Fall is a fantastic time to take a drive around our picturesque mountain town, enchanting visitors and Park City residents alike. If you are going to be in Park City this autumn, try out one or more of the best scenic drives so you can drink in the fantastic views.

Alpine Scenic Loop

Enjoy a 20-mile drive through tree-filled canyons when you drive the Alpine Loop. This paved highway covers Hwy. 92 and Hwy. 189, winding through the Wasatch mountains. Stunning views of Mount Timpanogos and a detour to Cascade Springs are some of the highlights of the trip.

If you want to take a break during your drive and enjoy a picnic, we would recommend exploring Cascade Springs. The natural, spring-fed pools and terraced waterfalls are beautiful and have an accessible boardwalk built so visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy.  

This beautiful drive is usually only open between the latter end of May until late October, so remember to take some time to experience it before snowfall closes it.

2. Big Cottonwood Canyon

This drive is about 25 miles one-way, connecting Park City to Salt Lake City. If you are leaving from Park City, you will follow Hwy. 224 to Hwy. 190, entering Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Once in the canyon, you will be amazed by the colorful foliage arrayed in the canyon. There are a few areas where you can pull over and take pictures, but overall, this scenic drive is meant to be appreciated from the car. Also, as the season progresses, watch out for wildlife as they often cross the canyon road.  

3. Guardsman Pass

For a shorter yet lovely drive, you can take Guardsman Pass. This trip follows Hwy. 224, which is sandwiched between Park City and Brighton. One-way, the drive is about 14 miles.

You will be able to see more of the high alpine trees on this drive, with the dark green trees standing in bold contrast with the gold and orange grasses and scrub trees. If you want to stop and take a hike while in Park City, you can hike Guardsman Pass and connect to other trails, like the hidden gem Shadow Lake trail, which leads to a quiet forest lake.

This pass will close over the winter months, so if you want to experience Guardsman Pass, fall is a perfect time.

4. Mirror Lake Highway

To reach this scenic drive, you will leave Park City and follow Hwy. 248 to the town of Kamas. Grab some snacks and go to the restroom in Kamas because once you leave on Hwy. 150 on the Mirror Lake Highway, you will have entered the Unita-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

The long, winding forest drive will take you deep into nature, passing many smaller lakes until you reach Mirror Lake. You can choose to turn around once you reach Mirror Lake Campground or keep traveling along Hwy. 150. Be careful you don’t admire the sights for so long that you end up in Wyoming!

For more insights concerning Park City and its real estate, contact Jensen and Company. We are a fixture in the Park City community and are happy to help you in any way we can.