Drive the Guardsman Pass Scenic Byway
ScenicEasySummerFall
Experience the peak of Utah's autumn foliage in September as you wind through high-alpine meadows connecting Midway to Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Itinerary tips
- 1Budget at least one to two hours for the drive to account for frequent photo stops and potential slow-moving traffic on narrow sections.
- 2Ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas before leaving Midway, as there are no service stations once you begin the ascent.
- 3Pack a light jacket or windbreaker even in summer, as temperatures at the 9,700-foot summit are significantly cooler than in the valley.
- 4Use the designated pull-offs at the summit ridge for parking rather than stopping on the shoulder to avoid obstructing narrow passing lanes.
- 5Download offline maps on your phone before departure because cellular service is highly unreliable throughout the high-alpine pass.
- 6Combine the drive with a visit to the Empire Pass overlook for a panoramic view of the Park City valley and the Wasatch Range.
More in Heber Valley & Midway
Stroll the Boardwalks of Cascade Springs
Walk the easy wooden pathways around crystal-clear terrace springs where water flows at a rate of 7 million gallons a day through lush vegetation.
ScenicClimb the Memorial Hill Lookout
Walk or drive up this circular hill dedicated to veterans to gain a 360-degree vantage point of the entire Heber Valley and Wasatch Mountain Range.
ScenicTake a Hot Air Balloon Ride over Heber
Ascend at sunrise to see the patchwork valley floor and the towering peaks of the Uinta Mountains from a silent, drifting perspective.
ScenicExplore the Midway Memorial Hill
Take a short, spiraling walk to the top of this historic mound for a 360-degree view of the entire green valley.
Scenic
