Craggy cliff in the

Tushar Mountains

Fish Lake surrounded

by fall colors

Beehive Peak area

Blazing the Trail

VISITOR

R ising as an oasis in central Utah, the mountains 

and plateaus of the Fishlake National Forest offer 

an accessible landscape for anyone with a sense of 

adventure. Fish Lake, from which the forest takes 

its name, is considered by many to be the gem of 

Utah. Many other scenic spots reveal secrets and 

stories of past settlements and civilizations. 

This Visitor Guide provides the information you need to make the most of 

your Fishlake National Forest experience.

Fishlake National Forest

Come see for yourself!

Elevation Range: 4,760’–12,120’

Acres: 1.5 million

Miles of Designated OHV Trails:

Over 3,000 miles of open roads 

Amazing Features: An aspen 

stand near Fish Lake is considered 

the most massive living organism 

on earth 

Fast Forest Facts

Get to Know Us ................. 2

Special Places ...................... 3

Scenic Byways ..................... 4

Activities ............................... 4

Map ......................................... 6

Campgrounds ..................... 8

Trails ....................................... 9

Know Before You Go.......10

Contact Information .......12

What’s Inside

Routes and 

trails on 

the forest—

such as 

the nationally known Paiute ATV 

Trail system—are a means to access 

opportunities such as hunting, fishing, 

and wildlife viewing. Camping is also 

popular, but if you ’d rather drive a 

scenic byway or hike a trail 

in solitude, we have those 

opportunities as well.

GUIDE
2

President McKinley

President Roosevelt

T he resources of the Fishlake National Forest in central 

Utah are vital to surrounding communities, a point not lost on 

President McKinley who reserved the first unit of the forest 

in 1899. While watershed protection was the original purpose 

for designation, additional lands were added to the reserve by 

President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 and 1907 in response to 

concern from local communities that forage 

was being overgrazed.

History

The vast resources of the Fishlake National Forest belong to all Americans. These resources must rely on the 

stewardship of all of us if they are to be sustained for our future generations.

Today, the 1.5 million acre Fishlake National 

Forest is a “working forest,” providing water, 

recreation, wildlife, timber, grazing, geothermal 

energy, and mineral resources for local 

communities and visitors. 

The Area

Much of the forest’s lower elevation land is covered 

with sagebrush, pinyon pine, and juniper, while red 

rock desert paints the southeast corner of the area. 

At higher elevations, the forest features regal stands 

of aspen encircling open mountain meadows, lush 

with forbs and grasses. Over 70 perennial streams and 

nearly 60 lakes and reservoirs sparkle through the 

trees. Fish Lake offers trophy fishing and fabulous bird 

watching. 

Crowning the forest is the alpine zone of the Tushar 

Mountains, the remains of an ancient volcano. Here, 

peaks exceed 12,000 feet, and the stark terrain and 

wide vistas make for a visual feast. 

Today, many areas of the Fishlake National Forest 

remain in a roadless and primitive state, offering 

opportunities for solitude in remote settings. But you 

may find yourself with four-legged company—the 

forest is home to some of the largest deer, goat, and elk 

herds in Utah. 

Get to Know Us

Beehive area

Tushar Mountains

© Lane V. Erickson

 © Tatiana Edrenkina

 © Kapu
3

Special Places

Tushar Mountains

Although there are a dozen peaks over 11,000 feet, the 

Tushar Mountains are one of the most defining features 

of the Fishlake National Forest. These mountains contain 

several loop roads with spots for camping, fishing, hiking, 

and mountain biking. Keep your eyes open for mountain 

goats, especially if driving from Big John Flat to Marysvale 

or Fremont Indian State Park.

Although the Tushar Mountains are enjoyed by hundreds 

of motorists on summer weekends, the same area has 

some very rugged and remote backcountry trails for 

hiking and backpacking. Two of the more popular areas 

are the Bullion Canyon Trail System (west of Marysvale) 

and the South Fork of the North Creek (east of Beaver). 

