Albion Basin Family Pictures are THE BEST. Here’s what to Expect when shooting at Albion Basin.

UPDATE: NOW BOOKING 2024 Albion Basin Sessions Please contact us to book your session.

Albion Basin is located up Little Cottonwood Canyon at the Alta Ski resort. From the base of the canyon, Alta ski resort is about 15 minutes up and is located in the town of Alta.

 

When you get to the base of the Summer Road in the town of Alta, you will stop at a ranger check in point. Here, you will be directed to either drive up the summer road (which is a dirt road), wait for a car to come down so you can drive up, or be instructed to park and hike up to Albion Basin.

 

Hiking up Albion Basin

If you have to hike up to Albion Basin plan on about a 30 minute hike to get to the famous Flower Hill. You’ll park just below the summer road and hike up, passing beautiful flowers as you hike. This hike is gradual, but make be difficult if you are dressed in family pictures clothes, so I suggest bringing extra, hiking friendly shoes in case you have to hike up.

The Alta Summer Map Brochure provides the trail information for hiking up to the Albion Basin.

Driving the Summer Road at Albion Basin

If you are lucky enough to drive up the Summer Road at Albion Basin you’ll have to pay a $12 per vehicle “amenity fee.” This fee funds road and parking lot maintenance, trash removal, staff, etc. for the Albion Basin/Alta area.

Remember, however, if you plan on driving up the summer road, there is a car control. Meaning, there is a limited number of cars that can go up at one time and once that number is reached a car can only drive up the road once another car comes down. So, you may have to wait for a while to get up the summer road to the Albion Basin parking lot.

The summer road should open up near the end of June or early July depending on the snow melt.

 

 

 

Albion Basin Wildflowers are ICONIC

There’s no other way to put it. They are breathtaking. But, they are also a limited resource so you have to be super careful. Don’t trample or pick the flowers EVER. You will be fined by the rangers and judged by everyone around you (seriously. just don’t pick them).

Also, because there are so many wildflowers there’s also a lot of bugs. So bug spray is a must. Don’t leave home without it.

When to Shoot Albion Basin Family Pictures

This year our team be offering two types of sessions at Albion Basin.

Albion Basin Flower Hill Session: this will be as the sun is setting on the iconic flower hill. These sessions are 1 hour before sunset.

Bright Light Albion Basin: these sessions will be 2-3 hours before sunset.