Wasatch Mountain State Park
4.7(1.7K)google
4.5(14)yelp
MountainHikingCampingGolfWildlife WatchingOutdoor
Overview
Established in 1961 as a premier year-round mountain playground in Midway, this expansive park offers over 20,000 acres of alpine forests, historic homesteads, and outdoor adventure tracks. The park features 36 holes of championship golf across scenic mountain courses, extensive miles of rugged mountain biking trails, and access to historic dairy farms, transforming into a winter wonderland for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Practical Info
Every day9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-6 hours
Best TimeLate September to early October is phenomenal as changing subalpine aspen trees coat the mountain slopes, while summer offers premium mountain golf courses. Hit the trail networks early between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM when heavy morning mist clings to the canyon floor, providing cookies vertical sunbeams filtering through the foliage tunnel with zero glare.
Getting ThereLocated in Midway at 1281 Warm Springs Road. Driving a car is mandatory: take I-80 E from SLC to Exit 146 for US-40 S toward Park City, turn onto UT-113 N into Midway, and follow the state park banners onto Warm Springs Road. Passes are paid at the ranger station; spacious, free paved parking loops border all major pavilions and trailheads.
Travel Tips
- Drone Restrictions & Strict No-Pet Trail Zones: Recreational drone deployment is banned across park open spaces. To protect the protected watershed grid, domestic pets are entirely prohibited on key trail loops like Cascade Springs.
- Winter Cross-Country Track Trail Fees: During snowy periods, the Soldier Hollow trail networks shift exclusively to groomed, paid Nordic tracks. General free hiking access is suspended here; daily Nordic passes are required for entry.
- Self-Pay Envelopes & Exact Cash Required: Unstaffed backcountry trailheads rely on a self-pay iron pipe system requiring a $10 fee deposited via paper envelopes. Keep small bills in your vehicle as change machines do not exist.
Reviews
Positive
- The rolling Wasatch Range inside the park bursts into vibrant autumn colors against towering snow peaks, 100% living up to its name as a hiker's paradise.
- The alpine golf course offers breathtaking scenery; the well-organized campgrounds feature modern hot-shower restrooms and ample trash bins.
- The visitor center is beautifully kept with enthusiastic, knowledgeable rangers providing free travel maps under tight, safe forest management.
- It charges a highly affordable, transparent per-vehicle daily entry permit fee, with massive free parking at all trailheads, offering top-tier value.
Heads up
- Signs on some long, high-altitude trails are sparse; when autumn leaves blanket the ground, they easily hide the paths, causing hikers to lose their way.
- During hot and wet summer days, because the park strictly preserves nature, mosquitoes and horseflies thrive near low-lying streams, requiring heavy spray.
- On pleasant weekends, core picnic shelters and trailheads near the entrances are packed with crowds, losing nature's pristine, quiet serenity.
- Except for small vending machines at the visitor center, miles of sprawling parklands provide zero dining or cafes, making refreshment purchasing impossible.