Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Dispersed Camping
Great spot
2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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.
"I was glad I had a back-in site around the edge of the loop. I loved the view."
"Mountain View Campground is above the lake, but a path leads down to the boat ramp and beach. Some bring boats and go fishing for brown trout, walleye, bass and yellow perch."
from $25 - $200 / night
"All of the campsites are within walking distance to the water. Finding level ground is somewhat challenging. We drove to the improved camping area and pay for shower use."
from $15 - $25 / night
"Lots of trails to ride but also did some off trail. We didn't fish at Starvation Reservoir but we did ride the the wheelers to the lake. "
"Surrounded by mountains and super close to a beautiful resovoir."
from $35 - $75 / night
"It had 2 toilet buildings that were cleaned and stocked daily by DNR, 4 horseshoe pits, the giant fire pit, a dumpster, and was in walking distance to the ponds and river."
"We got a walk-in camping spot tat was just a few miles from the fifth waters trail entrance, the bathroom was clean, and the parking lot was nice and easy to get in and out of with large RVs parked everywhere"
"Right next to starvation lake, plenty of mature trees , great view , super nice staffs , right next to Utah 40 but hardly hear any noise . 5 min away from town."
"There is a nice dog walk/path with a great view of the reservoir at the end of the path. When we were there it was very windy and cold so our time outside was limited."
"Almost every spot along the river was taken, but once you were in your camp you could hardly tell neighbors were around."
from $10 / night
"WOW - if you are looking for a quiet and comfortable spot, go to Moon Lake, Utah in Ashley National Park."
"This area is more green than I usually expect from Utah. Great kayaking and some moderate/long hikes on site. We hired horses to explore the area, highly recommended."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $60 / night
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"This area is more green than I usually expect from Utah. Great kayaking and some moderate/long hikes on site. We hired horses to explore the area, highly recommended."
"This was a great place to get away from the normal day to day. The lake is pretty low due to the drought, but we had a great time enjoying the water from the shore. "
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $32 / night
from $15 - $25 / night












Great spot
Great place if you want to be secluded. There are so many spots. Beautiful views of the Leaves changing mixed with the pines.
This place still has trails being built in and around the grounds. Price is right, just $10!!! The bathrooms (pit toilets)are super clean. All sites come with table and fire ring. Some with covered tables. Trails for riding or running right at the entrance to the cg.
Few spots betteen road and Green River. Some Mosquitos . Not so much noise. Ok for one or two night. I collected few trash in a bag. Cell signal good. Real blm ?
We stayed at this campsite overnight and absolutely loved it. The pond was gorgeous & the site felt very remote and private. The drive up was very bumpy and rocky, with some incline but we made it up just fine in the RAV4. I would definitely recommend having 4 wheel drive.
We did have a black bear walk into our campsite at around 8pm while we were putting our food away for the night. We ended up scaring it off, but we hung out in the car for a while. Definitely come prepared with proper food storage & bear spray if staying in the area.
Beautiful open area, no shade. About a 2 mile walk to Strawberry Reservoir. Great place if you can find a space!
Of the 30 or so places we have dispersed camped, this is our absolute favorite! What a gem! We were camped at over 9000 feet and the nighttime temps were in the low 50's, perfect sleeping weather! The pit toilets were as pristine as those things are going to be! The fire pit, picnic table, and stand for a camp.stive were fantastic, and someone left a bunch of chopped firewood at several of the sites, including the one we chose! This was a true "camping in the forest" experience. Would love to return here.
Clean and well maintained. Friendly staff. A mile from downtown Vernal. Close to Ashley National Forest and Dinosaur National Monument.
Very quiet and peaceful. Sites are spacious. Boat ramp and fishing. No swimming signs posted. Beautiful night skies.
Camping spots near Altamont, Utah range from reservoir-adjacent sites to forest campgrounds at elevations between 6,000-8,000 feet. The high desert climate creates significant temperature variations, with nighttime temperatures commonly dropping below 50°F even during summer months. Water levels at Starvation Reservoir fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping and boat launch access.
