Utah State Highway 210 and much of the central portion of the Town of Alta is exposed to avalanches. The Utah Department of Transportation Avalanche Safety Program operates a state-of-the-art avalanche forecasting and mitigation program in Little Cottonwood Canyon throughout the long period of each year when our mountain slopes are snow-covered. The UDOT Avalanche Program works in partnership with several public and private entities to conduct various aspects of avalanche forecasting and mitigation, including restrictions on vehicle access to highway 210, and avalanche mitigation through the use of military artillery.
During periods of high avalanche hazard, the Town of Alta Marshal may prohibit outdoor or “Interlodge” travel through Town of Alta Ordinance 5-4-1. It is absolutely critical to individual and community public safety and to ski area, roadway, and recreation access operations that interlodge travel restrictions and procedures are respected AT ALL TIMES. Please see a letter from the Alta Marshal’s Office for more information on Interlodge Travel Restrictions.
Specially Trained Avalanche Rescue Dogs Are Permitted to Assist With Snow Safety Operations.
The Town of Alta and Little Cottonwood Canyon are extremely important “protected watershed areas” supplying high quality and high quantity drinking water to the thirsty Salt Lake Valley and thus dogs are not allowed in these locations. However, the temptation to bring your beloved dog to frolic, exercise, and explore in beautiful Little Cottonwood Canyon and the Town of Alta is understandable.
The following are the Town’s answers to frequently asked questions regarding dogs. If more information is needed, please contact us.
Little Cottonwood Canyon is a critical protected watershed area, providing the Salt Lake Valley with 15% of its drinking water. Sixty percent of the Salt Lake Valley’s drinking water supply comes from four Wasatch Front watersheds – Little Cottonwood, Big Cottonwood, City Creek, and Parleys Canyons.
Because dog waste contains bacteria and parasites that can make drinking water unsafe, local laws prohibit allowing dogs in the watershed. Citations are issued by the Town of Alta and other local law enforcement for violations of these laws.
Feces from dogs and other domesticated animals are washed into streams and tributaries of the watershed. These streams and tributaries feed directly to your drinking water tap. In fact, it can take less than 24 hours for water you see in a stream high in the watershed to be treated and reach your drinking water faucet in the Salt Lake Valley.
Pet waste carries bacteria and parasites that can contaminate drinking water. There are several types of bacteria and parasites found in pet waste that can make people very ill if ingested. The cleaner the water is when it reaches the treatment facilities, the less potential there is for these organisms to be carried through to the drinking water.
In addition to contaminating drinking water, pet waste can also affect the overall water quality in streams and lakes as it decays, compromising wildlife habitat and ecological health.
Two ski areas, Alta and Snowbird, are situated in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Specially trained avalanche rescue dogs are permitted in the ski areas to assist with snow safety operations. Per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) service dogs are also permitted. Finally, the Town of Alta has a licensing process that permits a very limited number of dogs within the Town limits. These limited permits are obtained by a number of Town residents, home owners, and local business employees. The licensees must comply with additional requirements and restrictions on their pet.
For the health and safety of your pet, it is never a good idea to leave him unattended in your vehicle. Per the Town of Alta’s ordinance, it is “unlawful to bring a dog within the boundaries of the Town, whether in a motor vehicle or otherwise…”
The Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities has a wealth of information specifically addressing the watershed areas in the Wasatch Front, including regulations regarding dogs in these watersheds.
Many localities nationwide have strict regulations governing ways in which the public may use watershed areas. These regulations range from not allowing public use at all to limiting the public’s use in various ways, and commonly restrict dogs, livestock, and other domesticated animals within watersheds. The watershed regulations in Alta and Little Cottonwood Canyon are not unique, and are intended to protect the public’s health and access to clean drinking water.
The Wasatch Front watershed areas, including Alta and Little Cottonwood Canyon, are some of the most heavily used recreation areas within the nation. The watershed areas are a recreational haven for the growing Salt Lake Valley population, as well as for millions of tourists to the state. Much of the watershed is located within public lands managed by the US Forest Service. The US Forest Service has overlaid more protective land use policies to protect watershed in its current Forest Management Plan.
The Town of Alta manages parking on the north side of HWY 210, between Our Lady of the Snows and Grizzly Gulch. A northside permit is required at all times to park anywhere on the north side beginning December 15, 2023, through March 31, 2024, and again from April 19 – 21, 2024.
Seasonal overnight permits are available to residents and property owners in Grizzly Gulch and Albion Basin and local business employees without on-site parking.
Permits for the 2023-2024 season have been issued.
Please contact Chris Cawley at ccawley@townofalta.utah.gov if you are having any issues with your seasonal permit. The Town of Alta has contracted with Interstate Parking to manage and enforce the permit requirements.
Always observe posted time-of-day signage and other Parking Restrictions. It is always unlawful to:
- Leave a vehicle unattended in areas marked “no parking” or on the south side of HWY 210 from midnight to 7:00 AM, between November 1 and May 1.
- Leave a vehicle unattended in a matter which obstructs traffic.
- Fail to remove snow from the surface of a motor vehicle parked on HWY 210 within 12 hours of any snowfall. A path of at least 2 feet in width shall be cleared around any such parked vehicle in a manner which allows access to it. License plates must be clearly identified.
Limited reservations are available daily to allow parking beginning at 6:00 AM in designated early morning parking zones on the south side of HWY 210. Reservations cost $15 Monday – Thursday and $25 Friday – Sunday and during holiday periods. This program is managed by Alta Ski Area.
→ Click here: www.altaearlyparking.com for more info.
Alta Ski Area manages parking in base area parking lots, as well as on the south side of HWY 210. Reservations are required Friday – Sunday and during holiday periods from December 15, 2023 – March 31, 2024, and again from April 19 – 21, 2024.
→ Click here: https://www.altaparking.com/parkingbasics for more info.