Wilderness
Wilderness is an area of Federal Land that is free from modern human control or manipulation, is undeveloped, and provides outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation. Wilderness areas are generally over 5,000 acres in size and may contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests has nine Wilderness areas that are part of the 109 million-acre National Wilderness Preservation System.
Specific Area Information
Location: North Central Utah, west of Tooele and Grantsville, Utah
USGS Quad: Deseret Peak East, Deseret Peak West, North Willow and Salt Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate to severe with elevations from just under 5,500 feet to over 11,000 feet. Trails are easy to follow, but may cross extremely rough terrain at high elevations.
Use: Light to moderately heavy, heaviest on weekends and during hunting seasons.
Weather: Summer temperatures can range from near 90 degrees in the daytime to below 40 degrees at night. Occasional summer thunderstorms can be expected.
About the Area
The Deseret Peak Wilderness was established by Congress in 1984 with the passage of the Utah Wilderness Act. Located within the Stansbury Mountain range, the Deseret Peak Wilderness consists of approximately 25,508 acres and is generally bounded on the north by Pass Canyon drainage, on the south by Vickory Mountain, on the west by Skull Valley and on the east by the Mack Canyon-Big Hollow Trail.
It takes about an hour to drive to the most popular entry point, the trailhead at the Loop Campground in South Willow Canyon. You may also enter from Martin's Fork, Bear Trap Fork, and the North Willow Canyon area on the east side of the range. The west side does not offer an easy access to the wilderness. The area is quite dry and is often used for horse packing, backpacking, and day hiking.
The biggest attraction is the 11,031 foot Deseret Peak. There is also a herd of wild horses occupying Big Creek Canyon.
The semi-arid Deseret Peak Wilderness is dominated by rugged terrain and high peaks, including Deseret Peak. Much of the higher elevation is alpine, characterized by open basins and exposed rocky ridges. Vegetation includes dense mountain brush mixed with sagebrush and grass. Patches of various firs, juniper, and aspen are common in isolated patches on north facing slopes. Snow remains in some areas until early summer.
The management area provides forage for cattle on parts of three allotments. The most popular uses include hiking, picnicking, hunting, and horse riding. The area is the source of culinary and irrigation water for nearby communities and farms.
To preserve and protect the physical and aesthetic environment, National Forest wilderness areas are closed to motor vehicles, mechanized equipment, hang gliders, and bicycles. Please help protect wilderness for future generations by learning and practicing "No-Trace" camping and hiking techniques.
The following acts are prohibited in the Deseret Peak Wilderness Area: Group sizes exceeding 10 persons, camping within 200 feet of lakes, streams, springs, or other water sources, camping within 200 feet of trails, camping for more than 3 days at one site, short cutting a trail switchback, and disposing of garbage, debris, or other waste.
About the Area
The High Uintas Wilderness encompasses 456,705 acres and stretches nearly 60 miles east to west. It is a spectacular area with hundreds of glacier-formed lakes reflecting blue skies and Utah's highest peaks in clear, cold water. This area was legally designated as wilderness in 1984, by the Utah Wilderness Act. The intent of wilderness designation is to preserve parts of the earth as places dominated by natural forces, not man. People are visitors who do not remain, but who can watch and learn how nature works without human interference.
Because of this special designation, it is important for wilderness visitors to travel lightly with minimum impact on the land. Travel by foot or by horseback, in small groups. Hide your campsite away from lakes and trails so all visitors may have a peaceful and private experience. Keep fires small or use a camp stove. Keep your eyes and ears open to the beauty and wildness around you.
The High Uintas is jointly managed by the Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests. Visit the Ashley National Forest's High Uintas Wilderness web page.
Before Entering the Wilderness - What You Need to Know
Each wilderness area in the country varies in size, climate, terrain and amount of human use. Due to these differences, each wilderness has unique management needs and regulations. Always check for changes in regulations before entering the wilderness. When traveling in the High Uintas, please, following these regulations:
- Groups entering the wilderness must be no larger than 14 people and 15 head of stock. Groups exceeding the size limit must separate into groups of 14 or less and remain at least one mile apart on trails and while camping.
- All campsites must be greater than 200 feet away from water sources, trails and other occupied campsites.
- All litter must be carried out. Do not bury anything other than human waste, which should be buried 6 inches.
- Horses may be tethered for no more than 1 hours within 200 feet of any water source.
- Horses may not be tied to any tree for more than 1 hour and must be moved sooner if damage is occurring.
- All feed and hay taken onto National Forest land must be tagged as "Certified Weed Free" by the county extension agent.
Major Trails in High Uintas Wilderness
Download a map of the High Uintas Wilderness. (.pdf - 380 Kb)
Specific Area Information
Location: North Central Utah, between Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah
USGS Quad: Dromedary Peak, Draper and Timpanogos Cave
Difficulty: Moderate to severe with elevations from just under 5,000 feet to over 11,000 feet. Trails are easy to follow, but may cross extremely rough terrain at high elevations.
