The Wasatch Back exemplifies outdoor splendor in Utah, where the Rocky Mountains become a natural playground. Each summer, this region transforms into a destination for adventurers and families alike, seeking the thrill and tranquility that only our rugged mountains can offer. From Deer Valley’s pristine trails to Jordanelle Reservoir waters, the Wasatch Back offers diverse activities that every outdoor enthusiast will love. Whether you’re looking to horseback ride, paddle board, or explore the numerous lakes and streams while fly fishing, this area promises an unforgettable experience in some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the American West.
Horseback Riding
Red Pine Adventures: Located near the Canyon’s side of Park City Mountain, Red Pine Adventures offer an hour-and-a-half guided horseback ride for $150 per person. Private rides are also available, and reservations can be made by phone.
www.redpinetours.com
Destination Sports and Adventure: Saddle up on a trail-savvy horse and take an hour guided ride ($99) or a 2-hour ride ($149) and enjoy the mountains on horseback.
www.destinationsports.com
The Lodge at Blue Sky: Offering two riding experiences, the White Tail trail ride is a 2-hour ride across varied terrain along the Wasatch Mountains ($395 per person), while the Mountains & Meadows ride is 3 hours of traversing the mountains, meadows, valleys, and creeks at Blue Sky ($650 per person). Visit
www.aubergeresorts.com/bluesky
Rocky Mountain Outfitters: Offering diverse equestrian adventures tailored to both new and experienced riders, they aim to provide an authentic off-trail experience. All tours are for ages 8 and older. Crow’s Next ride is 90 minutes ($125) and Mountain Meadows is a one-hour ride ($99). Visit www.rockymtnoutfitters.com for private tours and additional information.
High Star Ranch: High Star Ranch provides horseback riding experiences across private trails, suitable for participants of all experience levels. Immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of Kamas Valley through personalized horseback adventures on an expansive 800-acre mountain terrain. Visit highstarranch.com
Stand-up Paddle Boarding
Park City SUP: Discover paddleboarding basics (SUP 101 Lesson) through pre-arranged sessions. This one-hour introductory course at the Deer Valley site is $75 per attendee for groups with three or more participants. The package covers all necessary gear, professional guidance, and photo keepsakes. Explore Jordanelle Reservoir with 2-hour guided tours or lessons for $100 each where beginners to advanced paddlers can enjoy a comprehensive 2-hour paddleboarding experience. This includes equipment, a personal photo collection, and refreshments after the tour. One-of-a-kind night tours are also available, weather-dependent. Optimal times for tours are in the morning or early evening to avoid strong winds. Advanced SUP surfing experience at Jordanelle Reservoir is an intensive session priced at $200 per hour for an intermediate-level SUP surf lesson towed by a Supra World Edition boat. The session is designed for up to six participants onboard. Visit www.parkcitysup.com
Utah Outdoor Adventures: Discover the peaceful Lost Creek Reservoir with a 2-hour stand-up paddleboard excursion. Navigate through calm waters, discover hidden inlets, and observe local wildlife such as ospreys, beavers, and deer. Skilled instructors will guide you through paddleboarding fundamentals. Utah Outdoor Adventure offers the option to include a Super Duper Puma Raft equipped with a minor engine for support. This raft provides storage for additional belongings and a cooler (note: guests must supply their own food and beverages). Visit
www.utahoutdooradventures.com
UTV/ATV
Wasatch Excursions: Embark on a thrilling guided adventure up to 3500-feet elevation and across 25-30 miles behind the wheel of a cutting-edge Can-am off-road machine. Expert guides will lead you through breathtaking landscapes for an awe-inspiring experience, showcasing spectacular views from the mountain’s peak and navigating through diverse terrains like waterways, rugged paths, and aspen forests. Prices start at $219. Visit www.wasatchexcursions.com/atv-park-city-atv-rentals-utah-utv-utah
Destination Sports and Adventures: Select from a range of single-rider ATVs or spacious, family-friendly, side-by-side UTVs from which you can explore more than 22,000 acres. This adventure offers picturesque trails across meadows filled with wildflowers, dense aspen, and pine forests. For those new to the experience or terrain, consider opting for an expert-led guided tour. Drivers must be at least 18 and have valid driver’s licenses. Passengers must be 5 years or older. Prices start at $99. Visit www.destinationsports.com
Uinta Adventures: Choose a two-seater or four-seater UTV and explore the natural landscape of Kamas. Prices range from $395 for a half day to $550 for 24 hours. Must be 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license to rent.
