After its founding in the 1850s as a ranching and dairy farming specialist city, Heber City became a popular tourist destination. It offers excellent snowboarding, snowmobiling and skiing facilities in winter, especially on its cross country and downhill slopes. In the summer months, the city offers a number of activities including hunting, fishing, golfing, off-roading, and many other outdoor-based activities. The city is connected by both Route 40 and Route 189, and can be accessed from Highway 40 or Interstate 15.
Enjoy a scenic train ride on the Heber Valley Railroad
A heritage railroad which closed as a commercial unit in 1967, this excursion-only train line sees over 110,000 visitors and passengers annually. A trip along its 16.16 miles of tracks take about three hours to enjoy to the fullest, which gives ample time for guests to lay eyes upon the magnificent wildlife and monuments that are found on the way. The breathtaking Mount Timpanogos and Cascade Mountain are followed by the Provo River and then the Sundance Ski Resort. Eagle-eyed travelers can look out for the elusive deer, moose, eagles, foxes, turkeys, hawks, beavers and even the occasional mountain lion that call lands around the railroad their home.
Address: Heber Valley Railroad, 450 South 600 West, Heber City, UT 84032, Phone: 435-654-5601
Explore the breathtaking Uinta National Forest
With over 3 million visitors to the forest every year, Uinta National Forest offers breathtaking geography and views that have people returning time and time again. The forest itself was nearly depleted by early Eastern settlers who, with a lesser understanding of ecology and ecosystems than we now have, tried to use it for timber and its other resources. It was then that, after a request was made by the local communities and people of Utah, the grounds were allowed to recover and it was used for leisure instead of commercial purposes. With mountain biking opportunities for all levels, skiing, snowshoeing, beautiful forest trails, motorized sports, and numerous campgrounds for those wanting to stay longer, there is something for everyone.
Address: 2460 S Highway 40, Heber City, UT 84032-3651, Phone: 801-342-5100
Hike in Deer Creek State Park
Deer Creek State Park was initially only intended for use by the public for fishing activities but it was later opened as a state park in 1971. It is most well-known for its wide range of exciting, water-based activities thanks to its beautiful and scenic manmade reservoir, which is fed by the Pravo, Weber and Duchesne rivers. The reservoir covers an immense expanse of 2,965 acres and has an average depth of just over 60 feet, making its calm waters the perfect place to experience all sorts of water-based activities. People can partake in and enjoy a spot of skiing, boating, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, and swimming at the state park.
Address: S US Highway 189, 84082 Wallsburg, Utah, Phone: 435-654-0171
See vintage aircraft at the CAF Utah Wing Museum, Heber City
The CAF Utah Wing Museum exists to collect and repair historically significant aircraft so that they are once again of an airworthy standard. The Museum then showcases the restored aircraft to the public to help instill a passion for the history of these incredible machines, whilst also honoring the armed forces’ history. They do so by flying the planes and telling stories of each aircraft’s time in service. As part of the non-profit corporation, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), the Utah Wing Museum serves as part of an ongoing aim to save at least one of every model of aircraft which served during the Second World War.
Address: Russ McDonald Air Field, 1980 Airport Rd, Hanger 38-D, Heber City, Utah 84032, Phone: 385-230-5994
Visit Jordanelle State Park
Whether you’ve got just one day or a full weekend, the Jordanelle State Park is a must-visit for nature lovers visiting Eureka Springs. Undoubtedly one of the most popular parks in Arkansas, Jordanelle State Park is home to two ultra-fun recreation areas, the Hailstone and Rock Cliff, both of which are teeming with fantastic recreational opportunities to enjoy around the year. Rock Cliff is perfect for avid bird watchers and photographers thanks to its numerous elevated boardwalks and informative trails. Meanwhile, Hailstone is great for campers and those who enjoy water sports like wakeboarding, waterskiing, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Mountain bikers or hikers will adore the Perimeter Trail along with several other great trails. Phone: 435-649-9540
Have dinner at Back 40
The ranch house grill, Back 40, is owned and run by husband-and-wife team, Gary and Jessica Wolfforth. As a pair, they have a combined experience in the service industry of over half a century. They are determined in regards to promoting and encouraging healthy lifestyles and healthy, nutritious yet still delicious food. Their aim for Back 40 is to promote their family-friendly approach to the food industry whilst also serving dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. They also offer counter seating which comes complete with an elevated, wall-mounted TV so that guests can watch the game in this homely environment.
