Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway Overview

Afternoon Sunlight on Freshly Fallen Snow in Big Cottonwood Canyon (UT) [1]

Driving along the belt route, on I-215, the Big Cottonwood Canyon sneaks up on you. It's there, just a few blocks from the main, bustling thoroughfare, an immediate reprieve from the sounds and pace of metropolitan Salt Lake County. Along this twisting byway, see spectacular views of rugged rocky peaks and beautiful mountain streams. Trees line the roadway, and in the fall, the leaves burst into eye-popping shades of red, orange, and yellow. All along this byway, find picnic areas, campgrounds, and hiking trails. Near the top of the canyon, Brighton and Solitude Ski Resorts offer world-class skiing on some of the best powder in the world.

Just have time for lunch? Stop at the Storm Mountain Picnic Area. Over 100 years ago, R.D. Maxfield, Jr. carved out a home here and raised his family. The site later became a popular area for picnics, and in the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built an amphitheater here for special events. Moss Ledge Picnic Area is another popular place to stop and relax. Nestled among dense trees, the area provides a secluded outdoor oasis.

At every turn of your journey up the canyon it seems there is another trail or side road to explore. The three-mile trail to Lake Blanche is a favorite of locals and with good reason. The trail leads through lush meadows and up treed mountainsides to stunning Lake Blanche. It's like a world apart, unbelievable that something so beautiful and seemingly remote resides so close to a sprawling metropolis. Meanwhile, road bikers stick to the highway. A tough ride up the byway rewards every rider with an intense, even gripping ride down the steep, narrow canyon.

Driving Down Big Cottonwood Canyon in Winter (UT) [2]

Towards the end of the canyon visit Brighton and Solitude Ski Resorts. Started in 1936 by the members of the Alpine Ski Club (later re-named The Wasatch Mountain Club), Brighton was the first serviced ski area in the state of Utah. In 1936 the enthusiasts used a half-inch wire rope and an old elevator drum to haul each other up the mountainside. Today, Brighton uses a high-speed detachable quad to take skiers and snowboarders to the mountaintop.

Winter at Solitude Ski Resort (UT) [3]

When skier Robert M. Barrett was denied bathroom access at Alta Ski Resort -- bathroom access was reserved for guests -- he decided to start his own ski resort. He subsequently purchased all the available land in Big Cottonwood Canyon, and in 1956 construction on Solitude Ski and Summer Resort began. The resort encapsulates a European-style village with restaurants, spas, shops, and lodging and is open both summer and winter. Both Brighton and Solitude offer lodging and dinning options, lessons and great skiing and snowboarding.

Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway is replete with outdoor options. So whether you're after a leisurely drive and picnic, a day on the slopes, or a hike or bike ride, Cottonwood Canyon is for you.