Helper City River Parkway photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
The Price River Parkway winds its way through Helper following the Price River. Along the Parkway you will find quiet places to sit, beautiful natural areas and pieces of history. Located along the Parkway in downtown Helper is a pavilion with a sand volleyball court. You may reserve the pavilion by calling Helper City.  A nice riparian habitat dominated by cottonwood and willow lines the river providing great habitat.  The actual walking path along the river starts at Martin Road on the northwest end and goes to Janet Street at the south.  This walking path is 3/4 of a mile one way.  From here you can keep going north on Martin Road for .6 miles till you reach a large pond on the east side of the road lined with cattails and surrounded by some open fields before rising to the cliffs on the east side.

Birding:
There has been a decent amount of visitors to the area for the first half of the year, but only one checklist after July.  Species typically found here include AMERICAN ROBIN, MALLARD, COMMON RAVE, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, HOUSE FINCH, EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE and the more common introduced urban species typically found in cities.  Some of the more notable reports include FRANKLIN'S GULL, AMERICAN DIPPER, TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, VIRGINIA'S WARBLER, VESPER SPARROW, and several reports of EVENING GROSBEAK.  Like most desert riparian habitat in Utah lots of birds are attracted by the plentiful food associated with this habitat, so anything can show up.  PINE SISKIN and CASSIN'S FINCH have been reported as well as HERMIT THRUSH, an BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.  During spring and fall migration this stretch of river might see some good migrants moving through along he natural corridor of the river.  If you are passing through Helper this is absolutely worth a quick stop to see if anything interesting is around.

Directions:
From Main Street in Helper take US-191/6 north for .3 miles and take the exit onto Martin Road on your right. This is where the pathway heads southeast from (not sure about parking but you can probably park along the street).  If you continue north another .6 miles you will reach the pond on your right.

Lower Price Canyon photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
The lower portion of Price Canyon in Carbon County follow US-6 along the Price River along the floor of the canyon.  The sometimes steep cliffs are interspersed with canyons, ravines, and in some places rolling hillsides covered with a  variety of habitats including: shrubsteppe, mixed oak woodlands, juniper woodlands, and various coniferous woodlands, dominated by Ponderosa pine.  Some small deciduous patches of aspen and cottonwood may be found along the river along with willow for some riparian habitat.  Most birding int he canyon is done by car, with few birders stopping to explore along the road.  It can often be loud making for a hard time hearing birds.  You can venture into some of the side canyons for more dense habitat and to get away form traffic.

Birding:
There are only a handful of checklists form the canyon.  This lower stretch is often hard to bird in, but if you make your way into a small side canyon you might be able to find a few things.  Species like ROCK WREN can be found on the cliffs, and CANYON WREN are probably also present.  Along the river during the summer months FOX and SONG SPARROW along with YELLOW WARBLER might be tracked down.  There are probably AMERICAN DIPPER in the river, but there are no reports.  Various waterfowl have been reported, but I think some of this is actually from higher up the canyon in a different county where the river flows across wide open spaces littered with beaver dams making large ponds.  The habitat in the canyon in Carbon County doe not have nay of this.  COMMON RAVEN and RED-TAILED HAWK are seen on a regular basis as are BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE and AMERICAN ROBIN.  GOLDEN EAGLE may be seen soaring over the ridge year round, while BALD EAGLE are present in the winter months.

Directions:
From the on ramp at Exit 240 on US-191/6 in Price, head north on US-191 for 8.4 miles till you reach the mouth of the canyon.  From here you can continue another 9-10 miles in Carbon County in the lower portion of Price Canyon along US-191/6.

Price Canyon Recreation Area photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
The Price Canyon Recreation Area, which is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), offers visitors a chance to enjoy cooler temperatures and the shade of large ponderosa pine trees during the summer.  The recreation area is located on a ridge high above Price Canyon.  The entrance road, a scenic overlook accessible by automobile, and a hiking trail, provide excellent views of rugged canyon country. Amenities include large, well-spaced campsites are available.  Facilities at the campground include picnic tables, fire pits, vault toilets, trash receptacles, and parking spaces. The Price Canyon Recreation Area is a U.S. Fee Area.  A nominal fee of $8 is charge for overnight camping and reservation of the group picnic areas. As a side note, lightning frequently strikes the ridge tops near the campground.  Avoid open, exposed areas when lightning is a possibility. The road is closed in the winter. The dry hillsides here and canyon walls are accentuated by mixed oak woodland and conifer forest dominated by Ponderosa pines and a small mix of juniper woodlands.

