Day Use

Dogwood Day Use

Near Salt Lake City, Utah

Dogwood Day Use Picnic Area is just 2 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon, conveniently close to Salt Lake City. Big Cottonwood Creek runs alongside the site. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking and biking.

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Dogwood Day Use

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Dogwood Day Use Picnic Area is just 2 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon, conveniently close to Salt Lake City. Big Cottonwood Creek runs alongside the site. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking and biking.

Dogwood offers several group picnic sites, all with tables, campfire rings and grills. Parking spurs and pathways within the area are paved. Flush toilets and non-potable water are provided.

Notifications and Alerts

Picnic Area Closed For Season: Gates are locked, no facilities (bathrooms, water, trash) are available, entry is prohibited and may result in citations. Picnic Area will reopen in April 2025

Need to Know

This Campground is in Bear Country

- Always store food and trash securely to avoid attracting wildlife.

- Failure to comply can 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.
Dogs are NOT allowed (only service animals) and owner may be fined $650.
This is a watershed area;

- Visitors will be fined for bringing domestic pets into the area.

- Wading and playing in the water is not allowed.
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.
Please bring your own drinking water
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

- 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 contact hosts about availability.

- Recommended arrival times vary by day of the week, season, and holidays, 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.

- There is no waiting list for FF sites.
A $10 per extra vehicle fee will be collected on site (cash/check).
Rock climbers may walk though without paying fee as long as parking or picnic areas are not used.
Please understand that camping/picnicking is an outdoor experience; therefore, we do not give refunds or credits for weather or natural conditions.
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.
For more information on 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 gocamputah.com or Facebook facebook.com/letsgocamputah

- To reserve a campsite call Recreation.gov reservation line 1-877-444-6777
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

Natural Features

In late spring, dogwoods and lilacs bloom throughout the day-use area, creating a spectacular show among the greenery and shade of the pines, aspens and scrub oak. Summer wildflowers paint the canyon with vivid color beginning in late July. Autumn leaves put on quite a show in late September.

Nearby Attractions

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a beautiful area known for its soaring peaks, pristine hidden lakes and cascading streams. Numerous hiking and mountain biking trails are in the area. Rock climbing is a popular activity as well.

Solitude Mountain Resort is 11.5 miles up-canyon, offering scenic chairlift rides, hiking, a few dining options and a challenging 18-hole disc golf course.

Recreation

Big Cottonwood Creek is stocked for trout fishing and is a favorite among local fly-fisherman. Additionally, many hiking and mountain biking trailheads are located in the canyon.

Changes & Cancellations

Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees

Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation.
Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Late Cancellations

Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.
Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.
Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge.

No-Shows

Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date.
If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.

Refunds

Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure.
Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location.
Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.
Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.
Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.

Recreation.gov Billing Information

Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777."

Changes to Policies and Procedures

Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 2018.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

564 W 700 S Ste.305, Box #5 Pleasant Grove UT 84062

Physical Address

Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd Salt Lake City UT 84121

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: SALT LAKE RANGER DISTRICT OFFICE 801-733-2660 OR UTAH RECREATION COMPANY 385-273-1100

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

Take exit 301 off I-15. Turn east and travel 6 miles on 7200 South to the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Travel 1.1 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon to picnic area.

Available Campsites

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