Old Spanish Trail

Between 1829 and 1848, the Old Spanish Trail was the 

”longest, crookedest, most arduous pack trail in the history 

of America.” For 1,200 miles, it wound from Santa Fe to 

the Ciudad de Los Angeles, or the City of Angels. The 

trail, although used for communication and slaving, 

was foremost a commercial trade route. In New Mexico, 

wool from the churro sheep was woven into goods that 

were packed to California. Ordinarily, a horse could be 

procured for 1-2 blankets while mules, considered more 

valuable than horses, would cost 3-5 blankets. 

Wildcat Guard 

Station

Men of the Civilian 

Conservation Corps 

(CCC) built the 

Wildcat Guard Station in 1935, currently used 

as a visitor center. CCC members were usually 

unmarried and between 17–21 years old. Of the $30 

per month that they earned, they got to keep $5 and 

the rest was sent home to their families. Through 

the work of the CCC, the Forest Service has many 

enduring improvements that could not have 

otherwise happened. 

Gooseberry 

Administrative 

Site

The historic 

Gooseberry 

Administrative 

Site was a Forest 

Service summer 

headquarters from 1907 to 1960. Today, the landmark 

Gooseberry 3rd Grade Environmental Education 

Program is based at Gooseberry. Here, students 

learn about forest management, wildlife, archeology, 

stream ecology, wildfire suppression, and more. The 

Gooseberry Admin cabins are available for rental.

The Old Spanish Trail had three main routes and 

several cut-offs or shortcuts. The “Fish Lake Cut-off” was 

travelled in 1848 by Kit Carson, a famous army scout. 

The story is told through interpretive displays at Red 

Creek (Salina Canyon) near Zedd’s Meadow, and at the 

Doctor Creek Trailhead at the south end of the lake. 

Kit Carson on the

Fish Lake Cut-off Trail 

(depicted at a Red Creek 

interpretive display).
4

Mt. Baldy

Hiking Upper Bullion Canyon

Mackinaw or Lake trout (© Joe Tomelleri)

Length: 17.0 miles/27.4 km

Time to Allow: 45 minutes

Second Crossing of Salina Creek

Splake (© Joe Tomelleri)

Scenic Byways

Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway

The Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway 

offers everything from trout 

fishing to rock hounding. Besides 

recreational activities, it offers you a unique view of the 

desert West in the late-1800 and early-1900s.

The byway leads to camping and fishing adventures 

in beautiful pine surroundings. Hiking and horseback 

riding opportunities are plentiful as well, and range 

from easy to intense. The Tushar Mountain Range 

provides year-round recreation; Beaver Canyon is a fall 

color favorite.

Fishlake Scenic Byway

The Fishlake Scenic Byway 

winds through the Fish Lake Basin at about 8,850 feet 

in elevation. The basin’s namesake is the largest natural 

mountain lake in Utah. Fish Lake is surrounded by lightly 

wooded hills and is a beautiful destination in itself. 

Fish Lake Basin contains many alluring trails 

including the Lakeshore National Recreation 

Trail. Extending around the eastern side of 

the lake, it rises over 900 feet in elevation, 

rewarding you with stunning views of 

Fish Lake. If you prefer to ride a horse or 

mountain bike, try the Pelican Canyon Trail. 

This moderately strenuous five-mile trail 

climbs to an elevation of 11,000 feet.

Fish Lake boasts excellent fishing, 

particularly large Mackinaw trout, 

splake, and rainbow trout. Scuba 

divers enjoy the lake’s waters, and in 

the winter, ice fishing is popular.

Length: 13.0 miles/20.9 km

Time to Allow: 45 minutes

Activities

Hiking

Bullion Canyon Trail System

The Bullion Canyon Trails System is made up of five rugged trails, providing the hiker 

or mountain biker a 10–12 mile round-trip loop. The trails are located on the east 

side of the Tushars, and can be accessed from three newly constructed trailheads: 

1) west of the Miner’s Park on the way to Bullion Falls, 2) Alunite Ridge on the south 

fork of Bullion Canyon, and 3) Bullion Pasture, near Marysvale. 

Get to Know Us

For more information on other Fishlake National Forest Trails, visit www.fs.fed.us/r4/fishlake.

