Millcreek Canyon Road Closure
Millcreek Canyon Road Closure map

The Millcreek Canyon Road Closure

The upper section of Millcreek Canyon Road is slated to be closed for nearly two years in Phase 1 of this project. The purpose of the closure is to expand the road, create a bike lane, and add new parking lots.

Phase 2, which includes construction on the lower section of the canyon, will not require a complete road closure. Details on phase 2 are still in the planning phases, so check this page often as we will be posting updates as they come in.

Anticipated construction timeline (phase 1): Spring 2025 – Fall 2026

Here’s how construction will play out:

  • Millcreek Canyon Road, from the Winter Gate to Big Water Parking Lot will be closed for the entire 2 years.
  • There will be a winter shutdown of construction activities, allowing for ski grooming and pedestrian access, on the Millcreek Canyon Road from mid-December to late-March in 2025.

Trails Utah is working with the city and construction crews to create a connector trail at Elbow Fork. This would allow trail users to access all upper trails via the Upper Pipeline Trail throughout the year.

View our interactive map below for a visualization of the upcoming closures.

More information on the road closure

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.

The purpose of the project is 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.

Fall Colors in Utah on Millcreek Canyon Road

How can you access the Upper Canyon during construction?

“During the winter season, roughly between December 15 and March 15, upper Mill Creek Canyon Road would be open to winter recreation opportunities.

Outside of the winter recreation period, the road and adjacent recreation areas would be closed to the public during construction.  Most trails connecting through Mill Creek Canyon would remain open year-round, including a crossing through the construction area at Elbow Fork (to be constructed by us, Trails Utah!!) | a decision is still being made as to whether Old Red Pine Road and Little Water trails will remain open).

The USFS will post signs along trails at major intersections and trailheads before construction and information will be available at the Mill Creek Canyon fee booth to inform the public of the planned and current trail detours and closures.  The construction contractor will be responsible for preparing and implementing a traffic control plan with public noticing for vehicular traffic.” – SL County

Make sure to check back on this page periodically, subscribe to our newsletter, and follow our Instagram and/or Facebook pages as that is where we will be posting updates.

Millcreek Canyon Road Closure trail access map

Trail access (as of December 2024)

  1. The new Upper Pipeline Trail that parallels the Upper Mill Creek Canyon Road will remain open. This trail will provide access from Elbow Fork to Alexander Basin and the Big Water Trails to Dog Lake. This trail will be open and accessible via the Elbow Fork Trail Crossing
  2. Access to Dog Lake/ Big Water Trails via Mill D North Trailhead starting in Big Cottonwood Canyon
  3. Lower Pipeline Trail in Mill Creek Canyon starting at the Burch Hollow Trailhead in Mill Creek Canyon
  4. Terraces/Elbow Fork Trail via Porter Fork Trailhead and the Terraces Trailhead in Mill Creek Canyon
  5. Lambs Canyon Trail via the Lambs Canyon Trailhead from Lambs/Parley’s Canyon
  6. Wasatch Crest Trail will remain open, which has numerous starting points from Big Cottonwood Canyon and Summit County

Improvements Timeline

The Millcreek Canyon Road Closure has been in the planning phase for years now, with construction set to begin shortly.

Here’s an overview of the construction timeline until now.

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 95%
Season 1, phase 1 | survey and staking, clearing and grubbing, retaining wall construction, and major earthwork
survey and staking, clearing and grubbing, retaining wall construction, and major earthwork 0%
Season 2, phase 1 | roadway construction and completion of the work
roadway construction and completion of the work 0%

To find out what this construction means for Dog Owners, Mountain Bikers, and everyone else who loves this canyon, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter as we will be sending updates as soon as we hear of them!