Use: Light to heavy, especially heavy on weekends and near lakes.
Weather: Summer temperatures can range from near 90 degrees in the daytime to below 40 degrees at night. Occasional summer thunderstorms can be expected.
About the Area
The Lone Peak Wilderness was established under the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978. It comprises approximately 30,088 acres. Situated in the central Wasatch range, this wilderness is generally bounded on the north by Little Cottonwood Canyon, on the south by American Fork Canyon, on the west by the Salt Lake and Utah Valleys and on the east by Twin Peaks.
This area provides a spectacular backdrop for the growing urban areas along the Wasatch Front. This area contains very rugged terrain with narrow canyons and high peaks, including the Little Matterhorn at 11,326 feet and Lone Peak at 11,253 feet. Snow often remains on these peaks until midsummer. Much of the higher elevation is alpine, with large, open cirque basins and exposed rocky ridges. Douglas fir, subalpine fir, and aspen grow in isolated patches on north-facing slopes. Dense mountain brush mixed with sagebrush and grass dominates the lower altitudes.
The region is geologically complex with a mixture of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rock formations in dramatic relief, as well as colorful bands stretching for great distances across mountainsides. Carving of the present alpine topography is due to glaciation with erosion the current dominant force in the land sculpturing process.
A few small natural and reservoired lakes add to the scenic beauty. Most of the use is concentrated in the Red Pine and Maybird area. Both have lakes as a destination and receive many hikers and overnight backpackers, many of whom are fishing or hoping to climb the Pheifferhorn. These areas are also part of the restricted watershed area.
To preserve and protect the physical and aesthetic environment, National Forest wilderness areas are closed to motor vehicles, mechanized equipment, hang gliders, and bicycles. In addition, parts of this wilderness lay within the culinary watershed for Salt Lake County and special restrictions concerning camping, swimming, and domestic animals apply. Please help protect wilderness for future generations by learning and practicing "No-Trace" camping and hiking techniques.
The following act are prohibited in the Lone Peak Wilderness Area: Group sizes exceeding 10 persons, camping within 200 feet of lakes, trails, or other sources of water, camping for more than 3 days at one site, short cutting a trail switchback, and disposing of garbage, debris, or other waste. No open fires are allowed in the Red Pine Fork and Maybird Gulch drainages within the Lone Peak Wilderness.
For further information, please contact the Salt Lake Ranger District at (801) 733-2660
Specific Area Information
Location: Northern Utah, northeast of Logan, Utah
USGS Quad: Naomi Peak, Tony Grove Peak and Mount Elmer
Difficulty: Moderate to severe with elevations rising to more than 9,900 feet.
Use: Frequent year round, especially on weekends and holidays.
About the Area
With spectacular alpine scenery, Mount Naomi Wilderness lies between the Logan River and the Utah-Idaho state line. It comprises approximately 44,523 acres. At 9,980 feet, Naomi Peak, near the eastern boundary, is the area's highest point, although this mountainous country contains several other peaks towering above 9,000 feet. On the western side, there are many deep, scenic canyons.
Wildflowers carpet the large mountain meadows during summer blooms, and several flowers are unique to this region. You'll find large populations of moose, elk, and deer, and beavers that are well established in several streams. The area is often used for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, snow shoeing, and back country skiing.
Trails meander up the major canyons on the western side of the wilderness from trailheads near U.S. Highway 91. The trails join with others to link the area to U.S. Highway 89. Mount Naomi Wilderness has about 12 system trails totaling approximately 73 miles, including the Mount Naomi National Recreation Trail.
When traveling in the Mt. Naomi Wilderness Area, please adhere to the regulations below:
- All campsites must be greater than 200 feet away from water sources, trails and other occupied campsites.
- All litter must be carried out. Do not bury anything other than human waste, which should be buried 6".
- Horses may be tethered for no more than 1 hours within 200 feet of any water source.
- Horses may not be tied to any tree for more than 1 hour and must be moved sooner if damage is occurring.
- All feed and hay taken onto National Forest land must be tagged as "Certified Weed Free" by the county extension agent.
- Campfires are prohibited where firewood supply is depleted, when fire building threatens wilderness qualities, or for public safety.
- Groups entering the wilderness must be no larger than 10 people. Groups exceeding the size limit must separate into groups of 10 or less and remain at least 1/2 mile apart on trails and while camping.
- Dogs are permitted; domestic stock is limited to 14 per party.
- Maximum of 14 consecutive nights at an individual site.
For further information, please contact the Logan Ranger District at (435) 755-3620
or the Public Lands Information Center at (801) 466-6411.
About the Area
The Mount Nebo Wilderness was established under the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978. It comprises approximately 27,010 acres.
