Big Cottonwood Canyon — Road Conditions
From 6200 S and Wasatch Boulevard (near the gravel pit), traffic has a light delay — about 2 minutes to the canyon mouth; 22 minutes to Silver Fork (a light delay, ~5 min extra); 19 minutes to Brighton. Heavy traffic, roughly 1920 vehicles (64% of capacity as of 2:50 PM). Weather snapshot — lower canyon: 49°F, 2 mph winds (4 mph gusts); middle canyon: 47°F, 0 mph winds (3 mph gusts); upper canyon: 40°F, 2 mph winds (5 mph gusts). At the mouth of the canyon, the electronic UDOT sign is clear with no message displayed.
Interested in detailed travel data? Find out here with live road status, restrictions, travel times and traffic snapshots; or jump straight to UDOT cams for current visibility and road surface.
Official UDOT Cottonwoods updates
For official road closures, avalanche closure and mitigation updates, construction notices and incident reports on SR-190, follow UDOT Cottonwoods on these channels.
Solitude & Brighton weather pages
Check resort weather, snow totals, wind and lift status to pair with SR-190 road conditions and delays.
Big Cottonwood Canyon Road Conditions, S‑Turns and Travel Times
This page summarizes live SR-190 road conditions including current traffic, delays, and travel times from the mouth through mid‑canyon and the upper canyon near Solitude Mountain Resort and Brighton. The mid‑canyon S‑Turns are a frequent slow‑down point on storm days due to sharp curves and lingering snow.
If you need a deeper dive into SR-190 travel data—closures, restrictions, congestion and delay versus free‑flow—visit the BCC travel dashboard. For visual checks of road surface and weather, the UDOT cams show plowing progress, lane coverage and traffic backups in real time.
Construction and maintenance can add brief lane closures and flagging operations. Always defer to official UDOT notices for restrictions (chains/4x4), avalanche mitigation and construction; we aggregate these into the summary above so you can plan a safe departure window and avoid unnecessary delays and traffic.
Big Cottonwood Canyon Road Conditions — FAQ
How do I check Big Cottonwood Canyon road conditions right now?Click to expand
See the live summary and travel panels for Big Cottonwood Canyon (SR‑190) conditions including closures, restrictions, travel times and traffic. For cams and visibility, visit UDOT cams on our Big Cottonwood Canyon pages.
What are the “S‑Turns” in Big Cottonwood Canyon?Click to expand
The S‑Turns are a series of sharp curves in mid‑canyon on SR‑190 where snow and ice can linger. Traffic often slows here on storm days; drive defensively and allow extra time.
Are there traffic delays in Big Cottonwood Canyon right now?Click to expand
Delays vary with weather, plowing and incidents. Compare current travel times against typical free‑flow minutes, and use the road cameras to verify backups at the mouth, S‑Turns and near Solitude and Brighton.
Is construction impacting Big Cottonwood Canyon travel this season?Click to expand
Construction and maintenance can introduce lane closures, flagging and reduced speeds on SR‑190. Check message signs and our status chips for work zones; cameras help confirm traffic impacts and expected delays.
When does avalanche mitigation close SR‑190?Click to expand
Avalanche mitigation can occasionally close SR‑190 near slide paths during and after storms. Reopen times depend on hazard, visibility and cleanup. Watch for “Avalanche closure” alerts and gate status.
What are typical Big Cottonwood Canyon travel times?Click to expand
Travel times vary by weather, traffic and mitigation holds. The conditions page shows current minutes and delay versus free‑flow to help plan a safe departure window.
How do I know if chains or 4x4 are required?Click to expand
UDOT posts traction restrictions during winter storms. Look for the Restrictions chip and roadside signs; if you’re in 2WD, chains may be required when posted.
Do Big Cottonwood Canyon conditions include wind, snow and road surface?Click to expand
Yes—the dashboard combines weather stations, UDOT cams and reports to summarize wind, new snow, temperature, and road surface so you can assess driving conditions on SR‑190.
Which resorts are in Big Cottonwood Canyon?Click to expand
Solitude Mountain Resort and Brighton are accessed via SR‑190. Check resort updates for parking and operations; our travel panel shows live delays and conditions on approach.
Where can I find everything in one place?Click to expand
Find out here on the Big Cottonwood Canyon hub: live travel times, closures, restrictions, UDOT cams and weather snapshots to plan your trip up SR‑190.
Are buses a good option during holds or heavy traffic?Click to expand
UTA 972 Ski Bus serves Big Cottonwood Canyon (Solitude/Brighton). It can reduce congestion and parking pressure on storm days; still allow extra time during active snowfall or mitigation.
How frequently is the conditions data updated?Click to expand
Core road conditions, travel times and cameras update frequently, especially during storms. If something looks stale, refresh the page or check adjacent cameras and stations.
Where can I see resort and canyon cameras?Click to expand
The cameras page shows UDOT road cams plus Solitude and Brighton resort views for visibility and snow at elevation. They complement road condition reports on SR‑190.