Sight Big Cottonwood Canyon
Big Cottonwood Canyon Road
A sight in Big Cottonwood Canyon, free to visit and worth about 45 minutes. Best time to go: Morning Jan 1.
Why go
Winding 15-mile road past granite walls and snowy peaks from the valley to Brighton.
It is one of 6 curated places we feature in Big Cottonwood Canyon, alongside 2 activities, 2 outdoor spots and 1 place to eat. The closest of our other picks is Donut Falls, 6.7 mi away as the crow flies. At about 45 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.
- Type
- Sight · Nature
- Neighborhood
- Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 45 min
- Best time
- Morning Jan 1
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 1 beyond Big Cottonwood Canyon. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Donut Falls
Short trail to a waterfall that drops through a hole in the rock, popular for snowshoeing in winter.
Outdoors · 6.7 mi straight-line - 2Silver Fork Lodge
Old wooden canyon lodge with a restaurant known for sourdough pancakes and a fire on cold days.
Food · 8.6 mi straight-line - 3Hogle Zoo
Salt Lake's zoo at the mouth of Emigration Canyon, which runs its ZooLights evenings through December.
Activity · Salt Lake City · 9.2 mi straight-line - 4Solitude Mountain Resort
Quieter ski area just below Brighton, with a small village at the base and long tree runs.
Activity · 9.8 mi straight-line - 5Silver Lake
Small frozen lake at the canyon's top, with a flat boardwalk loop and groomed trails from the Nordic center.
Outdoors · 9.8 mi straight-line - 6Brighton Resort
Ski area at the top of the canyon, open since 1936, with night skiing on lit runs most evenings.
Activity · 10 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Big Cottonwood Canyon Road is a stop on our Salt Lake City New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
When to go: weather by month, based on Park City
Our climate figures for Big Cottonwood Canyon come from nearby Park City. Average daily highs in Park City run from 30°F in January to 84°F in July; December is usually the wettest month. For Big Cottonwood Canyon Road itself, we suggest: Morning Jan 1.
Modelled monthly averages for Park City from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Park City weather by month (covers Big Cottonwood Canyon).
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 40.61972, -111.77556
- Destination
- Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah
Big Cottonwood Canyon Road: quick answers
How much time do you need at Big Cottonwood Canyon Road?
Plan on about 45 minutes at Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Big Cottonwood Canyon Road?
Our pick: Morning Jan 1. Insider tip: Pull out at the Storm Mountain picnic area on the way down for the view.
Is Big Cottonwood Canyon Road free?
Yes, we list Big Cottonwood Canyon Road as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include Big Cottonwood Canyon Road?
Big Cottonwood Canyon Road appears on Salt Lake City New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Big Cottonwood Canyon Road to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Plan Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Big Cottonwood Canyon travel guide 6 places
- Park City weather (covers Big Cottonwood Canyon) weather by month
- Downtown Salt Lake City to Big Cottonwood Canyon 20 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.