City

St. George to Park City

Utah's premier mountain resort town offers world-class skiing at two massive resorts, the legendary Sundance Film Festival, vibrant Historic Main Street dining and shopping, Olympic venues, and exceptional summer mountain biking — all just 4.5 hours from St. George.

I-15 North → I-80 East → UT-224

310 miles

Distance

4.5 hours

Drive Time

north

Direction

Year-round

Best Time

7,000 feet (Park City) to 10,000 feet (resort peaks) elevation

Driving from St. George to Park City

Route: I-15 North → I-80 East → UT-224

Head north on I-15 through Cedar City and Beaver, continue to Salt Lake City, then exit east on I-80. The highway climbs through Parleys Canyon, a beautiful mountain pass, before descending to the Snyderville Basin and Park City. Take Exit 145 (UT-224) south into Park City. The total drive is straightforward on interstate highways with a spectacular mountain finale through Parleys Canyon.

About Park City

Park City is Utah's most celebrated resort destination and one of the great mountain towns of the American West. Perched at 7,000 feet in the Wasatch Range, the former silver mining boomtown transformed into a world-class ski destination after the 1960s and reached global fame when it hosted events for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Today, Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort together make up one of the largest and most luxurious ski areas in the United States, drawing visitors from across the world.

The Sundance Film Festival transforms Park City every January into the epicenter of independent cinema. For ten days, the town's theaters, restaurants, and streets fill with filmmakers, celebrities, and film industry professionals. It is the most prestigious independent film festival in the United States and one of the most significant in the world. Even outside festival time, Park City's Historic Main Street is one of the most charming mountain town streets in the West — a mile-long stretch of Victorian-era storefronts housing award-winning restaurants, art galleries, boutique shops, and lively bars.

Summer in Park City has become as compelling as winter. The ski resorts convert to mountain biking parks with hundreds of miles of lift-accessed trails. The Utah Olympic Park offers public experiences on the bobsled, ski jumping, and aerial acrobatics facilities. Factory stores at the Park City outlet mall draw shoppers from across the region. For St. George residents making the drive up I-15, Park City offers a completely different climate and ecosystem — cool summer temperatures, aspen forests, and mountain wildflowers that feel worlds away from the red rock desert of Southern Utah.

Gas Stops Along the Way

  • Cedar City — 52 miles / 55 min (full services)
  • Beaver — 110 miles / 1 hr 45 min (gas, fast food)
  • Nephi — 210 miles / 3 hr (gas, restaurants)
  • Salt Lake City / Midvale — 270 miles / 3 hr 50 min (full services — last affordable gas before Park City)
  • Park City outlets area — 305 miles / 4 hr 20 min (limited gas options at premium prices)

Weather & Climate

Park City sits at 7,000 feet with a classic mountain climate. Summers are mild and cool (60-80°F days, 40-50°F nights). Winters are cold (15-30°F) with heavy snowfall averaging 300+ inches annually at resort elevations. The higher elevation means Park City stays cooler than the valley even in midsummer — a welcome escape from Southern Utah heat.

Best Time to Visit

Year-round

December through March for world-class skiing with reliable snow at 7,000+ feet. January for Sundance Film Festival (book everything months ahead). July and August for summer hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor festivals with comfortable temperatures of 60-80°F. September and October for fall foliage, lower crowds, and shoulder-season pricing. Spring (April-May) can be muddy but offers good deals.

Things to Do in Park City

From outdoor adventures to dining, here is everything worth experiencing when you visit Park City, Utah.

Skiing & Winter Sports

Park City Mountain Resort

$180-$260 lift tickets

The largest ski resort in the United States with over 7,300 acres of skiable terrain across two interconnected mountains. 330 trails, 41 lifts, and a vertical drop of 3,226 feet. The resort connects to Canyons Village via the Quicksilver gondola for a truly massive ski experience.

The Tombstone Express and Iron Mountain chairs access the best powder stashes after a storm

Deer Valley Resort

$170-$250 lift tickets

America's most consistently top-rated ski resort, known for impeccable grooming, exceptional service, ski-valet parking, and gourmet on-mountain dining. Skiers only (no snowboards). The newly expanded Deer Valley East Village adds hundreds of additional acres of terrain.

Buy lift tickets in advance online — prices increase significantly at the window

Utah Olympic Park

$30-$100 depending on activity

The venue built for the 2002 Winter Olympics now offers public bobsled rides, ski jumping, aerial skiing demonstrations, and a free museum. The bobsled experience is one of the most thrilling 60 seconds available to the public anywhere in the world.