Visit www.uintaadventure.com
Fly Fishing
Fly Ty Guy Guides: Owner Trevor Nicolaides has been guiding fly fishing experiences for several years, providing a personalized outing for beginners and intermediate fly fishermen. Learn the basics of the craft and professional insider tips like knowing what the fish are eating by looking under river rocks. Visit www.theflytyguides.com
Destination Sports and Adventure: Discover premier trout fishing on Utah’s Weber River, recognized for its exceptional blue ribbon status. Skilled guides will lead you to the most picturesque segments of the Weber River, renowned among Utah’s top fishing spots. Guides can enhance your skills in casting and appreciating the river’s natural flow. Trip packages include guides, necessary flies, and rental gear to ensure a comprehensive and enjoyable experience. Visit www.destinationsports.com
Park City Fly Fishing Co.: The Park City Fly Fishing Company team has more than four decades of collective experience guiding both seasoned and first-time anglers across Utah’s premier trout fishing destinations. Anglers can explore a selection of top-tier trout streams, including the acclaimed Provo River sections, the Weber River, the Upper Green, and several other lesser-known locales famed for their trophy-sized catches. Visit www.parkcityflyfishing.com
The Lodge At Blue Sky: Experienced fly fishing instructors guide guests through various fishing locales, from blue ribbon rivers to secluded mountain streams, untouched alpine lakes, and family-friendly stocked ponds. Excursions cover prime spots like the Provo River, Weber River, Bear River, and several others including Ben Reservoir, Vatcher Reservoir, Chalk Creek Pond, and the Uinta Lakes. Participants will gain insights into different trout species, learn the basics of rod setups, casting techniques, knot tying, and even how to tie their own flies. Visit
www.aubergeresorts.com/bluesky/experiences/fly-fishing
Wild Women Tribe
“It’s about the journey not the destination.”
Wild Women Tribe was established in 2018 by Renee Huang as an instrument of empowerment for women. It creates a platform through which participants engage with the wilderness in a series of transformational outdoor experiences and wilderness workshops. The initiative is driven by a compelling vision to build a robust network of women bound by a shared quest for personal growth, brainstorming, and the exchange of energy and positive intentions, all set against the backdrop of the natural world.
By organizing daylong workshops dubbed Wanders and hosting immersive, transformational retreats, Wild Women Tribe facilitates a deep connection among women, drawing them closer to their true selves through nature’s beauty. These gatherings serve not only as an escape from the everyday but also a space for reflection, learning, and personal evolution. Huang partners with other female business owners in the community to elevate the connection and instill the idea of collaboration over competition.
“Wild Women Tribe was something I started when I was going through a transitional period in my life, and I really yearned for relationships of more depth with other women,” Huang explains. “Relationships in which we could talk about difficult things, what we were going through and also process through hardship through a place of empowerment rather than defeat.”
Wild Women Tribe’s offerings are truly one-of-a-kind. Participants emerge from these experiences with a renewed sense of self, armed with insights and memories that continue to resonate long after the activities have ended. In the wilderness, surrounded by like-minded women, the tribe’s adventures unfold as powerful journeys of self-reflection and mutual support.
“These groups and these gatherings are so vital to our mental health and our self-growth,” Huang adds. “Women need to come together to remember that the source of our power lies in our own alignment with our passion and our purpose.”
Wild Women Tribe celebrates the unwavering spirit of female solidarity and the transformative power of nature. It champions the value of community and the strength derived from collective effort, inviting women from all walks of life to step into a space where their fierce and spirited nature can thrive in the great outdoors.
Visit www.wildwomentribe.net to learn more about upcoming workshops, retreats, and Wanders.