The best time to see wildflowers around Park City, Utah, is from mid-June to late July, with peak bloom usually in mid-July. The exact timing depends on snowmelt, rainfall, temperature, and elevation, so it can change from year to year.
If your schedule is flexible, it’s best to plan your trip closer to the season. This gives you a better chance of catching the flowers at their peak. When you do, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views, vibrant colors, and plenty of great hiking options.
Where to stay during wildflower hiking season
As luxury travelers, we always seek out comfortable, spacious accommodations where we can relax and recharge after a day on the trails. Fortunately, the Park City area offers a wide variety of lodging options to suit every budget – from high-end resorts to cozy vacation rentals. Over the years, we’ve found a few favorite places that deliver the perfect blend of comfort, style, and convenience. Here are our top recommendations for a relaxing and memorable stay during your trip to the Park City area.
The Pendry Park City
Pendry Park City – A modern luxury hotel located in the heart of the Canyons Village area, this hotel offers elegantly designed rooms and suites, sleek contemporary decor, and excellent onsite dining. It’s the perfect blend of style, comfort, and convenience – just steps from trails, lifts, and village shops. For more details, check out our full hotel review of The Pendry.
The Lift Park City
The Lift – These luxury condominiums offer spectacular views of the Wasatch Mountains and a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere – without compromising on comfort or amenities. We stayed here during our most recent trip to Park City and absolutely loved it. Each unit is fully furnished and beautifully designed, with access to thoughtful features like a heated pool, two jacuzzies, a small gym, and a game room stocked with complimentary Starbucks drinks. It’s a fantastic choice for travelers who want space, style, and a little extra peace and quiet.
The Hyatt Centric Park City
Hyatt Centric Park City – Located in the heart of Canyons Village, this hotel offers a more traditional experience with the same level of comfort and luxury you’d expect in Park City. Rooms and suites are spacious and well-appointed, and the heated pool and jacuzzies are perfect for unwinding after a day on the trails. With its prime location, it’s an excellent choice for travelers who want easy access to both outdoor adventure and village amenities.
The St. Regis Deer Valley
The St. Regis Deer Valley – Nestled in the exclusive Deer Valley area, this hotel is luxurious and elegant. The spacious rooms and suites are beautifully designed and filled with upscale amenities that make every stay feel special. You can unwind in the heated pools and jacuzzies or enjoy a bit of pampering at the hotel’s world-class spa. It’s the perfect retreat if you are looking to relax, rejuvenate, and experience high-end mountain living.
Best wildflower hikes around Park City
Our favorite wildflower hikes
The following are the Wildflower hikes we personally did and really enjoyed. We were lucky to be in the Park City area during peak wildflower season. The fresh air and the views was truly spectacular. We hope to return and try some of the hikes we didn’t get a chance to do, listed in the Other wildflower trails section below.
Charlie’s 9K Trail
- Elevation Range: ~9,000–9,350 ft
- Distance: ~5.5 miles (one-way)
- Elevation Gain: ~482 ft total
- Trail Type: Out-and-back or loop (via connecting trails)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead: Empire Pass (Parking payment required)
- Highlights: Alpine views, wildflowers, aspen groves, high-elevation meadows
Twin Lakes Trail
- Elevation Range: 8,740–9,450 ft
- Distance: ~2.4 mi round-trip
- Elevation Gain: ~680 ft
- Trail Type: Out-and-back (loop option via Lake Solitude)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Trailhead: Silver Lake Center (Brighton)
- Highlights: Wildflowers, lake views, alpine scenery
Donut Falls Trail
- Elevation Gain: ~550–623 ft
- Distance: 1.5–3.5 mi round-trip
- Trailhead Elevation: ~7,493 ft
- Peak Elevation: ~7,854 ft
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Trailhead: Mill D South or Cardiff Fork Road
- Highlights: Waterfall through a rock hole, forested path, family-friendly
Alpine Lake Trail
- Elevation Gain: ~1,200 ft
- Distance: ~4.5 mi round-trip
- Trailhead Elevation: ~8,400 ft
- Peak Elevation: ~9,600 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Out-and-back
- Trailhead: Albion Basin (Alta Ski Area)
- Highlights: Alpine lake, wildflowers, panoramic views
Ontario Trail
- Elevation Gain: ~1,354 ft
- Distance: 5.4 miles out-and-back
- Trailhead Elevation: ~8,046 ft (Silver Lake Village)
- Peak Elevation: ~9,400 ft (Bald Mountain Summit)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Out-and-back
- Trailhead: Silver Lake Village
- Highlights: Alpine wildflowers, panoramic views, alpine meadows
Other wildflower trails
We didn’t get a chance to hike the following trails; however, we hope to return at explore them on our next trip to the Park City area.
