Dogwood Day Use, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah

Dogwood Day Use

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest \ Salt Lake Ranger District

If you are looking for a place for your small group to picnic next summer, now is the perfect time to reserve it.  Dogwood has group sites for 16 to 32 people and all facilities are accessible to wheelchairs.  Make your reservations up to 1 year in advance on Recreation.gov.

Some sites are first-come-first-served so if you only have a few minutes to picnic, Dogwood is the perfect place to go from May to September.  It is the first picnic area in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Some sites are reservable and make a great place for a small company picnic.  Big Cottonwood Creek provides the beautiful background sounds and the craggy cliffs inspire peace.  Rock climbers and the white mountain goats are fun to watch as you enjoy your picnic by the campfire. 

The creek and canyon are part of a protected watershed for the Salt Lake City water supply.  No domesticated animals are allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon without a special permit.  So you'll want to leave your pets at home for this picnic as the fines are steep.  Wading and playing in the creek are also not permitted and no dishwashing is allowed in the creek.  Garbage service is provided. 

There are flush restrooms here but no drinking water so bring your own.   Check the fishing proclamation before fishing in Big Cottonwood Creek.

There are 2 smaller picnic sites, between Dogwood and Storm Mountain,  called Ledgemere and Birches.  Both have a restroom and are right on Big Cottonwood Creek.  All have the same services and rules concerning pets and water-play.