Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to High Uintas Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Utah, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Alpine glacial (2,900–4,120 m)
- Best season
- July – September
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
Key takeaways
- Biome: Alpine glacial (2,900–4,120 m)
- Best season: July – September
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of High Uintas Wilderness
Topic summary
Utah's only east-west range and the highest — a 60-mile spine of quartzite peaks, meadows, and glacial lakes.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: July – September
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Alpine glacial (2,900–4,120 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
High Uintas Wilderness trip tools
How to get there
High Uintas Wilderness is in northeastern Utah, within parts of Duchesne and Summit counties and portions of Ashley National Forest and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Select a specific approach with the relevant national forest before setting driving directions. Mirror Lake Highway closes in winter and usually opens near Memorial Day; confirm current road status before relying on it for access.
- Ashley National Forest
Contains part of High Uintas Wilderness. Use the forest as an administrative starting point for confirming an appropriate access location; it is not a single trailhead.
- Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Contains another portion of the wilderness. Confirm the specific approach and its current conditions with the forest before arranging travel.
- Mirror Lake Highway
A seasonal access consideration rather than a specified wilderness trailhead. The highway closes in winter and usually opens near Memorial Day. Winter travel options include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; snowmobiling is prohibited inside the wilderness.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at High Uintas Wilderness
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
Animals around High Uintas Wilderness
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — High Uintas WildernessAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at High Uintas Wilderness
Planning to fish High Uintas Wilderness, Utah? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Utah are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at High Uintas Wilderness?
- A Utah fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Utah fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
- High Uintas Wilderness may add its own fishing rules on top of Utah law — check the managing agency too.
Hunting near High Uintas Wilderness
Thinking about hunting High Uintas Wilderness, Utah? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Utah are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at High Uintas Wilderness?
- Hunting is prohibited or heavily restricted in many national parks, wilderness and protected areas — confirm with the High Uintas Wilderness land manager before planning a hunt, and look to surrounding public land.
What do I need to hunt in Utah?
- A Utah hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
A high-mountain wilderness in northeastern Utah
High Uintas Wilderness protects mountain country in northeastern Utah, spanning parts of Duchesne and Summit counties in the Uinta Mountains. Designated in 1984, it includes land within Ashley National Forest and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service manages the area. Its defining feature is elevation: Kings Peak, Utah’s highest summit, lies inside the wilderness, along with several of the state’s other highest peaks, particularly those above 13,000 feet. Plan for a mountain environment rather than judging conditions by the weather at lower elevations. Warm layers, weather protection, navigation tools, and a willingness to adjust plans belong in the basic preparation. Choose an objective that matches the group’s fitness and experience, especially when a high summit is the main goal.
Choosing an objective without overlooking the approach
Kings Peak is the clearest named summit objective within High Uintas Wilderness, but choosing the mountain is only the beginning of planning. Establish the actual approach, access point, elevation demands, and current conditions before deciding on a schedule. The wilderness crosses two national forests, so identifying which forest administers the intended approach is a useful first step. Ashley National Forest and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest provide the administrative context; neither name alone identifies a trailhead or a complete route. Keep the plan proportionate to the information available, and avoid committing to a summit itinerary before the access details are settled. In terrain containing some of Utah’s highest peaks, leave room to turn back when weather, energy, or conditions do not support continuing.
Winter access and the wilderness boundary
Mirror Lake Highway is an important seasonal consideration: it closes in winter and usually opens near Memorial Day. That usual timing is not a guarantee of access, so confirm road status before departure rather than treating the calendar as a reliable opening notice. Winter access includes cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, changing both the equipment needed and the pace of travel. Snowmobiling is allowed for winter access outside the wilderness, but it is not allowed within High Uintas Wilderness itself. Know where the boundary lies before choosing how to travel. For a winter outing, plan around snow, cold, and the limits of the group’s equipment and experience. A summer driving plan should not be carried over unchanged into the winter closure period.
Route options
- Kings Peak summit objective
Utah’s highest peak lies within High Uintas Wilderness. Treat this as an objective, not a complete route description: confirm the approach, trailhead, and current mountain conditions before choosing an itinerary.
