Ashley National Forest is located in northeastern Utah and Wyoming.
It encompasses 1,384,132 National Forest acres (1,287,909 in Utah and 96,223 in Wyoming). Of the total acres, 276,175 are High Uintas Wilderness (180,530 additional acres of High Uintas Wilderness is located on the Wasatch / Cache National Forest).
Elevations on the Ashley National Forest range from 6,000 feet to over 13,500 feet.
The Ashley National Forest asks the public to please recreate responsibly. Law enforcement and/or search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19 issues. High-risk activities such as rock climbing, etc. or backcountry activities that increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided. We also encourage you to follow public health guidelines regarding social distancing while you recreate in National Forests. For more information about how the Forest Service is responding to COVID-19, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/covid19-updates.
Fire Restrictions for Ashley National Forest
Lifted on August 20th at Midnight
Vernal, Utah, June 18, 2021— Fire restrictions on the Ashley National Forest were lifted at midnight on August 20, 2021.
As stated, when fire restrictions were implemented, this is a very difficult decision and that through monitoring the restrictions would be lifted at the first opportunity.
Based on the monsoonal moisture received throughout the Forest fuel moistures have reached levels that warrant the lifting of fire restrictions but may be required again depending on future weather conditions.
For more information on the restrictions, such as trail and road closures visitors are encouraged to contact their local District Ranger office before departing on their trip, or contact our main office at 435-789-1181.
Northern Utah Resource Advisory Committee Meetings to be Held September 22 and September 29
The Northern Utah Resources Advisory Committee (RAC) will conduct meetings on September 22 and September 29, 2021. The purpose of each meeting will be to address RAC business; review and prioritize Title II project proposals; and entertain general questions and answers. The meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held virtually.
The committee's purpose is to accept and recommend projects to the Forest Service funded through the Secure Rural Schools Act. Projects can include road and trail maintenance, watershed restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat, and control of invasive weeds.
The meetings are open to the public. Individuals interested in attending the meetings can contact the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest office at (801) 999-2103.
The Northern Utah RAC is authorized through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Act as a mechanism for local community collaboration with Federal land managers in recommending projects that will benefit Federal lands. SRS allocations are based on and funded by national forest receipts. These funds are required to be utilized on national forests, or projects that will directly benefit these lands.
The Northern Utah RAC serves the areas of the Ashley and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests.
The Ashley National Forest offers timber sales that are available for bidding and purchase. Click on the link above to view current, previous, and future sales.
Forest Plan Revision Webinar December 17, 2020 from 6 to 7 p.m.
As part of the Forest Plan Revision process, an informational webinar will be hosted by the Ashley National Forest on Thursday, December 17, 2020 from 6:00-7:00 PM. This webinar will present the outcome from the wilderness evaluation process as well as the range of alternatives to be analyzed for the development of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Ashley Karst National Recreation and Geologic Area
What is the Ashley Karst National Recreation Geologic Area (NRGA)?
The Ashley Karst NRGA received this special designation by Congress in March of 2019. The designation is part of the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. The purposes of the designation are to, “conserve and protect the watershed, geological, recreational, wildlife, scenic, natural, cultural, and historic resources” that are located within the NRGA.
The Ashley National Forest is preparing to develop a management plan for the Congressionally designated Ashley Karst National Recreation and Geologic Area.
A public meeting was held virtually on December 8 with presenters from the National Forest and Uintah County. Items discussed during the meeting include:
What was the purpose of the designation?
What does the designation include?
What are some of the unique features of the Ashley Karst NRGA?
How can you assist in the development of a management plan?
A brief period of questions and responses.
To view a recorded version of the presentation, please the Ashley National Forest Facebook page. Alternatively, the meeting was also broadcast by Channel V6 and the recorded video can be viewed on their webpage by clicking here.
The Ashley National Forest is currently seeking comments to assist in the development of the management plan.
Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Records of Decision for Greater Sage-grouse Conservation
Forest Service Issues Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Records of Decision for Greater Sage-grouse Conservation
The Intermountain and Rocky Mountain Regions of the Forests Service incorporated standards and guidelines for the conservation of greater sage-grouse into forest plans in 2015. After two years of implementation and monitoring, the Forest Service identified new information that could be used to improve the clarity, efficiency, and implementation of the 2015 Greater Sage-Grouse Plan Amendments, in order to benefit greater sage-grouse conservation at the landscape scale. During the development of a draft Environmental Impact Statement, comments were requested from the public and were used to create proposed revisions to greater sage-grouse plans for forests in Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. Most of the content of 2015 plans remained, but changes were proposed that incorporated new information and attempted to improve the efficiency of plan implementation. The Final Environmental Impact Statement can be found here, and draft Records of Decision can be found at the links for Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. The publication of the final Environmental Impact Statement on August 2nd, 2019 begins a 60-day objection period that cannot be extended. After the objection period, which is described in the Records of Decision and in the Federal Register, the Forest Service will attempt to resolve any remaining concerns before creating final Records of Decision. Members of the public may examine interactive maps of habitat management areas using a web tool.
Travel stories audio tour of the FLAMING GORGE - UINTAS SCENIC BYWAY (download the Travelstorys app from Google Play or the Apple Store and download the Flaming Gorge tour for the next time you travel from Vernal to Manila. Visit https://www.travelstorys.com/explore-tours/ to review some of their tours.
The interactive travel map shows the National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and areas on National Forest System lands that are designated for motor vehicle use. The map is searchable by vehicle class, time of year, route number, and travel mode. You can zoom into an area on a national forest or grassland, see the roads and trails in that area, and find out which ones are open to motor vehicles, and when. You can see rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, campgrounds, and topographic lines. Land ownership is shown by color. You can also print a map of the area you wish to visit.
Ashley National Forest is located in northeastern Utah and Wyoming.
The Ashley Karst NRGA received this special designation by Congress in March of 2019. The designation is part of the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. The purposes of the designation are to, “conserve and protect the watershed, geological, recreational, wildlife, scenic, natural, cultural, and historic resources” that are located within the NRGA. 
