WBA Parking Guide 2025-2026

We can navigate complicated avalanche problems like persistent weak layers and the dreaded east winds, but navigating how to park in the Wasatch might be the most complicated part of our day.

The Wasatch has no doubt experienced growing pains. Agencies and businesses are trying (and sometimes scrambling) to reduce congestion in the canyons, which has led to a patchwork of new rules, fees, restrictions, reservations, and pilot programs. In short: it’s complicated.

Now that parking-reservation season is upon us, here’s what you need to know about getting to your favorite trailheads…

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A Note on UDOT (and why our accuracy is limited)

Before we dive in, we need to offer a disclaimer: This information is correct to the best of our knowledge — and it’s not for lack of trying.

Back in January 2025, we contacted UDOT asking for clarification on why the roadside parking up canyon from White Pine had been signed as “No Parking,” especially since the explanation we initially received cited “safety and avalanche danger.” UDOT’s own interactive parking map didn’t show this as such and there was confusion with canyon police officers who were issuing hefty tickets.

Since then, we’ve been… persistent. We’ve sent dozens of emails, pushed for meetings throughout spring and summer, and learned that UDOT is working with UPD, the Forest Service, and others on a new parking plan. Unfortunately, getting an actual meeting has been difficult with UDOT repeatedly delayed for various reasons.

We aren’t giving up. But the ongoing lack of clarity means our goal to create an updated interactive backcountry parking map are a work in progress until UDOT finalizes and shares accurate information.

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WHITE PINE

NO PARKING ZONE FOR SAR STAGING

Another new restriction is in place at White Pine. The small entrance road between SR-210 and the main parking lot is now signed No Parking on the west side for Search and Rescue staging.

WBA isn’t thrilled about this for winter (especially since we’d wager there are more SAR incidents out of White Pine in summer)  but we’re choosing our battles. Our priority remains pushing for the same flip-sign roadside-parking system at White Pine that Snowbird uses, where roadside parking closures are tied to avalanche hazard rather than blanket prohibitions.

NEW FOREST SERVICE FEE ZONE

Starting December 1, 2025, White Pine becomes a Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) fee site under the U.S. Forest Service.  Fees range from $10 for a 3-Day Pass to $80 for the America the Beautiful Pass/ National Park Pass (which is the best bang for your buck in our opinion!) The Forest Service states that these fees help maintain, operate, and improve site amenities.

Important note: Buy your America the Beautiful Pass locally at The Gear Room, Skimo Co, IME, Solitude Ski Resort, or the Salt Lake Ranger District Office (open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday). When purchased locally, the revenue stays in our Forest Service district rather than going to the national treasury.

A kiosk will also be available at White Pine for folks who prefer not to buy an annual pass. Other winter REA winter sites are Spruces and Cardiff Fork. Be sure to display your pass on your dashboard when heading out this winter.

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STORM DAY PARKING REMINDERS

If you park before the plows have done their sweep, please park in the corners and park near other cars rather than spreading out. If you arrive while the plows are clearing a lot, please give them the extra time to finish the job before parking. Here’s where you should park if you arrive before the plows:

• White Pine: Northwest corner of the lot by yellow sign so the plows can push the snow to the East end of the lot.  
• Spruces: Either corners on the West side of the lot. 
• Cardiff: on the North side of the street. 

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TRACTION LAW: WHAT’S NEW

Like the slow, creeping progress of the sticker check lines on a powder day, improvements to the traction law are moving forward — slowly, but better than not at all.

During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers passed a revised traction law with three major updates:

1. The traction law can be activated up to 24 hours before a storm. This means fewer people driving up with inadequate tires right before a storm, and far fewer people getting stuck trying to drive down afterward.
2. Real consequences: Fines up to $750 if you’re driving without proper snow tires, chains, or traction devices.
3. A new “Class Three” designation for the Cottonwood Canyons meaning vehicles must have a tread depth of at least 5/32 inches.

You can get your 2025-2026 sticker to help speed up tire checks. Learn more and find where to get yours here:

WBA would love to see an electronic FastPast system rather than stickers to dramatically improve the program’s efficiency. You can learn more about WBA’s thoughts on the Traction Law by reading our official comment on the UDOT BCC Study from last year.

