Utah’s canyons are more popular than ever—and with that popularity comes new parking rules.
Many trailheads in Northern Utah now require a recreation pass. Below you’ll find where fees apply, how much they cost, and where to buy passes.
💡 Trails Utah’s suggestion: Buy an annual pass from a local vendor—you’ll have access to most canyons year-round, and by law, at least 80% of the fees stay in the local forests and grasslands where they were collected to support local site operations and maintenance.
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Recreation Fees applicable at:
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Cost and Pass Options Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Pass (U-W-C NF Pass) options
America the Beautiful National Parks Pass
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Recreation Fees applicable at:
| Cost and Pass Options
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Recreation Fees applicable at:
| Cost and Pass Options Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Pass (U-W-C NF Pass) options
America the Beautiful National Parks Pass
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Fee Status Paid per car upon exiting canyon | Cost and Pass Options
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There are currently no fees | Cost and Pass Options Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Pass (U-W-C NF Pass) options
America the Beautiful National Parks Pass
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Recreation Fees applicable at:
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Cost and Pass Options Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Pass (U-W-C NF Pass) options
America the Beautiful National Parks Pass
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*Note: The list above only covers trailhead parking fees. It does not include campground, picnic site, fishing site, special use, or winter roadside parking fees. View the full USFS fee structure (see section: “Pass Required – List of Sites by Implementation Date”).
Some sites have self-service “Iron Ranger” fee envelopes available.
Instructions:
Some sites have automated fee machines available for day use passes.
Instructions:
Day and annual passes purchased directly from the Millcreek Canyon exit station
Heads up: Were you aware that Upper Millcreek Canyon Road is closed until Spring of 2026? Read more about that here.
Here is where you can buy your 3 day, 7 day, or annual U-W-C NF pass:
For a list of local vendor locations, see the list below the following two notes.
Please note:
Before purchasing the U-W-C NF Annual Pass please note, this pass can not be upgraded to the America the Beautiful pass.
Why buying local matters
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) (16 U.S.C. 6801-6814) requires at least 80% of the fees to stay on the forests and grasslands where they were collected and reinvest that money to support local site operations and maintenance.
The fee revenue is used for the repair, maintenance, and facility enhancement directly related to visitor enjoyment, visitor access, and health and safety at recreation fee sites.
Bear River Lodge
Mile Marker 49, Mirror Lake Highway 150, Kamas, UT 84036
>>Learn more about Bear River Lodge
Brighton Store & Cafe
8019 South Brighton Loop Road, Brighton, UT 84121
>>Learn more about Brighton Resort
IME Utah
3265 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
Kamas Food Town
145 West 200 South, Kamas, UT 84036
>>Learn more about Kamas Foodtown
Mirror Lake Station LLC
2 North Main Street, Kamas, UT 84036
Samak Smokehouse
1937 Mirror Lake Highway, Kamas, UT 84036
>>Learn more about Samak Smokehouse
Silver Lake Visitor Center
8074 South Big Cottonwood Road, Brighton, UT, 84121
>>Learn more about Cottonwood Canyons Foundation
Skimo Co
2477 Ft Union Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT 84121
Solitude Mountain Resort
12000 Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude, UT 84121
>>Learn more about Solitude Mountain Resort
The Gear Room
3422 Fort Union Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121
Here are the days the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency.
*Participation by concession-operated sites may vary.
2026 fee-free days:
Note that fee-free days differ for the National Parks. More information on fee-free days at our National Parks can be found here.
For more information on plans for trailhead fees, visit the US Forest Service Website.
Parking fees support the trails you love, but so does community action. Consider volunteering or donating to Trails Utah to keep our trails open, safe, and sustainable.
📍 You can do so here
Volunteer or donate to help maintain Utah’s trails
