Bingham Canyon Mine Overlook
Witness the world's deepest open-pit mine from high in the Oquirrh Mountains, offering vast panoramic views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Less traffic, smoother drive
Bingham Canyon Mine Overlook
Best Time
Less traffic, smoother drive
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Witness the world's deepest open-pit mine from high in the Oquirrh Mountains, offering vast panoramic views.
"A humbling experience to see such a HUGE feat way beneath you!!"
🚗 High-Clearance Vehicle Needed
A truck or SUV is best for the rocky dirt road. Low-suspension cars are not recommended. :car:
⛰️ Check Road Status
The main overlook might be closed, but access to higher points is often possible. :information_desk:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Immense Open-Pit Mine
Bingham Canyon Mine
Witness the sheer scale of the world's deepest open-pit mine, a humbling sight from above.
Panoramic Valley Views
Oquirrh Mountains Summit
Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the Salt Lake and Utah valleys, stretching to distant mountains.
The Epic Mountain Drive
Butterfield Canyon Road / Oquirrh Mountains
Experience a thrilling drive with steep, winding roads and switchbacks leading to the summit.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Road Conditions & Vehicle Choice
Access & Closures
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 High-Clearance Vehicle Needed
A truck or SUV is best for the rocky dirt road. Low-suspension cars are not recommended. :car:
⛰️ Check Road Status
The main overlook might be closed, but access to higher points is often possible. :information_desk:
☀️ No Shade, Bring Water
It gets hot and there's no shade. Pack plenty of water and sun protection. :hot_face:
🦌 Wildlife Spotting
Keep an eye out for wild turkeys, deer, and hawks on your drive up. :deer:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 High-Clearance Vehicle Needed
A truck or SUV is best for the rocky dirt road. Low-suspension cars are not recommended. :car:
⛰️ Check Road Status
The main overlook might be closed, but access to higher points is often possible. :information_desk:
☀️ No Shade, Bring Water
It gets hot and there's no shade. Pack plenty of water and sun protection. :hot_face:
🦌 Wildlife Spotting
Keep an eye out for wild turkeys, deer, and hawks on your drive up. :deer:
📸 Capture the Scale
The sheer size of the mine is incredible. Get wide shots to show its immensity. :camerawithflash:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the incredible, humbling scale of the Bingham Canyon Mine and the breathtaking panoramic views from the Oquirrh Mountains. The adventurous drive up the mountain is also a highlight for many. However, some note the lack of shade, the rough road conditions requiring specific vehicles, and potential closures of the main overlook area.
"We rode adventure bikes on a Friday afternoon in September. Not too much traffic. The road up the Butterfield Canyon side is smoothly paved and toll free. There is a toll booth if you head up from the Toole side. About half way up, the pavement runs out. It is a rough and rocky dirt/gravel road to the top. Possible in a truck or SUV. I wouldn't recommend a car or anything with a low suspension. On the way up we spotted several wild turkeys a few deer, and a red tail hawk. The road has beautiful vistas and I'd filled with hairpin turns and switchbacks. At the top you get an amazing view of the mine and on a clear day you can see from Bountiful to Spanish Fork."
Spencer Cottrell
"Great view of the open pit mine and surrounding area. No shade and flies that kept bugging my dog. A Subaru with offroad tires can make it. If your cars low or has bad tires stay home. Or walk up! The road till you make the right turn is paved. The road pass that right turn that leads up the mountain is uneven and rocky, plus narrow in parts. For best results put it in 4WD when you hit the dirt section. All those ruts are cause by people without 4WD. Trying to force their vehicle up the mountain."
Explore With me
"The views are great. The road is rocky and bumpy. We wished there had been some shade, trees or a pavilion of some kind, but there wasn’t."
Lyndi Mecham
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The overlook is accessed via the Oquirrh Mountains. You can drive up Butterfield Canyon Road, which is paved and toll-free for a portion, or take the toll road from the Tooele side. Be aware that the road becomes rough, rocky, and narrow dirt after the paved section. High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended.