- Mirror Lake Highway winter-access outing
Cross-country skiing or snowshoeing offers a winter travel option when the highway is closed. Establish the intended start, turnaround, and wilderness boundary before departure; this is an access option rather than a specified trail itinerary.
Sample itineraries
- High Uintas Hiking Overnight · 2 days
Plan an overnight hike in the wilderness’s Uinta Mountains. Choose a route and campsite after checking access and conditions with the managing national forest. Keep the first day conservative to assess how the elevation affects the group, then return the following day.
- Winter Ski or Snowshoe Outing · 1 day
Plan a cross-country ski or snowshoe day with a turnaround suited to conditions and daylight. Confirm winter access before departure: Mirror Lake Highway closes in winter. Snowmobiling is not allowed inside the wilderness.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; Mirror Lake Highway usually opens near Memorial Day
Road access is a central planning constraint. Treat the usual opening as guidance rather than a guarantee, and confirm current road and mountain conditions before choosing an outing.
Summer
Summer
Plan hiking around high-elevation conditions rather than temperatures at lower elevations. The wilderness includes Kings Peak and other peaks above 13,000 feet. Carry layers and choose objectives that match the group’s fitness.
Fall
Fall
Keep plans flexible for cold mountain weather and reduced daylight. Check current access and conditions rather than assuming a summer itinerary remains suitable.
Winter
Winter
Mirror Lake Highway is closed. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are winter options, but access needs advance checking. Snowmobiling is prohibited within the wilderness, even where it is allowed outside the boundary.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; Mirror Lake Highway usually opens near Memorial Day | Road access is a central planning constraint. Treat the usual opening as guidance rather than a guarantee, and confirm current road and mountain conditions before choosing an outing. |
| Summer | Summer | Plan hiking around high-elevation conditions rather than temperatures at lower elevations. The wilderness includes Kings Peak and other peaks above 13,000 feet. Carry layers and choose objectives that match the group’s fitness. |
| Fall | Fall | Keep plans flexible for cold mountain weather and reduced daylight. Check current access and conditions rather than assuming a summer itinerary remains suitable. |
| Winter | Winter | Mirror Lake Highway is closed. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are winter options, but access needs advance checking. Snowmobiling is prohibited within the wilderness, even where it is allowed outside the boundary. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit requirements and trip rules with the U.S. Forest Service office managing your route in Ashley National Forest or Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- High elevation: some peaks exceed 13,000 feet. Build in time to adjust, moderate exertion, and turn back if anyone feels unwell.
- Cold mountain weather: carry insulating and weather-protective layers, including for outings planned during warmer seasons.
- Winter access limitations: Mirror Lake Highway closes in winter. Do not plan on driving it without confirming current status.
What to pack for High Uintas Wilderness
- Map showing the chosen route and wilderness boundary
- Compass or offline navigation
- Current road and access information
- Insulating layers
- Weatherproof outer layer
- Water and food
- Sun protection
- First-aid kit
- Headlamp
- Shelter and sleep system for overnight hiking
- Cross-country skis or snowshoes for a winter outing
- Warm gloves and headwear
High Uintas Wilderness FAQ
- Where is the High Uintas Wilderness?
- It lies in northeastern Utah’s Uinta Mountains, covering parts of Duchesne and Summit counties.
- Who manages the wilderness?
- The U.S. Forest Service manages it within Ashley National Forest and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Confirm which forest manages your planned route before seeking current trip guidance.
- Is Kings Peak inside the wilderness?
- Yes. Kings Peak, Utah’s highest peak, lies within the High Uintas Wilderness. The area also contains other peaks above 13,000 feet.
- Can Mirror Lake Highway be used year-round?
- No. It closes in winter and usually opens near Memorial Day. Confirm current status before departure; the usual opening is not a guaranteed date.
- Are snowmobiles allowed inside the wilderness?
- No. Snowmobiling is not allowed within the wilderness boundary. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are winter options.