Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Forest Service Campground Status and Safety Tips for Memorial Day Weekend

Salt Lake City, May 25, 2010 - This Memorial Day weekend promises to be the first of many busy weekends on the national forests of Utah.

Most, lower elevation campgrounds are open throughout the state. Higher elevation campgrounds, roads and trails may still be snow covered or muddy, so to protect natural resources, please be careful and only drive or camp on dry, solid surfaces. Most backcountry hiking and camping is very limited.

Safety is always a concern. Rivers, streams and creeks are running very high and fast and are extremely dangerous, so please be very careful and keep a watchful eye on children while recreating in these areas.

As ice and snow melt off the mountain sides, please be aware of rocks that are dislodged and roll onto roadways. Off-Highway vehicle users are reminded to ride only where permitted. Remember to always be a responsible rider.

A closure is in effect prohibiting the use, possessing or storage of any firewood containing nails, screws, or other metal hardware, including but not limited to wood pallets and/or construction debris. As always please be careful with fire and always make sure campfires are dead out before leaving the campsite. Most importantly, enjoy your national forests!

Below is a list of Forest Service campground that may be open for the Memorial Day weekend.

Ashley National Forest (435) 789-1181 or www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley
Vernal Ranger District (435) 789-1181:
Please call the Vernal Ranger District for information pertaining to the status of campgrounds, roads and trails.

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (435) 784-3445:
 All campgrounds are open with fees except Lodgepole and Spirit Lake campgrounds. If you are planning to visit high altitude campgrounds please call for up to date information as late season snow storms are common. Visitors using the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area will have to pay a use fee. Day passes are $5.00, 7 day passes are $15.00 and annual passes are $35.00. Passes are available in Manila Utah, Rock Springs and Green River Wyoming and local businesses in and around the Flaming Gorge area. If you are staying in a developed campground in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area you are not required to pay the use fee.

Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger Districts (435) 738-2482: 
All campgrounds are expected to be open with fees by Memorial Day, with the exceptions of Pole Creek (10,300 feet) and Avintaquin (9,200 feet). The very top of Blind Stream Pass (10,500 feet between Hanna and Rock Creek on the Rock Creek side) is usually the last snow to melt in the area. The Hells Canyon Road is snow covered until you come to Mill and Center Parks where there will be wet and muddy conditions. Reservation Ridge will be very slippery if it either rains or snows. Please call for detailed information about a specific campground.


Dixie National Forest (435) 865-3700 or www.fs.fed.us/r4/dixie
Pine Valley Ranger District (435) 688-3246:
All campgrounds will be open with fees. For the most current information about these campgrounds call the St. George Interagency Office at: (435) 688-324. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cedar City Ranger District (435) 865-3200/3700:
All campgrounds and picnic areas will be open with fees for Memorial Day weekend, except the campgrounds in the Navajo Lake Basin that includes the Spruces, Navaho Lake and TE-AH. Cedar Canyon campground may be open depending on snow melt. Please call the Cedar City Ranger District for the most recent information
Powell Ranger District (435) 676-9300:
Red Canyon campground will be open with all available amenities. King Creek campground is open year round for dry camping and is typically open with all available amenities around mid May, but can be affected by weather conditions especially the cold. Please call the District office for current information.

Escalante Ranger District (435)-826-5400:
All campgrounds will be open with fees and water. Please call the Escalante Ranger District or the Visitors Center for the most recent information. The Visitors Center is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (435)-826-5499


Fishlake National Forest (435) 896-9233 www.fs.fed.us/r4/fishlake
Beaver Ranger District (435) 438-2436:
Little Cottonwood, Mahogany Cove, Little Reservoir campgrounds, and Ponderosa picnic area will be open with water and fees. Kent’s

Lake, Anderson Meadow and LeBaron campgrounds will not be accessible due to above average snowpack and cooler than normal spring conditions. City Creek campground will be open with water and no fees. All roads and trail access above 8,500 feet will be minimal. Forest Road 113 and Forest Road 137 are gated and closed to minimize damage until surfaces are dry. For current conditions contact the Beaver Ranger District.

Fillmore Ranger District (435) 743-5721:
Maple Grove, Oak Creek and Adelaide campgrounds will be open with water and fees. Maple Hollow campground will be open with no water and no fee. Roads and trails at higher elevations are closed due to snow and wet muddy conditions. Please contact the Fillmore Ranger District office for updates on road conditions.

Fremont River Ranger District (435) 836-2800:
Bowery Creek, Doctor Creek, Mackinaw, Sunglow, Pleasant Creek, Singletree, Oak Creek and Lower Bowns campgrounds will be open with water and fees. Twin Creeks picnic area will also be open with water and fees. Please call the Fremont River Ranger District Office for the most current and up to date information.

