Activities in Utah › Nature Areas & Viewpoints › Alta

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Where: E Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Alta, UT (Salt Lake County)
Indoors or outdoors: Outdoors
Good for: outdoor lovers
Phone: +1 801-534-4900

Good to know

Big Cottonwood Canyon offers dramatic alpine scenery along a scenic byway east of Salt Lake City. The narrow canyon creates striking landscape views, making it appealing to anyone seeking mountain scenery. Plan for about an hour round trip from the city.

Updated October 22, 2026

Also listed as Big Cottonwood Canyon in Brighton.

Open in Go Do — make plans with friends

To reach Big Cottonwood Canyon from Salt Lake City, take I-215 to the 6200 South "Canyons" exit and then continue east on U-152, following signs to Solitude and Brighton. This 15-mile scenic byway takes about one hour round trip. From the main road, this canyon narrows almost immediately into dramatic alpine scenery.

About Big Cottonwood Canyon

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a nature area or viewpoint in Alta, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It's an outdoor activity. Within 30 miles there are 179 other nature areas and viewpoints, the nearest being Moss Ledge Waterfall (about 1.3 miles). Good for outdoor lovers.