Ice fishing at Fish Lake

Second Crossing of Salina Creek

The Second Crossing is one of the most popular places for people who enjoy hiking 

and horseback riding under the White Mountains. A new camping area on an 

adjacent ridge provides space for a camper and horse trailer.

South Fork of North Creek 

This trail follows its namesake from Blue Lake, located at 

the base of Mt. Baldy, to the trailhead near North Creek, 

about 5 miles northeast of Beaver. It has over 60 stream 

crossings along its 10 miles as it wanders to the bottom 

of the drainage. Scars from two wildfires in the 1970s are 

visible, but are disappearing as aspen regenerates. Hikers 

may see deer, elk, and possibly mountain goats. Black bear 

sightings are also becoming more common.
5

Rainbow trout 

(© Joe Tomelleri)

Activities

Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Use

Fishing

In addition to Fish Lake, other favorite spots include 

Anderson Meadow Reservoir and LeBaron Lake. Neither 

allow motorized boats and both are near campgrounds. 

The reservoir and the lake are state conservation pools 

with little change in their water level throughout the year.

Cabin Rentals

For more fishing information:

Visit the Utah Division of 

Wildlife Resources:

www.wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/

Aquarius Ranger 

Station

This former Forest 

Service Ranger Station 

on the Fremont River 

Ranger District is 

available for rental at 

$30/night from May 1–

October 31. The station is located about 16 miles south 

of Loa on the west side of the Boulder Mountain. The 

station is near Pine Creek Reservoir, Cooks Lake, Millers 

Lake, and numerous popular fishing lakes along the Great 

Western ATV trail. Popular activities in the area include 

fishing, ATV riding, mountain biking, hiking, horseback 

riding, and big game hunting. 

Reservations for both the Aquarius Ranger Station and 

the Gooseberry Admin Site cabins must be made at 

least 7 days prior to arrival and no more than 360 days 

in advance. Contact the National Recreation Reservation 

System (NRRS) by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at 

www.recreation.gov. You may also visit the Fishlake 

National Forest website for more information 

(www.fs.fed.us/r4/fishlake).

Gooseberry Administrative Site

Historic cabins at 

the Gooseberry 

Administrative Site 

are available for group 

rentals (up to 250 

people) for $300/night. 

The facility includes 

three bunk cabins, a 

large recreation hall, 

kitchen, bathroom with 

showers, and a small 

amphitheater. Located 18 miles southeast of Salina, 

Gooseberry is open June 12 through September 9. 

Off highway vehicles 

(including ATVs) are permitted 

only on designated trails 

and roads on the forest. 

These routes are designed 

to minimize impacts on 

fragile ecosystems. Some can 

only accomodate vehicles 

50” wide or less. Many trails 

are maintained by OHV 

organizations and are great 

examples of public land stewardship. 

Please pick up a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) at 

any local Forest Service Office to see which roads, trails, 

and areas are open to motor vehicles. In general, motorized 

travel off of designated roads and trails is prohibited, but the 

MVUM will show any exceptions.

Gooseberry ATV Trails

The Gooseberry ATV Trails 

offer an extensive range of 

terrain for all riders. From the 

I-70 Trailhead, you can ride 

north into the Salina Creek, 

Willow Creek, and Water 

Hollow drainages through 

pinyon-juniper, aspen, and 

mountain meadows. If you head 

south, you can ride higher into 

subalpine fir. In both directions, 

you can fish, enjoy the 

wildflowers, and spot wildlife. 

Paiute ATV Trail

The Paiute ATV Trail is a 238-mile loop that crosses three 

mountain ranges and runs through four central Utah counties. 

It joins with the Great Western Trail and many popular 

motorized trails on the Dixie and Manti-La Sal National 

Forests, making the network the largest interconnected, 

motorized trail system in the country.

Great Western Trail

The Great Western Trail is actually a corridor of trails designed for a variety of trail users. Hikers, horseback riders, 

mountain bikers, off-road vehicle and snowmobile riders can 

traverse this scenic and culturally rich area. When complete, it 

will extend from Canada to Mexico. 

