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Mill Creek Canyon

In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation manages reservations for the 10 group picnic areas and winter yurt in Mill Creek Canyon.

Please contact the U.S. Forest Service at (801) 733-2660 for Mill Creek Canyon inquiries. Visit their website for current daily and annual pass pricing. Please note that all passes must be purchased directly at the Mill Creek Canyon Tollbooth. No cash accepted. National Parks passes not accepted, except for the Gold Star & Veteran Military Lifetime pass.

Tollbooth hours:

  • Winter 10 am-6 pm
  • Summer 10 am-10 pm

Contact Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, (801) 840-4000, to report a crime or trespassers at reserved picnic areas.

Services

Resources

Parks & Recreation

385-468-1800

2001 South State Street , Ste S4-700
Salt Lake City, Utah 84190

Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

General Canyon Information & Rules

A landscape with trees and mountains in the back.

The winter gates close to vehicular traffic (not foot traffic) November 1 and reopen in late spring, weather and road condition permitting.

Amenities

  • Even-numbered days- bikes ARE allowed on Big Water, Little Water, and Great Western trails.
  • Odd-numbered days - bikes are NOT allowed on the upper Mill Creek Big Water, Little Water and Great Western trails.
  • Bikes are always allowed on the Pipeline Trail.
  • Bikes are never allowed in the Mt. Olympus Wilderness Area.
  • E-bikes are not allowed on the trails, only on the roads.

  • Only backcountry camping is allowed in Mill Creek Canyon.
  • Camping must be at least 1/2 mile off the road and 200 feet from trails, developed areas and water.
  • Check for any fire restrictions.

  • Even-numbered days - dogs must be ON-LEASH at all times in all areas of the canyon.
  • Odd-numbered days - dogs are allowed OFF-LEASH on trails.
  • Dogs (and horses) must remain outside of watershed areas.
  • Please properly dispose of dog waste.

  • Group sites may be reserved online or in-person at the Salt Lake County Park Operations Office.
  • Fires are allowed in fire rings and grill stands unless fire restrictions are applicable.
  • There are several picnic tables throughout the canyon that are available on a first come, first serve basis.
  • All picnic areas are available during the summer months. They are open at 8 am and close at 10 pm.

Availability & Online Reservations

Reservations for County park pavilions can be made beginning the first business day each January, with the exception of Sugar House Park (see details below).

Pavilions may be reserved for dates between May 1 through September 30. Reservations are not accepted on the following holidays:

  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Pioneer Day
  • Labor Day

Reservations can be made online or in-person for Salt Lake County park pavilions, Sugar House Park, and Mill Creek Canyon group picnic sites. To make a reservation in person, visit the SLCo Parks office at 6332 S. Airport Road, West Jordan.

Go to Salt Lake County Parks Amilia SmartRec to view availability, pavilion rates*, and to make reservations.

  • You must have or set up an account-based upon an e-mail address in order to make a reservation.
  • If you have made a reservation with us before, it is likely that you already have an account. Click on “View Account.” Enter your email address and password. If you do have an account but have forgotten your password, a password reset will be sent to your email by clicking on "Forgot My Password".
  • If there isn’t an account under the email that you entered, it will prompt you that the email does not exist in the system and you will need to click on "Create a New Account".
  • Under “Registration” select the “Reserve Park or Facility” tab to view information about park pavilions. Then click the “Check Availability and Reserve” tab to make a reservation.

  • No credits or refunds   
  • Reservations can be made up to 4 working days prior to the reservation date.
  •  Walk-in reservation fees may be paid with debit/credit cards, exact cash, check, or money order.  Please make check and money order payments payable to Salt Lake County Parks.

For more information as well as special event inquiries, please contact Salt Lake County Park Operations at (385) 468-7275.

County parks also takes reservations for Sugar House Park which is managed by the Sugar House Park Authority. 

Pavilion reservation fees are $90 per half-day and $130 per full day.  All reservations are non-refundable.

  • Reservations begin the first business day in March.  Pavilions may be reserved from May 1 through September 30. Reservations are not accepted on the following holidays: 
    • Memorial Day
    • Juneteenth 
    • Independence Day
    • Pioneer Day
    • Labor Day
  • Tips for using the registration site:

1. You must already have or set up an account based upon an e-mail address in order to make a reservation.

2. If you have made a reservation with us before, it is likely that you already have an account. Click on View Account. Enter your email address and then choose reset password.  If you do already have an account, the password reset will be sent to your email.  If there isn’t an account under the email that you entered, it will indicate that the email does not exist in the system and you will need to click on Create New Account.

3. Under Registration on the top toolbar, select the “Reserve Park or Facility” tab to view information about park pavilions. Then click the “Check Availability and Reserve” tab to make a reservation.

4. If you would like to reserve for the HALF DAY TIME BLOCK (8:00 am to 2:00 pm OR 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm), be certain to check the correct box for the time block you would like.

5. If you would like to reserve the FULL DAY TIME BLOCK (8:00 am to 10:00 pm), be certain to check both boxes.

6. Make sure that the correct amount due is showing for either a HALF DAY RESERVATION or a FULL DAY RESERVATION.  If the amount is incorrect, you must go back and correct your reservation time.

Make a Reservation
Sugar House Park Authority

In a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Salt Lake County Parks Office takes reservations for group picnic areas and a winter yurt in Mill Creek Canyon.

For more information, visit the Mill Creek Canyon Reservations page.

Mill Creek Canyon Reservations