Park City, Utah is an endlessly appealing vacation destination that beckons to travelers excited to make the most of outdoor fun and adventure. When you’re looking to incorporate as many meaningful stops as possible on your winter itinerary, be sure not to leave a trip to the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park off the list! While this exciting locale is a great place to explore in the warmer parts of the year, it’s also open for winter exploration and fun. The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park is open to visitors year-round and sits at an elevation that fluctuates between 5,280 feet and 6,900 feet.
Activities to Enjoy When You Stop By
When you make your way to the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park, you’ll be in a prime place to embrace the best of winter fun activities. Many winter adventurers who spend time on this trail do so on snowshoes or cross-country skis. The route is ideal for exploring the wintery terrain at your own pace and bringing a camera along to capture the view is also highly recommended. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a nearly 30-mile stretch of non-motorized trail that runs from Park City to Echo Reservoir.
A History Worth Relishing
As one of the state’s most unique state parks, The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail is well-worth experiencing for yourself while you’re in the area. The trail stems back to the 19th century when silver was discovered within Park City’s mountains. As mines began popping up across the terrain a significant amount of coal was required to fuel water pumps leading to the mines. To address this need, both Union Pacific Railroad and Utah Eastern Railroad began creating railroad lines that ran between Coalville and Park City as well as a broad-gauge spur line.
These tracks were completed in 1880 and served an important purpose for silver production. By 1989 Union Pacific no longer had a need for the railroad line and the Division of Parks and Recreation along with the railroad and A&K Railroad Materials began putting plans into place to turn the route into a recreational trail instead. When those plans came to fruition, the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park was able to be dedicated in 1992. It holds the title of the first non-motorized rail trail in all of Utah.
Book Your Getaway Today
When you’re ready to turn those Utah travel plans into a reality, the team at Summit Luxury Vacations is here to help. We’ll happily handle your Park City luxury rental so you can settle into style and simply focus on the fun. Reach out today to learn more and to get started!
