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The Pit.

Biggest Pit in the World

Field review by the editors.

Herriman, Utah

The Bingham Canyon Mine holds the coveted title of "Biggest Pit in the World" -- and it is a major tourist draw. Why bother with the way-the-heck-out-of-the-way Grand Canyon when you can gaze at something just as spectacular only a 90 minute drive from downtown Salt Lake City?

The Kennecott Copper Corp. has been digging this hole for over a century -- and it is proud. Signs on the site boast: "A mountain once stood where this huge bowl is now." One-half mile deep and 2.5 miles wide, if it were a stadium it could seat nine million people.

View of the pit from the overlook.

Kennecott digs approximately 250,000 tons of rock out of the pit every day, so this is one attraction that gets bigger and better every time you visit.

The overlook and Visitor Center were wiped off the face of the earth on April 10, 2013 by a 145-million-ton landslide -- a not uncommon event on the edge of a giant pit. Beginning in 2019 visitors could take a bus to a new observation site, which includes informative signs and photo ops (and costs $5). Or, in the summer months, they can drive for free to an unofficial overlook on the southwest edge of the pit.

Biggest Pit in the World

Bingham Canyon Mine

Address:
Copper Pit Overlook Rd, Herriman, UT
Directions:
From UT-201 west of Salt Lake City, turn south into UT-111/Bacchus Hwy. Drive 16 miles. When the road veers left, turn right onto Herriman Hwy S./Butterfield Canyon Rd. Drive seven miles to the mountain crest. When the pavement ends, turn right onto another unpaved road and drive 2.5 miles to the Overlook.
Hours:
Road open June-Sept. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Replica House from Pixar's UpReplica House from Pixar's Up, Herriman, UT - 8 mi.
Saltair - The Cursed ResortSaltair - The Cursed Resort, Magna, UT - 16 mi.
Mount Rushmore ReplicaMount Rushmore Replica, Lehi, UT - 18 mi.
In the region:
Virgin Mary in a Stump, Salt Lake City, UT - 23 mi.

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