Brush Up On Parking Laws For Utah's Cottonwood Canyons

Parking rules, parking fees, no parking on these days... we get it, enough with the parking info!

But for Utah's Cottonwood Canyons, parking regulations may actually alleviate some of the issues drivers have faced for the last, well... forever.

UDOT Cottonwood Canyons released a helpful slideshow filled with the canyon's resort policies and parking restrictions to help everyone save time and money while keeping the flow of traffic as smooth as possible.

Simply titled "Parking 101," UDOT made it clear that things aren't going to be as relaxed around the Cottonwood Canyons anymore.

Instead of a $25 fine for parking violations, tickets will now range from $75 to $150.

Additionally, parking violations are also now a civil penalty instead of a criminal offense, which, despite sounding backwards, actually makes the legal system more inclined to deal with them.

It is also illegal to park on certain areas of the SR-190, and if anyone does park in one of these areas, there's a $150 fine.

If this all seems a little crazy, know there's some logic behind the harsh penalties. Utah's Cottonwood Canyons (Big and Little) are major victims of car accidents due to the traffic.

Besides resulting in deaths (sadly not uncommon) the traffic issues can then close roads entirely, preventing people from skiing certain areas and reaching specific mountains.

The roads are famous for becoming undriveable quickly after snow falls, undermining the whole point of hitting Utah's resorts for champagne pow.

Read about the science behind Utah's famous powder below. 

Related: Utah's Great Salt Lake Is A Snowmaking Machine

It's tough to have a powder day when said powder closes the roads down completely.

Regardless, like many resorts this season, from 7am to 1pm parking reservations are required, and everyone gets up to 5 reservations at a time through the Town of Brighton's website.

For a closer inspection of Cottonwoods Canyon's Ski Resort parking policies this season, read through UDOT's page here.

Related: UDOT Struggling To Reopen Little Cottonwood Canyon Road

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