History
Summit County, established in 1854, is home to stunning landscapes and a rich history. Situated in Utah, the county boasts the majestic Uinta Mountains in the east and a picturesque valley in the west.
Early explorers and fur trappers ventured into the area in the 1820s and 1830s. Before the arrival of the Mormons in 1847, Summit County was a hunting ground for the Northern Shoshone Indians, who relied on the abundant resources of the Weber and Provo rivers.
In 1846, Lansford W. Hastings introduced a new shortcut on the California Trail, which cut down travel time. This route entered Summit County through Echo Canyon and followed the Weber River. Unfortunately, its use by the ill-fated Donner-Reed party resulted in tragedy. Nonetheless, the Mormons later utilized parts of this cutoff for their migration to Utah.
The first settlers arrived in Summit County in the 1850s, establishing Parley's Park, Wanship, Coalville, Hoytsville, and Henefer. The discovery of coal near Coalville prompted the Mormons to establish a mission in the area. During the 1860s, wagons transported large quantities of coal to settlements in the Salt Lake Valley. Eventually, the Utah Eastern Railroad constructed a line to haul coal, which later became part of the Union Pacific Railroad.
Geography
Summit County is located in the Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah, a range that stretches from central Utah to the Wyoming border. It also includes parts of two National Forests: Ashley and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache. The county covers 1,910 square miles (4,943 km2), with approximately 20% designated as private land or wilderness area.
Places of Interest
Utah Olympic Park
Utah Olympic Park is a must-see destination in Summit County. It was designed to host the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and serves as a training facility for ski jumping, bobsledding, luging, and other winter sports. The park offers year-round activities including guided tours, ziplines, mountain biking trails, and more.
Canyons Village at Park City
Canyons Village at Park City is a resort hotel located in Park City, Utah. It offers luxurious ski-in/ski-out accommodations and a myriad of activities for both winter and summer visitors. Guests can enjoy world-class skiing, mountain biking trails, shopping, dining, and other outdoor activities.