Big Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake City: Address, Big Cottonwood Canyon Reviews: 5/5
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Big Cottonwood Canyon
5
About
Located in the Wasactch Mountains, this wilderness region offers a limitless range of recreation for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Top ways to experience Big Cottonwood Canyon and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
9 within 10 kms

Alta Ski Area
648
Ski & Snowboard Areas

Snowbird
593
Trams • Ski & Snowboard Areas

Solitude Mountain Resort
457
Ski & Snowboard Areas

Little Cottonwood Canyon
60
Canyons • Ski & Snowboard Areas

Snowbird
96
Ski & Snowboard Areas

Cecret Lake Trail
36
Hiking Trails

Great Western Trail
1
Biking Trails

Neff's Canyon Trail
4
Hiking Trails

Rattlesnake Gulch Trail
2
Hiking Trails
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,160 reviews
Excellent
952
Very good
187
Average
12
Poor
3
Terrible
6
Literati83
16 contributions
Friends
I love this canyon so much. Donut Falls and Ledgemere cave—among many other places are so much fun.
If you love hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, definitely check out this canyon!
If you love hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, definitely check out this canyon!
Written 9 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mallorne
Edmonton, Canada63 contributions
You cannot even drive your dog in the car through the canyon because they are worried about it contaminating drinking water. No clue how a dog in a car can contaminate drinking water, let alone in a way that cannot be removed by a standard water treatment facility. It also makes you wonder what they did to prevent wildlife from contaminating the water - did they shoot it all? Not to mention what happens when human hikers get caught short on a hike!
Written 21 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joseph Robba
Charlotte, NC2,080 contributions
Friends
Just 20 minutes from downtown SLC, it’s definitely worth coming out here to get on a trail. We did part of the Lake Blanche Trail, and some of the surrounding trails, and got lots of great views of the mountains. Would love to spend more time here, we only had a few hours in between work and travel.
Written 24 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SuperDuper Coach
Mitcham, Australia154 contributions
a bit hairy when there is snow around but otherwise a beautiful drive through the canyon and back to SLC>
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
R M
Dubai, United Arab Emirates93 contributions
Great canyon to ride a bike up. I’m a mamil and cycle regularly but there’s nothing close to this scale near me. About 1000m vertical ascent with a near constant uphill for over 20km or 13 miles. It’s a tough climb but I found plenty of places to stop and I did that quite a lot. My Garmin showed up to 13% gradient and on my not friendly hire bike gearing it was very tough. Good news there’s plenty places to stop, take a drink and take in the beautiful scenery.
You can get up over 8000 feet or 2500m and I was there in November. There was snow around and plenty on the high mountains and it’s cool towards the top of course, but I was warm enough for a short sleeve jersey. On the way down I put everything on! Keep the windchill out and make sure you have decent brakes!
You can get up over 8000 feet or 2500m and I was there in November. There was snow around and plenty on the high mountains and it’s cool towards the top of course, but I was warm enough for a short sleeve jersey. On the way down I put everything on! Keep the windchill out and make sure you have decent brakes!
Written 14 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MihirMeghani
Fremont, CA1,478 contributions
My wife and I hiked for several hours a few days ago with snow falling & several inches of snow on the ground. We enjoyed our short hike. The winter scenery was amazing. Great to see fall colors, mountains, streams, rivers, & trees.
Written 14 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sanj2561
North Huntingdon, PA261 contributions
What a beautiful drive up the Wasatch mountains! The trees were a brilliant yellow and the other plant life were green and orange, making for a patchwork of color. We continued onto Park City, which was a scary ride in the early morning...very high elevation with lots of low hanging clouds made for a white knuckle trip down the mountains!
Written 9 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chief
Marietta, GA86 contributions
This is what family hikes are about! Crystal lake... AWESOME Kid friendly outdoor fun.Fun to see so much happening in nature.
Written 28 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ashar G
Houston, TX323 contributions
Drove out here for a quick visit from SLC. Worth the drive and if you have time, great place for camping.
