High Uintas Wilderness

The High Uintas Wilderness, located in northeastern Utah, comprises the wild core of the massive Uinta Mountains and provides a nearly pristine natural setting (primitive and semi-primitive nonmotorized ROS). The High Uintas Wilderness is 453,900 acres in size and is the largest wilderness area in the state of Utah, more than three and half times larger than the second largest wilderness area in the state. The Ashley National Forest manages 60 percent of the wilderness, 274,154 acres. The remainder is managed by the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Management of the wilderness is coordinated between the two national forests, but the Ashley is the lead forest for the management of the High Uintas Wilderness. 

The Uinta Mountains were carved by glaciers from an immense uplift of Precambrian rock. The main crest of the Uinta Mountains runs west to east for more than 60 miles.  The crest rises more than 6,000 feet above the Wyoming and Uinta Basins to the north and south. Massive secondary ridges extend north and south from the crest of the range, framing glacial basins and canyons far below. This rugged expanse of peaks and flat-topped mountains is the largest alpine area in the Intermountain West and is the setting for Kings Peak, the highest peak in Utah. Hundreds of picturesque lakes, streams, and meadows are nestled in beautiful basins. Cold, clear rivers plunge from the basins to deep canyons that form the headwaters of Utah’s major rivers. 

The Uinta Mountains rise from 7,500 to 13528 feet at the summit of Kings Peak, offering diverse habitat for plants and animals. Above tree line, tundra plant comminutes thrive in the harsh climate of the highest altitudes. Thick forests of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and lodgepole pine trees blanket the land below tree line. These forests are interrupted by park-like meadows and lush wetlands. In the lower elevations, aspen groves and countless mixed species offer contrast to the scene. The Uinta Mountain are home to elk, mule deer, moose, mountain goats, coyotes, black bears, bighorn sheep, ptarmigan, river otter, several species of raptor, pine marten, and cougar to name a few. 

The High Uintas Wilderness was designated by Congress under the Utah Wilderness Act of 1984, pursuant to the Wilderness Act of 1964. In 1997, the High Uintas Wilderness Management Plan was completed and amended the Ashley National Forest Plan (amendment 12).

The High Uintas Wilderness draws visitors from across the Nation. The recreational opportunities available are horse and foot trails to lakes and other natural features, fishing, hunting, viewing natural features and wildlife, mountain and rock climbing. The size of the High Uintas Wilderness allows for extended backpacking or horse packing trips not possible in other Utah wilderness areas. 

The High Uintas Wilderness may be accessed from 16 developed trailheads surrounding the wilderness near the gateway communities of Duchesne, Roosevelt, and Kamas, UT and Evanston and Mountain View, WY. An extensive network of trails (545 miles) leads visitors deep into the wilderness, through thick forests, past rushing streams and placid lakes, to sweeping alpine vistas below majestic peaks. The opportunities for exploration are endless.

Before your next visit to any wilderness, be wilderness wise and “know before you go.” Remember, wilderness is wild and you are responsible for your personal safety. Take this responsibility seriously!

The High Uintas Wilderness is a deceptively fragile place and is being literally “loved to death” by a growing number of visitors. With increasing use and impacts to natural resources, many visitors are also having difficulty finding the wilderness experiences they seek. Please Leave No Trace of your visit, respect restrictions, and help keep the wilderness wild for future generations.