Family fishing: Mountain View Campground at Fred Hayes State Park offers paved areas perfect for children's activities. According to Erik J., "The family had a blast. The camping area is all paved and the kids loved riding their bikes all day. It's just a short drive down to the water with a beach area."
Lake recreation: Moon Lake Campground provides rental options for water activities. One visitor notes, "Fun campground with plenty of spaces near Moon Lake. There are toilets, drinking water, fire pits, and even a lodge where you can buy supplies or rent a boat for the lake."
Hiking: Uinta Canyon offers multiple trail options ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. A camper shares, "Very large campground can accommodate many people. Fishing is close by as well as a short hike to smokey springs. Firepits along with a group fire pit, 2 well maintained bathrooms, picnic tables, and wildlife."
Privacy between sites: At Riverview Campground in Ashley National Forest, separation between campsites allows for quiet despite popularity. One visitor reported, "We showed up Labor Day weekend. Almost every spot along the river was taken, but once you were in your camp you could hardly tell neighbors were around."
Clean facilities: Yellowstone Group Campground maintains well-kept grounds according to visitors. "The campground was very nice and clean. In long weekend season, it was very crowded," notes one camper.
Lake views: Lakeside RV Park offers elevated views of Starvation Reservoir. A visitor shared, "The campsite was a pull through, fairly large with a picnic table and fire ring. There is a nice dog walk/path with a great view of the reservoir at the end of the path."
Water temperature: Starvation Reservoir remains cold even in summer. Erik J. mentioned, "The water was freezing though" when describing Mountain View Campground's beach area.
Bugs: Insect activity varies by location and season. At Juniper Point, one camper reported, "We loved jumping in the reservoir and the fishing is great. Downside, lots of bugs… spiders were an issue still plaguing us a week later in all of our gear. The flies are an issue."
Wind conditions: Many campsites around Starvation Reservoir experience significant wind. One visitor at Lakeside RV Park noted, "When we were there it was very windy and cold so our time outside was limited."
Terrain challenges: Not all sites offer level ground for tent camping. A Juniper Point camper stated, "Not a level spot to be found. Good scenery but overall not a great stay."
Store access: Moon Lake offers convenient amenities for families who forget supplies. As one visitor explained, "Moon Lake Campground is a clean and modern campground on the shores of a beautiful high mountain lake. Just feet outside the campground is a private resort with rustic cabins and a lodge. The lodge store provides basic necessities in the event you forgot something, as well as an ice cream bar with sundaes and soda on tap."
Kid-friendly activities: Paved areas at Mountain View Campground provide safe places for children to play. According to a camper, "The family had a blast. The camping area is all paved and the kids loved riding their bikes all day."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Indian Bay Campground offers nature observation possibilities. A visitor mentioned, "Lots of fish in the lake and craw fish. The water is refreshing to swim, water ski, paddle board or any water sport."
Site selection: At Mountain View Campground, back-in sites offer better privacy and views than pull-through options. One RVer advised, "I was glad I had a back-in site around the edge of the loop. I loved the view. The pull through sites in the middle were super close together that left little room for slide outs and entry/exit from the trailers unless you were in the end."
Hookup availability: Sites vary widely in utility access. A visitor at Mountain View noted, "We had water hookups and access to 20/30/50 electricity. No sewer available in the site, but they do have a dump station."
Shade considerations: Tree coverage differs significantly between campgrounds. At Lakeside RV Park, one camper reported, "This park is so amazing. Right next to starvation lake, plenty of mature trees, great view, super nice staffs, right next to Utah 40 but hardly hear any noise."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Altamont, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Altamont, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 217 campgrounds and RV parks near Altamont, UT and 53 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Altamont, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Altamont, UT is Mountain View Campground — Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Altamont, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 53 free dispersed camping spots near Altamont, UT.
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