Heber Valley Railroad: A Scenic Train Ride Near Park City

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All Aboard

Heber and Midway hotels on Booking put you walking distance from the depot. The Heber Valley Historic Railroad is one of those things every Park City kid does on repeat between ages four and ten, and then pretends not to want to do at twelve, and then secretly loves it again at fourteen. Liam is somewhere in the pretending phase. Beck is somewhere on his tenth ride. The depot is in Heber City, twenty minutes south of Park City through Browns Canyon, and the vintage train winds through Provo Canyon along Deer Creek Reservoir.

The Provo Canyon Limited

The standard ride is the Provo Canyon Limited - about three hours round trip to Vivian Park, following the Provo River through the canyon. Open-air cars let you feel the mountain breeze. Enclosed coaches stay warmer in the cooler months. Kids spend most of the ride with their faces pressed to the window or the rail, watching the river and the mountains roll past. Bring a pair of binoculars for spotting eagles and deer along the canyon. We have seen bald eagles three of the last five rides.

Themed Rides

North Pole Express - The holiday season brings the North Pole Express, where kids meet Santa, drink hot chocolate, and the train is decked in lights. Sells out months in advance. Book in October.

The Great Train Robbery - A Wild West-themed ride where bandits on horseback hold up the train. Ava (seven) has talked about it for two years.

Murder Mystery Dinner Train - For older kids and adults, an interactive dinner theater on rails. Liam has decided he is sophisticated enough now.

Tips for the Best Experience

Request the open-air observation car for the best photos. Bring layers - it is significantly cooler in the canyon than in town, and the open car catches the wind. Snacks are available on board, but bringing your own works fine too.

One real warning. Mountain weather can dump rain or, in shoulder seasons, snow without notice. The Wasatch has dropped twelve inches of snow in May more than once in recent memory. A packable rain jacket and a real fleece for each kid is non-negotiable on a train day.

Combining with Other Activities

After the train ride, explore Heber City's downtown. The Dairy Keen - a local institution - serves great burgers and ice cream. Or head to nearby Midway for the Homestead Crater hot spring swim, where you can swim inside an actual geothermal crater dome (Beck lost his mind the first time he saw it). For the drive up, a pair of kids' headphones keeps everyone happy. Bring a reusable water bottle for each kid - hydration at altitude is sneaky and the canyon sun is real. Pack a compact first aid kit for the inevitable scraped knee on the depot platform. We swear by packing cubes to keep the family organized for the longer themed-ride days.