Anderson Dairy Trail

Paiute Trail

Aquarius Ranger Station Gooseberry Admin Site
6

Little B!

Cottonwood

Ponderosa

B!

B!

B!

B!

Little Res

Mahogany

Cove

Kents

Lake

Anderson 

Meadow

B! City Creek

P! Big John Flat

B! Castle

Rock

q!

Fremont

c! Monrovian

Park

P!

Koosharem

Canyon-Paiute ATV

c!

Gooseberrya! P!

P!

Browns

Hole

Snowmobile

GooseberryP!

P! c!

Shingle Mill Pistol

Rock

Copleys c!

Cove

B! Maple

Hollow

B!

B! Maple

Grove

B! Oak

Creek

I-70

Niotche

Fish

Lake

SEE

INSET

To Parowan

15

Richfield

Monroe

Elsinore

Junction

Beaver

Koosharem

Fremont

Loa

Bick

Redmond

Salina

Scipio

Holden

Fillmore

Kanosh

15

15

15

70

70

70

70

70

70

¡89

¡89

¡89

¡89

¡50

¡6

¡50

132

125

133

118

153

62

62

24

24

119

086

106

113

068

072

078

25

640

036

001

¡50

100

To Panguitch

To Delta

To Eureka

To Nephi

To Levan

To Gunnison

Fishlake Scenic Byway

Beaver Canyon 

Scenic Byway

Sevier 

Bridge

Reservoir

Johnson Valley

Reservoir

Piute

Reservoir

Admin Site

c!

Adelaide

State Park

Indian

Before venturing on to the Fishlake National 

Forest, please pick up a map with the level of 

detail appropriate for your planned activities:

For backcountry and off-road travel:

Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) are available 

at all Forest Service offices, and may be 

downloaded from www.fs.fed.us/r4/fishlake.

For hiking, mountain biking, and horseback 

riding:

Topographic maps are recommended. Visit 

the US Geological Survey for online purchases: 

www.usgs.com/
7

Manti-La Sal National Forest

Dixie National 

Forest

Elkhorna!

P! Riley 

Springs

a!

Sunglow

P!

Torrey 

knell

Teasdale

70

72

24

009

To Green River

To Fruita

Hwy 12 Scenic Byway

Capitol Reef

State Park

Singletree a!

a! Pleasant

Creek

Oak Creeka!

q! Wildcat Guard

Station

Teasdale

24 To Fruita

154

12

Map not shown in geographically

correct location.

Fishlake National Forest

Scale

05 2.5 10 15 20

Miles

¡30

186

55

Forest Supervisor’s

Office

District Ranger Office

Roads

Scenic Byway or

Backway

Fishlake Forest

U.S. Highway

State Highway

Interstate Highway

Forest Route

c k

q

P

a

80

Picnic Area

Campground

Trailhead

Boat Launch

Information Center

H Lodging

89

40

6 6

40

191

89

50

15

70

15

80

84

Locator Map

Wyoming

Nevada

Idaho

Arizona

Colorado

 ̄

Major Trails

 National

Fillmore Ranger District

Beaver Ranger District

Richfield Ranger District

Fremont Ranger District
8

Campgrounds

Recreating on the Fishlake

CAMPGROUND FEE

(single/double/group)

SITES (single/

double/group)

EXTRA 

VEHICLE 

FEE

SEASON AMENITIES RESERVABLE?

Adelaide $12/$12/$50

(up to 70 people) 4/3/1 $5 May-Sept. g f No (except for 

group site)

Anderson Meadow $12 10 $6 June-Sept. g f No

Bowery Creek $28/$42 for group picnic 

area (up to 100 people)

31/7/1 (plus 3 

triple sites) $7 May-Sept. g f hookups Yes

Castle Rock

(operated by Utah State Parks, 

www.reserveamerica.com)

