Huntsville | UT | Monte Cristo Trail System
Huntsville, UT
Region: Northern
Trailhead Location: From Huntsville, take Hwy 39 east for 30 miles to Monte Cristo Campground, near mile marker 43. The trailhead is just off the highway at a primitive camping area.
Trailhead GPS: 41.417951, -111.522045
Trail Mileage: Varies; main Monte Cristo Peak hike is ~1 mile roundtrip, but the trail system offers 50+ miles of ATV and multi-use trails
Riding Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Temperature Range: 30-75°F depending on season
Trail Description
The Monte Cristo Trail System, located in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest near Huntsville, UT, is a high-altitude network of trails at 9,000 feet, offering stunning views and diverse recreation. Centered around Monte Cristo Campground, the system includes trails for hiking, ATV riding, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
A short, family-friendly hike to Monte Cristo Peak (9,148 feet) provides a 300-foot elevation gain over a half-mile dirt path, with 360-degree views of the Monte Cristo Range, Cache Valley, and Bear River Range. For ATV enthusiasts, the Wolverine Trail system offers graded dirt roads and more challenging rocky paths, winding through spruce, Douglas fir, and aspen forests.
Scenic highlights include wildflower-filled meadows in summer and vibrant fall colors in October, with Sugar Pine Creek adding to the serene backdrop.
Additional Trail Information
- Elevation High: 9,148 ft (Monte Cristo Peak)
- Elevation Low: 8,400 ft (campground base)
- Terrain: Easy to moderate; mix of paved roads, dirt trails, and rocky ATV paths
- Vegetation: Spruce, Douglas fir, aspen, wildflowers
- Best Travel Season: July to October (Hwy 39 closes November to late May)
- Map Availability: Available at Ogden Ranger District or Avenza Maps
- Breakfast Joint: Shooting Star Saloon in Huntsville (Star Burgers, 21+ only)
- Base Camp: Monte Cristo Campground (47 sites, vault toilets, drinking water)
- Luxury Lodge: Compass Rose Lodge in Huntsville
Notes: Hwy 39 is a scenic byway but closes in winter—check conditions. Trails are multi-use; ATVs must be trailered 1 mile from the campground. Bring bug spray for mosquitoes, especially in summer.
