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Camping options around Woodruff, Utah range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites on public lands. Monte Cristo Campground, located directly in Woodruff, provides developed sites for both tents and RVs with amenities including picnic tables, toilets, and trash service during its summer operating season from late June through early September. Several dispersed camping areas can be found nearby, including free sites near Monte Cristo and in the Curtis Creek/Arbs Basin area, where primitive camping is permitted without developed facilities.
The camping season in this region typically runs from May through October, with higher elevation areas having shorter accessibility windows due to snow. Many campgrounds in the area, like Little Creek Campground near Randolph, close during winter months. Permits are required for some dispersed camping locations, while established sites often need reservations, especially during peak summer weekends. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, with cool nights even during summer months at higher elevations. "This place is straight up middle earth status. The drive there is beautiful all the way and my not-so-great clearance old subaru could handle the semi-sketchy roads required to get there," noted one camper about the Beaver Creek area.
Waterfront access represents a notable feature at several nearby camping destinations. The Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area offers boat-in camping opportunities, while Little Creek Campground provides both tent and RV sites with drinking water and toilet facilities near water access. Campers frequently mention the natural beauty and relative seclusion of the area compared to more developed regions. Sites with full hookups are limited but available at select locations for RV travelers. Those seeking more primitive experiences can find dispersed camping options with varying levels of privacy and natural features. The Monte Cristo area receives particularly positive reviews for its accessibility and natural setting, with one visitor noting the "free dispersed camping areas offer more privacy than established campgrounds" in the region.
"I got here around midnight. If I could do it over, I’d get here while the sun was still up so I could scout out a better spot, but it was a nice, quiet night."
"Great campsites next to the lake. Excellent views and quiet. Only saw a couple other campers off in the distance. Lots of birds and ducks to watch. Saw a moose way off in the distance."
"A 4 mile-ish drive off the main road this site is located right next to the lake and has vault toilets. It was lovely and peaceful and we woke up to a lovely sunrise."
"Great view of the lake and the mountains. We really enjoyed the night. We didn't have internet with T-Mobile."
"Our campsite #12 had a little path to it, it was very green full of trees all around making us super private even with other sites nearby. Enough space for 2 tents. Came with a table & fire pit."
"The campground is surrounded by majestic Aspen, Pine and other trees."
from $28 - $259 / night
Check Availability"Nice grassy areas to walk your pups. They doggy poop bag stations were always empty of bags, but we carry our own anyway."
"Nice spot off the highway- easy large spaces for a Class A towing. Very friendly employees. Great for an overnight spot."
"This site is on a rock outcropping along the Woodruff Narrows Reservoir. Due to drought in Wyoming (and the west, in general) many reservoirs are drying up. This makes for good dispersed camping."
"Good fishing, good riding and away from everything what’s not to love?!"
from $12 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Two nice boondocking spots just a short drive on a tight dirt road off the highway. The campsite on the right is bigger, the one on the left is very small."
"It’s chilly and very pretty around. Nice view of the sunset. There’s no cell service."
"Great area for lake access"
"If you want to camp at Bear Lake, this is a good spot. Electricity and water hookups are included at each campsite for those of you with RVs."
from $35 - $305 / night
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RangerThere is not a bad site here. Clean, level, concrete pads, picnic tables, clean bathrooms and separate individual showers. The road to get here was narrow with steep drop offs. But people get their boats up here. There is a marina.
RangerThis campground is located on a reservoir surrounded by mountains. It is beautiful!! The grounds are quite clean and well ordered. The bathrooms are clean and they have individual shower rooms. You can put in a boat or kayak It’s a bit pricey at $50 for electric and water. You can get sewer for a bit more.
TravelerAmazing place to camp right next to the river.
The entrance you go across the bridge. It looks low, but a 13.5 RV can make it under no problem. As you enter, it gets lower and all of a sudden you realize that you can make it under the trees over the bridge.
