Big Cottonwood Canyon

Big Cottonwood Canyon is located on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley, in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, and between Mill Creek Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon. Few areas in Utah experience as many visitors as Big Cottonwood. There is ample opportunity for hiking, bicycling, camping, back-packing, rock climbing, scenic driving, fishing, skiing, and so much more.

But so much opportunity has also brought conflicting interests within the canyon. The land has been divided among different interest groups such as private property, the Forest Service, ski resorts, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and wilderness. To the north of Big Cottonwood lies the Mt. Olympus wilderness area, and to the south the Twin Peaks wilderness area. Big Cottonwood Creek is an important water resource for many residents of the Salt Lake Valley.

With all of these groups pushing for their interests, harmful actions are threatening Big Cottonwood Canyon. For example, heli-skiing is a potentially dangerous activity that destroys the backcountry for people and wildlife alike. Unreasonable RS 2477 claims threaten the designation of wilderness areas and the integrity of the canyon. Also, proposed changes to the airspace by the FAA present a disturbance to the Mt. Olympus wilderness area with high levels of noise.

Sorting through these issues is a daunting task, but one that Save Our Canyons is dedicated to taking on in the hopes of preserving the natural wonders that have made Big Cottonwood Canyon such a popular destination.

Big Cottonwood Canyon Links:

Click here to view a map of BCC

Click here to go to the Salt Lake County website and stay current on local government issues

Click here to go to the Big Cottonwood Community Council webpage