Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Utah's Wasatch Range (Abrahm Lustgarten)

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The Wasatch-Cache National Forest is rich in scenic beauty and natural resources. Clear, snow-fed streams tumble down canyons of the rugged Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. Many animal species including deer, moose and elk, live in its woods and meadows. In addition, cattle and sheep are grazed on the Forest during the summer, but numbers are restricted to ensure minimal damage to soil and vegetation. The Forest boundary encompasses 1.9 million acres of which 1.2 million are National Forest land. The remaining 0.7 million acres are owned by state and local governments and private concerns.

The Wasatch-Cache National Forest lands are located in three major geographic areas:

• The northern and western slopes of the Uinta Mountains
• The Wasatch Front from Lone Peak north to the Idaho border including the Wasatch, Monte Cristo, and Bear River Ranges
• The Stansbury Range in the Great Basin

The Wasatch-Cache is one of the most heavily used National Forests for recreation in the Nation. Campground areas near Salt Lake City and Ogden are very popular. Those people desiring more solitude will want to head farther into the mountains.

More than 1,000 miles of hiking trails in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest are spread throughout the six Ranger Districts:

Evanston Ranger District
Kamas Ranger District
Logan Ranger District
Ogden Ranger District
Salt Lake Ranger District

There are 1,391 miles of roads providing access throughout the Forest. This includes Mirror Lake and Logan Canyon roads, which have been designated as scenic routes by the State of Utah. In addition, the Forest provides 1,050 miles of trails for access to non-roaded areas.

Skiers find the "greatest snow on earth" here. Fluffy, dry powder falls for nearly five months a year in a winter paradise. Several major ski resorts are found on the Forest, including Alta and Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton and Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Snow Basin east of Ogden, and Beaver Mountain in Logan Canyon.

There are many opportunities for cross-country skiing throughout the Wasatch. Although some marked trails are available, the adventurous skier may wish to strike out over the unmarked snow-covered forest. Since avalanches and blizzards may occur with little warning, a competent guide is recommended. A snow and weather information telephone number for the Wasatch Mountains provides information during the snow season.