Book bobsled experiences weeks in advance — they sell out on weekends

Cross-Country Skiing (Soldier Hollow)

$25-$35

Site of the 2002 Olympic biathlon and cross-country events in Heber Valley, just 20 minutes from Park City. Excellent groomed trails through meadows and rolling terrain at a much lower price point than downhill resorts.

Summer Activities

Park City Mountain Bike Park

$35-$50 lift access

Over 100 miles of lift-accessed mountain bike trails ranging from beginner green runs to expert black diamonds. The Payday lift carries riders to the top and the views of the Wasatch Range are spectacular. Bike rentals available at the base.

The Iron Horse trail is the classic intermediate run with the best sustained flow

Alpine Slide at Park City Mountain

$20-$25 per ride

A classic summer mountain attraction — a winding fiberglass slide descending 3,000 feet from the top of the Payday lift. Riders control their own speed. A perennial favorite for families visiting in summer.

Hiking the Wasatch Trail Network

Free

Park City sits within an extensive trail network covering thousands of acres. The Mid-Mountain Trail is a classic intermediate 10-mile traverse of the mountains. The Spiro Trail and Sweeney Switchbacks are popular for all fitness levels. Wildflowers peak in July.

Jordanelle Reservoir

$20 per vehicle

A beautiful reservoir just 10 minutes from Park City offering boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming. The Jordanelle State Park has boat ramps, a marina, and camping.

Deer Valley Gondola (Summer)

$25 for scenic ride

Deer Valley operates its gondola for summer sightseeing, hiking access, and mountain biking. The views from the top of Bald Mountain over the Park City basin are exceptional on clear days.

Historic Main Street Dining & Shopping

Riverhorse on Main

$$$$

Park City's most celebrated fine dining restaurant, housed in the historic Masonic Hall building. Creative American cuisine with an exceptional wine list. A landmark special-occasion destination since 1996.

Reservations essential — book weeks in advance during ski season and festival week

Handle

$$$

Modern American small plates in a stunning converted warehouse space. One of the most innovative menus in Park City with a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The cocktail program is among the best in Utah.

Shabu

$$

Pan-Asian restaurant that has become a Park City institution. The hand rolls, ramen bowls, and Thai curry are exceptional. The lively bar scene makes it a favorite après-ski spot.

Park City Outlet Stores

Free to browse

The Park City Outlets feature 60+ brand-name stores including Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, Under Armour, Nike, and Levi's. Located at the I-80 Exit 145 interchange, easy to access on the drive in or out.

The outlet stores are busiest on Saturday afternoons — visit weekday mornings for the best experience

Main Street Art Galleries

Free to browse

Park City's booming arts scene is anchored by a dozen galleries along Historic Main Street, many focusing on Western and contemporary American art. First Saturday Art Strolls bring the galleries to life once per month.

Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Film Festival (January)

$25-$35 per film screening

The most important independent film festival in America runs for 10 days in late January. Hundreds of screenings, Q&As with directors, star sightings, and industry parties fill the town. Tickets for individual films can be purchased by the public, though popular screenings sell out fast.

Buy film tickets the moment they go on sale in November — popular premieres sell out within minutes

Egyptian Theatre

Varies by event

Park City's historic 1926 theater on Main Street is a primary Sundance screening venue and hosts year-round performances, comedy shows, and film screenings. One of the most beautiful small theaters in the Mountain West.

Park City Museum

Free

Located in the historic 1885 Territorial Jail, this free museum traces Park City's silver mining history, its boom-and-bust past, and its transformation into a resort town. Excellent context for a Main Street stroll.

Family Activities

Utah Olympic Park (Year-Round)

Museum free, activities $15-$100

Beyond the bobsled, the Olympic Park has a free museum, a beginner zip line, a freestyle aerial show viewing area, and a climbing wall. The Alf Engen Ski Museum covers Utah's deep skiing history and is outstanding for families interested in winter sports history.

Swaner Nature Preserve

Free

A 1,200-acre protected wetland preserve adjacent to the Canyons Village area with gentle nature trails, wildlife viewing platforms, and an eco-center. Great for spotting migratory birds, deer, and moose in the marshy areas.

Travel Tips for the St. George to Park City Drive

1

Park City is the most expensive destination in Utah — hotel rates on ski weekends and during Sundance can top $500-$1,000/night; book months in advance or stay in Salt Lake City and drive the 30-minute commute

2

During peak ski weekends, Parley's Canyon (I-80 East of SLC) can back up significantly — leave SLC early on Saturday morning

3

The Park City Transit bus system is free, frequent, and covers all of Main Street and the resort areas — park once and use the bus

4

Sundance Film Festival week is the most expensive and crowded week of the year — plan and book at least 6 months ahead

5

Ski season runs roughly Thanksgiving through mid-April — March and April offer the deepest snowpack and lower prices

6

The SLC airport is 40 minutes from Park City — many visitors fly in rather than drive from Southern Utah for ski trips

7

Fill up gas in SLC or on I-80 before exiting to Park City — gas prices in town are among the highest in Utah

8

Summer temperatures in Park City are 20-30 degrees cooler than St. George — bring a light jacket even in July

Frequently Asked Questions: St. George to Park City

How far is St. George from Park City?

