Where Is Big Cottonwood Canyon?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Big Cottonwood Canyon is a canyon

in the Wasatch Range 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Salt Lake City in the U.S. state of Utah

. The 15-mile (24 km)-long canyon provides hiking, biking, picnicking, rock-climbing, camping and fishing in the summer.

What is the difference between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon?


Whereas Big is slippery quartzite, Little offers “sticky,” glaciated Granite to its climbers

. The latter also features multi-pitched climbs, which means climbers can walk a bit and get away from weekend crowds. With pitches from 5.8 to 5.13+, the Cottonwoods offer something for every climber.

Can you drive through Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Big Cottonwood Canyon


This beautiful 15-mile drive takes about an hour to traverse roundtrip

. From the main road, the canyon narrows almost immediately dropping to the dramatic alpine scenery. Here, you’ll find some of the best hiking, fishing, rock climbing, and camping for miles around.

What city is Little Cottonwood Canyon in?


The Town of Alta

is a small mountain community located at the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Is Brighton up Big Cottonwood Canyon?


Brighton is located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon

, just 35 minutes southeast of downtown Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake International Airport.

Is there a fee for Big Cottonwood Canyon?

It’s just a canyon.

It’s free to drive up, free to hike, free to picnic in most areas

. The only costs are if you camp, and there are one or two picnic areas that charge for day use but they are well marked. Parking at the top of the canyon,at Brighton is also free.

Why is it called Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Big and LittleCottonwood canyons: Named by Brigham Young

for their plentiful cottonwood trees and for one canyon being larger than the other

.

What is the elevation of Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Elevation at the mouth of BCC is about

4,920 ft

. After 14 miles of climbing, you’ll reach Brighton at about 8,770 ft. Enjoy beautiful canyon and river views as you climb, and keep an eye out for wildlife.

Where is Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon?

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a canyon

in the Wasatch Range 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Salt Lake City in the U.S. state of Utah

. The 15-mile (24 km)-long canyon provides hiking, biking, picnicking, rock-climbing, camping and fishing in the summer.

How long is the Big Cottonwood Canyon trail?

The trail ends underneath I-215 near the Cottonwood Corporate Center. Return the way you came. Total round trip walking distance is approximately

3.8 miles

.

What lakes are up Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Description:

Silver Lake

is located at the head of Big Cottonwood Canyon at 8,760 ft. This popular, family-friendly destination is a beautiful place to hike during the hot summer months of July and August when the mountain wildflowers burst into bloom.

What is the most scenic drive in Utah?

  1. Highway 12 | Southern Utah.
  2. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway | Heber Valley. …
  3. Potash Scenic Byway | Moab. …
  4. Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway | Northeastern Utah. …
  5. Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Hwy | Vernal. Drive where dinosaurs roamed. …

Can you drive through Little Cottonwood Canyon?


The Drive

.

Little Cottonwood Scenic Byway (S.R. 210) begins at the mouth of the canyon and can be accessed by taking I-215 to 6200 South/Canyons exit

.

Where is the mouth of Cottonwood Canyon?

The mouth of the canyon is

the quarry site for the massive granite blocks used in the LDS Salt Lake Temple and the Conference Center

.

Are chains required in Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Traction devices are required during severe winter weather conditions on roadways throughout Utah, including Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. AWD/4WD: M + S or M/S tires is the minimum requirement.

Traction devices such as chains or 3 peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) tires are also acceptable

.

Is Snowbird in Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Snowbird, Utah is in the heart of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in

Little Cottonwood Canyon

, one mile down canyon from Alta.

What canyon is Brighton resort in?

At the very top of

Big Cottonwood Canyon

, Brighton gets the very best of the “greatest snow on earth,” and lots of it.

Where is Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah?

Little Cottonwood Canyon lies

within the Wasatch-Cache National Forest along the eastern side of the Salt Lake Valley, roughly 15 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah

. The canyon is part of Granite, a CDP and “Community Council” designated by Salt Lake County.

Where is Uinta National Forest?

Uinta National Forest /juːˈɪntə/ is a national forest located in

north central Utah, USA

. It was originally part of the Uinta Forest Reserve, created by Grover Cleveland on 2 February 1897.

Is there a fee for Little Cottonwood Canyon?

Restrictions: Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are watersheds: NO PETS ALLOWED EVEN IN VEHICLES. Passes:

Mill Creek Canyon user fee is $5.00/per car, $3.00/senior, and $50.00/yearly pass

.

What mountains are in Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Overview. The

Wasatch Mountains

have a lot of wonderful peaks that have great hiking and climbing routes. Whether you like snow, alpine, or rock climbing, it’s all here within a short drive of the city. Big Cottonwood Canyon has many quartzite cliffs in the lower part of the canyon.

What is the largest canyon in Utah?


Zion Canyon

, Utah

Zion is home to the world’s largest arch: Kolob Arch, with a span of 310 feet.

What kind of rock is in Big Cottonwood Canyon?

The head of the canyon reveals 35-million-year-old igneous activity where a large body of magma intruded into the surrounding rock and, while beneath the Earth’s surface, then cooled and hardened into a

gray granitic rock called granodiorite

.

Is Cottonwood Canyon road paved?


Cottonwood Canyon Road is paved from Cannonville to Kodachrome Basin State Park

. From there, the unpaved backcountry road cuts through colorful Cottonwood Canyon following the curves of the Paria River and Cottonwood Wash for most of the way.

What is up Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a quick 25 minutes away from Salt Lake International Airport (22 miles), and is home to two world-class ski resorts (Solitude & Brighton), legendary rock climbing routes, epic backcountry skiing access, hiking and mountain biking trails, and picnic areas straight out of an outdoor magazine.

In which state is the Great Salt Lake?

The Great Salt Lake is one of the most asked-about tourist destinations in

Utah

. A remnant of the massive ancient Lake Bonneville, the lake is now landlocked and its waters are salty. It is the largest lake between the Great Lakes and the Pacific Ocean, and is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.