Cottonwood Canyon Access & Parking Advocacy

This May 2026, the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance met on the ground at Storm Mountain with UDOT and the U.S. Forest Service to discuss long-term parking, roadway safety, and transit solutions for recreation access throughout the Cottonwood Canyons.

Discussions focused on both immediate summer parking management and the long-term vision for recreation infrastructure in the canyons. Topics included avalanche mitigation timing along roadside corridors that impact Challenge Buttress parking, signage improvements in the Storm Mountain area, roadway safety and pedestrian crossings, future parking opportunities, and broader landscape planning discussions with the canyon concessionaire.

The meeting also helped clarify that the America the Beautiful Pass may be used for parking at the Storm Mountain Picnic Area guard shack lot, which is currently allowed.

SLCA regularly meets with UDOT and the U.S. Forest Service to explore long-term transit and recreation access solutions for climbing areas throughout the Wasatch.

As visitation continues to grow, SLCA remains committed to working collaboratively with agencies and partners to improve safe, sustainable access to climbing and recreation resources throughout the Wasatch.