Hand-picked Utah County happenings, straight to your inbox. No fluff, no spam, easy to leave.
When it warms up, the whole of Utah Valley turns into a playground from Provo Canyon to Utah Lake. Here are the summer things to do that Utah County locals actually love, from floating the Provo River to a slow walk through the gardens.
Floating the Provo River is the classic Utah Valley summer day. The dam-released water stays cold and the canyon walls keep you shaded, so it is a gentle two-hour drift from the put-in near Deer Creek down toward Vivian Park. High Country Adventure is the oldest outfitter on the river and runs hourly shuttles, so you skip the two-car shuffle.
A 600-foot waterfall right off the highway with a short paved path to the base. It is one of the easiest big payoffs in the valley, stroller friendly, and gorgeous in every season. Locals come for an evening when they want mist on their face without a real hike.
The old Seven Peaks, now Splash Summit, is still the valley's go-to waterpark. You get a giant wave pool, a lazy river, and a wall of slides including big drop slides, plus cabanas and food vendors. It is Utah's largest waterpark and the easy answer on a triple-digit afternoon.
The biggest marina on Utah Lake and an easy launch for kayaks, paddleboards, and boats. There is also a disc golf course, picnic spots, and sunset views straight across the water to the mountains. It is the wide-open water day right on Provo's edge.
Up the canyon past the river, Sundance trades summer heat for cool mountain air. Ride the scenic lift up for big Wasatch views, or hike the Stewart Falls trail through aspens to a two-tiered waterfall. It feels like a real mountain escape twenty minutes from town.
Fifty-five acres of gardens with a huge man-made waterfall as the centerpiece. June is rose month when the whole place bursts into color, and summer evenings sometimes bring outdoor movies on the lawn. It is the calm, pretty pick when the rest of the valley feels loud.
A grassy outdoor amphitheater tucked in SCERA Park with the Wasatch Mountains as the backdrop. Summer brings big musicals, touring concerts, and free big-screen movies under the stars. Families spread out blankets and low chairs and settle in with concessions, which makes it one of the best cheap summer nights in the valley.
A set of crystal-clear mountain springs crisscrossed by a quarter-mile boardwalk over pools full of fish and aquatic plants. The paved paths and boardwalks are stroller friendly, and the whole loop takes under an hour. It is a cool, shaded breather off the Alpine Loop drive.
Pioneer Park fills up every Saturday morning all summer with local produce, food vendors, crafts, and live music. It has been downtown Provo's weekend gathering spot for years and is a great low-key family morning that costs nothing to walk through.
Pleasant Grove's mid-June celebration is the oldest festival of its kind in Utah, now past its hundredth year. Expect a carnival, rodeo, car show, parade, concerts, food trucks, and the famous free strawberries and cream. It is the all-in summer kickoff for the north end of the valley.
A 50,000-square-foot indoor family fun center with a FlowRider surf simulator, a ropes course, bowling, laser tag, an arcade, and a carousel. It is the indoor backup when an afternoon thunderstorm rolls in or the heat is just too much for an outdoor plan.
The best summer in Utah Valley mixes cold water, cool canyons, and easy evenings. The valley floor bakes in July and August, so locals chase shade and water during the day, then save the gardens, festivals, and outdoor theaters for the cooler hours after the afternoon heat breaks. Provo Canyon and the Alpine Loop sit thousands of feet higher than the valley, so a quick drive up almost always means cooler air.
Think about your group before you pick. Little kids do great at Bridal Veil Falls, the Provo Farmers Market, and Cascade Springs, where the walking is short and flat. Bigger groups and teens lean toward tubing the Provo River, Splash Summit, and Utah Lake. Many of the best Utah County spots close on Sundays and the popular festivals land on set weekends, so check the date and go early on summer weekends when lines and parking fill up fast.
Keep exploring Utah Valley: Best Fall Activities in Utah Valley: Foliage, Festivals & More · Best Winter and Snow Activities in Utah Valley. Need a local pro? Browse Valley Approved businesses. Planning the weekend? See the Events Hub.
Free local picks, events, and openings in your inbox. From the team that wrote this guide.
