Best Campgrounds near Altamont, UT
The Altamont area of northeastern Utah serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences, with options ranging from developed sites to dispersed locations. Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation Reservoir, approximately 15 miles southwest of Altamont, offers multiple campgrounds including Mountain View, Indian Bay, and Juniper Point, each providing varying levels of amenities. Mountain View Campground features water and electric hookups, pavilions, and fire rings suitable for both tent and RV camping. The surrounding Ashley National Forest lands provide more primitive camping opportunities, particularly around Moon Lake, where campers find wooded sites with access to hiking trails and fishing.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping in this high desert region. Most campgrounds operate from May through September, with Moon Lake's season running mid-May through late August. Winter conditions can make access difficult, while summer brings warm days and cool nights at higher elevations. As one camper noted about Mountain View Campground, "I was glad I had a back-in site around the edge of the loop. I loved the view. Each site has a pavilion and fire ring." Water availability varies by location and season, with some sites offering full hookups while others maintain only vault toilets. Cell service is limited in many areas, particularly in the more remote forest campgrounds north of Altamont.
Lakefront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the region. Starvation Reservoir provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming, with several campgrounds offering direct water access. According to one visitor at Lakeside RV Park, the location is "right next to Starvation Lake, plenty of mature trees, great view, super nice staff, right next to Utah 40 but hardly hear any noise." Moon Lake, located in the high Uinta Mountains, offers what campers describe as "more green than I usually expect from Utah" with "great kayaking and moderate/long hikes." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, with visitors reporting sightings of deer, elk, and various bird species. Nighttime temperatures remain cool even in summer, making adequate warm clothing essential regardless of season.