Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is located at the mouth of the Bear River in northwestern Utah. The Refuge was established in 1929 as "a suitable refuge and feeding, and breeding grounds for migratory wildfowl". It contains over 74,000 acres of vitally important migration and production habitat for birds. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded at the Refuge and approximately 60 species breed here. The Refuge is located on the eastern edge of the Pacific Flyway and on the western edge of the Central Flyway and is important to both. In 1991, the Refuge was designated as a Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve. For many years the Refuge has been a popular attraction for wildlife recreation and education. In 1983, the Refuge was reduced to ruins by the rising flood waters of the Great Salt Lake. One hundred year precipitation events occurred in 2 consecutive years causing the Great Salt Lake to rise to flood levels. The Refuge was completely inundated with salt water. All the vegetation, buildings, and many water control structures were destroyed. In 1989, the flood waters receded and the Refuge was reopened. Restoration and enhancement of the Refuge has been ongoing since then. New and improved water control structures are being installed, much of the vegetation and invertebrates have returned, and, most importantly, the birds are back! A new Friends of the Refuge group has been formed and plans for a new visitor center are underway.
Big Bend Campground Elevation 4000 ft. 22 campsites and 3 group sites on the banks of the Colorado River. There is a white sand beach and picnic area here.
Big Sandy Reservoir Big Sandy Dam and Reservoir, Eden Project, are on Big Sandy Creek about 15 miles north of Farson, Wyoming. Recreation at Big Sandy Reservoir is directly managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Information about the area can be obtained by contacting the office listed below. The site has primitive facilities and no on-site manager or law enforcement. Situated in an open setting north of Farson, Wyoming, at the 6,760-foot elevation, with a 2,500-acre surface area. Use is low and seasonal. Available fish species include brown trout, cutthroat trout, and catfish. Big Sandy Reservoir U.S. Geological Survey map covers the area.
Birch Creek Campground Elevation 6755 ft. 4 walk-in campsites 50 yards from the parking lot. If you wish to stay in your RV, you may camp in the parking lot. This area is conveniently sited between two reservoirs, each stocked annually with game fish.
Bonneville Salt Flats 30,000 acres of flat ancient salt beds, a remnant of the prehistoric sea, Lake Bonneville, which once covered a huge expanse of the Great Basin, and is now reduced to the Great Salt Lake. The Salt flats are legendary for their high speed raceway, which provides a perfect surface and size for the jet powered rocket racers which attain speeds of over 600 mph. Permits must be obtained for filming, racing, rocket shoots, archery, and any off-the-wall experimental use. Hiking and sightseeing are considered transient uses and do not require a permit. No improvements, no facilities beyond an interpretive sign. Bring water, sunscreen, first aid, and a car repair kit.
Book Cliffs Recreation Area This area contains 455,000 acres of diverse ecosystems in a very remote setting, and maintains a "frontier mystique." There is an abundance of wildlife species for viewing, including deer, elk, black bear, blue and sage grouse, numerous hawks, antelope, mountain lion, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The Book Cliffs Area begins in the northern desert shrub zone at about 5,500 feet in elevation and rises southward to about 8,500 feet in the aspen and fir zones. The vista is broken by deep valleys, many containing perennial streams.
