Salt Lake City | UT | Big Cottonwood Canyon/Mineral Fork
Salt Lake City | UT | Big Cottonwood Canyon/Mineral Fork
Nearest City:
Big Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake City ,
UT
Region:
Northern
Trailhead Location:
6 Miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon
Trailhead GPS:
40°38'11.45"N 111°41'54.71"W
Trail Mileage:
7 Miles +/-
Riding Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Temperature Range:
40 - 90 Degrees F - Add new comment
- 4879 reads
Recommended Riding Gear
Trail Description
The Mineral Fork trail is the only ATV accessible trail located in the Cottonwood Canyons and is only minutes away from Salt Lake City. This is a great ride after work or early on a Saturday morning where you don’t want to spend all day out riding. This trail will take most riders around two hours round trip (depending on stops).
Big Cottonwood Canyon gets heavy snow so riding is generally limited to Summer and Fall. The trail follows the old mining road close to 6 miles up the canyon and gains nearly 4000 ft in elevation ending up close to 10200 ft. After only a few minutes of riding, the trail begins to cross a small stream. Several switchbacks take you back and forth across the stream providing one of Utah’s most scenic ATV trail sections. After the initial switchbacks, the trail narrows into the most difficult section of the ride in a rocky gap between a cliff wall and large boulders. Groups that take their time and carefully pick their line should have no problem navigating the obstacle.
Once past the rocky gap, the trail wanders through aspen and pine groves and through the stream. After a few miles of riding, the trail takes you past the old Mineral Fork Mine. The mine is gated off, but worth a quick stop to see the historic site. Once past the mine, the trail gains elevation very quickly after dozens of switchbacks. Eventually the terrain turns to large rock fields and continues to follow switchbacks until you end up close to the top of the canyon.
Riders are amazed at how far up the canyon the trail actually takes them. For those that are adventurous, a quick and steep hike will take you to the top of the mountain where it overlooks the canyon to the West with Lake Blanch and Sundial Peak. The view from the top is truly one of the top Utah ATV destinations and is absolutely breath taking. Most times Mountain Goats can be spotted on the rocks at the top and Moose and Deer seen lower.
Located about 6 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon on the south side of the canyon is the Mineral Fork trail. The trail parking lot is just off the shoulder of the road and to access the trail you have to around a gate blocking the old mining road. For Google Map directions to the trail head from the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon Click Here
Please review our Terms and Conditions before riding this trail and always remember to Tread Lightly.
Trail Photos
Additional Trail Information
10200
6700
Dirt, Rocks, and some Boulders/Very Rocky in some spots
Aspen and Pines
Summer and Fall
REI or Salt Lake Ranger District
Silver Fork Lodge or Porcupine
Spruces or Redman Camp Grounds
Silver Fork Lodge or Solitude Ski Resort
Reviews
This is a great trail. With the exception of the tight spot that comes in the first mile, I think that my 13 year old would be able to ride this trail.
I wish there were more trails this close to the valley!
Yea, this is a great trail if you want to get out for a couple of hours to a trail that's close to home (salt lake). I know they've been talking about shutting this trail down to ATV riders for years, so please stay on the trail and be respectful of the area. A couple of summers ago I rode this trail in late June and still couldn't make it to the top due to snow.
This is really a fun trail that's close to home (Sandy) for a quick Saturday morning ride. The kids have a great time on the trail (although you do have to ride their machines through the tight spot). The waterfall at the beginning of the trail that you ride through is in my opinion one of the most beautiful trail sections in the US. The machines start feeling it once you get towards the top (10,000 ft or so).
Please be careful to stay on the trail! This is the last Wasatch Front trail that's open to ATV riders and there's plenty of people that want to shut it down to ATV's.
We have been on this trail a few times. It is a great 1/2 day trail. We go either in the early morning or the later afternoon. Great scenery too. It also has a couple of water spots that are fun. When you get close to the top there is a cave of some kind that is neat to see.
I agree with the previous reviews. This is a really fun trail that's great to take the family on. The switchbacks at the beginning through the river and waterfalls are incredible. The switchbacks at the very top of the trail are also amazing. It really makes you wonder how the miners did it back in the day. The kids love this trail and I agree that the hike at the very end of the trail to the top of the mountain is hard and steep, but worth it...it's hard to get those views with such a short hike. I've also seen moose and deer along the trail. Keep in mind that about half way up the trail, it forks. You can actually go either way and it will meet up again.
I love this trail and hope we can keep it open for many years. I agree with what others have said, please be careful to stay on the trail and do not create additional routes. We need to keep this one open!
love this trail- wish i would have known it was there sooner-snow up top- short but fun.