Rob's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Big Cottonwood Canyon is a quick 25 minutes away from Salt Lake International Airport (22 miles), and is home to two world-class ski resorts (Solitude & Brighton), legendary rock climbing routes, epic backcountry skiing access, hiking and mountain biking trails, and picnic areas straight out of an outdoor magazine. So come take a drive through this ancient canyon created by both glacier and stream erosion. Pack a picnic and maybe your hiking boots to stretch your legs.
Big Cottonwood Canyon Road
South Big Cottonwood Canyon RoadBig Cottonwood Canyon is a quick 25 minutes away from Salt Lake International Airport (22 miles), and is home to two world-class ski resorts (Solitude & Brighton), legendary rock climbing routes, epic backcountry skiing access, hiking and mountain biking trails, and picnic areas straight out of an outdoor magazine. So come take a drive through this ancient canyon created by both glacier and stream erosion. Pack a picnic and maybe your hiking boots to stretch your legs.
Come check out Antelope island in the middle of the largest inland sea in North America. Enjoy a long drive with places to picnic, beautiful scenery, best of all Bison!
Antelope Island Road
Antelope Island RoadCome check out Antelope island in the middle of the largest inland sea in North America. Enjoy a long drive with places to picnic, beautiful scenery, best of all Bison!
You want to get away from it all, but you want to do it somewhere, um, not that far away. And maybe somewhere you can ski in the winter and hike in the summer, and also bring your dog off-leash on odd-numbered calendar days? May we recommend Millcreek Canyon, a hop, skip and a jump from the city’s salty center where you can hop, skip and jump along miles of mountain trails.
Millcreek Canyon Road
Mill Creek Canyon RoadYou want to get away from it all, but you want to do it somewhere, um, not that far away. And maybe somewhere you can ski in the winter and hike in the summer, and also bring your dog off-leash on odd-numbered calendar days? May we recommend Millcreek Canyon, a hop, skip and a jump from the city’s salty center where you can hop, skip and jump along miles of mountain trails.
Sightseeing
Only 25 miles from Salt Lake City, Little Cottonwood Canyon can be reached by taking the 6200 South "Canyons" exit from I-215 and continue east to the canyon on U-210 following signs for Snowbird and Alta
At the mouth of the canyon is the site where Mormon settlers quarried granite slabs to build the Salt Lake Temple.
Wilderness Areas are located on both sides of the steep canyon. Summer recreational activities here include rock climbing, camping, picnicking and hiking.
The canyon is home for two of Utah's ski and summer resorts. At world class Snowbird, Utah's only aerial tramway carries visitors to the roof of the Rockies for a panoramic view from 11,000-foot Hidden Peak. One mile further is Alta. Notorious for shootings in its 26 saloons during the mining days of the 1860's and 70's, Alta died quickly, but livened up again in 1938 as the seat of Utah's first ski resort. The Albion Basin becomes a hikers and mountain bikers paradise once the snow has all melted.
This 7 mile scenic byway from the Salt Lake Valley to Alta and back requires approximately one hour.
Little Cottonwood Canyon Road
Little Cottonwood Canyon RoadOnly 25 miles from Salt Lake City, Little Cottonwood Canyon can be reached by taking the 6200 South "Canyons" exit from I-215 and continue east to the canyon on U-210 following signs for Snowbird and Alta
At the mouth of the canyon is the site where Mormon settlers quarried granite slabs to build the Salt Lake Temple.
Wilderness Areas are located on both sides of the steep canyon. Summer recreational activities here include rock climbing, camping, picnicking and hiking.
The canyon is home for two of Utah's ski and summer resorts. At world class Snowbird, Utah's only aerial tramway carries visitors to the roof of the Rockies for a panoramic view from 11,000-foot Hidden Peak. One mile further is Alta. Notorious for shootings in its 26 saloons during the mining days of the 1860's and 70's, Alta died quickly, but livened up again in 1938 as the seat of Utah's first ski resort. The Albion Basin becomes a hikers and mountain bikers paradise once the snow has all melted.
This 7 mile scenic byway from the Salt Lake Valley to Alta and back requires approximately one hour.
Food Scene
This partially-enclosed shopping center is built in large, renovated trolley barns, and is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. It is conveniently located along the TRAX light rail mass transit line and is located just southeast of downtown Salt Lake City.
113 locals recommend
Trolley Square
602 E 500 SThis partially-enclosed shopping center is built in large, renovated trolley barns, and is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. It is conveniently located along the TRAX light rail mass transit line and is located just southeast of downtown Salt Lake City.