Big Cottonwood Canyon Spring, Salt Lake City, UT

## Overview Big Cottonwood Canyon Spring is a natural public drinking spring located along the scenic Big Cottonwood Canyon road in the Wasatch Mountains, just southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah. Nestled on the north side of State Route 190 (Big Cottonwood Canyon Road), this roadside spring sits at an elevation of roughly 7,500 feet amid towering conifers and rugged granite canyon walls. The canyon itself is carved through Precambrian and Paleozoic rock formations, and the spring water likely filters through layers of quartzite and limestone before emerging at the surface. Water quality readings taken at the spring have shown a TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level of 161 ppm and a pH of 6.9 — indicating very low mineral content and a nearly neutral pH. These readings suggest clean, lightly mineralized water, and visitors have reported that the water tastes fresh and crisp. As with any natural spring, water quality can vary with seasonal conditions, snowmelt, and rainfall. Big Cottonwood Canyon is a well-known corridor in the Wasatch Range, famous for providing access to Brighton and Solitude ski resorts as well as numerous hiking trails, including routes into the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The spring offers a convenient and refreshing stop for hikers, cyclists, and canyon visitors heading up or down the road. ## Directions 1. From Salt Lake City, head east on I-215 South and take the exit for Big Cottonwood Canyon / State Route 190. 2. Follow SR-190 (Big Cottonwood Canyon Road) east into the canyon. 3. Continue driving up the canyon and watch for mile marker 10 on the right-hand side of the road. 4. Just before you reach mile marker 10, look to the **north side (left side if heading up-canyon)** of the road for the spring. 5. There is limited roadside pulloff space — use caution when parking and watch for traffic. **GPS Coordinates:** 40.647138, -111.665239 ## What to Expect The spring is located directly alongside Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, making it one of the more accessible natural springs in the Salt Lake City area — no hiking required. The water emerges on the north side of the road in a shaded section of the canyon surrounded by evergreen forest and steep mountain terrain. Because the spring sits at a relatively high elevation in the Wasatch Range, expect cooler temperatures in the canyon compared to the Salt Lake Valley floor, especially in the mornings and evenings. During winter months, the road is subject to the Cottonwood Canyons' traction law, meaning vehicles may need snow tires or chains. The spring flow may also be affected by freezing conditions in the colder months. Visitors should bring their own containers to collect water. Parking is limited to a small roadside pulloff, so be mindful of passing vehicles, especially on busy weekends when traffic to the ski resorts and trailheads can be heavy. The canyon is a protected watershed area, so please respect all posted regulations and leave no trace.