Little Cottonwood Canyon by motorcycle
SR-210 runs from Cottonwood Heights on the edge of Salt Lake City up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird and Alta (Wikipedia). It is short and steep: the canyon road climbs about 8.3 miles from the base to the top at an average grade of 9.2% (Wikipedia). It is a dead end, so you ride it up and back, and it pairs well with Big Cottonwood Canyon next door.
The route at a glance
- Road: SR-210, paved all the way to Alta Ski Area (Wikipedia).
- Start: SR-190 (Wasatch Boulevard / Fort Union Boulevard), Cottonwood Heights (Wikipedia).
- Length: 12.5 miles by the mileposts from Cottonwood Heights to Alta Ski Area (Wikipedia). The canyon climb itself is about 8.3 miles (Wikipedia).
- Grade: 9.2% on average up the canyon (Wikipedia). Use the gears on the way down, not just the brakes.
- Fees: none today. UDOT plans winter-only tolls for drivers from fall 2028, starting just before the first ski resort; the rate is not set (KPCW).
- Season: the road serves the ski areas all year, but winter brings avalanche-control closures (below). Spring to fall is the time to ride it.
Mileposts
| Milepost | Place |
|---|---|
| 0.0 | SR-190 (Wasatch Boulevard), Cottonwood Heights |
| 1.2 | 3500 East (the old line of SR-210) |
| 3.9 | SR-209 west (Little Cottonwood Road), Sandy; the canyon mouth is near here |
| 10.8 | Snowbird; Alta Bypass Road branches off |
| 11.6 | Alta; the Bypass Road rejoins |
| 12.5 | Alta Ski Area; end of the main road |
Mileposts from Wikipedia's junction list, rounded to a tenth. The Alta Bypass Road, built in 1975, is a second 1.1-mile link between Snowbird and Alta, used when slides close the main road (Wikipedia).
Up the canyon
Near the mouth, pioneers quarried the granite for the Salt Lake Temple (Wikipedia). From there the road climbs steadily to Snowbird and then Alta. Both resorts run summer activities (Wikipedia), so the top of the canyon has places to stop.
Above Alta: the Albion Basin road is dirt
Past Alta Ski Area the Albion Basin Summer Road climbs about 2.5 miles to the basin. It is a dirt road "not suitable for low-clearance vehicles", with a 15 mph limit, a $12 amenity fee at the booth, and parking only in the marked lots (Alta Ski Area). It typically stays open through November 1 (Alta Ski Area). On a road bike, turn round at the end of the pavement.
Winter
Little Cottonwood is avalanche country: Alta averages around 550 inches of snow a year (Wikipedia). UDOT closes SR-210 for avalanche control, uphill and downhill, sometimes for hours at a time (KJZZ, January 2023). Skip it from late fall to spring.
Before you ride
- Fuel: none of our sources list gas in the canyon. Fill up in the valley.
- Cold: the top is far higher and cooler than the city. Bring a warm layer.
- Cyclists: expect them on the climb, and give them room.
- Rules for visiting riders (helmets, eye protection, lane filtering): Riding in Utah.
Join it up
- Two canyons in a morning: SR-210 starts where it meets SR-190 on Wasatch Boulevard (Wikipedia), and SR-190 is the Big Cottonwood road. Ride Little Cottonwood up and back, then go up Big Cottonwood and over Guardsman Pass to Park City or Midway in summer.
- Further south: the Alpine Loop (SR-92) starts at I-15 in Lehi.
- From the city: Salt Lake City by motorcycle.
Rent a bike
Booking opens soon. Until then, use the ride guides to plan your trip.