The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Cedar Mountains are a small group of peaks in northwest Utah, immediately south of the Great Salt Lake. The range is enclosed within Tooele County and measures around 45 miles in length. The Bureau of Land Management oversees the roughly 100,000 acres that make up the Cedar Mountain Wilderness Area. You can engage in strenuous recreational pursuits and exceptional opportunities for outdoor seclusion. While the top elevations are dominated by various Utah junipers, sagebrush, and native grasses, the foothill and valley sections are covered mainly in mixed Great Basin salt desert plants and cheatgrass.
There is a 2,200-foot elevation gain throughout the out-and-back climb. After leaving I-80 at Exit 56, next to the abandoned town of Aragonite, it takes quite a while to get to Cedar Benchmark via a well-graded dirt road. Although the road can usually get you to within 2 miles (3.2 km) of the summit, if you have a vehicle with good clearance, you can get out of the car at any point and start hiking. The route is easygoing and reasonably simple, but a thorough mastery of off-trail travel is required due to the absence of well-established paths.
Length: 4.9 miles
Intensity: Easy
The highest peak is known as Cedar Peak. Since this is on the route to nowhere, you shouldn't expect to see many people here. Kids can easily reach the summit because the ascent is not too difficult. Take a little distance east up the valley from your car while searching for the ideal location to climb the ridge on your right. Since the area is open, there shouldn't be a problem. The going becomes easier as you follow the ridgeline southeast up to the crest of the Cedar Mountains once you have gained the ridge. As you make your way south on a rough trail to the peak, you will get fantastic viewpoints. Pay attention to the wild horses.
A recreation area is set aside in the wilderness, which is an excellent location for a picnic. With its tunnels and maze-like atmosphere, the picnic area is a veritable playground for children.
The Cedar Mountain Wilderness is a great place to see wildlife. There are roughly 250 magnificent, well-known-for-their-beautiful-colors wild horses within the confines of the wilderness region. Additionally, watch out for Skull Valley pocket gophers, spotted bats, black tail jackrabbits, bobcats, mountain lions, badgers, golden eagles, bald eagles, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, ferruginous hawks, and spotted bats.
The Cedar Mountain Wilderness is open to horses and other pack animals, and riding across the area is a great opportunity to see all it has to offer. On either side of the mountain, just off the borderline roads, are benches that offer options for riding. Although grazing troughs may provide livestock water, it is advised that you transport your water for your animals to make sure they stay well hydrated.
If you do not wish to camp in the undeveloped bureau of land management campgrounds, there are a few developed options that make BLM RV camping simple. Great Salt Lake State Park campground has five sites, all of which have a grill, fire pit, and picnic table. The campground can accommodate RVs and trailers up to around 40 feet in length. A boat ramp, beach, dump station, and drinking water are also accessible.
Clover Springs Campground, located about an hour and a half from the Cedar Mountain Wilderness, is a natural spring-fed creek, and cottonwood trees can be found in the peaceful campground. The ten individual sites in the campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Two of these sites have room for horses. Additionally, a big group site with room for up to 50 people is available and can be reserved. The park can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet in length and has pit toilets, tables, and fire rings.
The Upper Narrows Campground is the best place to unwind after a day of outdoor exploration. The sites at the campground are dispersed throughout a mile-long stretch of the road. It is a modest, rustic campground. There are six single sites and two group sites, one of which can hold up to 30 people and the other up to 50. Vault toilets are provided for campers, and each site has a picnic table and a campfire ring.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is not popular in Cedar Wilderness. Only those locations on the South Platte Ranger District marked with "Parking," and "Tent" marks are authorized for dispersed camping and parking. No restrooms, garbage pickup, or potable water facilities are available on such sites. Along NFSR 360 and 523, there is authorized dispersed camping. By driving off-road, past the approved parking spots, or behind obstacles, you risk causing resource damage. Parking spaces must be 30 feet or less from site markers. Outside of specified overnight locations, campfires are forbidden. A few more sites may pop up if you google BLM camping near me.
Dispersed camping is only permitted in authorized areas, and since there aren't many developed campgrounds, you'll need to make a reservation as soon as possible. Dirt roads that are regularly maintained provide access to the area but can become extremely muddy and impassable during inclement weather. Four-wheel drive vehicles with high clearance are advised. Most places typically have fair to good cell phone coverage.
You must take caution and keep from trampling any delicate vegetation. Do not leave unattended food, litter, or other animal attractants when visiting the highlands and forests. Pack out everything you pack in and store all food and rubbish in safe containers. A fee may be charged for failure to comply. It is prohibited to camp or leave camping gear at any location for more than 14 days in a row. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Ensure that you clean up after yourself. Keep everything in its original place. If you remove rocks, twigs, or pine cones from a surface area, restore them before you leave. Waste should be disposed of properly to prevent contamination of water sources, avoid negative consequences from someone else discovering it, and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
From Salt Lake City, follow I-80 W to exit 56 to get to the Cedar Mountain Wilderness. After exiting, drive toward the aragonite plant two miles south on the paved road. There is a dirt road on your left just before the plant. After a mile, you should come upon a BLM information board.
Address: 2370 South 2300 West Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Ready to visit Cedar Mountain Wilderness Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, enjoying a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
