Camping sites near Altonah, Utah range in elevation from 5,500 to 8,000 feet, creating distinct temperature variations between lower and higher altitude locations. Summer temperatures at Moon Lake typically reach 75-85°F during the day while dropping to 40-50°F at night. The area experiences afternoon thunderstorms most frequently in July and August, requiring campers to secure equipment properly.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: Access trout fishing at Riverview Campground where campers can catch fish directly from their campsites. "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. We didn't fish, but saw a couple of fly fishers catch 4 trout right in front of us," notes one visitor.
**Hiking trails: Explore the Swift Creek trail that "ascends quickly" from Swift Creek Campground, offering views and access to multiple lakes within a short distance. Another option is the Yellowstone trail which "goes through a dense tunnel of forest for quite a few miles." Swift Creek serves as one starting point for accessing Kings Peak, though the full round trip is approximately 40 miles.
**Water recreation: Rent kayaks or small fishing boats at Moon Lake Campground for exploring the lake. "The lodge provides rentals of kayaks and small fishing boats," mentions one camper. Starvation Reservoir also offers paddling opportunities with a "paved path for kayak or paddle board put in" according to visitors.
What campers like
**Night sky views: The area offers exceptional stargazing opportunities away from light pollution. At Riverview Campground, "The night sky was amazing, could see the whole milky way galaxy," shared one camper. This feature makes the region particularly appealing for astrophotography and evening relaxation.
**Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds report regular wildlife sightings, enhancing the camping experience. At Uinta Canyon, visitors report seeing "deer and moose and everything in between." One visitor mentioned that "The river is about 1/4 mile away and has good fishing. There is also a nice trail head close by for hiking or horseback riding."
**Camp store access: Moon Lake Campground features a lodge store for necessary supplies and treats. "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," notes one reviewer. Another mentioned, "They upgraded their shop and added a little ice cream bar."
What you should know
**Limited shade at some locations: Several campgrounds have minimal tree cover, particularly at lower elevations. At Juniper Point, "Only 2 of the sites have real shade. There appears to be breezes to wind in the evenings." Consider bringing shade structures if camping during summer months.
**Primitive vs. developed options: Campgrounds vary significantly in development level. Juniper Point is described as "a primitive site with 3 vault toilets and dumpster" where "finding level ground is somewhat challenging," while Moon Lake Campground offers "clean and modern" facilities with "modern bathrooms with running water, electricity, flushing toilets and ventilation fans."
**Maintenance issues: Some areas require visitor participation in upkeep. At Juniper Point, one camper noted, "People that come here treat this site like trash and trash it. Spent a solid couple hours just cleaning up glass around our site for our dogs." Pack out trash and consider bringing cleaning supplies.
Tips for camping with families
**Kid-friendly biking: Mountain View Campground features paved areas ideal for children's cycling. "The camping area is all paved and the kids loved riding their bikes all day," reports one family. This provides contained recreation options for younger campers.
**Cabin alternatives: For families needing additional comfort, several locations offer cabin rentals. Moon Lake Campground has "rustic cabins and a lodge" while another visitor mentioned, "They even have little cabins you can rent that include extra things such as a fridge." This provides weather protection for families with small children.
**Beach access: Multiple locations offer swimming areas with beach access. "It's just a short drive down to the water with a beach area," notes a camper at Mountain View Campground, though they caution "the water was freezing." At Starvation Reservoir, the Beach Campground area offers "gazebo, grill/firepit, water spout, electricity" at lower beach sites.
Tips from RVers
**Hookup availability: Lakeside RV Park provides full hookups near Starvation Reservoir. "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," reports an RVer. Sites at Mountain View Campground offer "water and electricity" with a convenient dump station.
**Site spacing considerations: Space between sites varies considerably between campgrounds. Lakeside RV Park receives positive reviews for spacing, with one visitor noting "sites weren't stacked on top of each other," while at Mountain View, some note that "the pull through sites in the middle were super close together that left little room for slide outs and entry/exit from the trailers."
**Leveling challenges: Several locations present leveling difficulties for RVs. At Juniper Point, campers report "not a level spot to be found," making it more suitable for tent camping or trailers with good leveling systems. Check site descriptions or call ahead regarding terrain.
