Where can I park in the Cottonwood Canyons in the summer?

Planning a trip into the Cottonwood Canyons means knowing your parking options—especially during the busy summer season. With limited roadside parking, designated fee areas, and increasing visitation, it’s important to plan ahead so you can spend more time enjoying the canyon and less time worrying about where you’re allowed to park.

In this guide: We’ll answer some of the most commonly asked questions about summer parking in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Where Can I Park in the Cottonwood Canyons?

Daytime Parking Options

Parking in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons is spread out across trailheads, roadside pull-offs, and a few larger developed areas. Your parking strategy depends on where you’re headed and how early you arrive.

Forest Service Trailhead Parking Areas

Most summer visitors park at Forest Service trailheads. These are spread throughout both canyons and provide access to the most popular recreation areas for direct access to hiking and climbing routes.

Major Forest Service trailheads include:

Big Cottonwood Canyon

• Silver Lake / Brighton Lakes
• Donut Falls
• Cardiff Fork / Mill D North & South
• Mill B North & South
• Butler Fork
• Bear Trap Fork
• Spruces 
• Storm Mountain
• Ledgemere / Dogwood / Birch Hollow 

Little Cottonwood Canyon

• White Pine Trailhead
• Temple Quarry
• Lisa Falls
• Albion Basin / Cecret Lake / Albion Meadows

These trailheads are part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest system and are the primary legal parking locations for recreation visitors.

During busy summer weekends, many trailheads fill early. Arriving earlier in the day or visiting during off-peak hours can improve your chances of finding a parking space.

Do I Have to Pay to Park in the Cottonwood Canyons?

Sometimes.

Many popular recreation sites fall within Forest Service Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) fee areas. If you’re parking within one of these designated zones, you’ll need a valid pass.

In total, there are five REA locations in the Cottonwood Canyons.

Big Cottonwood Canyon

• Mill B / S-Curves > summer-only fee area
• Cardiff Fork / Donut Falls (both sides of the road) > summer-only fee area
• Silver Lake Recreation Complex > year-round REA fee area

Little Cottonwood Canyon

• Grit Mill Trailhead > year-round REA fee area
• White Pine Trailhead > year-round REA fee area

Starting on June 1, 2026 REA fees in the Cottonwood Canyons are:

• $10 – 3-day pass
• $20 – 7-day pass
• $60 – Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Annual Pass
• $80 – America the Beautiful Pass

These fees apply to all areas. Fees are charged per vehicle (not person) and apply within designated REA zones. 

For current pricing and maps, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/uinta-wasatch-cache/passes

For more information about REA fees in the Cottonwood Canyons check out our blog: What you need to know about Forest Service Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) Fee Areas in the Cottonwood Canyons

Can I Park on the Side of the Road?

Yes—but only in designated areas.

Roadside parking is available along portions of both SR-190 in Big Cottonwood Canyon and SR-210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon. However, parking restrictions vary by location, and enforcement is active throughout the summer season.

Before You Park

• Park completely to the right of the white line.
• Follow all posted signs and restrictions.
• Do not block traffic, trailhead access, gates, or emergency access routes.
• Only park in areas where roadside parking is permitted.

Town of Brighton Parking

Roadside parking is managed by the Town of Brighton along SR-190 in Big Cottonwood Canyon, from approximately ¼ mile above Willow Heights Trailhead to the Guardsman Pass Road intersection.

Parking is only permitted in designated areas where signed. The Town has identified specific zones where roadside parking is prohibited, and violations may result in a $150 fine issued to the vehicle owner.

Vehicle tires must be parked completely to the right of the white line. You may receive a citation if any part of your vehicle is in the travel lane.

There is no overnight roadside parking permitted from 12 a.m. to 7 a.m.

You can find a summary of parking rules and maps on our Travel Resources page or visit the Town of Brighton website.

Town of Alta Parking

The Town of Alta manages roadside parking along SR-210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon between Our Lady of the Snows and Grizzly Gulch.

Observe posted signage and parking restrictions to avoid a ticket. It is illegal to:

• Leave a vehicle in areas marked “No Parking” or where roadside parking is not permitted
• Leave a vehicle unattended in a manner that obstructs traffic

Parking regulations are enforced, and restrictions may vary by location and time of day.You can find a summary of parking rules and maps on our Travel Resources page or visit the Town of Alta website for official updates.

Is There a Shuttle or Public Transit Alternative?

For most summer visitors, the answer is no.

Unlike winter, when UTA operates seasonal ski bus service to Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon, there is currently no regular public transit service to most summer recreation destinations in the Cottonwood Canyons. UTA’s ski bus service operates during the winter season and ends in the spring. Visitors planning summer hikes should not expect bus service to trailheads in either canyon.

While there is no canyon-wide summer shuttle system, a few seasonal services are available for specific destinations and events.

Snowbird Oktoberfest Shuttle

Visitors attending Snowbird’s Oktoberfest can take advantage of a free weekend shuttle service offered by Snowbird during the festival season. The shuttle operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day from August through October and is intended specifically for Oktoberfest attendees. It is not a general transportation service for canyon recreation.

Bloods Lake and Bonanza Flat Transit Service

If you’re visiting the Guardsman Pass area, Park City Transit offers seasonal service to the Bloods Lake and Bonanza Flat trailheads via its Purple Route. This service replaced the former Transit to Trails program and provides a car-free option for visitors recreating in the Bonanza Flat area. However, it does not serve destinations elsewhere in Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Where Can I Park Overnight in the Cottonwood Canyons?

Overnight parking is allowed in some locations, but overnight parking and overnight camping are not the same thing.

What Counts as Overnight Parking?

Overnight parking means leaving your vehicle parked while you’re:

• Backpacking or in the backcountry
• Staying in a lodge or campground

It does not mean sleeping in your car.

Due to watershed protection regulations, camping or sleeping in a vehicle is prohibited within one-half mile of any roadway in the Cottonwood Canyons except in designated campgrounds.

Where You Can Stay Overnight

Developed Campgrounds (Forest Service) Locations:

Big Cottonwood Canyon

• Spruces Campground
• Jordan Pines Campground
• Redman Campground

Little Cottonwood Canyon

• Tanners Flat Campground
• Albion Basin Campground

Don’t forget: Campgrounds are seasonal, often require reservations, and can fill quickly during summer weekends.

Trailhead Overnight Parking

Some trailheads allow overnight parking for backcountry users.

If you’re leaving your vehicle overnight:

• Check posted signs before parking.
• Follow all trailhead-specific restrictions.
• Do not camp or sleep in your vehicle.
• Be prepared for regulations to vary by location.

Plan Ahead Before You Go

Summer visitation in the Cottonwood Canyons continues to grow, and parking areas can fill quickly on weekends and holidays. Knowing where you can park, when fees apply, and what rules govern roadside and overnight parking can help make your trip smoother.

Before heading up the canyon, check trailhead conditions, parking restrictions, and current recreation fee information so you can spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time searching for a parking spot.