Park City is approximately 310 miles (4.5 hours) from St. George. Drive north on I-15 through Cedar City and Salt Lake City, then east on I-80 through Parleys Canyon and exit at UT-224 south into Park City.

Which is better — Park City Mountain or Deer Valley?

Both are exceptional but serve different audiences. Park City Mountain is larger (7,300 acres), allows snowboarders, and has a more diverse price range. Deer Valley is skiers-only, known for the best grooming, service, and on-mountain dining in the US, with a more refined atmosphere. Many visitors do both in the same trip since they are interconnected.

How much does a ski trip to Park City cost from St. George?

Budget $600-$1,200+ for a 2-night trip depending on season and lodging. Lift tickets are $170-$260/day. Lodging in Park City runs $150-$500+/night (much less if staying in SLC). Budget an additional $100-$150/day for food and rentals if needed. Holiday weekends are significantly more expensive.

When is the Sundance Film Festival?

Sundance runs for 10 days in late January, typically starting the Thursday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Individual film tickets go on sale in November through the Sundance website. Popular screenings and premieres sell out within minutes of going on sale.

Is Park City worth visiting in the summer?

Absolutely. Summer Park City offers mountain biking on lift-accessed trails, hiking through wildflower meadows, the alpine slide, Jordanelle Reservoir recreation, and the full Main Street dining and shopping experience — all at 20-30 degrees cooler than Southern Utah. Summer lodging is significantly cheaper than ski season.

Can I do Park City as a day trip from St. George?

Technically yes but it makes for a very long day — 9 hours of driving round-trip leaves limited time to enjoy the destination. Most visitors stay 1-3 nights. Splitting the drive with a Salt Lake City overnight and visiting Park City the next day makes the trip much more enjoyable.

Complete Guide: Driving from St. George to Park City

St. George to Park City310 miles, 4.5 hours Drive

Park City is Utah's most celebrated resort destination and one of the great mountain towns of the American West. Perched at 7,000 feet in the Wasatch Range, the former silver mining boomtown transformed into a world-class ski destination after the 1960s and reached global fame when it hosted events for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Today, Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort together make up one of the largest and most luxurious ski areas in the United States, drawing visitors from across the world.

The route from St. George, Utah to Park City, Utah covers 310 miles and takes approximately 4.5 hours via I-15 North → I-80 East → UT-224. Head north on I-15 through Cedar City and Beaver, continue to Salt Lake City, then exit east on I-80. The highway climbs through Parleys Canyon, a beautiful mountain pass, before descending to the Snyderville Basin and Park City. Take Exit 145 (UT-224) south into Park City. The total drive is straightforward on interstate highways with a spectacular mountain finale through Parleys Canyon.

Things to Do in Park City

Skiing & Winter Sports: Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Utah Olympic Park. Summer Activities: Park City Mountain Bike Park, Alpine Slide at Park City Mountain, Hiking the Wasatch Trail Network. Historic Main Street Dining & Shopping: Riverhorse on Main, Handle, Shabu. Sundance Film Festival: Sundance Film Festival (January), Egyptian Theatre, Park City Museum. Family Activities: Utah Olympic Park (Year-Round), Swaner Nature Preserve.

Best Time to Visit Park City

December through March for world-class skiing with reliable snow at 7,000+ feet. January for Sundance Film Festival (book everything months ahead). July and August for summer hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor festivals with comfortable temperatures of 60-80°F. September and October for fall foliage, lower crowds, and shoulder-season pricing. Spring (April-May) can be muddy but offers good deals.

Travel Tips

Park City is the most expensive destination in Utah — hotel rates on ski weekends and during Sundance can top $500-$1,000/night; book months in advance or stay in Salt Lake City and drive the 30-minute commute. During peak ski weekends, Parley's Canyon (I-80 East of SLC) can back up significantly — leave SLC early on Saturday morning. The Park City Transit bus system is free, frequent, and covers all of Main Street and the resort areas — park once and use the bus. Sundance Film Festival week is the most expensive and crowded week of the year — plan and book at least 6 months ahead.

For more things to do near St. George, explore our Things to Do guide, browse the Events Calendar, or discover local businesses in the St. George Business Directory. Check out all road trip destinations from St. George including Salt Lake City, Brian Head Resort, Moab.