Trail 23 - Spruces Campground, UT

The Wasatch National Forest is a forest with many personalities. There is its "forest next door" personality found just outside Salt Lake City. To the east, at the Utah and Wyoming border, the Forest shows its "near-wilderness" personality. And in between, from Kama, Utah to Evanston, Wyoming, Wasatch's visitors will find a "fun-filled family camping vacation" personality.


Spruces is the largest campground in the Salt Lake Ranger District with 97 campsites. During winter no fees are charged and with the exception of scout troops training in winter camping skills, the campsites are open for roaming. The restroom next to the parking area is open during winter due to the high use of the area. The Spruces parking area is the starting point for many winter trails.

The perfect area for beginners, or those simply wanting an easy escape into the solitude of the forest. Make your outing as long or short as you wish. The Big Cottonwood Creek runs through sections of the campground, and comes complete with trout and beaver dams--if you can see them beneath the snow. Chic-a-dees, blue grouse, snowshoe hare, coyote, ermine, bobcat, goshawk, and owl call the area home during winter months, and while deer and mountain lion move down canyon when the snow is deep, chances are you may see moose.

Check out the Triplog.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your snowshoe to support this local community.

2012-01-30 SparkyJackie