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SKI BUS PRIORITY ACCESS PROGRAM

If you’re unfamiliar with this program, start by listening to our podcast episode that explains it in full.

UDOT has made some improvements for 2025–26, including a Wasatch Blvd Shoulder Expansion. From roughly Ferguson Park to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, UDOT expanded the paved shoulder 3–4 feet on the west (southbound/LCC-bound) side of the road.

This will allow officers to safely stack cars on closure mornings while letting UTA buses and regular neighborhood traffic bypass the line which improves reliability for the Ski Bus Priority Access Program.

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UTA SKI BUS

No schedule changes from last season. The supplemental CS1 and CS2 routes will run again. UTA Ski Bus service begins November 23, 2025. Learn more here:

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MILLCREEK CANYON

Ongoing construction might affect winter parking availability this season. We’re currently waiting for final details from the Forest Service.

Because of this, WBA is actively pursuing a Special Use Permit that would allow us to run a Backcountry Shuttle Service in Millcreek Canyon this winter,  shifting our shuttle operations from BCC/LCC to MCC. Stay tuned for updates.

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PARKING IN UPPER BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON

ROADSIDE PARKING RESERVATIONS

• Required on `SR-190 from ~¼ mile above Willow Heights Trailhead to the Guardsman Road intersection
• Begins 12/5/2025
• Friday–Sunday & holidays (12/22/2025 through 12/24/2025, 12/29/2025-1/1/2026, 1/19/2026 & 2/16/2026)
• 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM 
• $10 per day

ROADSIDE EARLY MORNING PARKING

• 10 spots to access USA Bowl and 10 spots to access Silver Fork
  Friday–Sunday & holidays (12/22/2025 through 12/24/2025, 12/29/2025-1/1/2026, 1/19/2026 & 2/16/2026)
• 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM 
• $10 per day 

A note on these early morning parking: If WBA had not provided feedback to the Town of Brighton, we would not have these early morning parking spots. While we had pushed for an early start time, we are glad we could at least get some carve out for quick dawn patrols in these zones. WBA was able to advocate for these spots and prove the importance of these zones for backcountry users thanks to our winter Trail Counting Program! We have heard from the Town of Brighton that these rarely ever book out completely.

Roadside parking is also subject to avalanche-zone restrictions: from Nov 1–May 15 no parking in designated slide paths.

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SOLITUDE RESORT PARKING

• Begins 12/5/2025 through 4/11/2026
• Reservations required 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
  • Then, first-come-first served fee based parking from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Friday–Sunday & holidays (12/22/2025 through 12/24/2025, 12/29/2025-1/1/2026, 1/19/2026 & 2/16/2026)
• $35 day for 3 or less passengers

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BRIGHTON RESORT PARKING

• Begins 12/5/2025 through 4/11/2026
• Friday–Sunday & holidays (12/19/2025 through 1/4/2026, 1/19/2026 & 2/16/2026)
• 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Free after noon 
• $25 for non-passholders with less than 4 passengers 
• $10 for non-passholders with 4+ passengers 
•  parking lot is closed from midnight – 7:00 AM daily

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PARKING IN UPPER LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON 

ALTA SKI AREA

• Begins 12/12/2025 through 4/5/2026 
• Friday–Sunday & holidays (12/19/2025 through 1/4/2026, 1/17-1/19/2026 & 2/14-2/16/2026, and 4/26/2026)
• 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• $25 for non-passholders 

ALTA EARLY MORNING PARKING

• Required daily (and the same holiday dates listed above) 
• 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM 
• $25 per reservation Friday–Sunday & holiday periods
• $15 per reservation Monday–Thursday
• Park in the South Flagstaff lot (blue zone) 
• available in South Flagstaff lot for “dawn patrol” backcountry users: $25 Fri–Sun/holiday, $15 Mon–Thu.

The Town of Alta manages a separate permit for the north side of Hwy 210 between Our Lady of the Snows and Grizzly Gulch from December 12, 2025 through April 5, 2026. This is by permit only. 

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SNOWBIRD

Mixed parking model: free, first-come-first-served lots, paid reservations, and valet.