Horse Riding and Camping

The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest offers many magnificent and breath-taking areas for horse users to experience. However, not all trails on the forest are designated for use by horses and pack/stock animals (mules, burro, lamas, goats). In Salt Lake County, Millcreek Canyon is the only canyon that horseback riding is allowed, due to Salt Lake City watershed restrictions (no domestic animals are allowed in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons). All other trails in Davis, Tooele, Morgan, Weber, Box Elder, Rich, Cache, Summit, Wasatch, and Duchesne Counties in Utah and Uinta County in Wyoming are open to horses and pack/stock animals.

Feed

When packing feed onto the national forest, all horse and pack/stock animal users must remember that any hay, pellets, cubes, mulch and straw must be certified to be weed-seed free. Noxious weeds are an increasing threat to national forest lands. They destroy the diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs on which wildlife such as deer and elk feed. Particularly at risk is big game winter range.

Horse Sense: Plan Ahead Before You Go

Before you go, contact local land managers for maps and regulations concerning permits, campfires, party size, grazing weed-seed-free feed, trail conditions, closures, and more. Make sure you consider seasonal weather changes and make alternate plans in case of bad weather.

Please stay on trails.
Keep your stock from skirting shallow puddles, small rocks, and bushes.
In steep, rough country, down-hill traffic usually yields to uphill traffic.
People with llamas, on foot, or on mountain bikes should yield to stock traffic because it is easier for them to move off the trail.
When you stop tie your stock off the trail. Before you move on, scatter manure.
Please only tie your stock directly to a tree for a short period of time.
Keep your animals at least 200 feet from streams, lakes, lake shores, trails and camping areas.
Please use minimal impacts methods to restrain your stock. High lining is the best method for overnight stays, picket lining is good for short term grazing but remember to move your stock regularly, so they do not damage the area and hobbling works well.
Always pack out what you pack in.
Food Storage Requirements are in effect, because of bear problems on the Kamas and Evanston Ranger Districts. Users must properly store food, including stock feed, in a way that is inaccessible to bears. You can either store your food and stock feed in bear resistant containers or hang it, but it must be at least 12 feet off the ground and between trees that are at least 8 feet apart and at least 10 yards from your sleeping area (tent). Make sure that your cooking area is also at least 100 feet from your sleeping area.
Many wilderness areas have specific rules and regulations that must be followed such as, limits on how many people and stock animals per group; areas where campfires are never allowed; specific camping distances from trails, bodies of water and other camps, etc. Make sure you always check with the local Ranger District to obtain the most current conditions, rules and regulations to make your visit a safe and enjoyable one.