Little Cottonwood Canyon

Little Cottonwood Canyon is a steep valley in the Wasatch Range with dramatic granite walls on either side of a flowing creek. The narrow passage widens in places to reveal meadows and dense forests of pine and aspen, with the landscape becoming more sparse and rocky at higher elevations.

Silver deposits discovered in the 1800s brought mining camps and mills throughout the canyon, with Alta becoming a significant mining town. When silver demand declined, the area transitioned to recreation and skiing, though remnants of mine tailings and old structures remain visible in some sections.

The canyon's name traces back to the Ute word for the fine fiber from the cottonwood tree, reflecting the plant life that shaped early settlements in the region. People today notice this heritage when walking through groves that still dot the streamside and in the way visitors find quiet spots beneath towering rock faces.

The main road up the canyon is open during warmer months but typically closed in winter due to heavy snow. Day trips work well for hiking, though higher elevations get cold quickly, so warm layers and sturdy shoes are worth bringing year-round.

The canyon receives more snow in a year than almost anywhere else in North America, fueling two major ski resorts that have operated there for decades. This abundance of snow makes for excellent skiing but also means most trails become impassable for much of the winter season.

Location: Salt Lake County

Elevation above the sea: 1,566 m

GPS coordinates: 40.57100,-111.70700

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:07