Living in Cottonwood Heights, Utah
Cottonwood Heights is known as "the city between the canyons." It sits on the east bench of the Salt Lake Valley, where Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons open up at the city's eastern edge, about 12 road miles from Snowbird and 15 from Solitude.
What it's like to live in Cottonwood Heights
Cottonwood Heights became a city on January 14, 2005, and had 33,617 people at the 2020 Census. I-215 runs along its northern edge, and the state roads up Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons run along its eastern edge, so both the freeway and the canyons are close.
The Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center is one of the largest recreation centers in the Salt Lake Valley, at about 160,000 square feet. It has an Olympic-size ice arena, four indoor pools, three outdoor pools, and outdoor pickleball courts.
I lived in Cottonwood Heights during my first years in Utah, and it's one of the three Salt Lake areas I focus on today, along with the East Bench and Millcreek.
Getting outside in Cottonwood Heights
- Little Cottonwood Canyon: Snowbird, about 12 road miles from City Hall, and Alta, about 13. Alta is skiers-only.
- Big Cottonwood Canyon: Solitude, about 15 road miles, and Brighton, about 17.
- Dogs aren't allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon. If you have a dog, Mill Creek Canyon, a short drive north, allows them.
- Park City is about 31 road miles away via I-215 and I-80, with Park City Mountain and Deer Valley.
Good to know before you buy in Cottonwood Heights
Short-term rentals
Cottonwood Heights limits short-term rentals mainly to multi-family homes in private condo or homeowners' associations. Each one needs a conditional use permit, approved at a city hearing, plus a business license. If rental income matters to you, we'll check whether a home qualifies before you make an offer.
Canyon traffic. Even from here, traffic up the Cottonwood Canyons can back up for hours on busy ski days. UTA runs ski buses from the valley, and an early start helps.
Schools. Most of Cottonwood Heights is in the Canyons School District, and some areas are in the Granite School District.
Homes for sale in Cottonwood Heights
Want to see what's on the market in Cottonwood Heights right now?
My Keller Williams listing search includes homes listed by other brokerages, not just Keller Williams. Browse Cottonwood Heights listings there, or tell me what you're looking for and I'll send you homes that fit.
Communities near Cottonwood Heights
Still deciding? These are close by, and each one feels different.
Millcreek
Salt Lake CountyA Salt Lake suburb with its own canyon, a new city center, and Utah's largest outdoor skating rink.
About 6 road miles to downtownEast Bench
Salt Lake CityFoothill neighborhoods on Salt Lake City's east side, near the University of Utah and Red Butte Garden.
About 4 road miles to downtownSalt Lake City
Salt Lake CountyUtah's capital and biggest city, with the airport close by and four ski resorts up the Cottonwood Canyons.
About 31 road miles to Park CityCompare Salt Lake City, Park City, and nearby communities side by side
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Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cottonwood Heights city, Utah (2020 population)
- Wikipedia: Cottonwood Heights, Utah (incorporation, nickname, canyons, highways, schools)
- Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area: About CHPRSA (recreation center)
- Cottonwood Heights: Short Term Rental (STR)
- U.S. Forest Service: Mill Creek Canyon (dogs in Big Cottonwood Canyon)
- Visit Salt Lake: Skiing and snowboarding (the four Cottonwood Canyon resorts)
- Lonely Planet: Skiing near Salt Lake City (canyon traffic, UTA ski buses)
- Wikipedia: Granite School District
- Road miles: OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), October 2026