TravelerBeautiful campground with many trees. Sad the lake is dried up and it's primitive. Very well kept
GuideTravel through Fossil Butte, and up the hill, then drive a while and cross into BLM, then drive through some dirt roads, and up a hill and there you are… all alone. I love it. 8000 feet and 360 views. No amenities.
GuideSo it’s not an aesthetic campground, but it checks all of our “need” boxes. And it’s a very reasonable price!
Full hookups, pull through sites, WiFi that occasionally works. Dirty but available onsite bathhouse, showers, & laundry.
Check-in at the Philips 66 convenience store.
Best part - a huge grassy area for the dogs to run off leash + close enough to SLC and Park City.
ScoutWhile there are a lot of disbursed sites along the corridor, they were all completely filled due to a bike race happening at nearby Beaver Mountain. We continued up and finally found a nice camp site just on the south side of Utah border but it turned out to be on private property. There’s a small stretch of a private property near the state line marked by a sign posted cattle grate. The property owner stopped by, he was super polite, but explained the boundaries and asked us to move along.
In many spots on the road on the way up there were wide open areas where a single camper had claimed a large area, even sites that could comfortably accommodate several rigs, so just a few things to watch out for.
GuideThe first night of our two night reserved and prepaid campsite was in a different site for an rv. The camp host was drunk and gave our site away to another family that didn’t have a reservation. Since they were all set up, we were tossed into the only other available site left. That site was a no show so I guess we got “lucky.” I paid $8 extra just to reserve. Otherwise it’s $20 a night for a tent site. The host yelled at his son in front of us, too. He wasn’t a young child and was actually super nice and tried to help. It was so uncomfortable. The campground itself was not bad. A weird layout for a few sites. I would stay again if there was a new host. We were right next to the water. The second night we were able to move into our actual reservation. Then it rained and hailed. Funny how that seems to happen on the weekends. We survived. It definitely was an experience with the weather that time. lol there’s trails and a lot of trees surrounding. Really nice location.
ScoutPaved spots, water and electric hookups. Showers available.
Dispersed camping options near Woodruff, Utah extend throughout the surrounding Wasatch-Cache National Forest, with most sites located between 8,000-9,000 feet elevation. The region experiences significant temperature drops at night, with summer evenings frequently dipping into the 40s even when daytime temperatures reach the 70s. Primitive sites typically lack designated fire rings, requiring campers to create safe fire containment areas during non-restriction periods.
Fishing in reservoir waters: Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area offers waterfront camping with excellent fishing opportunities. "Gorgeous location right next to the lake. It was very quiet and open. We were the only campers there!" notes Kate M. about the Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area.
Hiking forested trails: Monte Cristo provides multiple trailheads connecting to longer backcountry routes. "I took my daughter to this campground just to day camp and hang hammocks. It was a perfect day to do so. The temp was 76 when we got there and it was the right day to get out of the heat and relax. No insects, no cell service, and lots of shade," shares Carlisle B. about Monte Cristo.
Tubing river routes: South Fork offers riverside camping with popular tubing runs during summer months. "Right by most of the campsites you can fly fish or set off on a tubing adventure down the Ogden River! It is required that you have a life jacket before setting off," explains Alan B. about South Fork.
Reservoir views: The open expanses around Woodruff Narrows provide unobstructed lakeside vistas. "Great campsites next to the lake. Excellent views and quiet. Only saw a couple other campers off in the distance. Lots of birds and ducks to watch. Saw a moose way off in the distance," reports Clayton P.
Fall foliage: Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo offers spectacular autumn colors. "We could not have asked for a more perfect spot. The views were immaculate, the sites were very spread out, it was the end of September and all the leaves were changing," writes Colyer D. about dispersed camping near Monte Cristo.
Riverside access: Multiple campsites offer direct water access for fishing and wading. "We have been to South Fork 3 times and plan to go back many more times. There are single and double sites. The single sites are roomy. Each site has a picnic table and firepit. The grounds are well maintained and the camp host has always been friendly and helpful. There are trails you can walk and it's right along the rivers edge which is nice and cool in the summer," explains Alicia G.
