Camping in Manila, Utah centers around Flaming Gorge, with several established campgrounds and dispersed options within Ashley National Forest. The Flaming Gorge-Manila KOA offers full hookup sites, cabins, and tent camping areas with amenities including showers, laundry facilities, and a camp store. For those seeking a more rustic experience, public lands support dispersed camping at locations like Spring Creek Road and Navajo Cliffs, which provide free camping with minimal amenities. Several Forest Service campgrounds, including Lucerne, Carmel, and Sheep Creek Bay, provide a middle ground with basic facilities.
Weather patterns and seasonal closures significantly affect camping availability in the Manila area. Most developed campgrounds operate from mid-May through October, with many closing after the first snowfall. Several Forest Service sites, including Carmel Campground, operate on a seasonal schedule from "May 15 to October 2." Roads to dispersed camping areas may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly during spring runoff or after storms. Cell service varies throughout the region, with limited connectivity at most Forest Service and dispersed sites. A camper noted that at many sites, "no water or cell signal" was available, emphasizing the need to come prepared.
Proximity to Flaming Gorge Reservoir shapes the camping experience around Manila. Campgrounds offering water access receive consistently positive reviews, with boat-in access available at several locations including Lucerne Campground and Sheep Creek Bay. Sites along the Sheep Creek Geological Loop provide scenic views and wildlife viewing opportunities. "This drive is worth going to go camping there. Red rocks and beauty all around," wrote one visitor about the Carmel Campground area. The combination of mountain and reservoir settings creates diverse camping environments, from shaded forest sites to open, sunny locations ideal for RVs with solar power. Campgrounds closer to Manila offer conveniences like dump stations and water fill, while more remote sites provide greater solitude but fewer amenities.
"After going over an 8500 foot pass and stopping in the close by town of Rangely, UT (visiting the town museum), we arrived. The park was pretty full but the atmosphere was welcoming and calm. "
"Access to the lake is about 6 miles and access to national park activities close and easy to get to. Would recommend if you are KOA campers."
"Don’t take 318 from CO and into Utah in the dark. Lesson learned. Nice quiet place to spend the night, can see stars if the weather is good."
"Dispersed camping on the lake. Drive down a gravel road and then hit a awesome lake view. It was during Memorial Day weekend and still found a spot."
"Easy access from the main highway, lots of spots to camp right on the waters edge."
"Got a spot right in the edge of the water. Very private could not see or hear anyone else. Beautiful, clean camping area."
$33 - $4500 / night
"Great campsite next to the lake. The staff was great and super helpful. Antelope and ground squirrels have made this place home."
"Antelope wander around the park all day and the water is crystal clear. We didn’t have a reservation and they have many first come first serve sites- we even got one with an amazing lake view."
"Remote lakeside beautiful spot to dry camp. Quiet and peaceful! Nice place to camp after a long drive."
"Close to Manilla for gas and supplies. The town of green river is approximately 1 hour away."
"The entire area is dispersed camping with spots on hills overlooking the lake or down shoreside. The entire area is accessible for camping. I didn't see any spots that didn't look lake accessible."
$7 - $13 / night
"Heading South from Manila, Utah on Hwy 44 takes you to the Sheep creek Geological loop. Heading up into the Canyon about 2 mi brings you to the Carmel Campground."
"Minutes away from lots of activities. This campground is secluded in Ashley National Forest with tons to do. From hiking to fishing to playing in the Gorge you’ll enjoy this location day and night."
$33 / night
"The look out is within walking distance and it is close to the trailhead to the loop trail. Tent camping and RV this is a nice set up."
"The visitor center has a nice mens and women’s vault toilet and is about a 5 minute walk. We saw Big Horn sheep at the visitor center and later walking along the road adjacent to the campground."
"Close to the boat ramp, easy access. When we are with my elderly family who need to be stable we stay here. If we are just us and the kids and dogs we go stay at Dutch John."
"It our favorite spot in the lake!!! Somewhat protected from the storms and it’s a very quiet place!!!"
