Overview
Big Cottonwood Canyon is the standard against which SLC road cyclists measure themselves. It's not the steepest canyon on the Wasatch Front — that honor belongs to its neighbor to the south — but at 28 miles round-trip with 3,591 feet of gain, it demands sustained output over real distance. The road climbs SR-190 from the mouth of the canyon at roughly 4,900 feet all the way to the Brighton ski resort at 8,730 feet, threading through one of the most dramatic canyon corridors in the range.
What separates Big Cottonwood from the other canyon climbs is the sheer length of sustained effort. There are no flat recovery sections. The grade holds between 4% and 7% almost continuously for 14 miles, with a few kicks past 8% in the upper canyon. You'll feel good in the lower canyon and honest about your fitness by the time you hit Storm Mountain. That's not a warning — it's part of why people keep coming back. The climb has a way of sorting out exactly where you are.
The route is out-and-back on a single canyon road with no turn navigation required. It's for riders who can handle 2–3.5 hours at moderate effort with real elevation at the finish. First-timers should not underestimate the upper miles — 8,000 feet is thin air, and it will remind you if you forget.
The Route
The ride starts at the canyon mouth on SR-190 and follows the single road all the way to Brighton Ski Resort.
Miles 0–4: Lower Canyon The first four miles are a warm-up in character if not in grade. The road is wide, well-maintained, and carries moderate vehicle traffic headed to the ski areas and recreational areas above. The gradient is a consistent 4–5% — enough to establish your climbing rhythm without punishing you for starting too fast. Big Cottonwood Creek runs alongside the road on the right, and the canyon walls close in quickly from the valley floor. There's a pullout at Storm Mountain Picnic Area around mile 3.5 that marks your transition out of the lower section.
Miles 4–8: The Middle Canyon This is where Big Cottonwood shows its character. The road narrows slightly, traffic thins, and the canyon walls climb higher on both sides. The gradient stays honest — expect 5–6% — and the steady effort here is where you'll find your threshold. The canyon twists through several bends, and on a clear morning the filtered light through the pines and canyon walls is reason enough to be out here. Dogwood campground and the Silver Fork Lodge area mark the midpoint of the climb.
Miles 8–11: The Upper Canyon Past the Silver Fork junction, the road opens up slightly and the gradient eases for a half-mile before the final push begins. You're above 7,500 feet now, and if you haven't noticed the thinner air, the next few miles will introduce you. The upper canyon is more exposed — fewer trees, more sky, views of the surrounding peaks that start making the effort feel earned. The road passes the turn for Solitude Mountain Resort at around mile 11.
Miles 11–14: Brighton The final miles to Brighton are the most exposed and, on a hot summer morning, the most alpine-feeling of any climb on the Wasatch Front. You're above 8,000 feet by mile 13. The ski resort parking lot at Brighton — where most riders turn around — sits at 8,730 feet. On a clear day you can see across the upper canyon basin toward Clayton Peak and the Cottonwood Ridge. Take a moment before pointing downhill.
The Descent The 14-mile return is one of the better descents in the Wasatch. Speeds come easily — 40+ mph on the straight sections is routine — but the canyon road has enough bend in the lower canyon to demand attention. Watch for gravel on the road surface after any rain, particularly in the corners below mile 5. The biggest hazard on this descent isn't the speed: it's the car traffic climbing the canyon. Stay right and brake early for blind corners. Give yourself ten minutes to recover at the top before descending if you pushed the climb hard.
What to Bring
- 2+ water bottles — the canyon has no reliable fill stations on the road; the resort area at Brighton is seasonal and not guaranteed
- Arm warmers or a light layer — the Brighton finish is 8,700 feet and will be noticeably cooler than the valley; the descent will make you cold if you're sweat-soaked
- Sunscreen — the upper canyon is exposed and the UV index at elevation is not a joke
- Enough food — at 2–3.5 hours, this is a proper effort; at least one bar or gel for the upper canyon
Local Tips
- Best window: Tuesday through Thursday mornings in June through September, before 10am — the canyon road gets heavy weekend traffic from hikers, campers, and resort-goers; weekday mornings are a fundamentally different experience
- Benchmark time: A fit recreational cyclist climbs to Brighton in 80–95 minutes. Strong sport riders aim for 65–75. Local Cat 3 racers chase sub-60. It's a useful number to track across the season.
- Combine it: Some riders climb to Solitude (mile 11) instead of Brighton for a slightly shorter day; others continue past Brighton to the Guardsman Pass turnoff for a substantially longer adventure — see the Guardsman Pass Overlook route
- Watershed rules: Big Cottonwood Canyon is part of the Salt Lake City watershed — no dogs, no swimming in the creek. The rule is enforced.
- Post-ride: The Log Haven restaurant is about 4 miles up the canyon and not typically open for casual post-ride stops, but the Millcreek area at the bottom of Big Cottonwood has several good options — Cotton Bottom Inn (yes, the garlic burger) is a local institution