Situated in northern Utah, only fifteen minutes from Park City and less than fifty minutes from Salt Lake City—there is only one stop light between the valley and Salt Lake City’s airport!—, Heber Valley is one of the state’s greatest destinations, besides Utah’s national parks. Although relatively unknown to the bigger public, this region is home to a wide variety of attractions, the most popular of which are related to the great outdoors.
The Heber Valley has three state parks, a Swiss-themed town, five mountain golf courses and more than 200 miles (300 kilometers) of trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking and snowmobiling.
Overlooking the valley, Mount Timpanogos is the centerpiece of the Heber Valley’s landscape, a scene that consists of serene farmlands, green meadows, bubbling streams, shimmering lakes and inviting hills. This landscape, combined with the large population of Swiss people who settled in the valley in the 19th century, is why this region is nicknamed “Utah’s Switzerland.” It is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Exploring Utah’s Heber Valley on Foot
Flanked by mountains and hills, the Heber Valley offers wonderful hiking opportunities in every direction. Trails lead hikers across meadows, through forests and up to mountain peaks. They are suitable for every level of fitness, ranging from the short and easy walk along Strawberry Reservoir’s shores to the challenging climb up to the summit of Mount Timpanogos.
Visitors looking for a fairly easy, yet scenic hike are encouraged to head to Wasatch Mountain State Park, a wonderful natural oasis offering the choice between half a dozen hikes—the Dutch Hollows Trail System—that provide fine views of the Heber Valley. More challenging, but never difficult hikes are found in Coyote Canyon and Strawberry Narrows.
Trails for Wheels
In addition to various hiking trails, the Heber Valley also features many miles of trails suitable for mountain biking. A few specific destinations are fantastic for both hiking and biking—great examples are Center Canyon, Clegg Canyon, Duchesne Ridge and Co-op Creek.
Even in winter, the Heber Valley offers visitors the chance to hit the trails. Covered with a layer of fresh snow, the area is crisscrossed by wonderful snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. This very fact makes this a spectacular, alternative and amazing year-round destination for any outdoor enthusiast. Adventurers could easily spend an entire year in the Heber Valley, simply exploring its virtually endless trails.
Other Outdoor Activities
Anyone who’s looking for a more relaxed activity shouldn’t be disappointed, for there is a variety of other things to do in the Heber Valley. Suggested activities are plentiful and range from fishing in the Provo River, which is a blue-ribbon fishery, and exploring the countryside on horseback to playing a round of golf at one of the five excellent golf courses, water skiing on a lake and going on an ATV excursion.
You can find much more information about outdoor activities and trails in the Heber Valley on the area’s official website.
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