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Cottonwood canyon traffic
The roads up Little Cottonwood (SR-210) and Big Cottonwood (SR-190) jam on weekends, holidays and powder days. Here’s what UDOT and the resorts actually publish about timing, plus how to check before you go.
- Peak up
- 7–10am
- Peak down
- 3–5pm
- Best days
- Tue–Thu
- I-215 to Alta
- 28 min*
*Ideal conditions. On avalanche-closure days UDOT measured 45–120 minutes, and closures can add 2–4 hours or more (UDOT study figures, 2019). UDOT’s pages give the morning peak as both 7–9am and 8–10am, so we show 7–10am.
What slows the canyons down
- Weekends, holidays and storms. UDOT’s Little Cottonwood study found traffic heaviest on weekends and holidays, and during and after snowstorms.
- Avalanche control. Overnight closures typically start about 12:30am after heavy snow, and daytime closures happen when conditions call for it. During a full closure, all uphill and downhill traffic waits. More on closures and interlodge.
- Uphill restrictions. When resort lots fill, UDOT stops uphill cars, typically 11am–1pm. In Big Cottonwood the turnaround is at Cardiff Fork, and in Little Cottonwood at the canyon mouth. If only Alta is full, UDOT may restrict just the Alta bypass road. UTA buses are exempt.
- Full lots and roadside parking. UDOT says limited parking leads to on-road parking that slows everyone. Parking is banned in avalanche zones Nov 1–May 15, and at trailheads 10pm–6am. Fines run $75–$150.
- Crashes and slide-offs. Downhill traffic can be held while a crash is cleared or emergency vehicles go through. Check the traction law before you drive; it’s enforced at the canyon mouths.
Parking rules that change when to arrive
| Alta | Reservation 8am–1pm Fri–Sun and holidays from Dec 11: $25, or $10 with an online ticket. Before 8am: early reservation, $15 Mon–Thu, $25 Fri–Sun. No reservation: $150 fine. Alta ↗ |
|---|---|
| Brighton | Reservation before noon Fri–Sun and holidays: $25 for 1–3 people, $10 with 4 or more. Free Mon–Thu and after noon. Brighton ↗ |
| Solitude | Moonbeam lot, Dec 18–Mar 28: reservation before 11am Fri–Sun and holidays, $35 for 1–3 people, free with 4 or more (still reserve). Free after 11am. Solitude ↗ |
Arriving after the reservation window ends is free at all three, but on busy days you may meet an uphill restriction instead. Today’s rules for every resort are on the parking page.
Check before you leave
- UDOT Cottonwood Canyons road information ↗: canyon cameras, sign messages and road forecasts.
- The UDOT Traffic app or site. You can sign up for incident alerts on your route by text or email (UDOT ↗).
- On X and Instagram: @UDOTcottonwoods for road status, @UDOTavy for avalanche closures, and the resorts’ @AltaAlerts and @snowbirdalerts.
- The Utah Avalanche Center forecast ↗ for avalanche danger.
Getting down
UDOT puts the afternoon peak at 3–5pm. Leaving before 3 or after 5 avoids the worst of it. Neither UDOT nor the resorts publish specific departure advice beyond that. If the road is held for a crash or avalanche work, you wait at the top.
Bus or car?
- There are no bus-only lanes in either canyon yet, so buses sit in the same traffic.
- Buses are exempt from uphill restrictions, and you skip parking reservations and fees. See the ski bus guide for routes and dates.
- When the road closes for avalanche control, buses stop too.
What’s coming
UDOT plans more frequent canyon buses, a large parking hub near the Big Cottonwood mouth, removal of about 230 winter roadside spots near the Little Cottonwood resorts, and tolls on peak winter days in both canyons. It has said fall 2028 is the target; nothing changes for 2026–27. (Little Cottonwood FAQ ↗ · Big Cottonwood study ↗)
Sources: UDOT closures and restrictions ↗ · UDOT travel resources ↗ · UDOT avalanche information ↗ · Little Cottonwood study factsheet ↗.
Common questions
What is the best time to drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon?
UDOT says Tuesday to Thursday is best, and lists peak traffic as roughly 7–10am uphill and 3–5pm downhill. Its suggested travel window is 11am–3pm. Park-and-ride lots near the canyon fill by about 8:30am.
How long does it take to drive from I-215 to Alta?
About 28 minutes in ideal conditions. On avalanche-closure days UDOT measured 45–120 minutes, and closures can add 2–4 hours.
What is an uphill restriction?
When resort parking fills, UDOT stops uphill cars, typically 11am–1pm. UTA ski buses are exempt.
How do I know if the Cottonwood canyons are closed?
Check UDOT’s Cottonwood Canyons road information page and cameras, the UDOT Traffic app, or @UDOTcottonwoods on X and Instagram.
Checked 4 Nov 2026 against UDOT, UTA, resort and operator sources.