The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest remains open, however recreation services at some of our facilities may be changed, suspended or offered through alternate approaches, as we manage for the health and safety of our work force and the public.
Please be aware that some facilities, including restrooms, may be closed or cleaned and stocked on a reduced scheduled.
Visitors should practice “Pack-in, Pack-it-out” when recreating on the Forest.
Visitors to our National Forests are urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) including social distancing. For tips from the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
The Salt Lake, Heber and Mt. View Ranger District offices are closed to public entry. You can call the Salt Lake Ranger District office 801-733-3660, Heber Ranger District office 435-654-0470 and the Mt. View Ranger District office 307-782-6555 for assistance.
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache 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.
Volunteer projects, activities, and events scheduled for May including Earth Day Events have been cancelled. The forests will continue to follow the most current guidance of the Centers for Disease Control, and local health and safety guidelines. The health and safety of employees, volunteers and partners continues to be our main priority.
What's Happening?
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Forest Service and USDA Social Media Sites
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Current Campground/Picnic Area, Trail and Road Condition Updates
The American Fork Information/fee booth was decommissioned May 12th. It will be reconstructed and back in place by August/Sept 2020. The Aspen Grove information/fee booth is operational. We will start selling ALL day use and annual passes in the Offices when allowed.
The U.S. Forest Service is working with UDOT & the National Parks Service to resurface S.R. 92 from 5500 West in Highland to the Pine Hollow Trailhead, and S.R. 144 from S.R. 92 to Tibble Fork Reservoir. Road side parking in the canyon will be prohibited. As part of this work, the Pine Hollow Trailhead and Tibble Fork Reservoir will close temporarily. For more information on construction progress, location and temporary closure information, sign up for project updates by emailing afcanyon@utah.gov.
Due to increased congestion, heavy use, and limited restroom facilities at Tibble Fork reservoir, parking is limited to designated stalls.
To purchase your day use pass before you leave home go to: https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74405 or from your mobile device: yourpassnow.com search Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Self-service pay stations are also available throughout the canyon, online passes are the preferred. Be sure to have your pass on display while parked at any recreation sites. We honor all America the Beautiful Federal Lands and Mirror Lake Hwy passes. We are still operational under modified safety protocols and appreciate your support.
In order to provide for your safety and that of our employees, consider purchasing your Mirror Lake Highway Recreation Pass on yourpassnow.com. If you do not have access to a printer, write the transaction number on a Fee Envelope with your vehicle’s information. For your convenience, you can pay your fee from your phone by going to yourpassnow.com and selecting the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache from the dropdown menu. Be sure to enter your vehicle's license plate when asked to do so. Your entrance pass is delivered via email and can be used immediately, stored on a mobile device, or printed for future use. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all work together to minimize the impacts and spread of the COVID-19.
There are a lot of down trees everywhere on the Mt. View Ranger District. The district recommends that anyone visiting the area should bring an ax or saw.
A landslide was discovered in mid-May in the upper portion of Millville Canyon. The slide significantly damaged the road, leaving the remaining road surface unstable and unsafe for vehicle traffic. The road has been evaluated by forest engineers, and is able to be repaired. The cost to repair the road is significant, and repairs will likely be scheduled in 2021. The road will remain closed to vehicle traffic until it is repaired and safe for public use.
A portion of the Riverside Nature Trail is closed for health and safety concerns. A rockfall has damaged the board walk and trail. With concerns about continued rocks falling we are asking the public to stay out of the area until the issue can be mitigated and repairs can be made. The portion of the trail that is closed is between the Guinavah-Malibu campground and Spring Hollow campground.
Winter timber harvest and hauling activities have been completed for this season on the Red Ryder Timber Sale (Temple Canyon & Log Cabin Ridge area of Rich County). Timber harvest and hauling operations will resume in this area again in late spring once the roads have dried out, and continue through next fall.
The Nebo Loop road is now closed on the north side at the ski lot (above the Grotto trailhead) and at Devil's Kitchen on the southside. From right fork of Hobble Creek to Unicorn Ridge, Balsam, Three Forks and Unicorn Ridge.
Closures from Santaquin Meadows down to Tinney Flat is still in place, closure for Santaquin road in place, closure for Blackhawk area in place, closure for Black Canyon, Sawmill/Nebo Creek, Beaver Dam, East Bennie Creek, Deer Hollow, Calkens Hollow, and White Pine Hollow is still in place.
The lower portion of Santaquin Canyon road is closed to all motorized vehicles starting at the gate at the Forest boundary to Trumbolt picnic site. The closure is in place to provide for public health and safety due to flooding that has undercut the lower portion of the Santaquin Canyon road.The road is unsafe and could collapse under vehicle weight, and while heavy equipment and crews are working in the area to repair the road damage.
The upper Santaquin Canyon road is closed above Trumbolt day-use site east approximately 1 ½ miles to Tinney Flat campground. All pedestrian, equestrian, bicycle, and any type of motorized vehicles will be prohibited, due to the extreme safety hazards in the area..
The Sheep Creek/Rays Valley road is open over to Unicorn Ridge. Indian Springs open. But visitors need to be remember that the road will be closed for the rest of this season and next when construction of the Strawberry connector project starts. Strawberry Sheep Creek Connector Information Flyer
Secure Rural School Act/Resource Advisory Committees:
The Secure Rural School Act authorizes the use of Resource Advisory
Committee (RACs) as a mechanism for local community collaboration
with federal land managers in recommending Title II projects on federal
lands or that will benefit resources on federal lands.
RAC members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
The American pika is a low-profile mammal that lives at high altitudes. Related to rabbits and hares, these small, big-eyed creatures spend much of the summer preparing for a harsh winter high above the timberline. Starting in mid-September, a DWR biologist will visit an established pika area above Brighton ski resort to check on population growth.
Logan Ranger District and Stokes Nature Center hosted a collaborative education effort for tribal youth between Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation and Utah Natural History Museum