The road is paved for a significant portion, especially on the Butterfield Canyon side. However, it transitions to a rough, uneven, and rocky dirt road as you ascend higher.
It is not recommended to drive a regular passenger car or anything with low suspension. The rough dirt road can be challenging and may damage your vehicle. A truck, SUV, or 4x4 is best.
There is a toll booth if you head up from the Tooele side. The Butterfield Canyon side is generally toll-free for the paved section.
The road features hairpin turns, switchbacks, and a rough, rocky dirt surface in its upper sections. It can be uneven with ruts, especially after rain or if vehicles without 4WD attempt to drive it.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Generally, no tickets are required for the overlook itself, though there might be tolls on certain access roads. However, the main overlook area has experienced closures due to landslides.
Access can be affected by weather and road conditions, especially in winter. While it was reported open in August 2025, it's always best to check current conditions before visiting.
Specific operating hours are not typically listed, as it's more about road accessibility. It's advisable to visit during daylight hours for safety and the best views.
The overlook provides views of the active mine. While you can't enter the mine pit, the scale is impressive from above.
While the overlook itself is usually free to access, there may be tolls on certain routes leading up the mountain, particularly from the Tooele side.
📸 📸 Photography
Early morning or late afternoon light can offer beautiful golden hour shots. Midday can be harsh due to direct sun, but the sheer scale of the mine is still impressive.
You can capture stunning panoramic views of the mine, the surrounding valleys, and the vast landscape. Drone footage offers a unique perspective of the mine's depth and width.
Generally, photography is allowed from the public overlook areas. Be mindful of any posted signs or restrictions, especially if you are near operational areas.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive views. A telephoto lens can be useful for zooming in on the massive machinery within the mine.
Drone footage can provide incredible aerial views of the mine's scale. Ensure you are aware of and comply with all local drone regulations.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The primary activity is taking in the breathtaking views of the massive open-pit mine and the surrounding valleys. The drive up is also an experience in itself with scenic vistas. 
There are typically no extensive facilities like restrooms or visitor centers at the overlook itself. It's a viewpoint.
No, there is very little to no shade at the overlook. It's an exposed area, so be prepared for sun exposure.
Visitors have reported seeing wild turkeys, deer, and red-tailed hawks on the drive up to the overlook.
Allow at least an hour to enjoy the drive up, take in the views, and take photos. If you plan to hike any nearby trails, allocate more time.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚗 Adventure Seekers & Off-Roaders
+1📸 Photographers & Drone Enthusiasts
For those with drones, the aerial perspective provides an incredible opportunity to showcase the mine's depth and the intricate network of roads and equipment. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Bingham Canyon Mine: A Geological Marvel
From the overlook, you can observe the massive machinery at work, including enormous trucks with tires as big as houses. The deep rumbling sound you might hear is the constant activity of extraction and transportation.
The mine's history is rich, and its impact on the local economy and landscape is undeniable. It's a powerful reminder of the resources beneath our feet and the effort required to bring them to the surface.Visiting the overlook offers a unique perspective on this industrial marvel. It's not just about the mine itself, but also the surrounding geological formations and the vastness of the Utah landscape. The experience can be quite humbling, putting into perspective the scale of both nature and human endeavor.
Navigating the Oquirrh Mountain Roads
Travelers often recommend using 4WD when hitting the dirt sections to navigate the ruts and uneven surfaces more easily. The road is narrow in parts, demanding attention and caution. Along the way, you'll encounter hairpin turns and switchbacks that add to the thrill of the ascent. Keep an eye out for wildlife, as deer, wild turkeys, and hawks have been spotted by visitors.
The drive offers increasingly spectacular vistas as you climb higher. The changing perspectives of the Salt Lake Valley and the mine below make the journey as rewarding as the destination. Be prepared for a bumpy ride, but the panoramic views at the top are well worth the effort.
+1
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit