We heard rumors of a "fairy forest" along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, but we couldn't find anything about it on the Internet or anywhere else. Finally, we found some sloppy directions and set out to see if we could find it. After stumbling around in the woods for awhile, we did.
The Fairy Forest is a rather large area near a campground that has painted rocks, a few wind chimes, and some wood sculptures that are arranged to look like fairies had a hand in it. Of course, visitors have painted and stacked the rocks. It's a really nice walk-- hardly a "hike" at all, but our kids loved it. Below are some of the pictures (we took A LOT more). You'll find very specific directions about how to get find Fairy Forest below. You might want to take your own painted rock to add to the forest, or bring paint to decorate one of the rocks there.
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The boys at the unofficial entrance to the Fairy Forest
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Some rocks are arranged, others are painted
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| The boys peered into this tiny fairy house. I think they really may believe in fairies! |
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| Our 4 year-old was excited at every new rock, this one especially because it's a painted fairy! |
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| This was one of our favorite displays. It was freshly painted, too |
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| The turtle was so cute. Some rocks have inspirational messages. |
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| A fairy house with fireplace, bed, and dresser. |
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| Fairy Stonehenge |
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| This shows how the trail is marked out by rocks and weaves around the forest. |
To get to Fairy Forest, head up to Kamas. Take the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (Hwy 150). You'll have to pay the $6 entrance fee, but the National Forests had their budgets cut again, so you'll be happy to pay. Drive to mile marker 17 just past Shady Dell campground. There is a pullout right at the mile marker. Park and follow the trail that goes to the right (as you face the forest). You'll cut through the campground, and find yourself in a dry creek bed with huge river rocks. Be careful-- some of them roll. After you cross the river, bear right. Trails head off in front of you, and that's where we got lost and ended up all the way down by the river, but Fairy Forest is within 30 yards of this creek, so don't go too far. If you go right (and down) about 30 feet after crossing the dry creek bed, you'll find yourself at the entrance of the forest. Good Luck!
Update: We went back to the Fairy Forest just 3 weeks after our first trip there. It was amazing how much had changed! We found our own rocks at home and painted them. Then we dropped them off on our way to hike the Uintahs. Here is a picture of our new addition (sorry, our boys aren't into fairies):
Love this! Thx for sharing
ReplyDeleteSooo magical!
ReplyDeleteWe are SUPER excited to go and find this tomorrow! LOVE IT! I have never heard of it until now! THANKS! :)
ReplyDeletemagical and wonderful I have always search for such a place thank you
ReplyDeleteHie, faerie folk! Just to let you all know - the dry creek bed is a raging river in springtime due to the spring runoff. Not safe for young children right now. I'll post again when the runoff subsides.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Shady Dell. The spring runoff has subsided. There is still water at the crossing and the rocks can be a little slippery, but at worst you'll get your feet a little wet. Come see us!
DeleteWhen you say raging river does this mean its impossible to cross?
ReplyDeleteWe haven't visited in the spring so we don't know what the river looks like. Hopefully Cheri will reply soon!
Delete-UVFA
We tried to go 2 days ago, & I didn't think the river looked safe to try to cross. It's not a dry creek bed, it's a river.
Deletewe went today- the grown ups helped the kids, your feet were wet, but its doable
ReplyDeleteseveral families made the trek
Thanks for sharing! We are heading there tomorrow, hopefully it won't be too bad for crossing :)
DeleteAnyone know the coordinates?
ReplyDeleteI found your article a couple months ago and today we went to the fairy forest. It was such a delightful experience! We didn't know it would be so big and creative. Your directions are spot-on and I would only add that it is a 45-minute drive from Heber City. Thanks so much--my kids already have plans for next time.
ReplyDelete