$13/26 28/3 April-Oct. g i Yes

Chalk Creek (Copleys, 

Shingle Mill, and Pistol Rock) Free 17/2 May-Sept. g No

Doctor Creek $14/$85 for group sites 

(up to 150 people) 27/2 $7 May-Sept. g f c pavilion Yes

Elkhorn $8/$35 for group site 

(up to 75 people) 6/1 June-Sept. g f No

Frying Pan $12/$60 for group site 

(up to 100 people) 8/1 $6 May-Sept. g f Yes

Gooseberry $10/$20 for group site

(up to 70 people) 13/1 June-Sept. g f No

Kents Lake $12/$24 29/3 $6 June-Sept. g f No

LeBaron $10 11/1 June-Oct. g k No

Little Cottonwood $14 14 May-Sept. g f No

Little Reservoir $12 8 $6 May-Oct. g f No

Lower Bowns $8/$35 for group site 

(up to 35 people) 4/1 $4 May-Sept. g Yes

Lower Pleasant Creek $9 5 May-Sept. g f No

Mackinaw $14/$28 59/7 $7 May-Sept. g f Yes

Mahogany Cove $10/$60 for group site 

(up to 75 people) 7/1 $5 May-Oct. g f No (except for group site)

Maple Grove $15/$15/$50-90

(56-96 people based on site) 13/2/3 $5 May-Sept. g f No (except for 

group sites)

Maple Hollow Free 8/3 May-Sept. g No

Oak Creek-Hwy. 50 $12/$10/$30-60

(32-96 people based on site) 13/3/4 $5 May-Sept. g f No (except for 

group sites)

Oak Creek-Hwy. 12 $9/$18 8/1 $4.50 May-Sept. g f No

Piute $10 46 May-Oct. g f No

Rosebud ATV $20 for double 4 $5 May-Sept. g Yes

Singletree $10/$20/$35 for group 

site (up to 50 people) 25/5/2 $5 May-Sept. g f i Yes

Sunglow $8/$20 for group site 

(up to 20 people) 7/2 April-Oct. g f Yes

Tasha Equestrian $10/$35 for group site 

(up to 50 people) 10/1 $5 May-Oct. g f Yes

Upper Pleasant Creek $9 12 $5 May-Oct. g f No

Twin Creeks Picnic 

Area (day use only)

$50 for groups 

(up to 100 people)

$5/

vehicle May-Sept. g f Yes

SINGLE: 8 people in 2 vehicles DOUBLE: 16 people in 4 vehicles. Fees are subject to change. 

To make reservations use the National Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov

N A T I O N A L F O R E S T
9

Trails

Trail Miles Trailhead Location Notes

Richfield District

Wind Walker 

Loop & 

Doxford Cr.

18 West of the Koosharem Guard 

Station on Monroe Mountain

Monroe Mountain is regarded as one of the premium elk 

units in the state of Utah and it is not uncommon to see 

these majestic animals along the trail. (Wind Walker-10 miles; 

Doxford Cr.-8 miles.)

Niotche Beaver 

Dams Trail 11

Off the Gooseberry Road 

between Brown’s Hole and Twin 

Ponds turn-offs

Mountain meadows open up to wide vistas along this trail. Some 

sections allow ATVs.

White 

Mountain Area 

Trails

55 Lizonbee Spring is the most 

popular access point

This is a popular area in the White Mountains for nonmotorized trail use. Elk and deer are frequently seen along this 

trail, and moose will sometimes make a rare appearance. 

Beaver District

South Fork of 

North Creek 

Trail

10

Mud Lake-Blue Lake Trailhead 

and the Bosman Trailhead at Big 

John Flat

This remote trail has over 60 stream crossings as it wanders 

along its namesake. The scars of two 1970s wildfires are still 

visible, showing examples of aspen regeneration. 

Skyline National 

Recreation Trail 8.3

Big Flat Trailhead, 22 miles east 

of Beaver; Lake Stream Trailhead, 

northeast of Puffer Lake; Big John 

Flat Trailhead, 16 miles east of 

Beaver 

Recognized for its outstanding qualities, this trail received 

national designation in 1979. It follows the craggy peaks of the 

Tushar Mountains, meandering through stands of spruce, fir, and 

aspen. In July, meadows seem to glisten with waves of larkspur 

and lupine. 

