Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
 

Recreation
Dispersed Camping in Wellsville Wilderness

Most National Forest System lands are open, free of charge for your use and enjoyment. Entrance and user fees may be charged at some areas. Some of the areas are operated by private concessionaires under special use permits issued by the Forest Service. Please practice Safety and Leave No Trace to make your visit safe and enjoyable while protecting resources we all enjoy.

 

How Do I Find Out About Caves in the Area?

We encourage you to contact the local grotto, Timpanogos Grotto, for information on local caves and cave conservation and safety. Grottos are local chapters of the National Speleological Society, an organization involved in studying, exploring, and conserving caves and cave resources.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Timpanogos Cave National Monument is located in American Fork Canyon, surrounded by the Uinta National Forest. Declared a National Monument in 1922 by President Warren G. Harding, the caves were initially managed by the Forest Service. In 1933, jurisdiction was transferred to the National Park Service. The monument consists of 250 acres, its main feature being three limestone caves accessible by a steep 1 1/2-mile trail. The Park Service provides Ranger-led tours through the cave in the summer. They also offer special "Introduction to Caving" tours off the main trail. Please contact the Monument for ticket prices and availability, either through their website or by calling the Visitor Center at 801-756-5238 (mid-May through October).

Cave Management

The Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 provides direction for management of caves deemed significant due to characteristics that are geological, mineralogic, paleontologic, recreational, cultural, biotic, educational, and/or of scientific value. There are 69 caves on the Uinta National Forest that meet the criteria of the Act. Any management activities that could affect any known cave are restricted.

Logan Cave

The cave is gated closed.  The cave was closed to the public on October 1, 1997 to ensure the viability of a rare and special biological community of Townsend's Big-Eared Bats that is located in Logan Cave.  The bats are particularly vulnerable to human disturbance during their periods of mating, hibernation, and maternity colony, which runs from about October to August each year.  The Big-Eared Bat is listed as a sensitive species by both the Forest Service and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.  To aid with protecting this species during their vulnerable period, it is prohibited to into or within 250 feet of the mouth of Logan Cave.

 

Recreation Conditions Report

 Area Name Status Area Conditions
Albion Basin Campground Closed to Visitor
Alpine Scenic Loop Backway Closed to Visitor
Aspen Grove Trail   
Bear River Campground Open to Visitor With water and fees
Beaver View Campground Closed to Visitor
Botts Campground Closed to Visitor
Box Elder Campground Open to Visitor
Bridger Lake Campground Open to Visitor with no amenities or fees
Cemetery Point Marina Open to Visitor
Cemetery Point Picnic Area Open to Visitor
China Meadows Campground Open to Visitor with no amenities or fees
China Meadows Trailhead Open to Visitor
Christmas Meadows Campground Closed to Visitor
Currant Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Dead Horse Campground Open to Visitor No water or fees
East Fork Bear River Campground Open to Visitor with water and fees
Echo Picnic Area Open to Visitor No water
Green Canyon Picnic Area Open to Visitor no water available, please bring your own
Grey Cliffs Picnic Area Open to Visitor no water
Hayden Fork Campground Closed to Visitor
High Creek Campground Open to Visitor with fees but no water available
Hoop Lake Campground Open to Visitor with no amenities or fees
Hope Campground Closed to Visitor
Jefferson Hunt Campground Closed to Visitor
Ledgefork Campground Closed to Visitor
Lewis M. Turner Campground Closed to Visitor
Lilly Lake Campground Closed to Visitor
Little Lyman Lake Campground Closed to Visitor
Little Mill Campground Open to Visitor First-come first-serve, reservations start on May 25, 2018
Lodgepole Campground Open to Visitor No water at this time
Lost Creek Campground Closed to Visitor
Lower Meadows Campground Closed to Visitor
Lower Provo River Campground Closed to Visitor
Marsh Lake Campground Open to Visitor with no amenities or fees
Middle Inlet Day Use Open to Visitor
Middle Inlet Picnic Area Open to Visitor
Mill Hollow Campground Closed to Visitor
Mirror Lake Campground Closed to Visitor
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway Closed to Visitor
Monte Cristo Campground Closed to Visitor
Moosehorn Campground Closed to Visitor
Perception Park Family Campground Closed to Visitor
Perception Park Group Sites Closed to Visitor
Perception Park Picnic Area Closed to Visitor
Pine Valley Group Campground Closed to Visitor
Ponderosa Campground Open to Visitor
Ponderosa Group Campground Closed to Visitor
Preston Valley Campground Open to Visitor
Redman Campground-SLRD Open to Visitor
Renegade Campground Open to Visitor No water at this time
Shady Dell Campground Closed to Visitor
Shingle Creek ATV Campground Closed to Visitor
Smith-Morehouse Campground Open to Visitor
Soapstone Campground Closed to Visitor
Soldier Creek Campground Open to Visitor No water at this time
Spring Campground Open to Visitor with fees, but no water available on site, please bring your own water
Strawberry Bay Campground Open to Visitor
Sunrise Campground Closed to Visitor
Taylor Fork ATV Trailhead Closed to Visitor This is now under Shingle Creek
Timpooneke Trail #053   
Tony Grove Day Use Area Open to Visitor $6.00 fee
Tony Grove Lake Campground Closed to Visitor
Trial Lake Campground Closed to Visitor
Upper Meadows Campground Closed to Visitor
Washington Lake Campground Closed to Visitor
Whiskey Springs Picnic Area Closed to Visitor
Wolf Creek Campground Closed to Visitor
Wood Camp Campground Open to Visitor
Yellow Pine Campground Closed to Visitor

Spotlights

Mirror Lake Scenic Byway

Evanston Ranger District

Heading east from Kamas through the national forest, Mirror Lake Highway is one of the most popular mountain routes in the state.  The road winds through farm and ranch lands and rises to heavily forested, mountain terrain, accented by meadows and rugged peaks.  There are numerous access points into the High Uinta Wilderness along this byway.