Your Guide to Leaf Peeping in the Cottonwood Canyons

Fall is a great time to take a scenic drive, hit the trails or enjoy the changing colors in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon. Popular destinations and trailheads can be busy during fall color season, so planning ahead can help make your trip a little easier.

Whether you’re planning a drive over Guardsman Pass or heading to one of the canyons’ popular trailheads, a little planning can help you enjoy the fall colors, manage traffic and navigate parking.

Use this guide before heading out for leaf peeping season.

When is the best time to see fall colors in the Cottonwood Canyons?

Fall foliage in the Cottonwood Canyons is typically at its peak in late September to early October. What you’ll see varies by elevation; higher-elevation areas, such as Guardsman Pass, tend to reach peak color first, and then the color moves down the canyons.

Colors can last through October, but it’s weather dependent. A cold snap, rain or snow can end the leaf peeping season quickly.

As the peak season approaches, follow local meteorologists who monitor the fall colors forecast. But keep in mind, weekends will be busy when the leaves are at their peak. If your schedule allows, plan your visit for a weekday to avoid the busiest traffic and parking conditions.

Guardsman Pass scenic drive

Guardsman Pass is one of the most scenic drives in the Cottonwood Canyons during the fall. The road connects Big Cottonwood Canyon with Park City and provides access to popular recreation areas including Bloods Lake and Bonanza Flat. It also connects the Wasatch Front to the Heber Valley via Pine Canyon.

From Big Cottonwood Canyon, Guardsman Pass Road climbs through the Brighton area before reaching the summit. The road is seasonal, and its opening and closure depend on weather and road conditions. Check current road conditions for Big Cottonwood and the Wasatch Back before heading out to make sure the road is open.

Traveler Tip: Dogs are not allowed anywhere in Big Cottonwood Canyon, including in a vehicle. So if you’ve got your furry friend along for the ride, you’ll have to stay on the Park City side and not continue past the Guardsman Pass summit. There is space to turn around at either of the trailheads or the Guardsman Pass Overlook.

Dogs are also not allowed at Bloods Lake, but they are allowed on the surrounding trails.

Where can I park in the Guardsman Pass area?

Parking options in the Guardsman Pass and Bonanza Flat area consist of five primary designated trailhead lots, along with specific rules, transit options, and seasonal restrictions.

Bloods Lake Trailhead

• Location: Located about 1 mile southeast of Empire Pass along Guardsman Pass Road (SR-190/SR-224).
• Capacity & Features: The largest designated lot in the area with roughly 50 dirt stalls, pit-style restrooms, and trash facilities. Provides direct access to Bloods Lake, Lackawaxen Lake, and Shadow Lake trails.
• Regulations: Requires a paid parking fee during daytime hours (free after 4:00 p.m.). Park City locals with an 84060 permit can park using local passes.

Bonanza Flat Trailhead

• Location: On the Empire Pass side, before the intersection with Guardsman Pass Road and Pine Canyon.
• Capacity & Features: Small dirt lot with roughly 50 stalls providing access to  lower Bonanza Flat trails and connecting routes.
• Regulations: Part of the paid Bonanza Flat trailhead parking zone.

Empire Pass Trailhead

• Location: On SR-224 in Park City, about a mile above the Montage roundabout.
• Capacity & Features: Dirt lot with space for about a dozen vehicles, as well as a pit toilet, picnic table, and trash receptacle. Leads to a high-elevation scenic viewpoint and access to mountain biking trails.
• Regulations: Managed under Park City’s Bonanza Flat paid parking system (details below).

Wasatch Crest Trailhead

• Location: Just off Guardsman Pass Road (SR-190), about one mile west of Guardsman Pass Overlook.
• Capacity &  Features: A pit toilet and space for a handful of vehicles down a short dirt spur road right at the trailhead, plus space for a few more cars at the turnoff from Guardsman Pass Road.
• Regulations: Free parking.

*Little Joe Loop Trailhead (Restricted Use)

• Location: Where Empire Pass (SR-224) meets Guardsman Pass Road and Pine Canyon Road.
• Regulations: Little Joe Loop Trailhead no longer offers public parking except for vehicles with a disabled plate/placard. For others who want to hike Little Joe Loop, park at Bonanza Flat and use the half-mile connector trail.

*Guardsman Pass Overlook (Restricted Use)

• Location: On Guardsman Pass Road (SR-190), about one mile west of Bloods Lake Trailhead.
• Regulations: Parking for trail access is no longer allowed at Guardsman Pass Overlook, but you may park here temporarily to take in the view or use the restroom.

How to park

Bonanza Flat Trailhead and Bloods Lake Trailhead have paid parking lots. These are the rates as of 2026:

• $8 per hour on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• $5 per hour on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Free from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m.
• Free for residents in ZIP code 84060 who register for a season parking permit

Bonanza Flat and Bloods Lake trailheads have cameras, so you can check the parking lot capacity before you drive up. If your intended destination is full, use another designated parking area or return at a less busy time.

