Uinta National Forest

Welcome

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Bears in Utah?

The black bear, Ursus americanus, is fairly common in Utah, where it can be found primarily in large forested areas. Contrary to its name, the black bear is not always black; the species varies in color from reddish to light brown to black.

Black bears are omnivores with diets consisting of fruits, insects, grubs, some small vertebrates, and carrion. They breed in June or July, and young are born in January or February; average litter size is two. Young stay with their mother until the fall of their second year. Black bears are nocturnal and are dormant during the winter.

The black bear is currently the only species of bear that occurs naturally in Utah. The grizzly bear, Ursus arctos , was exterminated in Utah during the 1920's.

Black bears usually retreat before people are aware of them.  Their hearing is more sensitive than a human's, and their broad, soft foot pads allow them to move quietly downwind where they can best identify their dangers.  The may stand upright to see farther.  If need be, they can run faster than 25 mph or climb trees as fast a squirrels.  They generally prefer to forage for wild foods away from people but are almost as quick as chipmunks to seek food in campsites and garbage cans when wild nut and berry crops fails.  They rarely attack people.  Campground bears and roadside panhandlers may nip or cuff people that crowd around them, try to pet them, or tease them with food.  But the injuries, if any, are usually slight, only occasionally requiring stitches.

For much more information about Black Bears, read a copy of the Forest Service publication Watchable Wildlife: The Black Bear

Bear Safety Tips - Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

OHV Information

• Off Highway Vehicle Use on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, 23 June (.pdf - 28 Kb)

Recreation Enhancement Fee

• Fee Program Brings Improvements to Local Forest Areas, 12 May (.pdf - 19 Kb)
  • American Fork Canyon Recreation Fee Project Accomplishments

Are you looking for the High Uintas or the High Uintas Wilderness Area?

Confusingly, the Uinta Mountains are not managed by the Uinta National Forest. They are managed by the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and the Ashley National Forest. For information about the Uinta Mountains behind Kamas and along the Mirror Lake Highway, please visit the Wasatch-Cache National Forest's web site.

You can also visit the Ashley's High Uintas Wilderness Area web page for more information.

Want to know why we're named Uinta when we don't manage the Uinta Mountains?