This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2009, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Four Utah state parks have made the annual America's Top 100 Family Campgrounds list compiled by Reserve America.
BearLake, Fremont Indian, Goblin Valley and Red Fleet state parks were on the list, which isn't ranked. Criteria for making the list included park amenities, beautiful outdoor scenery, and educational facilities. The criteria included parks that offer hot showers, laundry facilities, hiking trails, family beaches, radio-free zones, visitor centers, educational programs, children's events, and are within 100 miles of a metro location.
Here are other lists from Reserve America which include Utah State Parks.
Top 25 Biking Trails » Rock Cliff at Jordanelle, Steinaker and Wasatch Mountain state parks.
Top 25 Educational and Historical Facilities » Anasazi, Camp Floyd, Fremont Indian, Utah Field House of Natural History state parks/museums.
Top 50 Hiking Trails » Deer Creek, Rock Cliff at Jordanelle, Kodachrome Basin, Red Fleet, Rockport, Steinaker and Wasatch Mountain state parks.
Top 50 Scenic Views » Dead Horse Point, Goblin Valley, Goosenecks and Kodachrome Basin state parks.
Top 25 Tours and Events » Annual Bison Roundup at Antelope Island State Park.
Visit http://www.thecampingclub.com" Target="_BLANK">http://www.thecampingclub.com for more information.
"Wings" premieres at refuge
The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is hosting the premiere of "Wings of Thunder: A Portrait of Life" on June 20 at the refuge headquarters, 2155 W. Forest St., Brigham City. The film is a story about the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge produced by Jeff Hogan, narrated by Peter Coyote and includes photos by Gary Crandall. The film will be shown on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit http://bearriver.fws.gov" Target="_BLANK">http://bearriver.fws.gov for more information.
Free entry to national parks
In an effort to increase visits and boost the economy, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently announced that the National Park Service will offer three fee-free weekends (June 20-21, July 18-19, and Aug. 15-16 ). There are 391 national parks in the 49 states, 147 of which charge entry fees. National Parks parents are expected to offer discounts and special promotions in conjunction with the event. Visit http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm" Target="_BLANK">http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm for more information.
Snowbird Get Outdoors Day events
Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon is participating in National Get Outdoors Day, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children 18 and under can visit booths featuring Smokey Bear, Utah State Parks information, Wasatch Adaptive Sports, Girl Scouts and others, and have specialty cards stamped to receive a free Aerial Tram ride and a free session on Snowbird's four-station climbing wall and Kid's Inflatables.
Wild Bird Center Nature Walks
The Layton Wild Bird Center leads free nature/bird walks with departures from the store,1860 N. 1000 West, in Layton, at 8 a.m. unless otherwise mentioned. The walks are designed for birders at all levels, especially families. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars. Here's a list of upcoming walks:
June 27 » Kayscreek
July 25 » Antelope Island
Aug. 1 » The Nature Conservancy, Great Shoreline Preserve
Aug. 22 » Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area
Aug. 29 » USU Botanical Gardens, Kaysville Ponds
A history lesson on the Green
James M. Aton and Dan Miller will show slides and discuss their new book, The River Knows Everything: Desolation Canyon and the Green, in a series of appearances from Logan to Moab. Aton and Miller will talk about the history of the canyon and the people who lived along its banks through the years.
Call listed phone numbers for time of presentation. The schedule:
June 18 » Moab Information Center, Main and Center St., Moab; 800-635-6622.
June 19 » Comb Ridge Coffee, Corner of 7th West and Main St., Bluff; 435-672-9931.
June 22 » College of Eastern Utah Prehistoric Museum, 155 East Main St., Price; 435-613-5060.
June 23 » Utah Field House of Natural History State Park, 496 E. Main St., Vernal; 435-789-3799.
June 24 » Borders, 4801 N. University Ave., Provo; 801-224-2720.
June 25 » The Trailhead, 31 N. Main St., Logan; 435-753-1292.
June 27 » Ken Sanders Rare Books, 268 S. 200 East, Salt Lake City; 801-521-3819.
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge tours
Guided tours of the Bear River Migratory Refuge near Brigham City are being offered again this summer. Trained volunteer tour guides will offer tours to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during June (9 a.m. to noon); July (9 a.m. to noon); and August (10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). Call 435-734-6422 for more information.
Tours of Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry
Education staff from the Burpee Museum will be on site at the Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry to conduct guided public tours June 7-20. Guides will provide information about the excavation and answer questions about this unique paleontological site. Tours will start on the hour, every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will last approximately 40 minutes. The Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Hanksville. For specific directions, call or visit the BLM-Utah Hanksville Field Station at 380 S. 100 West, Hanksville,, or call 435-542-3461.
To get your event listed, e-mail the information to brettp@sltrib.com" Target="_BLANK">brettp@sltrib.com or mail to Brett Prettyman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.