Can I park on the road on Guardsman Pass?

No. Roadside parking is prohibited along Guardsman Pass Road.

The road is narrow, and vehicles parked along the shoulder can block traffic and create a safety hazard. If a designated parking area is full, do not park along the road or shoulder.

The scenic overlook at the top of the pass has a few parking spaces for quick scenic stops or drop-offs. Do not leave your vehicle there while hiking or riding.

Traveler Tip: On-street parking along Guardsman Pass Road is strictly prohibited. Enforcement is active, and vehicles parked along the shoulder or outside designated parking areas may be ticketed and towed.

Is there public transit to Guardsman Pass?

Yes, you can ride the Utah Open Lands shuttle from Big Cottonwood Canyon Park and Ride or Park City Transit’s 9 Purple bus from Park City to Bonanza Flat and Bloods Lake Trailheads. These are a great option to avoid parking hassles, and you can take in the beautiful scenery without worrying about needing to keep your eyes on the road.

Service dates and schedules may change. Confirm the current schedule before your trip.

Utah Open Lands shuttle

• Stops: Big Cottonwood Canyon Park and Ride in Cottonwood Heights, Bloods Lake Trailhead, and Bonanza Flat Trailhead
• 2026 service: Saturdays and Sundays through September 27, 2026
• Bikes allowed? Yes
• Dogs allowed? No (except service animals)
• Cost: Free

👉Schedule and more info about the Utah Open Lands shuttle

Park City Transit’s 9 Purple Route

• Stops: Old Town Transit Center in Park City, the Montage at Deer Valley, Bonanza Flat Trailhead, and Bloods Lake Trailhead
• Days: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October 31, 2026
• Bikes allowed? Yes
• Dogs allowed? Yes (with certain rules)
• Cost: Free

👉Schedule and more info about the 9 Purple Route

Driving safely on Guardsman Pass

Guardsman Pass, Empire Pass, and Pine Canyon are popular scenic roads traveled by a variety of users. These roads are narrow, two-lane mountain roads with steep ascents and descents and tight switchbacks that serve passenger cars, cyclists, and motorcycles. Keep the following in mind to navigate these roads safely.

• Be alert: Keep your full attention on the road, no texting and driving, and turn off cruise control so you can respond quickly, especially at pedestrian crossings.
• Use caution: Maintain a safe following distance. Blind corners and steep drop-offs with limited guardrails mean you need to stay in your lane and never cut corners.
• Follow the speed limit: The posted speed limit in this area varies from 25 mph to 35 mph. Lower speeds give you more reaction time on steep descents and sharp curves. Manage your descent speed by downshifting into a lower gear (engine braking) rather than riding your brakes to avoid brake overheating and mechanical failure.
• Watch for wildlife: Deer, elk, moose, and smaller wildlife frequently cross these roads, and are most active during dawn and dusk when visibility is reduced. Remember that if one animal crosses, others often follow.
• Watch for cyclists: Cyclists heavily use Empire Pass, Guardsman Pass, and Pine Canyon. Give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing. Be aware that downhill cyclists can travel as fast as motorized vehicles.
• Plan for weather: Mountain pass weather changes rapidly, even during summer and fall. High-elevation roads can experience sudden rain, hail, or early seasonal snowfall that makes asphalt extremely slick and traction restrictions can go into effect at any time. Check road conditions before driving up any mountain pass.
• Check your vehicle: Ensure your brakes, tires, and cooling systems are in good condition. Steep grades put high stress on vehicle engines while long descents put friction and heat on your brakes. If you  smell overheated brakes, find a safe place to stop and allow them to cool.

Other ways to see fall foliage in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons

Guardsman Pass isn’t the only place to see fall colors in the Cottonwood Canyons. Several trails provide fall views,  but trailhead parking can fill quickly on the weekends. 

Check parking requirements before your trip and have an alternate destination in mind.  Visit Salt Lake’s fall colors guide has additional ideas for viewing fall foliage in the area.

What to know about REA fees

Many popular hiking and recreation areas in the Cottonwood Canyons are located within USDA Forest Service Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) fee areas.The fee is charged per vehicle, not per person, and roadside parking within a posted fee area also requires a valid pass.

Current REA pass options include:

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

Before you leave your vehicle, check posted signs to determine whether you are within an REA fee area and make sure your required pass is clearly displayed.

Where are the REA fee areas in the Cottonwood Canyons?

There are seven REA fee areas in the Cottonwood Canyons. Some are seasonal.

Big Cottonwood Canyon

• Mill B / S-Curves — summer only
• Cardiff Fork (both sides of the road) — year-round
• Donut Falls — summer only
• Spruces Winter Trailhead — winter only
• Silver Lake Recreation Complex — year-round

Little Cottonwood Canyon

• Grit Mill Trailhead — year-round
• White Pine Trailhead — year-round

👉 Learn more about REA fee areas, passes and maps in the Cottonwood Canyons.