enjoy the mellow undulating Pipeline Trail.

(2) Hike to Scenic Red Pine Lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon

Red Pine Lake is a beautiful alpine lake set up high in the Wasatch with a backdrop of craggy peaks.  The 3-mile trail to the lake climbs nearly 2000 feet so plan on 2-3 hours to reach the lake.

Red Pine Lake High in the Wasatch - Photo by Amiee Maxwell

(3) Play Frisbee Golf at Solitude Mountain Resort

Solitude is home to one serious high altitude Frisbee Golf course.  This 18-hole course is free if you choose to hike in or you can pay to hop on the Sunrise lift to get to the first hole on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

(4) Tour the Spectacular Timpanogos Cave

American Fork Canyon’s Timpanogos Cave is a National Monument and is only viewable with a guided tour.  Cave tours often sellout on weekends so make sure to reserve your spot up to 30 days in advance.

Kids Exploring Timpanogos National Monument - Photo by mateoutah

(5) Hike to The Top of Grandeur Peak

Grandeur Peak is the easiest and most accessible of the peaks that make up Salt Lake City’s eastern skyline.  It is 2.6 miles and 2340 feet of elevation gain to great views of the Salt Lake Valley at the summit.

(6) Take a Scenic Tram Ride to the Top of Snowbird Ski Area

Want spectacular views from the top of a mountain peak without the strenuous climb up?  Take an exhilarating ride to the summit of Snowbird’s 11,000-foot Hidden Peak on the Snowbird Tram.

The Snowbird Tram - Photo by Jeb Ro

(7) Sample Local Produce at the Downtown Farmer’s Market

The Salt Lake City Farmer’s Market is on Saturdays at Pioneer Park downtown Salt Lake City.  From mid-June to mid-October the city park is overflowing with fresh locally grown produce and arts and crafts from local artisans.

(8) Enjoy a Picnic Dinner and Live Music at Red Butte Gardens

Red Butte Garden’s throws a phenomenal summer outdoor concert series. Pack you own picnic dinner and bottle of wine and enjoy live music in the garden’s newly remodeled outdoor amphitheater.

(9) Catch a Bees Game at the Sprint Mobile Park

The Sprint Mobile Park is home to Salt Lake’s AAA minor league baseball team – the Salt Lake Bees.  Affiliates of the Anaheim Angels, the Bees play from April through mid-September in a gorgeous ballpark with superb panoramic views of the Wasatch Range.

Sprint Mobile Stadium - Photo by Zaui

(10) Enjoy Free Thursday Concerts at Pioneer Park

Every Thursday evening from July through August the Salt Lake City Arts Council sponsors free concerts downtown Salt Lake.  This year the Twilight Concert Series will take place at Pioneer Park so come on down and grab a local microbrews and dance to some big names in music.

To print a copy of this guide complete with contact information, addresses, descriptions, and photos – see Top 10 Summer Activities in Salt Lake City.