Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Uinta Wasatch Cache text on mountains

Before visiting the forest please check our alerts and notices page. Forest closure orders, alerts, and notifications prepares you for a pleasurable outdoor experience with no surprises!

General Information

Forest Wide Alerts
Implementation of some recreation site fee changes on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest will begin December 1, 2023. Fee changes will be phased in over a three-year period. The changes are essential to address increasing costs in the Forest’s commitment to provide quality recreation opportunities for millions of visitors each year. Recreation Fee Changes by Ranger District starting December 1, 2024 Table

Evanston/Mt. View Ranger Districts

The Evanston-Mountain View Ranger District is implementing a mechanical removal of hazardous fuels around the Whitney Reservoir area.

Heber-Kamas Ranger District

Notice to Soapstone Summer Recreation Residence

January 16, 2025 Update on bridge construction. Construction continues to move forward with no changes to power or recreation.

Power: No Change. No current or projected impacts to power across the construction site.

Construction: The contractor is nearing completion of the rebar and forms for pouring the abutments on both sides of the river. That pour, which is a significant milestone for this project, could happen as early as next week subject to weather and inspections.

Recreation: Recreation access across Soapstone Bridge (snowmobile, grooming, skiing etc.) from HWY150 into Soapstone Basin will be unavailable until the bridge is sufficiently completed to safely allow trail grooming – expect this to mean the entirety of the 24/25 snow season, and subject to contractor approval. We will reduce the Yellow Lake Fire closure once trail and road warning signs are in place.

Over all points for clarification of common questions:

The contractor has committed to continue working as long as is required to complete construction of the bridge. It is essential that the bridge to be completed prior to spring run-off.
No actions or decisions will be made that could impact the success of the bridge construction.
Power across the construction site was temporarily discontinued due to safety risks for construction workers.
The only motorized access into Soapstone basin is from HWY 35 – subject to weather and snow conditions.
The Yellow Lake Fire closure order will be reviewed in the coming weeks. In the interim, short-term access for homeowners or others requiring access into the closure area can be requested through the Kamas Ranger Station (435) 783-4338.
Once the request is approved, we are asking those who have been granted access to inform the Forest Service of their entrance and departure.
Recreation access from HWY150 into Soapstone Basin will be unavailable until the bridge is sufficiently completed to safely allow trail grooming and determination that such access would not impact final bridge completion.

The Yellow Lake Fire is 100% Contained, closures remain in place see closure description below

The investigation of the Yellow Lake Fire that burned 33,173 acres east of Kamas, Utah this fall has been completed. The following statement has been released by the Forest Service.

“An investigation conducted by the United States Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations concluded the Yellow Lake Fire was accidentally caused by equipment use associated with a timber sale on the Heber-Kamas Ranger District of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.”

The Yellow Lake Fire Burned Area Response (BAER) report has also been completed. A summary is provided below.

The USDA Forest Service assessed impacts of the Yellow Lake Fire on the soil within the burned area and released an analysis that categorizes the level of soil damage across the affected landscape.

The soil burns severity map, created using remote sensing imagery and field data, identifies four levels of soil burn severity:

Unburned/Very Low: Minimal soil damage, with intact surface layers.
Low: Moderate soil damage, with some loss of surface plants but intact topsoil.
Moderate: Significant soil damage, with substantial loss of plants and potential damage to near-surface roots.
High: Severe soil damage, with complete loss of plants and deep root damage, making the soil highly susceptible to erosion.

Approximately 86% of the 33,173-acre burned area exhibits low or very low soil burn severity. While 14% of the area experienced moderate damage, less than 1% suffered high severity burns.

The BAER team will use this information to predict post-fire runoff, erosion, and sedimentation. Areas with moderate to high soil burn severity may experience increased runoff and erosion, particularly during heavy rainfall events. The Forest Service is committed to monitoring the affected area and implementing restoration plans to less potential impacts and promote long-term recovery of the ecosystem.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest closure description: The Yellow Lake Fire area closure includes all roads, campgrounds, trails, trailhead, parking area/lots. Starting at the Pine Valley campground going east along the south side of the Provo River to Cobblerest campground then goes east to the forest boundary, south along the forest boundary across Highway 35 to the West Fork of the Duchesne River Road (Forest Service Road #050) going west along the northside of the West Fork of the Duchesne River Road (Forest Service Road #050) to the intersection with Mill Hollow Road (Forest Service Road #054) then going north along the eastside of the Mill Hollow Road (Forest Service Road #054) to Highway 35 then going northwest on the north side of Highway 35 following the forest boundary for approx. 3 miles then north along the forest boundary to Pine Valley group campground

Ashley National Forest area closure description: The area described as following but excluding the North Fork of the Duchesne Road (FSR 144) beginning at the forest boundary, north along this road to the Mill Flat Trail (FST 081) and then north along that trail to the middle of section 3, then west to the forest boundary and then south, then west, then south and then east along the forest boundary to the North Fork of the Duchesne Road (Forest Service Road #144).
2. Forest Service Road #174 starting from the forest boundary to its terminus
3. Forest Service Road #180 starting from the junction with Forest Service Road #144 to its terminus
4. Aspen Campground, Hades Campground, and Iron Mine Campground.
View the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Fores closure order and map Ashley National Forest closure order and map.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest closed the Soapstone Bridge in the Heber-Kamas Ranger District on August 12, 2024, for bridge replacement. The bridge is located approximately 14 miles East of Kamas, UT at the junction of the Mirror Lake Highway (SR 150) and Forest Service Road 037 (map attached). Map showing the Soapstone Bridge Area

The Soapstone Bridge is reaching the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced for public safety. The estimated completion date is October 30, 2024, allowing for construction during the fall when low water flows and weather conditions are favorable for project completion. The new bridge is a significant upgrade that will allow two-way traffic and improve river flow while continuing to provide public access over the Provo River into Soapstone Basin.