Wind exposure: Many camping sites near Woodruff, Utah lack natural windbreaks. "One of my favorite dispersed camping spots… You're surrounded by sage brush, the reservoir is beautiful, and it's very peaceful. My only complaints are the wind and the OHV's," explains Ean P.
Limited cell coverage: Most camping sites near Woodruff have minimal or no cellular service. "Verizion gets 0-1 bars depending on where you're at. Host is nice. Water was turned on when we were there (although we brought water because reviews in the past said it wasn't)," reports Spencer S. about Monte Cristo.
Insect activity: Proximity to water means dealing with various insects throughout summer. "They sprayed for mosquitoes, so no bites. But there were plenty of bumblebees, yellow jackets, flies, and gnats due to the meadows," notes Spencer S.
Road conditions: Access to Curtis Creek / Arbs Basin requires navigating unpaved roads. "Awesome time love the dirt road love the trees the nature, everything about it basically the hills and country," states John C.
Site selection strategy: Choose campgrounds with established facilities for family comfort. "Monte Cristo Campground is absolutely beautiful! The campground is surrounded by majestic Aspen, Pine and other trees. The loops that connect the campground are paved by asphalt (surprisingly not dirt) and can be very tight if you have an RV or trailer longer than 25' long," advises Steven M.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites offer opportunities to observe birds, moose, and small mammals. "I could hear owls hooting at night and elk bugling in the morning. It was fantastic!" shares Meghan M. about Little Creek Campground.
Weather preparation: Families should pack for significant temperature swings, even in summer. "The campground is around 8700' elevation so the days were in the upper 60's and the overnights were in the lower 40's. IMO, it was perfect weather. Shorts and T's during the day and sweats or long pants and a cozy sweater next to the campfire at night," notes Steven M.
Size limitations: Many camping sites near Woodruff have tight access roads unsuitable for larger rigs. "The loops that connect the campground are paved by asphalt (surprisingly not dirt) and can be very tight if you have an RV or trailer longer than 25' long," cautions Steven M.
Site grading issues: RVers should bring leveling blocks for many area sites. "About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs. Our 17 ft trailer with 4x4 was tricky to get into the spot because the loop was so small," shares Brian C.
Early arrival recommended: For prime dispersed camping spots, arrive before Friday afternoon. "There are tons of free site all up and down the main road. The only problem is it is busy if you leave on Friday plan to get there by 3 at the latest. Spots fill quick," advises Bryce R.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp at Woodruff Narrows Reservoir and what amenities are available?
Yes, you can camp at Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area, which offers boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in access with basic toilet facilities. This reservoir area provides fishing opportunities and water recreation. For those seeking more amenities nearby, Little Creek Campground near Randolph offers reservable sites, water access, and toilet facilities. The reservoir area is primarily designed for day use and primitive camping, with limited services compared to developed campgrounds. Expect basic facilities and prepare to bring your own water and supplies.
What are the seasonal camping regulations in Woodruff, Utah?
Camping in the Woodruff area is typically seasonal due to heavy winter snowfall, with most campgrounds open from late May through mid-October, depending on weather conditions. Birch Creek and surrounding campgrounds in the region generally close during winter months when access becomes difficult. For those seeking year-round options, Traveland RV Park offers extended season camping with level sites in the broader region. Always check current regulations with the Forest Service before planning a trip, as fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, and some areas require permits for dispersed camping. Winter camping is extremely limited due to snow-covered roads and freezing temperatures.
Where is Woodruff Campground located in Utah?
Woodruff is located in Rich County in northeastern Utah, close to the Wyoming border. The area sits approximately 45 miles east of Ogden and about 20 miles south of Evanston, Wyoming. Monte Cristo is a popular campground near Woodruff with drive-in access, reservable sites, and toilet facilities. The surrounding area offers beautiful mountain views and access to outdoor recreation in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest region. The town of Woodruff itself is situated along Highway 39, making it accessible for travelers exploring northern Utah.
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