Bullion Canyon 

Trail System 

and Miner’s 

Park

10-12 

(loop)

3 trailheads on the east side 

of the Tushar Mountains near 

Marysvale

The Bullion Canyon Trails System is made up of five trails. 

Highlights include an abandoned miner’s cabin, breathtaking 

cliffs, a glacial moraine, and the Bullion waterfalls.

Fillmore District

Rock Canyon 

Trail 3.2 Maple Grove Campground Follow Rock Canyon to Road #96 to the top of the Pahvant Range.

Leavitt’s Trail 6.3 0.5 mile west of Adelaide 

Campground

This trail follows the North Fork of Corn Creek through oak, 

maple, and fir to the top of the Pahvant Range.

Maple HollowRobins Valley 2.2 Maple Hollow Campground

Follow Road #010 about 1 mile on an ATV-accessible trail to 

where the hiking trail forks off. Farther up the trail, views of the 

Pahvant Valley treat hikers. 

Bear Canyon 

Trail 5

6 miles above Pistol Rock 

Campground in Chalk Cr. 

Canyon

Climbing from 7,500’ to 10,000’ on the ridge above Paradise 

Canyon, the Bear Canyon Trail offers mossy falls, verdant 

meadows, and plentiful wildlife.

Fremont River District

Lakeshore-Sec. 1 3 West of Doctor Creek 

Campground

The trail follows the western shores of Fish Lake from Lakeside 

Resort to Bowery Haven Resort. Historical interpretive signs 

along trail.

Lakeshore-Sec. 2 2.5 Lake Creek, east of Bowery 

Haven Resort.

After rising sharply to Pelican Point, the trail then descends to 

Lake Creek. Historical interpretive signs along trail.

Lakeshore-Sec. 3 4 3rd overlook on Mytoge Mt. This trail descends 1,000’ to Fish Lake, ending at Doctor Creek 

Trailhead. 

Lakeshore-Sec. 4 4 3rd overlook on Mytoge Mt at 

10,100’

From the Mytoge Mountain overlook, this trail descends 1,100’ 

to the eastern shore of Fish Lake and ends at the Doctor Creek 

Trailhead. This segment is not recommended for mountain bikes.

Doctor Creek 3 South of Doctor Creek 

Campground Doctor Creek reaches 10,000’ on the Fish Lake High Top.

Pelican Canyon 5 Pelican Canyon Overlook The trail meanders through meadows with steep climbs to 

10,000’ on the Fish Lake High Top.

Tasha Creek 8 Tasha Canyon Equestrian 

Trailhead or Sevenmile Cr. Rd.

Tasha Creek ends at Tasha Springs on the Fish Lake High Top at 

11,500.’

Crater Loop 6 Lake Creek

Hikers ascend to North Crater Lake at 9,500’ on Mytoge 

Mountain, then return to the Lake Creek Trailhead passing near 

the Johnson Valley Reservoir.

The Fishlake National Forest has many outstanding trails that can be enjoyed by foot, horse, 

or mountain bike. The following are just a few highlights—more information is available 

at your local Ranger District Office. Unless otherwise noted, the following trails are 

CLOSED to motorized vehicles.

Colors in the above table correspond to district colors on the map on pages 6-7

Restroom

Drinking

Water

Trailer Sanitary 

Station

Boat Launch

Picnic Area

Garbage Collection 
10

For more information, visit www.BeBearAware.org

Avalanche Information

Tread Lightly!

Unpaved and primitive 

roads present special 

challenges, even in good 

weather. Before you 

head out, think about 

another challenge—your 

responsibility to “Tread 

Lightly.” Here’s how:

ravel only where motorized vehicles are permitted.

espect the rights of others to enjoy their activities 

undisturbed. 

ducate yourself by obtaining travel information and 

regulations from public agencies, comply with signs, and 

ask owners’ permission to cross private property.

void streams, lakeshores, meadows, muddy roads, steep 

hillsides, wildlife, and livestock.

rive responsibly to protect the environment and preserve 

opportunities to enjoy your vehicle on wild lands.

