Tanners Flat Campground, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah
/Tanners Flat Campground
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest \ Salt Lake Ranger District
Little Cottonwood Canyon contains everything the Wasatch Mountains are known and loved for. Winter skiing and snowboarding at Snowbird and Alta Ski Resorts are world famous. But the summer canyon scenery is to die for. The myriad of hiking/biking trails, fishing, wildlife and rock climbing provides a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Just 20 minutes from Sandy, UT, this campground is secluded from the sprawling Salt Lake Valley. Contrasted from the high desert Tanners Flat is set in a lush, green, forest along Little Cottonwood Creek. The sound of this cascading river provides background music for campers as it meanders through this flat area of the otherwise steep canyon. Tanners Flat Campground has first-come-first-served campsites or you can reserve up to 6 months in advance here: Recreation.gov \ Tanners Flat
The canyon highway is a well-maintained, 2-lane, highway with few shoulder pull-outs. RV's should take it slow as to not overheat on this steep drive. You'll climb 2000 feet in 5.5 miles from the base of the canyon to the campground.
Snowbird Resort is a few miles further up-canyon, offering scenic tram rides, hiking, mountain biking, restaurants, groceries, an Alpine Slide, zip line rides, concerts and various festivals throughout the summer.
Albion Basin, part of Alta Ski Resort just a few more miles up the canyon, hosts the Wasatch Wildflower Festival annually in late July/early August, complete with guided nature walks. Numerous hiking trails can be found in Albion Basin, including the 1.5-mile round-trip hike to Cecret Lake.