During the construction period, a temporary closure will be in effect. There will be no access to the Soapstone Basin from the Mirror Lake Highway (SR150). Access to all areas South of the bridge remain available from Highway 35 and visitors should plan for increased travel time using the alternate route. Impacted areas/activities include:

Dispersed camping
Soapstone Summer Homes
Piuta Camp and Camp Rodgers
Livestock allotments
Hunting units

Forest Service officials are working closely with Wasatch and Summit County emergency responders to identify options for access to Soapstone Basin during the closure period.

Logan Ranger District
Currently there are no alerts or notices

Ogden Ranger District

The entire Pineview West trail (Forest Service trail #612) is closed from January 17, 2025 to May 20, 2025. Purpose of the closure is for public health and safety while crews and equipment are installing a pipeline in proximity of the Pineview West Trail (Forest Service Trail #6612).

Pleasant Grove Ranger District
Currently there are no alerts or notices

Salt Lake Ranger District

There is an area closure in Cardiff Fork Canyon including the Donut Falls Trail (Forest Service Trail #1156) is closed for 0.33 miles within the area closure.

Spanish Fork Ranger District

The Maple Canyon Road (Forest Service Road #025) is closed starting at the Forest Boundary going East to Whiting Campground. Left Fork Maple Canyon Trailhead Parking Lot is closed. Left Fork Maple Canyon trail is closed from the forest boundary east to Little Diamond Creek and Mapleton-Sawmill Hollow Trail junction. Right Fork Maple Canyon trail is closed from the junction with the Left Fork Maple Canyon Trail approximately 1 and ½ miles. View the closure and map below.

Regional Forest Orders

Learn more about the Weed Free Hay Order, Explosives and Exploding Targets and Fireworks and Spark Arrestors.

Ashley and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Forest Orders for High Uinta Wilderness

Order Number: 04-19-107 High Uintas Wilderness Occupancy and Use Order - Map

Order Number: 04-19-146 High Uintas Wilderness Campfire Restrictions - Restricted Sites

Forestwide Orders

Order Number: 04-19-22-531 Pallet Order and Map
This order is in effect July 22, 2022 and shall remain in effect through July 22, 2032

Order Number: 04-19-22-532 Nudity Order and Map
This order is in effect July 22, 2022 through July 22, 2032

Order Number: 04-19-22-533 Camping Stay Limit and Map
This order is in effect July 27, 2022 and shall remain in effect through July 27, 2025

Order Number: 04-19-22-534 Aquatic Invasive Species and Map
This order is in effect July 22, 2022 and shall remain in effect through July 22, 2032

Order Number: 04-19-22-535 Prohibited Targets and Map
This order is in effect July 22, 2022 and shall remain in effect through July 22, 2032

Order Number: 04-19-22-536 Forest Wide General Order and Map
This order is in effect July 22, 2022 and shall remain in effect until July 22, 2032

Order Number: 04-19-22-537 Alcohol and Map
This order is in effect July 22, 2022 and shall remain in effect until July 22, 2032

Order Number: 04-19-22-538 Vehicles, Roads, And Trails and Map
This order is in effect July 22, 2022 and shall remain in effect through July 22, 2032

Order Number: 04-19-434 Controlled Substance Order and Map
This Order is in effect starting February 12, 2020 until February 12, 2030

Special Orders and Closures by Ranger District

You can visit Alta.com to see when the closures are in place. Alta will post the info on their website the day before they close the area, trail and road.

04-19-509 Mill Creek Canyon Leash Law Closure and map
04-19-452 Farmington and Ward Canyon road fire restrictions and map
04-19-447 Silver Lake and Albion Basin Area Closure and Silver Lake map, Albion Basin map
04-19-295 Weber Basin Job Corp Area Closure and map
04-19-358 Sunset Campground Closure in Davis County and map
04-19-109 Davis County Fire Restrictions
04-19-91 Farmington Canyon Winter Camping
04-19-90 Shooting in the Foothills between Ward and Farmington Canyon Roads
04-19-85 Swimming/Camping/Animal in Watersheds
04-19-84 Mill Creek Canyon Winter Trail/Dog Restrictions
04-19-80 Red Butte Canyon/Natural Research Area Trespass
04-19-61 Bicycle Use in Upper Mill Creek Drainage
04-19-58 Developed Recreation Sites
04-19-52 Silver Lake Board Walk
04-19-44 Camping and Fire Restrictions in Ferguson Canyon
04-19-41 Cardiff Fork Vehicles
04-19-36 Cardiff Fork Snowplay
04-19-35 Sessions Mountain Road
04-19-32 Mt Olympus, Twin Peaks, Lone Peak and Deseret Peak Wilderness
04-19-27 Winter Developed Group Site Camping
04-19-26 Camping/Fire Restrictions Mill Creek, Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons