Big Cottonwood Regional Park - Big Cottonwood Area

Big Cottonwood Regional Park is one of Salt Lake County's larger and more versatile outdoor spaces, situated along Big Cottonwood Creek in Millcreek. With nearly 1,000 reviews and a 4.5-star average, it's a consistently well-regarded park for families across the Salt Lake Valley.

The park's defining feature is its location along Big Cottonwood Creek, which gives it a natural, riparian character that most urban parks lack. In summer, kids inevitably gravitate toward the creek for wading, rock-skipping, and general water exploration — bring creek shoes so you don't have to say no. The open fields alongside the creek are perfect for frisbee, soccer, and family pickup games.

The park also has playground equipment, picnic areas with pavilions, tennis courts, and sand volleyball. This range of amenities makes it a good destination for families with mixed ages — toddlers can use the playground while older kids and teens use the sports facilities.

For families staying in Salt Lake City, the park's location near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon opens up an easy addition to the visit: a short drive up the canyon brings you to impressive mountain scenery, creek access, and hiking trails. Combining a morning at the park with an afternoon canyon drive is a great full-day itinerary.

Everything is free. The county maintains the facilities well, and the park is open from 7AM to 10PM daily.