Richfield Ranger District (435) 896-9233:
Gooseberry campground and Monrovian picnic area will be open for the holiday weekend. The Sevenmile-Gooseberry road #640 will be under construction from Cold Springs to the Gates Lake Road all summer, expect delays.

All higher elevation campgrounds, roads and trails on the Fishlake National Forest are closed due to wet/muddy conditions. REMINDER – Trails above 8500 feet will likely be wet and muddy, especially on north facing sides.

Manti-LaSal National Forest (435) 637-2817 www.fs.fed.us/4/mantilasal
Price (435) 637-2817 and Ferron Ranger District (435) 384-2372:
All campsites throughout Huntington Canyon will be open. Those traditionally with water will have water available.

Joes Valley Complex will be open with water. This includes the campground, group pavilion, boat ramps and marina. Stuart Visitor Center will be open. Fish Creek Campground and trailhead will be open with no water. Indian Creek campground will be open with no water.

Higher elevations roads and trails are closed due to wet/muddy conditions and snow.

Sanpete Ranger District (435) 283-4151:
Lake Hill and Manti Community campgrounds are open with water and fees. Maple Canyon, Twin Reservoir and Chicken Creek campgrounds, and Spring City picnic area are open with fees and no water. 12 Mile campground is closed due to snow. All higher elevations roads and trails are not yet accessible, due to snow.

Moab Ranger District (435) 259-7155:
Warner Lake and Oowah Lake campgrounds maybe open for the weekend, but please call the Moab Ranger District office for the current status of these two campgrounds. Buckeye Reservoir campground will be closed for the 2010 season due to construction.

Monticello Ranger District (435) 587-2041:
All campgrounds are open with water and fees. Higher elevations roads and trails are closed due to wet/muddy conditions and snow.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (801) 236-3400 or (801) 342-5100 www.fs.fed.us/r4/uwc
Pleasant Grove Ranger District (801) 785-3563:
Granite Flat, Hope and Little Mill campgrounds are open with fees, but no water. Rock Canyon campground will be closed due to construction on the road leading into the campground. Timpooneke, Altamont, Mt. Timpanogos and Theater-in-Pine campgrounds are closed due to snow. The Alpine Scenic Loop (USR 92) will not be open for the weekend. Tibble Fork road is open to Tibble Fork Reservoir. Silver Lake Flat road is closed. The North Fork road is closed at the bridge ½ mile up from Tibble Fork. NO TRAILERS will be allowed as there limited turn around space. The Squaw Creek road is open to Hope campground and is closed beyond that. Trails in American Fork Canyon are closed to bicycles, motorized vehicles and livestock until they are dry enough to prevent resource damage. A recreation pass is required for the American Fork Canyon-Alpine Scenic Loop area and is available at Forest Service offices or at the entrance stations to the Scenic Loop. The special use fee is $6.00 for a one three-day pass per vehicle, $12.00 for a 7 day pass and $45.00 for the annual pass.

Spanish Fork Ranger District (801) 798-3571:
Balsam, Cherry, Diamond, Whiting, Maple Lake and Maple Bench campgrounds are open with water and fees. Payson Lakes and Blackhawk campgrounds will be open with fees, but no water. The south side of the Nebo Loop will be open for the Memorial Day weekend to allow access into Bear Canyon and Cottonwood (no water or fees) and Ponderosa (with fees and water) campgrounds. Tinney Flat campground will be closed due to an avalanche blocking access in Santaquin Canyon. The Monks Hollow ATV Trail system is open. Higher elevation roads and trails are currently closed and will be open as snow and trail conditions permit.

Logan Ranger District (435) 755-3620:
All campgrounds and picnic areas will be open with fees, except Tony Grove, Red Banks and Sunrise, which may remain closed due to snow. Most forest roads and trails are snow covered and muddy and are not accessible. Franklin Basin, Millville, Sinks and Temple Fork roads are closed until further notice due to construction, and to prevent resource damage. For current information please call the Logan District office.

Ogden Ranger District (801) 625-5306:
All campgrounds are open with fees and water, except Monte Cristo, which will be closed due to snow. For information pertaining to Utah Highway SR 39 over Monte Cristo, please call Utah Department of Transportation at 511. Roads and trails are muddy and at higher elevations snow packed. Please TREAD LIGHTLY and avoid traveling on roads when muddy.

