Once the snow melts, Alta Ski Area transforms into a photographer's dream. In July and August, mountain meadows burst into a vibrant display of wildflowers—making summer one of the most beautiful and popular times to explore the Wasatch.
Alta's wildflowers are here for all to enjoy, and with that comes a shared responsibility to protect and preserve the land. Every flower plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy, balanced mountain environment. This spectacular bloom returns each summer because these protected meadows are given the chance to thrive—undisturbed by humans—and reproduce.
Picking, trampling, digging up flowers or collecting seeds can harm the plants and reduce their ability to return year after year.
Alta Ski Area and the U.S. Forest Service work together to restore areas impacted by visitor use and protect these sensitive habitats. To help preserve these meadows, the U.S. Forest Service prohibits crossing rope boundaries or leaving designated trails in protected areas of Albion Meadows—violations may result in fines of up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per organization [36 CFR 261.53(b)].
Capture With Care
- Look with your eyes—not your hands. Picking or trampling wildflowers disrupts the ecosystem by reducing food and habitats, preventing these plants from reproducing and growing back.
- Your footprint matters. Like picking at a scab, each step in sensitive areas compacts the soil, making it harder for vegetation to recover. This leaves lasting scars on the landscape if not left to heal, so please stay inside rope lines.
- Use photo pullouts located along the Albion Meadows trail to get the perfect shot—without trampling sensitive vegetation.
- Skip the shortcut. Traveling off official paths creates “social trails” that lead to erosion and damage vegetation. Please stay on designated trails to help these impacted areas recover.
Scenic Spots Worth the Stop
Top Picks
These three underrated trails are filled with wildflowers, winding water and hidden gems—and deserve a spot on your summer hiking bucket list.
- Lower Albion Meadows: Easy | one-mile loop | 100 vertical feet
- Snake Pit: Intermediate | 0.7 miles | 365 vertical feet
- Twin Lakes Pass: Hard | 2.1 miles | 1,350 vertical feet
Early Summer Finds
Looking for blooms before peak season? The south-facing slopes above the Town of Alta are a great option for wildflower viewing and photography in June and early July. Twin Lakes Pass and Cardiff Pass melt out earlier than Albion Basin and Collins Gulch—offering an early glimpse of summer in the mountains.
Classic Routes
During peak wildflower season, explore the Albion Meadow trail—via the Upper Albion Meadows trail or Catherine's Pass trailhead—a scenic route with endless wildflower photography opportunities. Keep an eye out for silvery lupine and fiery Indian paintbrush, contrasting with bright yellow sunflowers.
Commercial photography requires a permit, but hobbyists are welcome to capture Alta's wildflower displays while staying on designated trails. Off-trail travel in Albion Meadows is monitored and enforced by the U.S. Forest Service—keep your wallets and the wildflowers happy by staying on trail.
View the Alta Summer Trail Map >
Commercial Photography Permits
Film and photography permit info for large commercial projects.
In order to regulate the trails while being good stewards of the environment, the Salt Lake Ranger District asks that film/photography permits are obtained for large commercial photography and film projects. Please reach out to the Salt Lake Ranger District to inquire whether or not a permit is needed for you. Applications are accepted year-round at all Ranger District Offices.
- All permit money goes directly back to your Wasatch National Forest.
- All permits issued by the Forest Service require the permittee to stay on designated roads and trails.
- Trampled flowers are not designated trails.
How to Apply
- Review the application checklist, insurance requirements and fee schedule.
- Contact the applicable Ranger District Office for proposal review.
- Complete and submit the Permit Application with all required information a minimum of 10 business days prior to planned filming or photography dates.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application Checklist
- Contact the applicable Ranger District Office for project proposal prescreening.
- Complete and submit a detailed Permit Application a minimum of 10 business days prior to the proposed start date, to include the following:
- Detailed map of the proposed project site and area, available here
- Certificate of Insurance
- Operating Plan
Other Considerations
Commercial filming in congressionally designated Wilderness Areas requires meeting additional criteria. Contact the local Ranger District Office for details. All applicants will be charged the minimum $130.00 application fee regardless of final approval. (This fee does not include applicable filming/photography land use fees and monitoring fees).
For enrolled students in University
- Student filmmakers/photographers are required to pay the application fee.
- Land use rent may be waived if students produce a letter on letterhead from the educational institution stating that the project is a class requirement and has no commercial value.
Insurance Requirements
- One (1) Million General Liability is required, submitted on ACCORD 25 2010/05form.
- If aircraft is involved, the Minimum Coverage Amount is $5 million.
- The Certificate of Insurance and the Insurance Policy Endorsement must show the “United States” (not “US Forest Service”) as additionally insured. The certificate AND the endorsement page must be submitted to the District Office either with the permit request or immediately upon approval of the request, before activities commence.
- The following clause must also appear on the face of the certificate and on the endorsement page of the certificate: “It is understood and agreed that the United States of America, Uinta-WasatchCache National Forest, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is additionally insured solely as respects liability arising from operations of the name insured.”
- The Certificate Holder for filming occurring on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is:
- USDA Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
- 857 West South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, Utah 84095-8594