Empire Pass opens for spring season, access to Big Cottonwood Canyon via Guardsman Pass remains closed

UDOT crews open the Empire Pass gate on April 14, 2026. Photo: Utah Department of Transportation

PARK CITY, Utah — Seasonal road openings are ahead as crews continue plowing and readying popular backcountry and high elevation routes.

The Utah Department of Transportation opened the Empire Pass gate Tuesday, allowing passage from Empire Pass (SR-224) to Pine Canyon.

Access between Park City and Big Cottonwood Canyon via Guardsman Pass (SR-190) remains closed to vehicles. UDOT noted updates will be coming on projected opening dates for Guardsman Pass.

Utah experienced a historically low snowpack this winter season, which may push forward the timing for road openings.

SR-35 Wolf Creek Summit, which runs east of Francis to west of Hanna, is already open for the season.

No opening dates have been set for the Alpine Loop in Provo and American Fork Canyons, Mirror Lake Highway, or other popular Utah seasonal roads.