Ashley National Forest

Backcountry camping in Ashley National Forest, Utah.

Garfield Basin (Backcountry)

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Dispersed Camping 

From the Henry Fork Trailhead (approx. 9400 feet elev.) the trail gains very little elevation during the first 5.5 miles with several lakes to camp by along the way. The first lake reached is Alligator Lake. At just under 3 miles from the trailhead, this beautiful lake is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a nice, easy introduction to the altitude and rigors of backpacking. After passing Alligator Lake the trail continues on the Henry's Fork Trail for another 3 miles. At this point, you'll reach a trail junction known as ElkHorn Crossing. 

You can take the trail heading due south. This trail is the most direct route. After 2 miles, it will pass by the most popular lake in the area, Dollar Lake, which has a numbers of excellent established campsites near by.

Dollar Lake Campsites

Moon Lake

Moon Lake Campground is located on the shores of the scenic two mile long Moon Lake on the southern slope of the 13,000 foot peaked Uinta Mountains. Visitors come to Moon Lake to enjoy cool mountain air, fishing, canoeing and motor- boating, scenic vistas, hiking trails and horse rides. Recreation Moon Lake offers great canoeing and motor-boating. Anglers fish for tiger, rainbows and brook trout, kokanee salmon and splake. Tiger and rainbow trout are actively stocked annually. The Lake Fork Trail and Brown Duck Mountain Loop hiking/equestrian trails begin at this site offering excellent opportunities in the High Uintas Wilderness where numerous alpine lakes provide great backcountry fishing. The Fish Creek National Recreation Trail begins at the Moon Lake Dam and ascends northeast up to center park, climbing from 8,200’ to 10,400’ over 5.6 miles. The Moon Lake Resort is adjacent to the campground and offers small engine boat rentals. Flying J Outfitters is located one mile before the campground, at the Lake Fork trailhead, offering both scheduled and walk-up horse rides as well as drop and pack trips into the High Uintas Wilderness. Facilities This large campground contains numerous single-family sites, each with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Generally, parking spurs are 16 X 65 feet. Please see individual campsites for exact dimensions. Most sites have lake views; some have lake access. Flush toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Water spigots are located throughout the campground and roads and parking spurs are paved. A host is on-site and firewood is available for purchase at the nearby Moon Lake Resort. Moon Lake Resort is adjacent, offering convenience groceries, ice, soda pop, fishing bait and gear. Natural Features The campground is situated on the lakeshore at an elevation of 8,100 feet where lodgepole pine, aspen and Douglas fir provide some shade away from the lake. Wildlife and flowers both flourish in the canyon ADA Access: N

Moon Lake Campground

Moon Lake Group Campground is located on the shores of scenic Moon Lake on the southern slope of the Uinta Mountains. Visitors come to Moon Lake for its canoeing and fishing opportunities, abundant trails and scenic beauty. Recreation Moon Lake offers great canoeing and fishing opportunities. Anglers fish for rainbow and cutthroat trout, Kokanee salmon and splake. Lake Fork Trail and Brown Duck Mountain Loop begin at the site, offering excellent hiking and horseback riding into the High Uintas Wilderness, where numerous alpine lakes provide great backcountry fishing. Flying J Outfitters is nearby, offering guided horseback rides along area trails. Facilities This campground contains two group sites that can accommodate up to 75 people each, with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. A campground host is located at the nearby Moon Lake Campground, where firewood is available for purchase. Roads and parking spurs are gravel. Natural Features The campground is situated on the lakeshore at an elevation of 8,100 feet, where lodgepole pines and aspens dot the landscape, offering partial shade. Wildlife and summer wildflowers are abundant. Nearby Attractions Moon Lake Resort is adjacent, offering limited supplies, groceries and boat rentals. ADA Access: N

Moon Lake Group Campground

The Swift Creek Campground sits at just over 8000 feet elevation near the confluence of Swift Creek and the Yellowstone River. A lovely waterfall is nearby. The campground is near the boundary of the High Uintas Wilderness, and the trailhead from the campground leads to a number of alpine lakes. Fishing for brook, brown and rainbow trout is possible in the Yellowstone River.

Swift Creek

Ashley National Forest Riverview Campground

USGS Quad - Bridger Lake and Gilbert Peak; Leashed pets are permitted. This area is popular for its fishing and hiking, it is close to wilderness access.

China Meadows Trailhead

This timbered area is popular for its fishing and hiking.

China Meadows

## Overview

Rock Creek Group Campground is located next to Rock Creek in the Rock Creek Drainage at an elevation of 7200 feet. The drainage sits on the southern slope of the beautiful Uinta Mountains. Visitors enjoy fishing and exploring the popular Rock Creek Trail. 

## Recreation

Rock Creek offers fishing for brown, brook and rainbow trout. Whitewater rafting and kayaking opportunities are available seasonally. 

## Facilities

The campground is a group camping area that can accommodate up to 75 people. Picnic tables, campfire rings and grills are provided, as are vault toilets. The campground has no running water so campers must bring their own supply.

## Natural Features

This shaded campground is set back off the main road for privacy. Dense stands of aspen and pine trees shade the campground, and sagebrush and wildflowers dot the landscape. Evenings in this area are cool. 

## Nearby Attractions

The Rock Creek Trail begins just over a mile away and connects with an accessible, paved interpretive nature trail in Yellowpine Campground. The Rock Creek Trail provides access to the High Uintas Wilderness, where hiking, backpacking, horseback riding and backcountry fishing are very popular activities.  
  
Upper Stillwater Reservoir and Lower Stillwater Ponds are nearby, offering fishing for brown and rainbow trout, swimming and picnicking. Upper Stillwater is currently accessible only by hiking in. Numerous hiking trails lead into the High Uinta Wilderness Area from here.

Rock Creek Group

National Forest

The entire basin is above 10,000 feet! We hiked to Swasey Lakes and the trail crested well above 11,000 feet. Hiking and camping that high really gives you a feel of raw nature, as you have a very real danger of getting struck by lightning and the weather changes in a matter of minutes!
We went over Labor Day and the weather was very variable, but not too cold. It rained off and on the whole trip. Temperature range was high 30s to high 60s. 
Plenty of fishing, lots of nice camping spots. We found quite a few spots around Swasey lakes to fit our group of 5 tents!

Garfield Basin (Backcountry)

Save more with PRO

Do you own or manage this property?

About This Campground

Access

Stay Connected

Features

Reviews

2022 Explorer Giveaway

Raw Nature. Great Fishing. Wondrous Place!

Location

Coordinates

Nearby Campgrounds