See Park City Olympic Park Utah Crater Cheese Farm & Jordanelle

The most unusual part of this Park City tour is the mix: you can watch winter athletes train at Utah Olympic Park, then see cheese made in Midway, peer into a warm volcanic crater, and finish with mountain and lake views at Jordanelle. I like that it gives you a quick look beyond the ski slopes, and I like the comfortable transportation, bottled water, and snacks included in the $125 price.

I also like the chance to use Park City Main Street as a flexible stop, with its free trolley and historic buildings. The main drawback is the pace. Seven named stops fit into about four hours, so several are brief photo stops rather than full visits. Crater swimming and the railroad ride cost extra, and the schedule does not leave much room for shopping or spontaneous detours.

Key points to know before booking

• Olympic Park is the strongest stop: You may see skiers, bobsledders, lugers, skeleton athletes, or future Olympians training, depending on the season.
• The Homestead Crater visit is short: The basic tour does not include the 40-minute soak and swim, which requires advance reservation and an added ticket.
• Midway adds local flavor: The cheese facility includes a look at production, tasting, and time to buy your favorites.
• Main Street is partly self-directed: You can walk, shop, eat, or use the free trolley, but only for a limited time.
• The tour covers a lot of ground: You see Park City, Midway, Jordanelle, Olympic sites, and nearby attractions without arranging several separate rides.
• Expect a tight schedule: The vehicle holds no more than 20 people, and the four-hour duration already includes driving time.

A broad look at Park City beyond the ski resort

This is not a single-attraction tour. It is a sampler of the Park City and Heber Valley area, built for you if you want a quick orientation rather than a slow day at one site.

The route begins at 10:00 a.m. from 1300 Snow Creek Drive, with hotel pickups in the Park City area starting around 9:45. The listed pickup points include Best Western Landmark Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Waldorf Astoria, Grand Summit, Westgate, Hyatt, Peaks Hotel, Sheraton, Shadow Ridge, Marriott Mountainside, and Marriott Summit Watch.

You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the price includes private transportation, bottled water, and snacks. The vehicle can carry up to 20 people, although the actual group may be smaller. Several people have had tours with only a small group, which can make the short stops feel easier and more personal.

Guides named in the feedback include Mike, Dave, and Richard. Mike received especially warm praise for his explanations of Utah, Park City, and Midway, while Dave was described as funny, punctual, and accommodating. The quality of the day depends heavily on your guide because much of the value comes from narration while you are moving between stops.

Heber Valley Artisan Cheese in about 30 minutes

The first substantial stop is the Heber Valley Artisan Cheese facility, also described as the local Midway Artesian Dairy and Cheese facility. You see the cheese-making process from beginning to end, taste samples, and have a chance to buy the cheese you prefer.

This is a useful stop because it gives the day a local food angle. Park City can easily become all ski lifts, galleries, and resort restaurants. A working dairy and cheese facility gives you something more connected to the farms and small businesses of the Heber Valley.

Thirty minutes is enough for an introduction and tasting, but not for an extended agricultural tour. If you want to linger over products or shop at length, the schedule may feel rushed. Still, the tasting makes this one of the more active stops, rather than another viewpoint from the vehicle.

Inside the Homestead Crater

The Homestead Crater is the tour’s oddest sight. It is a fully enclosed natural volcanic crater warmed by natural hot springs, with an interior temperature described as about 90 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The formation was first identified by local Indians, according to the tour information.

The included visit is listed as 15 minutes. That gives you time to see inside the crater, but it is not the same as spending an afternoon soaking. The 40-minute swim and soak are not included in the $125 price, and you need a separate ticket and reservation.

This distinction matters. One negative experience came partly from a misunderstanding about swimming during the regular tour. The guide could not simply add that activity during a tightly scheduled outing. If you want to get into the water, arrange the upgrade before the day begins and confirm that the timing works with the tour.

The crater is best for you if unusual geology interests you, or if you want to see one of the area’s most distinctive natural attractions without committing to a longer visit. If swimming is your main reason for coming, book a dedicated crater visit instead.

Park City Main Street with a short dose of freedom

At Park City Main Street Historic District, the vehicle drops you near the top of Main Street. You can walk downhill through the historic district, browse shops, stop at restaurants and pubs, or use the free trolley.

This is the most flexible part of the route, but it is still a short stop of around 30 minutes. You can get a taste of the street, take photographs, and get your bearings. You cannot expect a relaxed shopping session, a full meal, and a detailed look at the buildings in half an hour.

I like the trolley option for anyone who finds the downhill walk inconvenient or wants a quick ride through the district. The trolley also lets you get a feel for the length of Main Street without arranging local transport. Still, ask your guide exactly where and when to rejoin the group. The tour cannot wait indefinitely for shopping.

One practical point came through clearly in the feedback: this is an organized route, not a private chauffeur service. Even if your group is very small, the driver is working to a schedule. If you want a free afternoon for stores and restaurants, plan that separately.

Jordanelle State Park and the mountain views

The Jordanelle State Park stop lasts about 15 minutes and is built around views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains. This is a photo stop, not a full state park visit.

The value here is scale. After time in town and inside the vehicle, you get an open view of water and high country. The stop can be particularly useful early in your stay because it helps you understand how Park City relates to the nearby valleys and mountain communities.

Do not expect a hike, boat outing, or long shoreline visit. The tour only gives you a close look and time for photographs. If you want outdoor recreation at Jordanelle, you will need to return on your own with more time.

