Hiking in the mountains / parks near Salt Lake City via Public Transportation? (Park City: renter)

[caverunner17]

I'm going to be heading out to SLC in May for memorial weekend. I'm an avid hiker / runner and want to hit up the trails while I'm there. What's the best and least expensive way to get up into the mountains to go exploring?? I'm not 25 yet, so renting a car is out of my options.

I know when I was in Colorado, I took the bus from Denver to Boulder or Golden and walked a mile or two to the mountains.

Thank you!

[jeanjeanvaljean]

Originally Posted by caverunner17

I'm going to be heading out to SLC in May for memorial weekend. I'm an avid hiker / runner and want to hit up the trails while I'm there. What's the best and least expensive way to get up into the mountains to go exploring?? I'm not 25 yet, so renting a car is out of my options.

I know when I was in Colorado, I took the bus from Denver to Boulder or Golden and walked a mile or two to the mountains.

Thank you!

I've never taken the buses but I know they exist - there are ski buses that go up to the canyons and this page (google'd) seems to suggest that they run all year:

The Top Outdoor Adventures Via Public Transportation: Salt Lake City | Adventure Travel Guide | OutsideOnline.com

Here's another book that would provide more information:

New book tells of great hikes near Salt Lake City | Deseret News

And here's a discussion of your very issue:

Hike from the city - Salt Lake City Forum - TripAdvisor

Sorry that my answer is so cursory, but I did want to respond - as I noticed that your post got 25 views and nobody else offered an answer - so I hope this helps somewhat!

[kaytidid]

I am not sure about public transportation to take you to the trails, as I am not a huge outdoorsy person. I DO know, however, that you can rent a car here in UT if you are not 25. I have done it.

Discount Rent A Car - Salt Lake City UT 84107 | 866-562-9858

Another of the few rental agencies to regularly rent to 20-year-olds is Hertz, which is currently waiving young driver surcharges for renters ages 20 to 24. By using the promotional code 144314, young renters won't have to pay the usual $25 daily surcharge on rentals driven now through September 30. Keep in mind, however, that Hertz rates tend to be much more expensive than other agencies, especially a discounter like Fox. In some cases, agencies other than Hertz may wind up cheaper for young drivers, even if the agency is tacking on a young renter surcharge.

[kletter1mann]

Originally Posted by kaytidid

I am not sure about public transportation to take you to the trails, as I am not a huge outdoorsy person. I DO know, however, that you can rent a car here in UT if you are not 25. I have done it.

Discount Rent A Car - Salt Lake City UT 84107 | 866-562-9858

Another of the few rental agencies to regularly rent to 20-year-olds is Hertz, which is currently waiving young driver surcharges for renters ages 20 to 24. By using the promotional code 144314, young renters won't have to pay the usual $25 daily surcharge on rentals driven now through September 30. Keep in mind, however, that Hertz rates tend to be much more expensive than other agencies, especially a discounter like Fox. In some cases, agencies other than Hertz may wind up cheaper for young drivers, even if the agency is tacking on a young renter surcharge.

I used Fox a year or 2 ago and it was a total horror from beginning to end. I don't know how typical my experience was, but I'll never use them again.

[kaytidid]

I can't vouch for them myself. I have never used them. I believe we used Hertz when we were visiting before we moved here. We were 23, so I know there are places that will rent under 25. We didn't use any discounter service as this was before internet...lol

[canewbie]

I think for about $5 you can take the bus from Salt Lake City to Park City.

[SWFL_Native]

Ensign peak is a must but also a short hike... City creek is another decent short hike in the same general area. Up Big Cottonwood are 3 lakes (Blanche, Florence, and Lillian) and it's probably 10 miles total. Mount Olympus Summit would be the best of main valley IMO.