Flight Park State Recreation Area

Photo: Visit Utah

Utah's Premier Destination For Free Flight

Perched on the lofty southern edge of the Point of the Mountain between the Salt Lake Valley and Utah County, Flight Park State Recreation Area offers visitors an unusual combination of adventure, scenic views and even some unique local history.

Established in 2006, the park encompasses 147 acres and provides ideal conditions for hang gliding, paragliding and other aerial sports. Beyond its current acclaim as a free-flight paradise, the area has an adventurous legacy with its proximity to the once world-famous "Widowmaker" motorcycle hill climb.

Aerial Adventures at Their Finest

Flight Park is renowned nationwide among hang gliders and paragliders. The park’s unique geographic location … wind currents converge at the mountain’s ridge due to the “point” … creates consistent, dependable updrafts that offer some of the best gliding conditions in North America.

When those conditions are ideal, visitors can watch skilled pilots gracefully soaring on thermals high above the valley below. Colorful gliders dot the sky in a mesmerizing aerial display. The gliding community has a great reputation for supporting beginners and experienced pilots alike.      

The Utah Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (UHGPGA), in partnership with Utah State Parks, manages the park. They provide invaluable education, safety clinics and guidance to ensure that Flight Park remains a safe, respected destination for aerial sports enthusiasts.

Quite a few years ago, one of my former football-playing buddies used to hang glide here. What’s so unusual about that? He was a former defensive lineman and still weighed over 260 lbs. when he was hang gliding. Maybe the biggest hang glider on the planet? It wasn’t too difficult to pick him out among the other more svelte gliders.

Photo: Visit Utah

Model Aircraft and Other Activities

While Flight Park is best known for hang gliding and paragliding, it also attracts model aircraft enthusiasts. A designated area just west of the primary launch zones serves as a modelport.

Hobbyists enjoy flying remote-controlled airplanes, helicopters and drones. The open space and clear air above provide ideal conditions for model flying making it an attractive and family-friendly activity.

Spectacular Scenery and Photography

Even for visitors who prefer planting their feet firmly on the ground, Flight Park offers breathtaking panoramic views. From its elevated vantage point, you’ll enjoy sweeping vistas of the Salt Lake Valley to the north and Utah County to the south.

The Wasatch and Oquirhh Mountains provide a stunning backdrop. Photographers find plentiful opportunities here. They are able to capture photos of sunrise, sunset and the dramatic beauty of hang gliders silhouetted against a vast, open sky.

Photo: Salt Lake Tribune Archive

While Flight Park State Recreation Area today is known for aerial sports, the hillside just north of this location in Draper has its own legendary place in history. It was once home to the famous Widowmaker motorcycle hill climb. This adrenaline-fueled event gained international attention and was prominently featured on ABC’s Wide World of Sports every year. Dating myself again.

It brought global exposure to Utah’s daring motorcycle community although competitors came from far beyond Utah’s borders. I remember listening to Jim McKay (“the agony of defeat”) feature this event on TV every year. Starting in 1965, motorcycle riders from around the world gathered annually to tackle this seemingly impossible climb.

The hill itself was steep, rocky and completely impartial. It treated everyone the same. Like dirt. In fact, that’s where most of them ended up. In the dirt. It was unforgiving and very few riders reached the summit. Its notoriety came from the frequent spectacular spills and reverse cartwheels giving rise to its ominous nickname, "The Widowmaker."

Thousands of spectators flocked to the bottom of the hill each year to witness these seemingly insane riders attempt to climb the hill at maximum speeds. The event became one of the premier spectacles in motorsports synonymous with courage, skill and sheer nerve.

Although the official Widowmaker events ended in the late 1980s, the hill remains part of Utah’s storied motorsports heritage. It was brought back for a few years in the early 2000’s but didn’t last long.

Old-timers … like me … still recall the spectacle with fondness and nostalgia. How tough of a climb was it? As of March 8, 2009, only 13 motorcyclists had reached the summit of the Widowmaker. The first to ever make it was Mike Gibbons in 1970.

Visitors standing at Flight Park today can look down and north toward the slope that once tested the bravest motorcyclists in the world. The spirit of adventure … once defined by roaring engines and high-speed ascents … now lives on with the more quiet grace of hang gliders and paragliders.

Photo: Visit Utah

Accessibility and Amenities

Flight Park State Recreation Area offers basic facilities for visitors including a gravel parking lot and informational signage outlining park guidelines and safety rules. Visitors should be aware there are currently no restroom facilities, potable water or overnight camping within the park itself. Plan visits accordingly.

Safety and Regulations

As you might expect, safety remains a high priority. Pilots are urged to respect posted rules, maintain safe distances and, of course, fly within their abilities. Weather conditions in this valley can change rapidly so visitors and pilots alike should remain aware of current forecasts and wind conditions.

Park Information and Fees

• Park Size: Approximately 147 acres
• Elevation: Approximately 5,146 feet
• Operating Hours: Open year-round from sunrise to sunset
• Day-Use Fee: Free admission - no entrance fee.
• Camping: Not permitted within the park
• Activities: Hang gliding, paragliding, model aircraft flying, sightseeing, photography, wildlife viewing, historical exploration
• Facilities: Gravel parking area, informational signage (no restrooms or potable water available on-site)
• Pet Policy: Pets are allowed but must remain leashed and controlled
• Rules and Regulations: Visitors must adhere to posted guidelines. Consult UHGPGA for detailed flying safety and etiquette information.

Flight Park State Recreation Area
Located at the south end of Point of the Mountain, just north of Lehi, Utah
(Off the frontage road west of Interstate 15)

Managed By: Utah State Parks and the Utah Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (UHGPGA)

Phone: (801) 538-7220 (Utah State Parks main office)

Website: stateparks.utah.gov/parks/flight-park

UHGPGA Website: uhgpga.org

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