Best Family Hiking Trails Near Park City

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Easy Trails for Little Legs

Rail Trail (paved, 28 miles) - This converted railroad grade is flat, paved, and perfect for strollers, bikes, and little walkers. Start at Bonanza Drive and go as far as your crew can handle. The stretch out toward Heber is my and Ashley's go-to walking-and-talking route.

McLeod Creek Trail (2.3 miles) - A gentle creekside path connecting Kimball Junction to Park City. Owen loves this one for the deer-spotting. Pack a kids binoculars set for budding nature explorers.

Moderate Family Hikes

Bloods Lake (about 2.8 miles round trip) - Alpine lake hike off Guardsman Pass, rewards you with a stunning lake surrounded by wildflowers in summer. Roughly 465 feet of elevation gain. Doable for kids 5 and up at a slow pace. Heads up: it is one of the busier trails in the state and the lot only holds about 40 cars - get there early. Also, Guardsman Pass road is seasonal, mid/late May through early November.

Lost Prospector Trail (3 miles) - Rolling singletrack through aspen groves. Great for older kids who want a bit more challenge. Fall colors here are absolutely spectacular. Y'all, I cannot stress enough how golden mid-September gets.

Adventure Hikes for Older Kids

Jupiter Peak via Pioneer Ridge (5 miles round trip) - For families with older, experienced young hikers. Views from the top are breathtaking - you can see into three different valleys. Bring a hydration pack since there is no water on the trail.

Swaner Nature Preserve (multiple trails) - Boardwalks through wetlands with excellent bird watching. Free entry and the Eco Center has interactive exhibits for kids. Hazel thinks the EcoCenter is more fun than the Olympic Park, which is wild.

Two Real Mountain Warnings

One - and listen, this is the big one - MOOSE on these trails are not a hypothetical. CAPS LOCK serious. Round Valley, Mid Mountain, and the upper Lost Prospector especially. Summer mornings and fall rut (September-October) are peak. Give a moose 50 yards minimum, never get between a cow and a calf, and if a bull is on the trail in front of you, turn around. Do not be a dummy.

Two: the dryness up here is no joke. The dry altitude at 7,000+ feet dehydrates you faster than you think and the lips and skin take a beating. Lotion, lip balm, AND a water bottle in every kid's pack. I cannot stress this enough.

Trail Safety Tips

Mountain weather changes fast - there is a saying around here that if you don't like it, wait 20 minutes. Always bring layers, sunscreen, and plenty of water. A moisture-wicking base layer keeps everyone comfortable as the temperature swings through the day. Also: in August and early September, check air quality before a longer hike - wildfire smoke can roll in from Idaho or Nevada with about two hours notice.

Making It Fun

We always bring a nature scavenger hunt checklist - kids stay engaged much longer when they are searching for specific wildflowers, animal tracks, or rock types. Comfortable hiking shoes are non-negotiable for the trails.

Hiking Essentials to Pack

Tested picks:

• kids hydration backpack
• waterproof hiking shoes for kids
• mineral sunscreen for kids
• compact first aid kit
• kids binoculars
• insulated kids water bottle