T

R

E

A

D

Winter fun on the Fishlake National Forest can be as 

dangerous as it is exhilarating. Before you venture out, visit 

the Utah Avalanche Center at: http://utahavalanchecenter.org/

Be Bear Aware!

Seeing a black bear is a memorable experience. If 

you want that experience to be positive rather than 

negative, follow these tips:

• Keep a clean campsite. Store food and garbage in closed 

vehicles and out of sight.

• Never put food scraps in the campfire—it attracts bears 

and skunks. 

• Don’t keep food, shampoo—or anything that smells—in 

tents or sleeping areas.

• Store stoves and Dutch ovens in a vehicle or secure 

place when not using. 

• When camping in the backcountry, hang food and 

garbage from a tree limb at least 10 feet from the 

ground and 5 feet from the tree trunk. This tree should 

be at least 100 yards from your sleeping area. 

• Some bears also target motor oil, insect repellant, 

liquor, and other things that look like food. Put these 

items away.

If bears become accustomed to human food, they may 

become aggressive towards humans or cause property 

damage. To protect people, these bears may have to 

be destroyed.

Know Before You Go

What’s that Smoke?

Throughout time, fires have burned in our forests. The 

elimination of natural fire from the ecosystem has 

created an imbalance, resulting in forests that are more 

prone to disease and insect infestation, as well as large 

wildfires, especially during periods of drought.

Managing fire for resource benefits is a program which 

provides for naturally ignited wildland fires to burn in 

a natural state under specific, pre-established guidelines. 

Fires managed in this way are most often located in 

remote areas where they can burn naturally without 

endangering human life and property.

You can check on current 

fire conditions by calling 

one of our forest offices, 

or by going to www.

utahfireinfo.gov.

To report a wildland fire, 

call the Central Utah 

Interagency Dispatch 

Center at (435) 896-8404.
11

Responsible Recreation

To sustain the beauty and health of our 

national forests, please follow these tips:

Choose an Existing Site

Creating new campsites kills vegetation and leads to 

soil erosion. If possible, use an existing site. If you’re 

in an undisturbed area, protect water quality and 

aquatic habitat by keeping campsites at least 200 feet 

away from rivers, lakes, or other wetlands. 

Park Away from Water

Parking near water eventually kills vegetation, 

leading to erosion and water pollution that make 

it hard for fish and other aquatic 

wildlife to breathe. In addition, 

vehicles driven onto tree roots 

seriously jeopardize the health of 

the tree. Please park at least 200 

feet (or 12 vehicle lengths) back 

from water. 

Human Waste 

Bacteria and viruses found in human feces are known 

to cause hepatitis, salmonella, giardia, and other 

gastro-intestinal diseases. Remember, the water in the 

rivers and lakes you visit may flow into your own 

drinking water supply. Please follow these simple 

steps when nature calls:

* Find a spot at least 200 steps from any water source 

* Dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and bury human waste 

* Pack out used toilet paper

Wash Away From the Water

Soap degrades water quality and 

harms fish and other aquatic life. 

Protect them by washing at least 

200 feet from the river, stream, 

or wetland, using plain water or 

biodegradable soap. 

Respect Living Trees

By carving or chopping into the trunks of trees, 

people unknowingly slit veins right below the bark. 

These veins transport nutrients and water throughout 

the tree. If the damage becomes severe, it will deprive 

the tree of nutrients and food, and the tree slowly 

starves to death.

Don’t Erase the Traces of America’s Past

Archaeological and historic sites 

hold clues to America’s past. If 

disturbed, a part of our heritage 

may be lost forever. Sites and 

artifacts on federal lands are 

protected by federal law. If you 

discover such remains, please 

leave them undisturbed. 

Use Established Fire Rings Wisely

Please follow these simple steps:

* Keep your fires small and bring your own firewood. If you have 

to collect firewood at your campsite, collect dead and down 

wood only.

* Check at the local Ranger Station for current fire restrictions. 

Remember, they can change on a daily basis. 

* Use existing fire rings. Scrape away litter and any other 

burnable material within a 10-foot-diameter circle 

surrounding the fire ring. 

