Campgrounds: Here's where to enjoy outdoors this weekend

AMERICAN FORK — Only one campground in the Uinta National Forest is closed this Labor Day weekend.

However, fire restrictions are in effect outside other campgrounds and picnic sites, said spokeswoman Loyal Clark.

Little Mill campground in American Fork Canyon is closed all year for reconstruction.

For updates, check the Uinta National Forest Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r4/uinta/.

Fees for family camp sites and for group sites are up, the first increase in five years for Uinta National Forest campgrounds, Clark said. Fifteen percent of the fees go back to the campgrounds for repairs or replacement of aging facilities.

In the Spanish Fork Ranger District some campgrounds on the Nebo Loop were closed because of the Salt Creek Fire. But Ponderosa Campground, Bear Canyon Campground and Cottonwood Canyon Campground — between Ponderosa Campground and Bear Canyon Campground — should be open by Labor Day, Clark said.

Other Nebo Loop campgrounds that were closed because of the fire are now open, including Blackhawk and Payson Lakes Campground and Maple Dell Boy Scout Camp. Santaquin Canyon is open and includes Tinney Flat Campground and Camp Koholowo.

Campers should bring in their own water if camping at the Whiting Campground. The only water available is for flushing toilet operation.

Vehicles with trailers are not permitted to park at the Whiting Campground trailhead from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Those vehicles must park at the lower equestrian parking lot to allow parking for hikers at the trailhead.

In Diamond Fork Canyon, Three Forks Trailhead was temporarily closed last year after spring runoff washed out a culvert. The trailhead and parking lot were both destroyed.

The culvert may be repaired before Labor Day, however, Clark said.

The area is still accessible via Sheep Creek road at the Fifth Water trailhead. (Sheep Creek road is off U.S. 6 about 11 miles east of Diamond Fork canyon.) The Fifth Water trailhead is located about 15 miles up Sheep Creek Road.