Birding:
Birding along the road to the top passing through the forest you should be able to track down birds like DUSKY FLYCATCHER, PLUMBEOUS and WARBLER VIREO, both RED-BREASTED and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, ORANGE-CROWNED, VIRGINIA'S, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and both SPOTTED and GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE.  One of the specialty species here is GRACE'S WARBLER which is probably a regular breeder, but goes unnoticed since birders don't visit that often.  I have a feeling GRAY VIREO is probably also regularly occurring, and PYGMY NUTHATCH probably are found int he general vicinity as well. Spending some time looking here and all 3 of these might actually be regular breeders. As you get higher in the forest things like WESTERN TANAGER, CASSIN'S FINCH, RED CROSSBILL, and CLARK'S NUTCRACKER can all be found.

Directions:
From the on ramp at Exit 240 on US-191/6 in Price, head north on US-191 for 15.7 miles till you reach the turn off to Price Canyon Recreation Area Road on your left.  Turn here and you can follow the road 3.1 miles to the top and several parking areas, camping sites, and picnic tables.

The Castle Gate photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
The Castle Gate is a rock formation near the mouth of Price Canyon. This formation features two sheer sandstone walls on either side of the Price River, which appear to open like a giant gate as travelers approach this narrow section of the canyon. The hot spot here includes Bear Canyon on the southwest side of the highway, which is the best location to bird int he area.  A small road winds up the canyon and it can be walked passing through a variety of habitats including mixed oak woodland, aspen, and conifer.  Birders rarely stop in Price Canyon, which really has some potentially amazing birding sites--like the Castle Gate.

Birding:
Given the sparse habitat in the area and limited birder visits there isn't a lot of data here.  The habitat in lower Bear Canyon should hold SPOTTED TOWHEE year round, with LAZULI BUNTING, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH during the warmer months.  I would assume VIRGINIA'S WARBLER probably breed here.  ROCK and CANYON WREN can probably be found on the cliffs year round. During the summer months looking to the sky WHITE-THROATED SWIFT and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW likely ride the currents here.  Keep an eye out for raptors like GOLDEN EAGLE and even OSPREY along the river here.  Higher up the canyon as the habitat become more forest species typical of aspen and conifer forest should be present as well. With a few more checklists from other times of the year, a better picture of the birding here can be put together.
Directions:
From the on ramp at Exit 240 on US-191/6 in Price, head north on US-191 for 11.7 miles till you reach Bear Canyon on your left and the Castle Gate on your right.

Carbon Country Club photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Located midway between Helper and Price, Carbon Country Club is where you will discover the alluring beauty of the Utah frontier sculpted into a one-of-a-kind golf experience. Set within chiseled mesas and rocky valleys, play our golf course that continues to be an oasis for golfers and is open for public play to those who appreciate great golf. There are two main areas you can visit to go birding without golfing, and they are the Club House Drive and the large pond on the south end of the course (directions below).  At the main drive to the clubhouse large trees can be viewed at eye level to the north.  The Price River runs through the course creating a nice riparian habitat--combined with the planted deciduous and coniferous trees the course has plenty of habitat.  Surrounded by desert, and barren cliffs and hills the course really is an oasis.  Ont he south end a large pond  can be seen--while the back streets to get there pass agricultural fields, and several tree lines worth checking.  You can spend a short amount of time here and cover both areas relatively quickly and thoroughly.

Birding:
Carbon County remains largely underbirded, and this easy to access location is one that any birder passing through can take a couple minutes to check out.  We didn't expect much but on a quick April stop had an early migrant COMMON YELLOWTHROAT in the parking area at the clubhouse.  Various species of SWALLOWS might be seen out over the course here, while during migration, WARBLERS, WESTERN TANAGER, and other passerine migrants should be viewable with trees at eye level.  YELLOW WARBLER breed here, along with SPOTTED TOWHEE, and MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD.  Migration is probably the best time to visit in either May or September, with the possibilities wide open given the lack of birding done here in the past. Since we haven't spent much time here, it might be worth checking in at the Club House, or at least calling and asking if its oaky to bird around the club house area--who knows you might be able to expand on where you can go here.

Directions:
So there are two locations to get to and we will cover them both form here.  Heading north on US-191/6 from Exit 240 in Price, go 3.6 miles, taking a right onto Carbonville Road. Go .3 miles and turn right onto 2500 North.  After 1 block the take the right and the road will curve to your left and go under US-191. There is a large pond here on the course. The other area is at the main club house which can be accessed by going back on to US-191 and continuing another .4 miles north then turning left onto Club House Drive. If you were coming out of Price Canyon you can also access these location from US-191.