* Have a shovel, axe, and bucket of water available before 

lighting your campfire. 

* Make sure all wood fits inside the fire ring. Don’t “feed” a large 

log into the fire ring. 

* To put out a campfire, slowly pour water onto the fire and stir 

with a shovel. Continue adding and stirring until all material 

is cool to touch. 

* Do not bury your fire. The coals can smolder and re-ignite. 

* NEVER leave a fire unattended, even if there are no flames 

present. Make sure it is out cold. Many wildfires have been 

caused by abandoned campfires.

Forest Creatures

Help keep wildlife “wild” by not 

approaching or feeding them. Keep your 

dog leashed to protect both him and 

wildlife. 

Noxious Weeds

Noxious weeds can rapidly displace 

native plant species that provide habitat 

for wildlife and food for people and 

livestock. Here’s how you can help reduce 

their spread:

* Learn to recognize common weed species.

* Don’t camp or drive in weed infested areas. 

* Don’t pick the flowers of noxious weeds and 

take them home—you’ll spread seeds.

* When using pack animals, carry only feed 

that is certified weed-free. Within 96 hours 

before entering backcountry areas, feed them 

only weed-free food.

* Wash your vehicle, including the undercarriage, to remove any 

weed seed before driving to the forest.

For more information, visit the Utah Weed Control 

Association at www.utahweed.org/

Gooseberry Guard Station

Beaver (© pix2go)

(© Lee O’Dell)

musk thistle 

(© Kenneth Sponsler)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, 

and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because 

all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities 

who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 

(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., 

Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

New restroom at Adelaide Campgound

Fishlake National Forest

Your Fees at Work

Fishlake National Forest 

Supervisors Office

115 East 900 North

Richfield, UT 84701

(435) 896-9233

Fillmore Ranger District

390 South Main Street

Fillmore, UT 84631

(435) 743-5721

Fremont River Ranger 

District 

138 South Main Street

P.O. Box 129

Loa, UT 84747

(435) 836-2811

Beaver Ranger District

575 South Main St.

P.O. Box E

Beaver, UT 84713

(435) 438-2436

Richfield Ranger District

115 East 900 North

Richfield, UT 84701

(435) 896-9233

Contact Information

Visit us on the web at:

www.fs.fed.us/r4/fishlake

Recreation fees have made a significant difference in our 

ability to serve our national forest visitors because these 

dollars can be reinvested into services and infrastructure. 

Some of our recent accomplishments on the Fishlake 

National Forest include: 

* Gooseberry Administrative Site (replaced toilets, 

refrigerator, and hot water heater; purchased a propane 

tank and lawn tractor; purchased new lawn watering 

pump and replaced sprinklers and valves; painted 

kitchen and restroom floors)

* Replaced a fee tube at Gooseberry Campground 

* Installed seven accessible metal tables at Elk Horn 

Campground 

* Replaced restoom at Adelaide Campground

* Helped pay for visitor information services

* Helped administer outfitter guide permits

* Accomplished routine maintenance at all fee sites 

* Paid for this Visitor Guide

America The Beautiful - National 

Parks and Federal Recreational Lands 

Interagency Pass Program

Senior Pass - $10.00

Available to US citizens 62 years and older. Must 

be purchased in person, with proof of age such as 

a driver’s liscense.

Access Pass - Free

Available to US citizens that have been medically 

determined 

to have a 

permanent disability that severely limits one or 

more major life activities. Must be obtained in 

person with written proof of disability.

For more information, visit http://store.usgs.

gov/pass/index.html

The America the Beautiful interagency pass 

program is a suite of annual and lifetime passes that 

provides U.S. citizens and visitors an affordable and 

convenient way to recreate on Federal recreation lands. 

Between 80% and 100% of the program’s proceeds are 

used to improve visitor services. “Senior” and “Access” 

passes are available on the Fishlake National Forest.

NOTE: Both passes are honored nationwide at all Forest Service, 

National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of 

Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or 

standard amenity fees. In some areas, is good for discounts on other 

fees such as camping.

23.338.400-08.10/2009