Long before Park City became a world-famous ski town, it was a mecca for cattle ranching and silver mining. Main Street was famous for its saloons, brothels and high-stakes gambling, and liquor flowed at illegal speakeasies throughout Prohibition.
When the booming silver mines went bust and local mining was gradually on its way to wrapping up, Park City almost became a ghost town, but skiing entered the scene with the opening of Treasure Mountain Resort in 1963. Today, the community’s cowboy legacy and outlaw spirit live on through Western fashion and hat shops on Main Street, many in storefronts that once housed mining-era shops and saloons.
From rodeos and riding lessons to whiskey and Western wear, here are recommendations about how to experience and embrace the best in cowboy culture around Park City.
Dress Like a Cowboy
A big part of living the Western lifestyle is dressing the part, and you can find all the boots, cowboy hats and statement belt buckles you’re dreaming of in Park City. Start on Main Street at Burns Cowboy Shop that dates to 1876, making it the world’s oldest family-owned Western-wear retailer. Burns’ artisan craftsmanship caught the attention of Hollywood, too, outfitting the cast of Yellowstone in custom cowboy hats, buckles, leather chaps and more when it filmed in Utah. When quality matters over cost for your Western wear, Burns is the place to shop.
Farther up Main Street, Kemo Sabe is a Western store known for boots, buckles, custom hats and more. Here, you don’t just purchase a hat off the rack. “Our products are not grab and go; they take time, and they require proper fit and styling that only our fabulous team can guide you through,” says Wendy Kunkle, president and owner of Kemo Sabe. “Hats have become Kemo Sabe’s most sought-after purchases. We have been perfecting the hat-buying experience for over 36 years, and we can create a perfect hat for anyone. You are the designer, and it has to fit your life — we want you to wear this hat all of the time.”
Get sized, choose your brim type and add a hat band, brand, feather or pins. While designing your hat, ask to pop into the hidden speakeasy. This small hideaway is the perfect spot for a shopping break cocktail.
You’ll also find handcrafted, Western-style hats at JW Bennett, a female-founded and run company that first started in the mountains of Wyoming. If you’re looking to invest less in your cowboy and cowgirl gear, stop by JC Country in Kimball Junction, which offers hats, chic boots, leather belts, denim and more.
Ride Like a Cowboy
If Western style isn’t cowboy enough, grab the reins and experience the magic of a ride in the mountains. Trot through Park City’s wide-open meadows, dense forests and pristine wilderness with expert wranglers at North Forty Escapes or explore Deer Valley Resort’s famed slopes with Boulder Mountain Ranch on a ride through aspen groves to Red Cloud Overlook. Or take a day trip to saddle up at Sundance Mountain Resort on a guided ride to views of Stewart Falls and Mount Timpanogos with Sundance Stables.
For a slower-paced equine encounter, visit Park City Horse Experience to learn the art of mindful horsemanship and channel your inner stillness during horse meditation circles.
Play Like a Cowboy
Summer is rodeo season in towns near Park City, and there’s no better place to get an authentic dose of cowboy culture than watching the pros rope and ride. The small town of Oakley, about 17 miles from Park City, is home to the Oakley Independence Day Rodeo, one of the largest events on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit.
The 91st annual rodeo, scheduled for July 1-4, is one of Utah’s most popular as it attracts some of the sport’s biggest stars to compete in bareback riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, women’s roping and women’s barrel racing. It’s the perfect place to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
If you can’t get tickets to the Oakley Rodeo, mark your calendar for Rodeo Heber (previously known as Mountain Valley Stampede Rodeo), which returns to Heber City from July 30 to August 1. Watch impressive competitors from across the Intermountain West at this family-friendly event featuring all the traditional rodeo events and a free concert on Thursday following the rodeo.
Want to get in on the cowboy vibes yourself? Grab your best boots and shake off the midweek blues with Thursday night country dancing lessons at The Cabin on Main Street with Kickin’ It with Katie. You don’t need a partner to join the fun.
“Every week I instruct 10 dances each night, from absolute beginner to intermediate and back to beginner. It is a great night of dancing with locals and tourists,” says Katie McCarron, a Park City-based country line dance instructor. “There is a cover fee, but in the summer and shoulder seasons, the cover charge is two for one.”
Find a more structured series of line dancing lessons this summer with a four-week class at Park City Municipal Athletic & Recreation Center. Some months, McCarron offers two classes, one for beginners and one for experienced dancers. She also teaches in Park City neighborhoods like Promontory, Tuhaye and Red Ledges as well as at the Midway Town Hall.
Drink Like a Cowboy
In 2006, High West Distillery launched in an old livery stable and garage just off Main Street, becoming Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870. This once small operation has become a mega-brand, and you can find its iconic bottles of whiskey stocked in stores and bars across the country.
Experience High West’s Old West vibe with a stop at High West Saloon or drive to its Wanship distillery located at The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Colllection to see High West’s production in action. Sample High West’s famous double rye, bourbon and Campfire whiskeys in the onsite tasting room.
But these days, High West isn’t the only whiskey game in town. Sample Alpine Distilling’s award-winning whiskies and tasty Kentucky-sourced pies at its Park City Social Aid & Pleasure Club. Or go rogue and order Alpine’s gin and tonic — likely the best one you’ve ever tasted.
“Alpine Distilling is very much a reflection of Kentucky heritage in the modern West,” says Sara Sergent, co-founder of Alpine Distilling. “Park City has always been a place of gathering, from its mining roots to its current identity as a global destination. Our whiskies fit naturally into that story.”
Keep the country vibes going with a nighttime stop at The Spur Bar & Grill, a Main Street staple with live music seven nights a week. Or pair libations with history on Fox School of Wine’s Mines and Wines Tour, where you’ll explore mining-era landmarks like the Ontario Mine, Spiro Tunnel and Miner’s Hospital on a roving, three-hour private tour paired with wine and bites.
Whether you want to rope and ride or just sip whiskey and shop for Western wear, Park City is the place to make all your cowboy dreams come true.
Where to Stay
Western luxury takes on an elevated meaning at The Lodge at Blue Sky, an Auberge Collection resort in Wanship. Stay in modern Creek Houses or Earth Suites and spend free time building confidence in the saddle on guided horseback experiences.
“Set across 4,000 private acres, the property provides a sense of seclusion alongside highly curated experiences, from horseback riding and outdoor pursuits to distinctive dining concepts. It’s an ideal destination for travelers seeking an authentic yet refined take on the modern Western escape,” says General Manager Joe Ogdie.
“Equine experiences are at the heart of the property’s Western identity. Our approach is rooted in natural horsemanship, focusing on building trust, communication and connection between horse and rider,” he explains. “Guests can take in the landscape on scenic trail rides or dive deeper through hands-on experiences like horsemanship lessons and ranch skills. A particularly meaningful element is the Saving Gracie Equine Healing Foundation, where guests can connect with rescued horses and learn about rehabilitation, adding a more purposeful, modern dimension to traditional cowboy culture.”