Rob’s Trail
- Trailhead Elevation: ~7,200 ft
- Distance: ~8.5 mi out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: ~1,800 ft
- Trail Type: Moderate
- Highlights: Lush, forested areas and sunny meadows with wildflowers
- Notes: Good shade in sections
Armstrong Trail → Dawns Trail Loop
- Elevation Gain: ~700 ft
- Distance: ~4–4.4 mi loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Forested loop with steady grade
- Access: Park City Mountain
- Highlights: Aspen groves, meadows, Columbines, paintbrush, black-eyed Susans
Blood Lake Trail (Bonanza Flat / Guardsman Pass area)
- Elevation Gain: ~500 ft
- Distance: ~2.6 mi out-and-back
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Trail Type: Short alpine trail
- Access: Bonanza Flat Trailhead (9,800 ft elevation)
- Highlights: Lupines, paintbrush, fireweed; ends at alpine lake
Silver Spur – Armstrong – Dawns Loop (Extended option)
- Elevation Gain: ~900 ft
- Distance: ~5.2 mi loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Extended multi-use loop
- Access: Park City Mountain
- Highlights: Wildflower-rich meadows, varied terrain, forested sections
Solamere Loop
- Elevation Gain: ~500 ft
- Distance: ~3 mi loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Rolling terrain through low brush
- Access: Lower Deer Valley area
- Highlights: Sage, scrub oak, wildflowers, great valley views
Lake Blanche Trail (Big Cottonwood Canyon)
- Elevation Gain: ~2,700 ft
- Distance: ~6.9 mi out-and-back
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Trail Type: Steep alpine climb
- Highlights: Alpine lakes, rare wildflowers (e.g., Utah shooting star)
Lofty Lake Loop (near Kamas)
- Elevation Gain: ~850 ft
- Distance: ~4.4 mi loop
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Trail Type: High-altitude alpine loop
- Access: Mirror Lake Highway near Kamas (trailhead ~10,400 ft)
- Highlights: Wildflower meadows, alpine lakes, open ridges
Other activities in the Park City area
Visit Park City
Park City is a charming mountain town with a distinct Western flair. Stroll down historic Main Street, where you’ll find a variety of art galleries and stylish boutiques perfect for a relaxed afternoon of browsing and shopping. Don’t miss Tanner Trading, one of our favorite spots for authentic Western wear and unique jewelry. Afterward, sample some locally brewed beers or a glass of Utah-made whiskey. When it’s time to eat, Park City offers an excellent dining scene – some of our top picks include No Name Saloon, High West Saloon, Top of Main Brew Pub, and Alpine Distilling Social Aid & Pleasure Club.
Explore Salt Lake City
Consider spending an extra day exploring Salt Lake City – a beautiful, walkable city with plenty to discover. Start with a visit to the iconic Salt Lake Temple, where you can admire its striking architecture and learn about its rich history. Keep in mind that the Temple is under renovation expected to last through 2026. Then head up the steps to the Utah State Capitol for panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains. Along the way, enjoy a vibrant mix of cafés, restaurants, and spots to try some of Utah’s best locally brewed beers.
Visit the Great Salt Lake
Don’t miss a visit to Great Salt Lake State Park – home to one of the most unique natural wonders in the country. Often called “America’s Dead Sea,” the lake’s high salinity allows you to float effortlessly in its waters. Whether you go for a swim or simply dip your toes in, it’s a memorable experience. When we visited in July, the water was the perfect temperature for a refreshing break from the summer heat. (We only waded in, having forgotten to bring towels – but even that was a fun way to cool off!) Just be sure to bring plenty of fresh water to rinse off, as the salt can leave a noticeable residue on your skin.
Something else to keep in mind is that near the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake, you’ll likely notice plenty of tiny bugs. They’re a natural and important part of the lake’s ecosystem, and while they might seem a bit overwhelming at first, don’t let them bother you. Once you step into the water, you’ll find that they completely disappear.
There’s a $10 entrance fee per vehicle, and keep in mind that this park is not included in the America the Beautiful pass.
What we loved about wildflower hiking season in Park City
- Excellent hiking terrain with a wide variety of trails for every fitness level—from easy walks to challenging adventures.
- The wildflowers were amazing! Vibrant colors and scenic views made every hike feel magical.
- Uncrowded trails — we often had the paths all to ourselves, which made for a peaceful and immersive outdoor experience.
- Excellent accommodations that combined luxury and comfort – perfect for unwinding after a day outside.
- Plenty of nearby grocery stores, so it was easy to keep our condo stocked for meals when we wanted a quiet night in.
- Park City is just minutes away, offering a great selection of restaurants, local eateries, and boutique shopping.
- Easy to get to — Salt Lake City International Airport is only a 40-minute drive from Park City, with convenient access from most major U.S. cities.
In closing, Park City is a fantastic destination for summer hiking. The trails are scenic, varied, and perfect for all experience levels. If you’re lucky enough to visit during wildflower season, you’re in for a real treat – the blooms add an extra layer of beauty to the mountain landscape. We’re already looking forward to our next trip to explore the hikes we didn’t get to this time around. If you’re thinking about visiting, don’t wait – plan your trip and go. You won’t regret it.
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
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