NEWS RELEASE National Forests of Utah For Immediate Release CONTACT: Kathy Jo Pollock (801) 558-8016 Ashley National Forest: Louis Haynes (435) 781-5105 Fishlake/Manti-LaSal National Forests: John Zapell 435-896-1070 Dixie National Forest: Kenton Call or Marcia Gilles (435) 865-3700 2013 JULY FOURTH CAMPGROUND UPDATE Salt Lake City, June 28, 2013 – With the advent of the Independence Day Weekend campgrounds and dispersed sites on the 5 National Forests throughout Utah are expected to fill up rapidly. Reservations can be made for a Forest Service campground unit by using the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. Most campgrounds do have first-come-first served areas, but they fill up quickly on holidays. Exercise caution with campfires and call your local Forest Service office for current fire restriction information before traveling to your recreation destination. Fireworks are always prohibited on public lands. For fire/restriction information visit UtahFireInfo.gov Recreation users who plan to take their Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV’s) with them should contact the Ranger District offices where they plan to ride for current information on open roads and trails. Riders should be properly trained and should remember to protect fragile surroundings. Always keep your OHV on designated roads and trails. Safety tips for camping in bear country: keep your campsite litter free, store food, drinks and scented items securely in your vehicle, a bear-safe container or a tree, never in your tent. Do not leave food out on picnic tables. More information can be obtained at http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/learn-more/bear-safety.html (MORE) If you are planning to use livestock (horses, mules etc.) on National Forest lands, remember that you are permitted to use only certified weed free straw, hay or pellets. Each bale and container must be tagged or marked as weed free, or the individual must have original and current evidence of weed free certification present. In addition, all markings must meet state and/or county standards for certification as weed free. When hiking, always carry extra water, food, coat, and matches. Always let someone know where you are hiking and approximately when you will return and never hike alone. ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST (435) 789-1181 http://www.fs.usda.gov/ashley Duchesne /Roosevlet Ranger District (435) 738-2482: All campgrounds are open. Flaming Gorge Ranger District (435) 784-3445: All campgrounds are open. Vernal Ranger District (435) 789-1181: All campgrounds are open except for Whiterocks Campground. DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST (435) 865-3700 http://www.fs.usda.gov/dixie Cedar City Ranger District (435) 865-3200: All campgrounds are open. Escalante Ranger District (435) 826-5400: All campgrounds are open. Pine Valley Ranger District (435) 652-3100: All campgrounds are open except Oak Grove. Powell Ranger District (435) 676-9300: All campgrounds are open. FISHLAKE NATIONAL FOREST (435) 896-9233 http://www.fs.usda.gov/fishlake Beaver Ranger District (435) 438-2436: All campgrounds are open. Fillmore Ranger District (435) 743-5721: All campgrounds are open, except those located in Oak Creek Canyon. Richfield Ranger District (435) 896-9233: All campgrounds are open. Fremont Ranger District (435) 836-2800: All campgrounds are open. (MORE) MANTI-LASAL NATIONAL FOREST (435) 637-2817 http://www.fs.usda.gov/mantilasal Ferron Ranger District (435)384-2372: All campgrounds are open. Moab Ranger District (435) 259-7155: All campgrounds are open. Price Ranger District (435) 637-2817: All campgrounds are open. Monticello Ranger District (435) 587-2041: All campgrounds are open. SanPete Ranger District (435) 283-4151: All campgrounds are open. The Southern portion of Skyline Drive is still closed. Utah State Highway 31, Huntington Canyon is closed to overnight camping. UINTA-WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FOREST (801) 999-2103 http://www.fs.usda.gov/uwcnf Pleasant Grove Ranger District (801) 785-3563: All campgrounds are open. Spanish Fork Ranger District (801 798-3571: All campgrounds are open. Heber/Kamas Ranger District (435) 654-0470 or (435) 783-4338: All campgrounds are open except Mill Hollow. Evanston/Mt. View Ranger Districts (307) 789-3194 or (307) 782-6555: All campgrounds are open. The Bear River Ranger Station located on the Mirror Lake Highway will be open 7 days a week starting Friday, June 29th. Sunday through Thursday hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hours on Friday and Saturdays are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Ogden Ranger District (801) 625-5306: All campgrounds are open Logan Ranger District (435) 755-3620): All campgrounds are open. Salt Lake Ranger District (801) 999-2103 or (801) 466-6411: All campgrounds are open, except Albion Basin campground which will open at 9:00 am on July 4th. Have a great holiday in your National Forest and please be safe. #### .