$33 / night
"Right on the edge, there are 3 tenting sites within 50 ft of the side of the cliff, 8,9, and 10. Definitely the best spots."
"Sites 7, 8, 9 are our favorites, and while they don't offer a ton of privacy or shade, the views and access to the cliff edge are unbeatable."
ScoutThis is a great area with many spots. (We didn’t go all the way back). The one concern would be during rainy season it is muddy and if hauling a rig it can get suspect. Use caution. Beautiful area with nice vistas and a little pond.
ScoutSpace 7 FF . $41 a night we had park pass so paid half. Dry camping but spigots throughout. We are in a pull behind cannot report on bathrooms.
We lucked out as this spot was reserved when we pulled up but occupants gone and reservation dates crossed out.
Camps spots here are very nicely spaced seems each spot had plenty of spave for kids pets to roam without intruding others.
level for trailers and tents.
Though u have a view of gorge through breaks in trees the caveat is the party boats docked at marina down below. One boat owner was proudly show off their speakers. Maybe because it was memorial weekend but it was kind of a bummer to have our peaceful outdoor time ruined for two hours with very loud music. We aren’t in camp much as we like to explore but when we were at camp that was our experience. Other than that , after driving through a lot of the other camp grounds and dispersed camping this was our favorite. We had more trees, but didn’t block solar panels, privacy, and because of pavement for pull thru we won’t have any problems leaving as the dispersed camping roads were filled with tire ruts and I think people left early because of yesterdays rain (5/24).
Camp host nice.
Wood $10 a stack
Marina with store nearby
Hiking trails in area
I think this campground is the closest to the dam.
I would stay here again in this site.
it was close to bathroom and spigot but very little traffic.
It does have fire ring and picnic table
There is a rocky trail down to water near marina area but the last 20 feet or so is a scramble so I wouldn’t carry chairs and drinks unless your a goat or confident in your bouldering skills.
5 stars campground 4 for noise but not campgrounds fault
GuideWide spots plenty of tree cover. Beautiful spot. Very steep hills to get here tho. Was able to get my travel trailer in the camp sites no problem
ScoutThere is a farm in the middle of the monument that is adjacent to this campground. They have livestock and a lot of dogs. The dogs are herding the livestock and barking all through the night. Didn’t stop barking from 5pm-4am. It would have been extremely peaceful if it wasn’t for that. I don’t see any other reviews for this which really is surprising to me. I could barely catch any sleep in my tent.
TravelerWe stayed here for one night in our 40' fifth wheel while visiting Dinosaur National Monument. They JUST paved Red Wash road with asphalt so it was an easy ride in. The dry camping area is all dirt roads but we found one that had a small drop-off and was pretty level. We had great service, beautiful views, and there was not a single other person in sight, though it is shoulder season. Would recommend!
TravelerAs the other review states, this is just a large open sandlot without any amenities whatsoever.
GuideWe had a beautiful spot right on the Green River. The views were spectacular and we had a large space that was fairly private. Bathroom was clean and stocked with tp.
ScoutNice clean campground next to the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument. Level spots in trees with old but clean restrooms.
GuideLaundry $2 washer and dryer each.$5 for showers if not staying there otherwise $0.25 for 7 minutes (clean and great pressure). Sites are tight and sewer is on your neighbors spot 😬🥴
Manila, Utah camping spots center on Flaming Gorge Reservoir at 6,000 feet elevation. The area sits within Ashley National Forest, with camping options ranging from late April through mid-October. Water levels fluctuate throughout the season, affecting beach access and boat launch capabilities at waterfront camping areas.
Geological exploration: Sheep Creek Canyon features unique red rock formations along a scenic loop drive. "This drive is a 2 lane road all paved that goes through some of the most amazing views around. There are lots of trails and lots of caves you can hike to and explore. If you like to explore caves this is a really awesome place," notes a visitor to Carmel Campground.
Waterfront activities: Paddle sports are accessible from shoreline camping areas. A camper at Spring Creek Road Dispersed mentioned, "Nice area where you can get a spot right on the water... You'll also have boats pulling water skiers/boarders by and the occasional fishers or kayakers floating by."