Address: 1223 N. Highway 40, Heber City, UT 84032, Phone: 435-654-3070
Order a burger at the Dairy Keen
The Mawhinney family has been running the Dairy Keen restaurant since just after the end of the Second World War, in 1946. At the time, they owned the land and property on which an old Dairy Queen was built, and with funds being tight, they decided to use the old sign for their new business and just change ‘Queen’ to ‘Keen’. Hence, Dairy Keen was born. They focus on creating a family friendly environment where guests can enjoy top quality, homemade food in amongst their incredible, custom-made collection of model trains which run over the dining area and around the restaurant itself.
Address: Dairy Keen, 199 S Main St, Heber City, UT 84032-2043, Phone: 435-654-5336
Order Traditional European bread at Kneaders Bakery and Cafe
Traditional European bread, the foundation of many civilizations’ diets over the years, is made with little more than three simple ingredients: flour, water, and salt. Simplicity at its finest, at Kneaders Bakery and Cafe, they’ve spent years mastering the old recipes for bread making and have spent countless hours developing their own unique blends of flours and recipes in their quest to create the ultimate artisan bread in Utah. They bake their bread the ‘proper’ way in an authentic Italian hearthstone oven, after creating every loaf from scratch and by hand, and they both sell and use these wholesome, warm, fresh creations in their bakery and cafe.
Address: Kneaders Bakery & Cafe Home Office, 871 South Auto Mall Drive, American Fork, Utah 84003, Phone: 801-221-7064
Book a room at the Daniels Summit Lodge
Hiding in snuggly within the trees of Uinta National Forest’s Strawberry Peak is the Daniels Summit Lodge, a beloved vacation destination for those who want to explore all that Heber City’s mountains have to offer. This year-round mountain retreat sits at the mouth of over 200 miles worth of mixed-use mountain trails that are best enjoyed with the lodge’s guided snowmobile tours in the winter, or guided ATV rentals during the summer months. When you’re not out enjoying the mountain, settle into cozy rooms at the lodge or cabin-style rooms, all of which are outfitted with rustic wooden furniture, plush beds, and present gorgeous views of Strawberry Peak.
Address: 17000 S. Daniels Summit Pass, US Highway 40, Heber City, Utah 84032, Phone: 435-315-2013
Check into Deer Creek Island Resort
Spend an incredible, action-packed day out in the water with Deer Creek Island Resort, a popular water sports rental and recreation center within the Deer Creek State Park. Great for families and groups of friends, Deer Creek Island offers fifteen different kinds of rentals depending on the location. Rent a couple of stand-up paddleboards and explore the reservoir at your own pace, or speed around the water atop a Wave Runner jet ski rental. For those who want to paddle around the lake in groups, kayak and canoe rentals are available. Meanwhile, there are several sports boats also available for rent such as the sport boat rental, the performance boat rental, and even a VIP boat package which lets guests use a Mastercraft X45 – one of the best wakeboarding boats in the industry.
Address: 5317 S. Highway 189, Deer Creek Reservoir, Heber City, Utah 84032, Phone: 435-654-2155
Go fishing at the Strawberry Reservoir
Largely regarded to be the best still water fishery in the state of Utah, the Strawberry Reservoir, also known locally as “The Berry” is the perfect destination for avid anglers. The Berry is situated in the heart of an open mountain valley and features four distinct fishing zones: the Narrows, the Meadows Basin, the Soldier Creek Basin, and the Strawberry Basin. Any local will tell you that the best time to visit the Strawberry Reservoir is during the start of the spring months. During this time, anglers can catch trophy-sized rainbow and cutthroat trout. Other potential catches include kokanee salmon as well as smallmouth bass. Pro tip? Fishing is best from a boat or float tube!
Address: Strawberry Reservoir, Heber City, Utah 84032