Wellington Cemetery photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
The tiny Wellington Cemetery serves the community of Wellington to the south and east.  The small cemetery sits on a bluff int he northwest of town primarily surrounded by arid desert.  Some shrubsteppe can be found on the rolling dirt hills as well.  The cemetery is comprised of three small lawns.  The entire cemetery perimeter is just 1,500' and can be walked in a few minutes.  Small deciduous trees in the north edge, while a small row of trees going north-south are found on the east side of the parking lot.  The west edge of the lot is bordered by private property. In the southwest corner a large grove of trees is very promising migrant habitat and the most notable birding feature.  On the cemetery grounds two large rows of deciduous and coniferous trees are found on the eastern 1/3 of the area.  Two smaller rows of trees on the western 1/3 are mostly just on the north half.  There is also a small line of trees bordering the east edge. Given the barren surroundings this is inadvertently a bit of a migrant trap.

Birding:
I was surprised that I had never hear reports form this great little piece of habitat before we checked it out in mid-April.  It really is one of the most dense habitats in the area--and the number of trees and their size makes it a target.  I can imagine it sees a fair number of migrants given the prominent position on the bluff above town.  When we visited even in bad weather and early in the season, YELLOW-RUMPED and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER were present.  A late TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was seen in the trees on the west side of the property, while LARK SPARROWS were using the grounds on the east.  The conifers are potentially going to attract finches, titmice, and other birds typically associated with them in the winter months or during migration.  Birding here I would spend most of my time along the southwest corner where the wild patch of trees grows downhill off the property.  You can easily bird here, and walk the loop quickly back through the bigger trees in the cemetery.  I would surmise that in mid-May or September you could find a decent number of migrants here.

Directions:
From Exit 243 on US-191/6 in Price head south on US-191 for 3 miles. Turn left onto Cemetery Road and continue .3 miles--stay right at the fork and go another .4 miles till you reach the cemetery on your right. Turn in and drive along the north side of the cemetery parking on the west end in the dirt parking lot. Alternatively from the intersection of US-191 and Center Street in Wellington, head north on Center Street for .4 miles.  The road will turn into Old Wellington Road and after another .2 miles, turn left onto Cemetery Road and go .1 miles till you reach the cemetery on your left.

Sunnyside Park photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Sunnyside Park is a small community park in Sunnyside, just east of East Carbon, with the Book Cliffs bordering town on the east.  The park is made up of a large grassy area bordered on the south by a riparian area and intermittent creek.  South of the riparian area is an overgrown tract including russian olives.  The riparian area is primarily cottonwoods and willow with a dense understory.  The park has scattered tall deciduous trees as well.  There are restrooms in the southeast corner and a large picnic area/pavilion in the middle of the grassy area.  During hte spring and fall, this park should be a bit of a migrant trap in the desert.  A quick stop here is only a minute or two out of the way if driving the loop from US-191 through the Sage Flats, East Carbon WTP, the foothills and junipers, and Horse Canyon Road back to US-191.

Birding:
Another out of the way location that has a lot of potential.  May and September are probably the best time of year here, when migrants heading north or south are looking for places to spend their days.  The large trees and natural funnel of the riverway probably lead to quite a few passerine species using the park.  Various warblers have been recorded here including YELLOW-RUMPED and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER during early spring migration. YELLOW WARBLER are probably found here most of the summer, while YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT are possible.  Any of the typical warbler migrants in Utah probably show up annually.  WESTERN TANAGER, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and LAZULI BUNTING can probably be found as well.  The potential for a big find here is huge given the location, especially in relation to the Book Cliffs during migration.  In the winter months NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL has been observed here.  The habitat looks like it might be good for WESTERN SCREECH-OWL as well.  Given there are only a handful of checklists from here any stop will likely turn up new species for this current list!

Directions:
From the on ramp at Exit 243 in Price, head south on US-191/6 for 13.3 miles. Turn left onto SR-123 and continue 9.7 miles. Take a right on to Valley View Drive/the parking area for the park.

East Carbon WTP photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Let it be said--waste water treatment ponds in rural Utah are some of the best birding locations.  If you read over Utah Birding Spots pages, you will hear this theme again and again when we talk about the ponds in any little town or remote corner of the state.  The large pond visible at East Carbon is no exception--the only open water for miles around on the arid desert this is a trap for migrating waterbirds who find themselves in need of a place to land and refuel.  The ponds are surrounded by fences, but can be viewed from a turn off at the northeast end where the gate onto the dike around them starts.  Surrounded by shrubsteppe and desert the water can be buzzing with activity in the spring and fall. It is well worth any trip the 7 miles out here from US-191/6 to check out what's on the water.  You can make a morning out of it by birding the sage flats on the way out, nearby Sunnyside Park, the junipers and foothills to the south, and Horse Canyon Road on your way back to US-191.