Swiss details at Zermatt Resort

At the Spa at Zermatt, you stop at the Swiss-themed Zermatt Resort in Midway. The property combines Western and Swiss design, and you can step inside for homemade chocolate and cakes from the bakery or sample food from the restaurant.

The tour also points out volcanic tar pits on the property. That gives the stop a slightly strange edge, since you are seeing resort styling alongside a natural feature connected to the area’s volcanic activity.

The listed time is about 15 minutes, so treat this as a quick look, snack opportunity, or photo stop. You will not have time for a spa treatment. The name can also cause confusion: the stop is at a resort and spa, but the tour does not include a spa service.

A glimpse of the Heber Valley Railroad

The Heber Valley Railroad depot is another short stop, listed at about 10 minutes. You can see the historic depot, steam engine, and classic Western carriages while the train prepares to leave for Vivian Park.

The railroad is not included in this half-day outing. You can buy a separate full-day tour that includes round-trip train tickets for a ride lasting about 90 to 120 minutes.

This arrangement works well if you want to see the train but do not want to spend most of your day riding it. It works less well if a steam train is your main interest. In that case, choose the longer railroad option rather than expecting to board during this tour.

Utah Olympic Park and the best chance for live action

Utah Olympic Sports Park is likely the highlight for many people. This is the home of the 2002 Winter Olympics, and you may see athletes training on the bobsled, luge, and skeleton track.

Training is listed from October 25 through March 1. Outside that period, you should not assume you will see active training. The park also has an Olympic Museum, and there is a chance to meet an Olympian, Paralympian, or future Olympian, although that opportunity is not guaranteed.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough to see the setting, visit the museum if timing allows, and watch activity when training is underway. It is not enough for every attraction or a full sports experience.

I would give this stop extra weight when deciding if the tour suits you. The Olympic connection gives Park City a story beyond skiing, and live practice can be thrilling. Several visitors had the good fortune to see skiers training, including jumping practice. Since conditions and schedules change, think of that as a bonus, not a promise.

The film studio and ski headquarters from the road

The route also passes Utah Film Studios and the United States Ski Association center. Utah Film Studios is associated with productions including Blood and Oil and Yellowstone, featuring Kevin Costner and other actors.

This is a pass-by rather than a full studio tour. You will not be visiting sets or taking a production tour. The United States Ski Association headquarters offers a look at the center of American ski administration and training, but it is also seen from the route unless your guide says otherwise.

These details work best as brief context during the drive. They add a little entertainment and explain why the area matters to both film production and American skiing.

What $125 buys you

At $125 per person, the price is reasonable if you value transportation and orientation. You are paying for about four hours of driving and guided commentary, with a vehicle, water, snacks, and a route that would be awkward to duplicate without your own car.

The included stops do not require admission tickets, but that does not mean every attraction is fully included. The crater swim and the Heber Valley Railroad ride are separate purchases. You should compare the price with what a private car, fuel, parking, and individual admission fees would cost for your group.

The tour is a better value for a first visit, a family that wants a broad look at the area, or anyone who does not want to drive mountain roads. It is less compelling if you already have a rental car and prefer spending an hour or two at each place.

The 4.7 rating from 24 published ratings and a 92 percent recommendation rate suggest that the format works well for most people, but the one-star experience points to a real issue: expectations. This is a scheduled sightseeing circuit. It is not a customizable shopping trip or private taxi.

Timing, weather, and the small print

The tour ends back at the starting point and takes about four hours, including travel time. Pickup times are approximate, so allow a little flexibility around the listed hotel times.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

The regular cancellation rule is strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Check your plans before paying. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the available details do not describe specific vehicle or stop accessibility, so ask the operator if you have mobility concerns.

Who should book this Park City tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a quick introduction to Park City and Midway, especially at the start of a visit. It suits families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who wants local food, Olympic history, scenery, and unusual geology in one outing.

It is also useful if you do not have a car. You can reach several communities and attractions without arranging separate rides, and the guide can provide context along the way.

I would not choose it if you want a long crater swim, a full train journey, serious shopping time, or a slow Olympic Park visit. Those interests deserve dedicated outings. The tight schedule is the price of seeing so much.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your goal is to see the area’s greatest variety in half a day. The cheese tasting, Homestead Crater, Olympic Park, Main Street, Jordanelle views, and Swiss-style Midway stop create an entertaining mix, and guides such as Mike, Dave, and Richard have helped make the route informative and friendly.

Before paying, decide which extras matter to you. Reserve the crater swim in advance if you want water time, and choose the longer Heber Valley Railroad option if the train is a priority. If you can accept short stops and a fixed route, $125 buys a practical overview. If you want control over every minute, rent a car and visit fewer places at a slower pace.

FAQ

How long does the Park City and Olympic Park tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including travel time, and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour begin?

The listed starting point is 1300 Snow Creek Drive, Park City, Utah 84060. Hotel pickup is offered at several Park City hotels.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m. Hotel pickup times begin around 9:45 a.m. and vary by property.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, plus bottled water and snacks.

Is the Homestead Crater swim included?

No. The 40-minute swim and soak require a separate ticket and are not included in the regular tour price.

Is the Heber Valley Railroad ride included?

No. The train ride is not included. A separate full-day tour is available with round-trip tickets for a ride lasting about 90 to 120 minutes.

Can I shop and eat on Park City Main Street?

Yes. You can walk along Main Street, visit shops, restaurants, pubs, and historic buildings, or use the free trolley. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so time is limited.

When can I see athletes training at Utah Olympic Park?

Training on the bobsled, luge, and skeleton track is listed from October 25 through March 1. Training is not guaranteed, and schedules may affect what you see.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.