Dogwood Day Use

Campground · Utah · 7 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Wasatch National Forest (NF) · Open Access

7
Bookable sites
20 ft
Max rig length
up to 32
People per site
7
Accessible sites
5,180 ft
Elevation
DOGWOOD DAY USE
Photo: Utah Recreation Company · Recreation.gov

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (385) 273-1100.

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.

Charges & 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.

The facts

  • 7 bookable sites
  • 7 sites for day use only
  • 7 accessible sites
  • Vehicles up to 20 ft
  • Up to 32 people per site
  • Loops: DOGWOOD DAY USE

Site types

  • 7 Group Picnic Area

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Grills
  • Shade

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, pets allowed.

Book on Recreation.gov

7 campsites at Dogwood Day Use

Check-in 8:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
001DOGWOOD DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaBack InPaved—16♿
002DOGWOOD DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaBack InPaved—24♿
003DOGWOOD DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaBack InPaved—32♿
004DOGWOOD DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaBack InPaved—32♿
005DOGWOOD DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaBack InPaved20 ft16♿
006DOGWOOD DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaBack InPaved20 ft24♿
007DOGWOOD DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaBack InPaved20 ft16♿

Getting there

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.

40.62222, -111.77000 · 40°37'20.0"N 111°46'12.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 91°F in Jul, down to 38°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F384454617182918979644938
Low °F232734404857686656433223
Precip in2.22.32.73.32.81.40.60.91.62.12.12.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Cash, Check, or Scan & Pay  Small Group Sites 1, 5, 7 - $41.00, capacity - 16 people Large Group Site 2, 6 - $62.00, capacity - 24 people Large Group Site 3, 4 - $90.00, capacity - 32 people Day Use - $10.00 Walk-ins - $8.00 per person Extra vehicle - $10.00 per vehicle  Big Cottonwood Canyon Season Day Use Pass - $95.00* *This pass includes entrance to Mueller Park and Big Cottonwood Canyon day-use areas (Strom Mtn., Dogwood, Birches, Ledgemere). Pass does NOT include access to group sites, amphitheaters, or glamping sites.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Dogwood Day Use

Can you reserve a site at Dogwood Day Use?
Yes, Dogwood Day Use is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Dogwood Day Use have?
7 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Dogwood Day Use?
20 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are campfires allowed at Dogwood Day Use?
Campfires are allowed at Dogwood Day Use. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Dogwood Day Use

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.