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NCWFUcyclingVet
Huntersville, NC353 contributions
Family
We drive along the scenic Highway and hiked to donut falls. The area is beautiful and lush. They are lots of trails in the area. The hike was great. Lots of people there. Busy trail
Written 19 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SoniaWanderlust
St. George, UT37 contributions
We’re headed here first weekend of October for a long weekend - we want to photograph the cottonwood canyons in fall colors for some pieces to hang in our house. We we will have our 2 kids (3 year old and 1 month old) So unfortunately strenuous hikes and high elevations are out, but would love some recommendations on plan to get some good photos and do some light hikes? Thanks in advance!
mlwatton
Pittsburgh, PA48 contributions
Will be in the area mid-March. Will the roads/hikes still likely be snow covered at that time?
Frostfarm
Winston, GA8 contributions
Horse pack ride
Annabell O
California324 contributions
Is that a question? :-)
Fernando
Hallandale Beach, FL
Can you do sleigh riding in winter there?
Utah John
Salt Lake City, UT14 contributions
The terrain is pretty rough. There might be places where there is cross country skiing that have a steep enough pitch and a flat base. The best spots for sledding are probably city parks along the benches that have hills.
Tricia G
Charlotte, NC5 contributions
Any bike paths here? Is one able to ride a bicycle around the area?
Ma Irene Cristina Jalandoni
Salt Lake City, UT2 contributions
Hello! We’re a family of 3 with a 20 month old and we’re new here in SLC. I am wondering when is the best time for us to go here? Can I bring my toddler with us?
Riley Kate N
Medford, OR4 contributions
Summer is best for the wild flowers! Mid-July boasts beautiful mountain scenes with many wildflowers and there are places you can get out and walk around with your kids- be sure to check out the Silver Lake boardwalk - it is super easy to walk around the lake with kids and often you can see wildlife like moose. Be sure to keep an eye on your kids and their activity level, this is at a higher elevation than some people realize and depending on where you live it can cause altitude sickness in youth and the elderly more easily than healthy adults, especially when hiking.
We are headed to Solitude for 4 days of skiing in January. We are taking the shuttle from the airport to solitude. Is there uber service once we are in the town of solitude?
Diana w
Salt Lake City, UT25 contributions
Hi there. Solitude isn't a town, it is just the ski resort. You should be able to get to everything walking. Big Cottonwood also has Brighton Ski resort, just up the canyon another mile or so. I think you can get a Sol-Bright pass to ski both resorts.
Just FYI, Alta resort and Snowbird are in Little Cottonwood Canyon, the next canyon over.
You should have a great time. Solitude doesn't have as much moderate ability skiing as Brighton, but it does have a lot of diamond, double diamond, and beginner slopes.
We are headed to solitude in January. We are taking the Utah Mountain Shuttle and wanted to know if there is Uber service in the town of Solitude?
OldBroad73
Salt Lake City, UT28 contributions
Solitude isn’t really a town, but a ski resort. It is located in a canyon that can occasionally be closed to traffic or have restricted access to traffic due to snow.
Alina D
3 contributions
Hi! Ill be here at the end of February/beginning of March, I would like to do the scenic drive. Any winter conditions I should take into account during that time?
Roxy C
Salt Lake City, UT108 contributions
Consider taking a shuttle or a ski bus up the canyon at that time of year. Depending on the weather and conditions the roads can be hazardous and if you are not used to driving in that kind of weather that's not a good place to start! It is a stunningly beautiful time of year and most days are sunny so if you time it right it will be more enjoyable than you can imagine! You just don't want to go off the road and be called a flatlander which would be the least of your problems!
Frequently Asked Questions about Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Hotels near Big Cottonwood Canyon:
- (7.22 km) Alta's Rustler Lodge
- (7.09 km) Alta Lodge
- (6.97 km) Alta Peruvian Lodge
- (7.21 km) Snowpine Lodge
- (11.80 km) Hyatt Centric Park City
- Restaurants near Big Cottonwood Canyon:
- (14.72 km) Ruth's Chris Steak House
- (7.09 km) Log Haven
- (15.03 km) Five5eeds
- (13.53 km) Bombay House Salt Lake
- (11.96 km) Drafts Burger Bar
- Attractions near Big Cottonwood Canyon:
- (9.20 km) Western River Expeditions
- (15.11 km) Utah Outdoor Adventures
- (15.75 km) All Seasons Adventures
- (14.40 km) Exclusive Excursions
- (14.71 km) The Spa at Hotel Park City