The Mount Nebo Wilderness Area contains the highest point in the entire Wasatch Range, Mount Nebo, at 11,877 feet. Wilderness elevation starts at 5,400 feet and climbs through mountain valleys and meadows broken by moderate to steep ridges.
The hike to the summit of Mount Nebo will take you through great biological diversity, beginning with a sagebrush-cliffrose association, to mountain brush (oakbrush and mahogany), aspen, and white fir, then spruce and alpine fir, until you reach the timberline and an alpine zone with primrose, alpine moss, and tundra plants.
Bobcats, mule deer, elk, and moose are commonly seen; black bears and mountain lions exist but are seldom seen because of their elusive nature. Devil's Kitchen Geologic Site, a unique sandstone outcrop is adjacent to the eastern wilderness boundary.
For further information, please contact the Spanish Fork Ranger District at (435) 623-2735
or the Public Lands Information Center at (801) 466-6411.
Specific Area Information
Location: North Central Utah, adjacent to Salt Lake City, Utah
USGS Quad: Sugarhouse, Mount Aire and Draper
Difficulty: Moderate to severe with elevations from just under 5,000 feet to over 10,000 feet. Trails are easy to follow, but may cross extremely rough terrain at high elevations. Mount Olympus is at 9,028 feet.
Use: Light to moderately heavy, depending on the day of the week.
Weather: Summer temperatures can range from near 90 degrees in the daytime to below 40 degrees at night. Occasional summer thunderstorms can be expected.
About the Area
The Mount Olympus Wilderness was established by Congress in 1984 with the passage of the Utah Wilderness Act. Located within the central Wasatch range, the Mount Olympus Wilderness consists of approximately 15,856 acres and is generally bounded on the north by Mill Creek Canyon, on the south by Big Cottonwood Canyon, on the west by the Salt Lake Valley, and on the east by Gobbler's Knob, Alexander Basin, and Dog Lake. The portion in Big Cottonwood Canyon falls under Salt Lake City watershed restrictions.
There are several entry points in each canyon and along the Front as well. They include the following: Mount Olympus Trail and Neff's Canyon from the benches along the front; Thayne's Canyon, Porter Fork (private road), Bowman Fork, and Alexander Basin on the northern or Mill Creek Canyon side; and Mill B North Fork and Butler Fork on the south side from Big Cottonwood Canyon. You can also enter the Wilderness about a quarter of a mile west of Dog Lake.
The Dog Lake entry receives most of the mountain bicycle violations. Bicyclist like to ride the Desolation Trail to the Mill A Basin Trail and out or exit the forest by way of Butler Fork. Due to the fact that there are no lakes in this Wilderness, it is not used as much for overnight camping. You will also see a little less use here in general except for the increasing problem with mountain bikes (mountain bikes are not allowed in wilderness areas).
The Mount Olympus Wilderness provides a spectacular backdrop for the Salt Lake Valley and is dominated by rugged terrain, narrow canyons, and high peaks, including Mount Olympus, Mount Raymond, and Gobbler's Knob. The geologic structure of the area is varied and complex, consisting of granitoid rock masses and several sedimentary formations. Carving of the present alpine topography is due to glaciation with erosion the current dominant force in the land sculpturing process.
Much of the higher elevation is alpine, characterized by large, open cirque basins, and exposed rocky ridges. Vegetation includes dense mountain brush mixed with sagebrush and grass. Patches of various firs and aspen are common in isolated patches on north facing slopes. Snow remains in some areas until mid-summer.
To preserve and protect the physical and aesthetic environment, National Forest wilderness areas are closed to motor vehicles, mechanized equipment, hang gliders, and bicycles. In addition, parts of this wilderness lay within the culinary watershed for Salt Lake County and special restrictions concerning camping, swimming, and domestic animals apply. Please help protect wilderness for future generations by learning and practicing "No-Trace" camping and hiking techniques.
The following acts are prohibited in the Mount Olympus Wilderness Area: Group sizes exceeding 10 persons, camping within 200 feet of lakes, streams, springs, or other water sources, camping within 200 feet of trails, camping for more than 3 days at one site, short cutting a trail switchback, and disposing of garbage, debris, or other waste.
For further information contact the Salt Lake Ranger District
at (801) 733-2660
About the Area
The Mount Timpanogos Wilderness was established under the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978. It comprises approximately 10,518 acres. This area is located on the front range of the Wasatch Mountain Range, just south of the Lone Peak Wilderness. The Mount Timpanogos Wilderness offers abundant rugged terrain with waterfalls and summer wildflowers. The topography consists of glacial cirques and moraines (rocks formed into loose ridges by glacial activity) to the open slopes leading to the valley floor.
