Animals and Plants
Welcome to the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest Fisheries and Wildlife Program webpages. On the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest there are a variety of flat water and stream fisheries as well as wildlife viewing opportunities. As you fish and enjoy the wildlife please help us to keep the forest enjoyable by packing out all of the materials you bring on the forest. We hope you have a great day fishing and view wildlife and enjoy the forest! Good Luck!
Fish Species
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest has a variety of fish and amphibians. Some of the native species are Bonneville cutthroat, Colorado River cutthroat, mountain whitefish, mountain sucker, and mottled sculpin.
Bonneville cutthroat
Colorado River cutthroat
Mountain Whitefish
Non-Native Trout
Amphibians
Wildlife
The not-so-rare moose, often seen in portions of the forest in the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains - Moose can be found roaming the riparian areas of the forest. Be sure to keep an eye out for these large creatures. They may look tame, but the moose are wild. Enjoy the opportunity to view the animals in their natural habitat and remember you are a guest in their home!
Amphibians
Many of the native amphibian populations are declining. The reasons for these declines are varied, and often not completely understood. If you happen to come across one of these species enjoy watching, but please don't take them home!
Boreal Toad Bufo boreas boreas
Tiger Salamander Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum
Great Basin Spadefoot Scaphiopus intermontanus
Boreal Chorus Frog Pseudaris triseriata maculata
Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens brachycephala
Spotted Frog Rana pretiosa
Wildflowers
In summer, wildflowers turn the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest into a kaleidoscope of color! Here are just few of the more popular viewing areas:
Albion Basin: Above the town of Alta around 9,500', over 120 species have been documented in this unique wetland and geologic area, including paintbrush, columbine, lupine, Jacob's ladder, and penstemons.
Cascade Springs: Located within the American Fork Recreation Fee Area, over seven million gallons of water flow through this artesian spring each day. Boardwalks and trails make viewing easy within this riparian oasis.
Silver Meadow: A wet meadow, this area contains one of the largest and most dependable populations of a tiny fern called the dainty moonwort. The meadow is also known for displays of pink elephant's head, white spikes of orchids and blue camas. This viewing area is just off the Wolf Creek Highway (Highway 35) on the Heber-Kamas Ranger District.
Tony Grove Lake: Venture off the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway on the Logan Ranger District to see an explosion of summer wildflowers during July and August. A boardwalk, picnic area, and nature trail around the lake provide excellent viewing possibilities.
Whitney Area: This area is located off the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway on the Evanston-Mountain View Ranger District. Whitney Reservoir, Mill City Creek, Road Hollow, Meadow Creek, and Moffit Pass/Moffit Basin contain some of the most intact sub-alpine forb communities in the Uinta Mountains. In late summer, orange sneezeweed dominates the meadows, along with sticky geranium, polemonium, monk's hood, and arnica.