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Mill Creek Canyon Reservations

Mill Creek Canyon is a beautiful mountain canyon area in the Wasatch Mountains, just minutes from the Salt Lake Valley, with group picnic sites available to reserve as well as several non-reservable picnic tables throughout the canyon.

Reserved parking is not available in the canyon; however, group picnic site reservations include vehicle passes for you and your guests to exit the canyon without paying at the Toll Booth.

No refunds are issued for reservation cancellations, however a credit may be issued to book an alternate date within the same season if the reservation is cancelled at least one week prior to the reservation date.

The winter gate generally opens July 1, depending on weather and road conditions.

Fires are allowed in fire rings and grill stands unless fire restrictions are in place.

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Resources

Group Picnic Areas

Located 2.3 miles past the fee station on the left/north side, Church Fork picnic area has two (2) group sites that may be reserved and several first-come, first-served picnic tables.

John Neff Group Site

  • Capacity: Seats 50, three (3) 16-foot uncovered picnic tables on concrete surface and one (1) 8-foot preparation table
  • Rental Fee: $60.00, includes six (6) vehicle passes
  • Amenities: Barbecue grill and fire ring
  • Hiking: Access to the Pipeline, Grandeur Peak, and Desolation hiking trails
  • Creek: Near main creek
  • Restroom: Nearby vault toilet

Fred Foyer Group Site

  • Capacity: Seats 50, two (2) 16-foot uncovered picnic tables on concrete surface
  • Rental Fee: $60.00, includes six (6) vehicle passes
  • Amenities: Barbecue grate and fire ring
  • Hiking: Access the Pipeline, Grandeur Peak, and Desolation hiking trails
  • Creek: Near side creek and small waterfall
  • Restroom: Vault toilet

NOTE: There is no drinking water available. Elevation starts at about 5,200 feet.

Reserve John Neff Group Site
Reserve Fred Foyer Group Site

Located 2.6 miles past the fee station on the right/south side of the road (next to the main canyon road), South Box Elder picnic area has one (1) group site that may be reserved and several picnic tables available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Edmund Elsworth Ground Site

  • Capacity: Seats 25, three (3) uncovered 8-foot wood picnic tables and two (2) serving tables
  • Rental Fee: $35.00, includes five (5) vehicle passes
  • Amenities: Large barbecue grill and fire ring
  • Hiking: Near the Desolation hiking, biking, and horseback riding trailhead, and the Thayne Canyon hiking and horseback riding trailhead
  • Creek: Across from the main canyon road
  • Restroom: Nearby vault toilet

NOTE: No drinking water is available.

Reserve Edmund Elsworth Ground Site

Located 1/2 mile up on the left from South Box Elder picnic area, Upper Box Elder picnic area has three (3) group sites available for reservation or on a first come, first served basis.

Alva Alexander Group Site

  • Capacity: Seats 25, three (3) uncovered 8-foot picnic tables, and one (1) serving table on concrete surface
  • Rental Fee: $35.00, includes five (5) vehicle passes
  • Amenities: Barbecue grill and fire ring
  • Hiking: Next to Pipeline hiking, biking, and horseback riding trail
  • Creek: Next to the canyon creek
  • Restroom: Nearby vault toilets

Amy Smith Ground Site

  • Capacity: Seats 25, three (3) uncovered 8-foot picnic tables and one (1) serving table on concrete surface
  • Rental Fee: $35.00, includes five (5) vehicle passes
  • Amenities: Barbecue grill and fire ring
  • Hiking: Next to Pipeline hiking, biking, and horseback riding trail
  • Creek: Next to the canyon creek
  • Restroom: Nearby vault toilet

Sara Skidmore Ground Site

  • Capacity: Seats 25, three (3) uncovered 8-foot picnic tables and one (1) serving table on concrete surface
  • Rental Fee: $35.00, includes five (5) vehicle passes
  • Amenities: Barbecue grill and fire ring
  • Hiking: Next to Pipeline hiking, biking, and horseback riding trail
  • Creek: Next to the canyon creek
  • Restroom: Nearby vault toilet

NOTE: No drinking water is available. Elevation is 5,500 feet.

Reserve Alva Alexander Group Site
Reserve Amy Smith Ground Site
Reserve Sara Skidmore Ground Site

Located 3.8 miles past the fee station on the right/south side of the road Terraces picnic area has four (40 group sites that may be reserved).

Archibald Gardner Ground Site

  • Capacity: Seats 50, uncovered picnic tables on concrete surface
  • Rental Fee: $60.00, includes 11 vehicle passes
  • Amenities: Barbecue grill and fire ring
  • Hiking: Near the Terraces/Elbow Fork, Bowman Fork, and Porter Fork hiking and horseback riding trails
  • Creek: None nearby
  • Restroom: Nearby vault toilet

Chauncey Porter Ground Site

  • Capacity: Seats 50, uncovered picnic tables on concrete surface
  • Rental Fee: $60.00, includes six (6) vehicle passes
  • Amenities: Barbecue grill and fire ring
  • Hiking: Near the Terraces/Elbow Fork, Bowman Fork, and Porter Fork hiking and horseback riding trails
  • Creek: None nearby
  • Restroom: Nearby vault toilets

Charles Stillman Ground Site

  • Capacity: Seats 50, uncovered picnic tables on concrete surface
  • Rental Fee: $60.00, includes 12 vehicle passes
  • Amenities: Barbecue grill and fire ring
  • Hiking: Near the Terraces/Elbow Fork, Bowman Fork, and Porter Fork hiking and horseback riding trails.
  • Creek: None nearby
  • Restroom: Nearby vault toilets

Bowman Fork Ground Site

  • Capacity: Seats 100, uncovered picnic tables
  • Rental Fee: $100.00, includes 24 vehicle passes
  • Amenities: Barbecue grills and two fire rings
  • Hiking: Near the Terraces/Elbow Fork, Bowman Fork, and Porter Fork hiking and horseback riding trails
  • Creek: None nearby
  • Restroom: Nearby vault toilet

NOTE: Spring water is available for drinking. Elevation is about 6,000 feet.

Big Water Yurt

During the winter season, the Big Water Yurt is set up at the Upper Big Water Trailhead, 4.5 miles past the winter gate at the end of the canyon road. It is accessible only by snowshoe or skis on the Millcreek Ski Trail. 2025–2026 Yurt reservations are closed for road improvements.

Big Water Yurt

Operating Season:

Currenlty undergoing road improvements. 2025–2026 reservations are unavailable

Elevation:

7,520 feet

Rental Rate:

$75 per night (includes 4 vehicle passes)

Capacity:

Maximum 8 people

Amenities:

  • Two (2) double-bunk beds (each 4' x 7')
  • Wood-burning stove
  • Table and benches
  • Vault toilet (next to yurt, outside)
  • Creek nearby (water source)

Always check the forecast before heading into the backcountry.

Utah Avalanche Center