Millcreek Canyon

About Millcreek Canyon

Located just a short drive from Salt Lake City, Millcreek Canyon offers a quick escape into the natural beauty of the Wasatch Mountains.

During the summer months, the canyon’s picnic areas come alive with family gatherings and outdoor meals, while it’s trails attract hikers and mountain bikers alike.

When winter arrives, the canyon transforms into a hub for cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, fat biking, and even sledding, making it a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Things to know before visiting the canyon

Dogs:

Access for dogs to the canyon is managed on an even-odd day system.

Dogs are allowed in the canyon every day.
Off-leash days are on odd-numbered days.
On-leash days are on even-numbered days
Leashes are required in parking lots, camping areas, and at trailheads.

Admission:

A daily admission fee of $5 is required for vehicles, payable when exiting the canyon.
- This fee is $3 for seniors, $50 for an annual pass, or $30 for an annual senior pass

Canyon Accessibility:

The canyon is open year-round.
The upper gate closes to vehicles on November 1st and reopens in late spring (typically around July 1st – see map below for gate location).
During winter, the road past the upper gate is closed and groomed for cross-country skiing, snowshoers, fat tire bikers, sledders, etc!

Picnic Areas:

Summer picnic areas are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Group picnic sites can be reserved (July 1 to September 30).
First-come, first-served picnic sites are also available.

Camping:

Backcountry camping is allowed but must be 1/2 mile off the road and 200 feet from trails, developed areas, and water. Check for fire restrictions before heading out.
Big Water yurt (which requires a 4.5 mile ski or snowshoe) is available to reserve

Mountain Biking:

Even-numbered days | bikes ARE allowed on Big Water, Little Water, and Great Western trails.
Odd-numbered days | bikes are NOT allowed on the upper Mill Creek Big Water, Little Water and Great Western trails.
Bikes are always allowed on the Pipeline Trail.
Bikes are never allowed in Wilderness Areas, including the Mt. Olympus Wilderness Area.
Most trails in the canyon are shared-use. Be aware, be courteous, say “hi”!

Number of Trails:

There are over 20 trails in Millcreek Canyon, offering a variety of difficulty levels for hiking and biking.

Trails Utah continues to work with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest to plan for and maintain trails in the canyon. Below you’ll find a list of trails built by Trails Utah in Millcreek Canyon and an interactive Google Map to help you explore the rest.

Trails in Millcreek Canyon

Below are the trails that Trails Utah has helped to build or modify in Millcreek Canyon.

Big Water Trail to Dog Lake: This trail has been modified to make it accessible to adaptive riders. Everyone can enjoy this beautiful trail through alpine forests taking you to Dog Lake.
Upper Pipeline to Great Western Trail: This new 3-mile trail links trailheads at mid-canyon (Elbow Fork) and several trails accessed from Big Water Trailhead at the end of the canyon.
Rattlesnake Gulch Trail: This option to the steep gully trail is a popular shared-use trail enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers, and dog walkers alike.
Grandeur Peak to Pipeline: This newly constructed section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail creates a crucial connection to the Pipeline Trail and Wasatch Crest Trail beyond.
Bowman Fork Connector Trail: This is truly a stunning stretch of alpine trail that contours around through the upper basins and peaks of the Wasatch between Millcreek and Big Cottonwood Canyons.

Click here to see a trail map and list of 23 trails sprinkled throughout the stunning Millcreek Canyon.

If you’re looking forward to hiking all of these trails, you’ll have to do it this year. Millcreek Canyon is scheduled to close for close to two years beginning in Spring of 2025. More info on the canyon Road closure below.

Millcreek Canyon Road Closure

Millcreek Canyon Road will be closed for nearly two years to expand the road, create a bike lane, and add new parking lots.

Anticipated construction timeline: Spring 2025 – Fall 2026

Salt Lake County, Millcreek, and the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (UWCNF) are collaborating with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to enhance a 4.6-mile stretch of Mill Creek Canyon Road in Utah.

This project focuses on the area between the Winter Gate parking lot and the Upper Big Water Trailhead. The project aims to improve user safety, access to recreational areas, and water quality, which has been impacted by erosion and poor drainage. The enhancements will be made by expanding the road up to 24 feet, creating a bike lane, and add new parking lots.

Visit the FHWA Millcreek Canyon Road project page if you would like to read more about the environmental assessment report, biological resources report, cultural resources, and “finding of no significant impact” evaluation.

While this trail closure will effect many of Millcreek Canyon’s trails, we are working with them to figure out a way to bypass the construction. This would thereby keeping a handful of the upper trails open. Make sure to follow our Instagram and/or Facebook pages as that is where we will be posting updates.

Improvements Timeline

2021

Aug. - Oct. | Present scope of work, cost estimate, and timeline to local jurisdictions and partners 100%

Nov. 3 | Press conference and start identifying sources for $4.3M match 100%

Nov. 9 | Public Open House with FHWA Central Federal Lands Highway Division at Millcreek and 100%

Nov. 9 | Start of 30-day public comment period 100%

Week of Dec. 6 | Public comment period ends 100%

2022 | January - August

Consider public comments, Preliminary Design, environmental field surveys, technical analysis 100%

2023 | May - December

Pre-final design, final technical reports and NEPA documentation 100%

2024

Jan. - Mar. | Pre-final design, final technical reports and NEPA documentation 100%

Aug. - Nov. | Initiate construction. Prepare FLAP application for future phase: road improvements between Toll Booth and Winter Gate 52%

2025- 2026 | Two seasons of Construction

Construction is anticipated to take place during the available construction seasons in 2025 and 2026. During this time the road will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians. Major thru trails are anticipated to remain open with a road crossing at Elbow Fork. There will be a winter shutdown of construction activities allowing for ski grooming and pedestrian access on the roadway from mid-December to late-March. 0%

Construction is anticipated to take place during the available construction seasons in 2025 and 2026. During this time the road will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians.

Major thru trails are anticipated to remain open with a road crossing at Elbow Fork. There will be a winter shutdown of construction activities allowing for ski grooming and pedestrian access on the roadway from mid-December to late-March.

Help us build more trails in Millcreek Canyon!

While grants cover the costs of hiring trail builders and doing the hands on work, costs like putting this Millcreek Canyon resource together and working with our partners to determine what other trails are needed in Millcreek Canyon are not.

Consider supporting Trails Utah through donations or becoming a sustaining member.

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