About Summit Park Open Space
Summit Park Open Space is a 316-acre protected open space that safeguards natural habitats, water quality, and scenic views.
Nestled in a lush, densely forested environment, Summit Park Open Space offers a tranquil escape from the surrounding urban areas. Its trails, including popular routes like the Road to WOS and Over Easy, provide recreational opportunities for all seasons while preserving the area’s unique ecosystem and supporting local wildlife.
If the Park View Trailhead parking lot is full, park at one of our additional access locations:
Short Stack Trailhead
Get directions
Amenities
Protected Open Space
Hiking
Downhill Mountain Biking
Parking
Dog On-Leash
Trailhead
Hiking Only
Discover Summit Park Open Space
Summit Park Open Space stands as a preserved forest area, protected under a conservation easement held by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands and recognized as a Forest Legacy property. The acquisition of this easement was made possible by the Trust for Public Land with funds from the federal Forest Legacy Program, which aims to safeguard “working forests.” These efforts ensure that the open space will remain undeveloped, preserving its mature timber forest, scenic mountain terrain, and vital recreational access for the community. Situated amidst the spectacular views of the Snyderville Basin, Summit Park’s protected landscape serves as both a community refuge and a visual backdrop, sustaining a legacy of natural beauty and outdoor enjoyment for generations to come.
Environmental Importance
Summit Park Open Space plays a critical role in environmental conservation by supporting diverse ecosystems and acting as a “working forest” that helps maintain local water quality, provides valuable wildlife habitats, and offers public recreational opportunities. The Forest Legacy designation underscores its importance in preserving water quality and protecting against erosion, ensuring that both the land and its waterways continue to support a healthy environment. This area also helps offset development pressures, maintaining open space that benefits the community while enhancing air quality and biodiversity in the surrounding region.
Wildlife
Wasatch Beardstongue
Penstemon Cyananthus
Red Elderberry
Sambucus Racemosa
Big-toothed Maple
Acer grandidentatum
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
Myrtle Spurge
Euphorbia myrsinites
Musk Thistle
Carduus nutans
Shiras Moose
Alces alces shiras
Wandering Garter Snake
Thamnophis elegans
ssp. vagrans
Rocky Mountain Elk
Cervus canadensis
For information on what you should do when you encounter wildlife, please visit:
Managing Open Spaces
Property Monitoring
The Open Space Team monitors Summit Park Open Space, documenting noxious weed populations, changes in the property’s habitat, and encroachments throughout the year.
Restoration
Areas that are disturbed or could use some extra help are the Open Space Team’s target locations when planning restoration events. Burn piles from fire mitigation efforts are reseeded with native plant species every year.
Fire Mitigation
Summit Park’s fire mitigation efforts focus on reducing wildfire risk by collecting debris, trimming trees, and conducting controlled burns, protecting both the canyon’s ecosystems and the surrounding community.
Nearby Open Spaces
Rules & Regulations
No E-bikes
No Motorized Vehicles
No Camping
No Fires
No Hunting
No Firearms
No Fireworks
Hunting Access
Hunters may cross Basin Recreation property to access adjacent lands open to hunting, but firearms must be unloaded, and archery equipment must not have an arrow nocked.