The canyon widens dramatically near Mountain Dell Dam and Utah State Route 65 (SR-65) splits from the freeway (which turns southeast temporarily) to provide access to Morgan County to the northeast.

On the other side of the summit the freeway continues into the Snyderville Basin, which is where the popular resort town of Park City is located.

Also within the basin is the ski jump built for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and the large shopping district at Kimball Junction.

[7] Some remnants of the Rio Grande line through Parleys Canyon, namely the cuts for the horseshoe curves, are in use by local roads and visible off the shoulder of the freeway.

[7] A lower portion of the same railroad line outside of Parley's Canyon, remains in use in the present day as the right of way for the UTA S-Line streetcar.