Wildlife viewing: Big Horn Sheep frequently visit campgrounds along the Sheep Creek area. A camper at Red Canyon reported, "We saw Big Horn sheep at the visitor center and later walking along the road adjacent to the campground."
Easy lake access: Shallow entry points at many sites make water activities convenient. "Great spot 25 min from Bryce Canyon for a night or two. It was super quiet... Great views, pretty level," wrote a camper about dispersed areas near Red Canyon.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites for privacy. "Dispersed beach camping, vault toilets, dumpsters, great views and direct access for swimming, kayaking or paddle boarding. Boats can be put in at marina and beached here," noted a visitor at Stateline Cove Campground.
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. At Navajo Cliffs, a camper described, "Free, dispersed camping in the beautiful Flaming Gorge! The drive in is beautiful, the camping is beautiful...don't miss it. No services, but just a dirt road to get there. Lots of RVs were also using this area!"
Road conditions: Access to dispersed sites requires preparation. "The dirt road wasn't too bad, we have a civic and it made it out okay. Everyone is pretty spread out so you'll get some privacy," shared a Navajo Cliffs visitor.
Cell service: Coverage varies by location and carrier. At Spring Creek Road Dispersed, a camper noted, "I had full bars of LTE extended network on Verizon, enough to send texts, make calls, and could load some webpages but it was pretty slow."
Seasonal pests: Insects can be problematic during certain months. A Canyon Rim visitor shared, "We love this campground and usually come at least once a year. Sites 7, 8, 9 are our favorites, and while they don't offer a ton of privacy or shade, the views and access to the cliff edge are unbeatable."
Weather changes: Wind conditions can change rapidly, especially near the lake. "It can get very windy. Great kayaking and paddle boarding. Can camp within 40 yards of the water," mentioned a Stateline Cove visitor.
Kid-friendly amenities: Campgrounds with play facilities offer entertainment options. At Flaming Gorge-Manila KOA, a visitor mentioned, "Large park for kids. Has a pool but this wasn't open while we stayed. Access to the lake is about 6 miles and access to national park activities close and easy to get to."
Animal encounters: Wildlife viewing opportunities excite children. "Antelope and ground squirrels have made this place home," noted a visitor to Lucerne Campground.
Protected swimming areas: Some spots offer calmer waters for young swimmers. "We were greeted so warmly by Traci, who with her husband runs the campground. As it is off-season, the campground was empty and Traci helped us pick a sunny site. She also suggested a late afternoon scenic drive nearby," shared a Flaming Gorge-Manila KOA guest.
Supply planning: Nearest grocery stores require significant travel. A KOA visitor advised, "We enjoyed visiting the area. It's great for boating, kayaking, paddle boarding and hiking. There's a couple of restaurants in town and a gas station or two so pack what you need. The closest grocery store is 50 mins away."
Dump station access: Plan waste management in advance. A Manila KOA visitor noted, "They charge $15 to dump if boondocking nearby. Water is .40c/gallon. They do close middle of Oct for the winter."
Weather protection: Position RVs to minimize wind exposure. "Super clean and well maintained. Good wifi," reported another KOA camper.
Off-season availability: Shoulder seasons offer less crowded experiences. "We are here at the end of Sept/early Oct in a 35 ft 5th wheel. We have this place pretty much to ourselves. The campground closed mid Sept. During that time it is $21 per night/$10.50 with senior pass. Once it closes it basically becomes boondocking sites and there is no charge," shared a visitor at Stateline Cove.
Site selection: Check accessibility before committing to remote areas. "The road coming in has lots of cows and deer so be careful! Take 319 to get to this area, not 341, it's now fenced off," advised a visitor at Jug Hollow Road Dispersed Camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Manila, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Manila, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 183 campgrounds and RV parks near Manila, UT and 49 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Manila, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Manila, UT is Flaming Gorge-Manila KOA with a 4.6-star rating from 10 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Manila, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 49 free dispersed camping spots near Manila, UT.
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