OutReserve

Storm Mountain Day Use Area

Storm Mountain - Big Cottonwood Canyon
Storm Mountain Day Use Area
Storm Mountain Day Use Area
Storm Mountain Day Use Area
Storm Mountain Day Use Area

About Storm Mountain Day Use Area

Storm Mountain Day Use Area is just 3 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon, conveniently close to Salt Lake City. Big Cottonwood Creek runs alongside the site. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking and biking.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed - Opens on Apr 24

Reviews (58)

What Guests Are Saying

Storm Mountain Day Use Area is celebrated for its stunning natural beauty and well-maintained picnic sites, making it a favorite for family gatherings and outdoor activities. Many visitors appreciate the friendly staff and the scenic backdrop, which enhances their experience. However, some guests encountered issues with cleanliness and site reservations, particularly during busy events like weddings, which affected their overall enjoyment. Despite these concerns, most reviews reflect a positive experience and a desire to return.

Review Summary

4.0
58 reviews
5
60.3%
35
4
8.6%
5
3
12.1%
7
2
5.2%
3
1
13.8%
8

Michael B

December 23, 2025

3

Not sure why I needed a reservation, no one was at the entrance. All sites open. The map was misleading, but we found a place suitable for my handicapped husband, as no one else was using the facility.

Chris B

November 4, 2025

5

Just great.

Paul Hudson

Paul Hudson

October 16, 2025

5

Love this area. Beautiful all year long. Today was amazing, would have been better without all the rain while there but it was still crazy beautiful.

Google Maps

Holly W

October 12, 2025

3

Number 8 table. It was very nice But a little disappointed that no bbq grill box. My husband went to the trailer office. Ask for the change place but no one there. So, We decided to use the fire pit.

Angie Penrod

Angie Penrod

October 11, 2025

5

The amphitheater was perfect for our special day. Still a tid but chilly (mid May), but so worth every second of it. Electricity is available for speakers, dj, and microphones. Plenty of parking for our needs. The natural beauty of the location gave us the perfect backdrop that we wanted. Loved it!

Google Maps

Lora R

October 4, 2025

5

Nice picnic spot. Easy to reserve. Storm Mountain is beautiful! Our family made fire and enjoyed the afternoon/ evening up big cottonwood canyon. Definitely will be going back.

Laura M

September 19, 2025

2

Beautiful area. So beautiful in fact, that the entire property had been rented out for a wedding except for one spot, the picnic site we had reserved for a small family get together. So it was our party of 15 for a hot dog/smores roast and 100 other people for a formal wedding. We basically got kicked out of the site we had reserved and moved (albeit to a better site), but we were left with no parking. Every spot was taken. I think at least two spots should have been reserved for the site we had originally requested. The wedding and the parking were a total joke and kind of ruined our peaceful canyon picnic. A wedding like that should be required to book out the whole area.

Jennifer U

September 6, 2025

4

There was a wedding while we were there which is super sweet. What isn’t sweet was the wedding party decorating and being ridiculously loud around our campsite while decorating. We were trying to enjoy time with our family from out of town and could barely have a conversation because they were congregating in the pathway and decorating for the wedding with their cellophane blowing everywhere and not being considerate. I went to talk to the site host who was nowhere to be found during that time to see if we could move away from the area. We ended up only getting to enjoy that site for 2.5 hrs before we couldn’t deal with the noise anymore. It’s shame because it was a beautiful day and it is a great picnic site! I will return but probably find a site away from the main pathway to the amphitheater.

September 3, 2025

1

Our site wasn't reserved when we got there, there wasn't a host, the bathrooms were absolutely disgusting with blood all over the floor and filthy filthy toilets. The site wasn't cleaned up from the last people there, site 6. We've been up there several times and NEVER has the camp grounds been so disgusting! I can't believe I paid to use the site.
Marchien

Danielle N

August 11, 2025

1

Rented A group site for a celebration of life. Bathrooms full of garbage, we had to clean it up, portapotties full

Location Storm Mountain Day Use Area

Address:
Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Salt Lake City, UT, 84121
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 40.6233 / -111.743

Elevation: 1771 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

This Campground is in Bear Country
- Always store food and trash securely to avoid attracting wildlife.
       - Failure to comply may result in fines up to $5,000, removal from your campsite and/or imprisonment.
- Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear; your actions can save lives.

General

Dogs are NOT allowed (only service animals) and owner may be fined $650.

General

This is a watershed area;
- Visitors will be fined for bringing domestic pets or livestock into the area.
- Wading and playing in the water is not allowed.

General

Picnic Area Etiquette and Rules:
Gates open at 7a.m. Gates close at 10p.m.
Picnicking is allowed only within the designated space provided. Do not go beyond the boundaries of your site.
Maximum occupancy is 8 people per single site.
Off-road vehicles are not allowed in the canyon.
Leave No Trace
   - Put all garbage in dumpsters, when provided, or properly stored in vehicle or bear box.
   - Remove all personal property and trash when leaving.
   - Unclean campsites will be reported to the district ranger LEO
   - Leaving food/trash in an unoccupied campsite may result in a $5,000 fine.
Do not put garbage or fish waste in toilets.
Fireworks or other explosives are prohibited. Discharging of a firearm in the campground is not allowed.
No amplified music is allowed in USDA Forest Service campgrounds and facilities. People come to the campgrounds for peace and quiet.
Max Vehicle Length includes tow vehicle

General

There is no electrical, water, or sewer hookups available.

General

Please bring your own drinking water.

General

First Come First Served (FF) sites
- You must claim a FF site in person on the day you wish to check-in.
- A site listed as FF does not guarantee availability, Recreation.gov does not update FF occupancy in real time.
- The only way to know if an FF site is available is to arrive at the campground on the day you plan to check-in.
- Availability cannot be predicted.
- Many sites are in remote locations, we cannot to contact camp hosts about availability.
- Recommended arrival times vary by day of the week, but weekends and holidays typically fill more quickly.
- To claim an FF site, you must be physically present, occupy the site, and pay at that time.

General

Amphitheater can be reserved in three time blocks: Morning 8am-12pm (AMORN), Afternoon 1pm-5pm (AAFT) and Evening 6pm-10pm (AEVE).

General

If you booked at a discount without a Senior or Access pass, you'll need to pay the difference in cash/check upon arrival. Only Senior or Access passes qualify for discounts and proof of ownership upon arrival is required

General

A $10 fee will be collected onsite for extra vehicles.

General

Please understand that camping/picnicking is an outdoor experience; therefore, we do not give refunds or credits for weather or natural conditions.

General

Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

General

For more information on camping and picnicking in Bear Country visit:
- wildawareutah.org 
- wildlife.utah.gov  
For campground Rules and Regulations visit gocamputah.com/rules 
Click here for more info about the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
- For more information, please call Salt Lake Ranger District at 801-733-2660 opt 3 or Utah Recreation at 385-273-1100
- Visit our webiste utahrecreationcompany.com or Facebook facebook.com/letsgocamputah  
- To reserve a campsite call Recreation.gov reservation line 1-877-444-6777

General

Please note: Utah Recreation is not responsible for accident or injury to any person or property resulting from the use of this facility and is not responsible for the loss of money or valuables of any kind. The user of this permit assumes full and complete responsibility for the conduct and actions of all members in their party.

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