Little Cottonwood Canyon Climbing Area

From Utah State Historic Preservation Office:
On August 5th, 2024, Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) became America’s first recreational climbing area to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This climbing area holds statewide significance as an excellent representation of a culturally important recreational and social history in Salt Lake County, Utah.

Located southeast of Salt Lake City, this climbing area was developed in the 1960s and 1970s by the Alpenbock Climbing Club which established routes and also served as the country’s first mountain search and rescue unit. This area remains a popular climbing destination to this day and a looped access trail constructed in 2018 is named in honor of the Alpenbock Climbing Club.

This appointment to the Register celebrates the legacy of climbing in Little Cottonwood Canyon that lives on today. Recognizing the historical value of Little Cottonwood Canyon climbing and its surrounding landscape elevates the need to protect this special place in the hearts and minds of Utahns and the many people who visit our state.

The Little Cottonwood Canyon Climbing Area is located in Little Cottonwood Canyon and was added to the National Register of Historic Places (#100010670) on August 5, 2024.