Birding:
For years I have missed out on this location.  I can't count the number of trips to southeast Utah where I drove past and never ventured out to East Carbon to check things out.  The potential misses are huge.  On two visits here during mid-April our group was treated to some great hard to get Carbon County birds like COMMON LOON, LONG-BILLED CURLEW, WHITE-FACED IBIS, WESTERN GREBE, and a variety of waterfowl including big numbers of RING-NECKED DUCK and LESSER SCAUP.  Lists from others during fall migration include great shorebirds like BAIRD'S and WESTERN SANDPIPER, and both WILSON'S and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE.  The surrounding sagebrush is good for SAGE THRASHER and LARK SPARROW, while migrating flocks of blackbirds sticking to the edges of the ponds and sage might include YELLOW-HEADED, BREWER'S, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. I challenge you to make it out here if you are headed from Price to parts south--you shouldn't be disappointed!

Directions:
From the on ramp at Exit 243 in Price, head south on US-191/6 for 13.3 miles. Turn left onto SR-123 and continue 6.9 miles till you reach the ponds on your right.

East Carbon Sage Flats photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
SR-123 goes west to east for almost 7 miles from US-191/6 to the town of East Carbon.  The sagebrush flats along this road range form stunted and mixed with greasewood to huge patches of Big Sagebrush.  The open, and arid habitat is ideal for sagebrush specialists, and easy to bird on the way to the East Carbon WTP.  If making the loop from US-191 out to East Carbon, and Sunnyside Park, then down SR-124 through the junipers and foothills, and eventually on to Horse Canyon Road and back to US-191, there are several nice stops along this road on the side roads.  About 1/2 way to the WTP there is a road on the south side that goes over the railroad track before dead ending at private property in some tall sagebrush.  This is a great place to spend a few minutes early or late in the day looking around.  The road has a 65 MPH speed limit, and there aren't wide shoulders, so finding a pull off is advisable for birding here.

Birding:
During the breeding season there are a few easy to get sagebrush specialties here. SAGEBRUSH SPARROW, VESPER SPARROW, and SAGE THRASHER are all possible.  Keep an eye on fence posts and power poles for GOLDEN EAGLE, RED-TAILED HAWK and other raptors.  WESTERN MEADOWLARK and COMMON RAVEN are present in decent numbers and will probably be the majority of the birds you see.

Directions:
From the on ramp at Exit 243 in Price, head south on US-191/6 for 13.3 miles. Turn left onto SR-123.  For the next 6.9 miles you are in the Sagebrush Flats.

East Carbon Junipers photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Driving south out of East Carbon on SR-124 you will find yourself in rolling hills covered with Juniper woodlands and shrubsteppe.  The rarely traveled road is ideal for birding, with wide shoulders, and side roads to access the various patches of trees.  Large intact tracts of juniper like this in an unbirded area provide an opportunity to wade into uncharted waters. Status and distribution of even common species are often assumed based on available habitat--but actual status of many species is unknown.  Then take into account the less common species using the habitat--what species are found in this area of the state?  The almost 8 mile road can be driven in about 10 minutes--so an hour birding here  can easily be fit into a trip.  Out of Price taking the loop on SR-123 to East Carbon, you can bird the Sagebrush Flats on SR-123, the East Carbon WTP, Sunnyside Park, this road, and then Horse Canyon Road on the way bay to SR-191/6.  The whole loop make for some great birding in an otherwise desolate area.

Birding:
New to birding this area looked ideal for juniper specialists--and it made making a loop out to East Carbon worth while on the drive form Price to Green River.  During the winter months it may be very quiet out here.  DARK-EYED JUNCO roam the hillsides, but not a whole lot else is around.  During migration things pick up, and species using the foothills to move north might be encountered.  Arriving breeders include MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, CHIPPING SPARROW, and SAY'S PHOEBE.  In the more open areas, keep an ear out for BLACK-THROATED SPARROW, along with other shrub land species.  You might hear ROCK WREN, WESTERN MEADOWLARK and others along the road. Some year round species that might be encountered include JUNIPER TITMOUSE, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, and SPOTTED TOWHEE.  The large tracts of habitat are probably home to PINYON JAY as well.  Breeding season potentially holds some of the best birds--based on similar habitat in the eastern part of the state SCOTT'S ORIOLE, GRAY VIREO, BUSHTIT, GRAY and DUSKY FLYCATCHER, and BLACK-THROATED GRAY-WARBLER are probably found here.

Directions:
From the on ramp at Exit 243 in Price, head south on US-191/6 for 13.3 miles. Turn left onto SR-123 and continue 8.6 miles.  Turn right onto SR-124 south.  For the next 7.9 miles you will be in the junipers and foothills till you reach Horse Canyon.