Salt Lake Ranger District (801) 466-6411:
Tanners Flat campground in Little Cottonwood Canyon will be open with fees. Spruces campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon will be open with water and fees. The group sites in Spruces and Jordan Pine will be closed due to snow. Moss Ledge, Storm Mountain, Ledgemere, Birches and Dogwood picnic areas in Big Cottonwood Canyon will be open with fees and no water. In Millcreek Canyon, Box Elder, Churchfork, Terraces and Maple Grove picnic area will be open. Albion Basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon and Redman campgrounds in Big Cottonwood Canyon will be closed due to snow. Remember Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are Salt Lake City Municipal Watersheds and dogs are not allowed in these canyons. Any picnic area or campground that is gated or posted closed is not legal to use.

Mueller Park picnic area in Davis County will be open with water and fees. Fernwood picnic area in Layton will be open with water and no fee.

Cottonwood, Intake, Boy Scout, Upper and Lower Narrow campgrounds in South Willow Canyon (Stansbury Mountains, west of Tooele and Grantsville) are open with fees. Loop campground and the trail leading into the Deseret Peak Wilderness will be closed due to snow.

Heber-Kamas Ranger District (435) 654-0470 or (435) 783-4338:
Aspen Grove, Currant Creek, Lodgepole, Renegade, Soldier Creek and Strawberry campgrounds will all be open with water and fees. The Strawberry Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The boat docks will all be in at the boat ramps by Memorial Day Weekend. Boaters are urged to use caution and be aware of floating debris and submerged land structures in all lakes and reservoirs. Mill Hollow and Wolf Creek campgrounds are closed due to snow. Wolf Creek Pass (Utah SR 35) is not open at this time, please contact Utah Department of

Transportation at 511. The Mirror Lake Highway (Utah SR 150) is open to mile marker 14 (turn off to Soapstone Basin). You may call Utah Department of Transportation at 511 for current conditions on the Mirror Lake Highway. Ponderosa and Pine Valley group sites (reservation only) campgrounds are open with water and fees Lower Provo, Shady Dell and Soapstone will be open with water and fees, Yellow Pine campground will be open with no water but a fee will be charged. Smith-Morehouse campground located in Weber River Canyon drainage will be open with water and fees. Cedar Hollow, Upper Setting and Norway Flat roads have limited accessibility. All roads and trails above 8,000 feet are muddy and or snow packed. Plants and vegetation can be damaged permanently in the spring by pulling trailers and trucks into wet and muddy areas to camp. Please TREAD LIGHTLY and avoid muddy roads to keep them from becoming permanently damaged and rutted. Visitors parked or camping along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway must display a fee pass. Three day passes are $6.00, seven day passes are $12.00, and annual passes are $45.00. Passes can be purchased at the Kamas Work Center, Evanston Ranger District, and local businesses in Kamas, Utah and Evanston, Wyoming.

Evanston/Mountain View Ranger Districts (307) 789-3194 or (307) 782-6555:
The Bear River Ranger Station will be open starting, Friday, May 28, 2010. The ranger station will be open Thursdays through Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the first few weeks of the season. The Mirror Lake Highway, (Utah State Road 150) is open to the Stillwater campground. Stillwater, East Fork, and Bear River campgrounds will be open with fees, but no water. Whitney Reservoir is closed. The North Slope road is open to Deadman Creek only. Bridger Lake, Marsh Lake, Stateline and Hoop Lake campgrounds are wet and muddy, but accessible. They are open with no water, but fees will be charged. Higher elevation campgrounds, roads, and trails are closed due to snow. Visitors parked or camping along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway must display a fee pass. 1-3 Day passes are $6.00, 7-day passes are $12.00 and annual passes are $45.00. Passes can be purchased at Forest Service Offices in Kamas, Utah; Evanston, Wyoming; local business in Kamas, and the Bear River Lodge.

As more people recreate in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, keeping a clean campsite is becoming more important for outdoor visitors to ensure the health and safety of both visitors and wildlife. Following these tips will help visitors enjoy a rewarding recreation experience.

Never leave food out, including pet food. Keep food and coolers in your car and or Rv’s

Sweep your eating area clean of debris

Don’t put garbage and uneaten food in fire pits and dispose of your garbage daily

Pack out your garbage if there is not dumpster available

Always make sure your cooking utensils are clean and stored away

Never eat or store food in your tent. When you get ready to turn in for the night, make sure you don't forget any snacks you had out on the table or by the fire.

If you are planning to use livestock on National Forest lands, remember that you are permitted to use only certified weed free straw, hay or pellets.

When hiking, always carry extra water and food and take along a coat and something to make a fire with, just in case you get stuck on the mountain for the night and in case the weather turns bad. Always, let someone know where you are hiking and approximately what time you will return and don’t hike alone.

Before heading out for the holiday weekend please check with the local Ranger District offices for the most current and up-to-date information concerning the area you are planning to visit.

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