Below tree line are forests of aspen, Douglas fir, subalpine fir, limber pine, Gambel oak, maple, and chokecherry. Wildlife inhabiting the area include Rocky Mountain goats in the Emerald Lake region, as well as numerous mule deer and elk, moose, mountain lions, black bears, and several species of raptors.
The summit of Mount Timpanogos is 11,753 feet and is very popular hiking trail. The summit is accessed by two trailheads: Timpooneke and Aspen Grove.
Specific Area Information
Location: North Central Utah, adjacent to Salt Lake City, Utah
USGS Quad: Sugarhouse, Mount Aire, Draper and Dromedary Peak
Difficulty: Moderate to severe with elevations from just under 5,000 feet to over 11,000 feet. Trails are easy to follow, but may cross extremely rough terrain at high elevations.
Use: Light to heavy, especially heavy on weekends and near lakes.
Weather: Summer temperatures can range from near 90 degrees in the daytime to below 40 degrees at night. Occasional summer thunderstorms can be expected.
About the Area
The Twin Peak Wilderness was established by Congress in 1984 with the passage of the Utah Wilderness Act. Located within the central Wasatch range, the Twin Peaks Wilderness consists of approximately 11,796 acres and is generally bounded on the north by Big Cottonwood Canyon, on the south by Little Cottonwood Canyon, on the west by the Salt Lake Valley, and on the east by Mineral Fork of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
The Twin Peak Wilderness provides a spectacular backdrop for the Salt Lake Valley and is dominated by rugged terrain, narrow canyons, and high peaks, including Twin Peaks, Superior Peak, and Dromedary Peak. The geologic structure of the area is varied and complex, consisting of granitoid rock masses and several sedimentary formations. Carving of the present alpine topography is due to glaciation with erosion the current dominant force in the land sculpturing process. Much of the higher elevation is alpine, characterized by large, open cirque basins, and exposed rocky ridges. A few small natural and reservoired lakes add to the scenic beauty.
Vegetation includes dense mountain brush mixed with sagebrush and grass. Patches of various firs and aspen are common in isolated patches on north facing slopes. Snow remains in some areas until mid-summer.
Twin Peaks Wilderness is heavily used by just about everybody. It covers two drainages, Mill B South (Lake Blanche) and Broads Fork, with the Mill B South area being the most popular. Many hike Broads Fork in route to Twin Peaks, while Mill B South is visited for its lakes. As in the Red Pine area, the three small lakes attract an inordinate amount of campers and hikers who must also obey watershed regulations. Needless to say, a hike to Lake Blanche during the weekend may bring over 75-100 public contacts, several of which will be large groups. The Boy Scouts regularly use both the Twin Peaks and Lone Peak Widernesses for backpacking training trips.
To preserve and protect the physical and aesthetic environment, National Forest wilderness areas are closed to motor vehicles, mechanized equipment, hang gliders, and bicycles. In addition, parts of this wilderness lay within the culinary watershed for Salt Lake County and special restrictions concerning camping, swimming, and domestic animals apply. Please help protect wilderness for future generations by learning and practicing "No-Trace" camping and hiking techniques.
The following acts are prohibited in the Twin Peaks Wilderness Area: Group sizes exceeding 10 persons, camping within 200 feet of lakes, streams, springs, or other water sources, camping within 200 feet of trails, camping for more than 3 days at one site, short cutting a trail switchback, and disposing of garbage, debris, or other waste. No open fires are allowed in the Mill B South Fork (Lake Blanche) drainage within the Twin Peaks Wilderness.
For further information contact the Salt Lake Ranger District
at (801) 733-2660
Specific Area Information
Location: Northern Utah, Southwest of Logan, Utah
USGS Quad: Honeyville, Wellsville, Brigham City and Mount Pisgah
Difficulty: Moderate to severe with elevations rising to more than 9,300 feet.
Use: Moderate; good opportunities for remote experience.
About the Area
Located northwest of Logan, Utah, the Wellsville Mountain Wilderness consists of approximately 22,986 acres. Extending along the high steep north-south ridge and both sides of the Wellsville Mountains for about 14 miles, the Wellsville Mountains Wilderness encompasses extremely rugged and picturesque terrain. The mountain is one of the narrowest and steepest ranges in the Rockies, averaging only about five miles wide at its base and rising to it's tallest summits, the Wellsville Cone at 9,356 feet and Box Elder Peak at 9,372 feet. Canyons cut into the mountains from the east and west.
The water that runs out of the Wellsvilles is enough to supply many small Utah communities. Once devastated by overgrazing, the wilderness is on the road to recovery and now supports populations of deer, moose, and mountain lions, not to mention the occasional bighorn sheep. Raptors use this mountain range as a major flyway and the Hawkwatch International organization comes to the range frequently to record observations. This area is popular for day hiking and hunting.
There are only a few system trails in this wilderness area and access and trailheads are limited. Approximately 17 miles of system trails exist in the Wellsville Mountain Wilderness.