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Utah, United States

Big Cottonwood Canyon

A slow Jan 1 up the canyon for skiing, snowshoeing on a frozen lake and a lodge lunch. Below: 1 sight, 2 activities and 2 outdoor spots, plus how Big Cottonwood Canyon fits into a longer trip.

Plan Big Cottonwood Canyon with friendsBrowse 6 places
Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, United States
Places
6

1 See · 2 Do · 2 Outdoors · 1 Eat

Curated routes
1

Salt Lake City New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

29°C / 84°F avg high

Coolest month
January

-1°C / 30°F avg high

Wettest month
December

about 59 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Park City, the nearest city we track.

Things to do in Big Cottonwood Canyon

6 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

  • See

    Big Cottonwood Canyon Road

    Winding 15-mile road past granite walls and snowy peaks from the valley to Brighton.

    Tip Pull out at the Storm Mountain picnic area on the way down for the view.

    • Big Cottonwood Canyon
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Morning Jan 1

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Big Cottonwood Canyon across Brighton and Solitude.

  • Brighton Resort in Big Cottonwood CanyonPhoto: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5
    Do

    Brighton Resort

    Ski area at the top of the canyon, open since 1936, with night skiing on lit runs most evenings.

    Tip Buy lift tickets online; Jan 1 is one of the busiest days of the season.

    • Brighton
    • $$$
    • 5 hr
    • Morning Jan 1
  • Do

    Solitude Mountain Resort

    Quieter ski area just below Brighton, with a small village at the base and long tree runs.

    Tip Park early; lots fill by 9 a.m. on holidays.

    • Solitude
    • $$$
    • 5 hr
    • Morning Jan 1

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Big Cottonwood Canyon.

  • Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood CanyonPhoto: Nils Rasmusson nilsynils · CC0
    Outdoors

    Silver Lake

    Small frozen lake at the canyon's top, with a flat boardwalk loop and groomed trails from the Nordic center.

    Tip Rent snowshoes at the Solitude Nordic Center by the lake.

    • Brighton
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Midday Jan 1
  • Outdoors

    Donut Falls

    Short trail to a waterfall that drops through a hole in the rock, popular for snowshoeing in winter.

    Tip In winter the road to the upper lot is closed, so the walk is longer; bring traction.

    • Big Cottonwood Canyon
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Late morning Jan 1

Eat

1 place to eat, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Eat

    Silver Fork Lodge

    Old wooden canyon lodge with a restaurant known for sourdough pancakes and a fire on cold days.

    Tip Go for a late breakfast on Jan 1 and check holiday hours.

    • Big Cottonwood Canyon
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Brunch Jan 1

How to fit Big Cottonwood Canyon into a trip

Big Cottonwood Canyon is stop 2 of 2 on our Salt Lake City New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift Big Cottonwood Canyon into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Weather by month, based on Park City

Our climate figures for Big Cottonwood Canyon come from Park City, about 8 km (5 mi) away. Average daily highs run from -1°C / 30°F in January to 29°C / 84°F in July. December is the wettest month, with about 59 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Park City. Park City weather (covers Big Cottonwood Canyon) →

Near Big Cottonwood Canyon

8 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.

Big Cottonwood Canyon questions, answered

How many days do you need in Big Cottonwood Canyon?

On our Salt Lake City New Year's Eve route it is stop 2 of 2 in a 3-day trip. Split evenly, that is about 2 days here, an estimate rather than a rule. The listed visit times for our 6 places add up to roughly 16 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Big Cottonwood Canyon best known for?

A slow Jan 1 up the canyon for skiing, snowshoeing on a frozen lake and a lodge lunch. Standouts on our list: Big Cottonwood Canyon Road (Winding 15-mile road past granite walls and snowy peaks from the valley to Brighton); Silver Lake (Small frozen lake at the canyon's top, with a flat boardwalk loop and groomed trails from the Nordic center); Donut Falls (Short trail to a waterfall that drops through a hole in the rock, popular for snowshoeing in winter).

When is the best time to visit Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Our Salt Lake City New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for nearby Park City put the warmest highs in July (29°C / 84°F), the coolest in January (-1°C / 30°F) and the most rain in December (about 59 mm).

What are the best things to do in Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Start with Brighton Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Silver Lake, Donut Falls and Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. Our guide lists 6 places in all, from 1 sight, 2 activities, 2 outdoor spots and 1 place to eat.

What is near Big Cottonwood Canyon?

The closest destinations in our guides are Park City (about 8 km / 5 mi), Salt Lake City (about 30 km / 19 mi) and Downtown Salt Lake City (about 32 km / 20 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Big Cottonwood Canyon with your crew

Open the Salt Lake City New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 6 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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