Primitive camping near Altonah, Utah ranges from high-elevation alpine areas to open desert terrain. The elevation in this region varies significantly, with nearby Uinta Mountain sites sitting above 10,000 feet while areas closer to town remain around 7,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically drop 15-20 degrees in higher elevations compared to the town, creating significant camping condition variations within short distances.
What to do
Mountain biking on established trails: McCoy Flats MTB Trailhead offers extensive singletrack options for riders of all levels. A camper noted, "If you are a mountain biker, this area is not to be missed. This trail system boasts 46 miles and 15 trials for all skill levels."
Fish stocked reservoirs: Knight Hollow at Fred Hayes State Park provides good fishing access from dispersed sites. One visitor mentioned, "Facilities are amazingly clean, easy to accommodate a large group of people!"
Hiking forest trails: Dispersed Camping--Mill Hollow/Utah FR054 offers various hiking opportunities beyond the reservoir. A camper shared, "There are hiking opps everywhere. Beautiful trails to explore, river banks to walk, and even a small waterfall tucked back into the woods if you know where to look."
Night sky viewing: Higher elevation sites offer exceptional stargazing. One camper at Mill Hollow described, "The night was extremely silent. Very private, although you could see neighbors. Sitting under the stars with my fire, I was lucky enough to have a neighbor play some guitar and sing."
What campers like
Solitude and quiet atmosphere: McCoy Flats MTB Trailhead receives high marks for its peaceful setting. A camper described it as "Solitary, beautiful, calming. If ever I needed just such a spot. Vast and accessible to all vehicles."
Easy lake access: Starvation Hideaway Dispersed offers decent access for higher-clearance vehicles. A visitor noted, "Good place to jump off the road for a night if you have higher clearance, 4 x 4 if you want to go in other places, and are looking for some seclusion."
Well-maintained facilities: Some primitive sites have better facilities than expected. At Knight Hollow, campers appreciate that "Facilities are amazingly clean, easy to accommodate a large group of people!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple sites offer chances to see native wildlife. At Juniper Point, one camper reported, "We loved jumping in the reservoir and the fishing is great," though they also warned about insects being an issue.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Pyramid Lake Dispersed Camping requires substantial vehicle capability. A camper warned, "A tree was felled and hung over the road low enough that my rooftop tent couldn't pass under. This was about a half mile away from the lake. Any taller vehicles wouldn't be able to make it up."
Bring all supplies: Most primitive sites require complete self-sufficiency. At Starvation Hideaway, a visitor advised, "Pack it in and pack out there are no services here. Verizon is good."
Weather can change rapidly: High-elevation sites experience extreme conditions. At Massey Meadow, a camper shared, "I spent 25 days camp on top the mountain above the meadows and hiked well over 100 miles in the back country. The scenery and wildlife was amazing."
Campsite maintenance concerns: Some areas suffer from previous visitor impacts. At Juniper Point, a camper reported, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with toilet access: Massey Meadow Camping Area offers larger open spaces for family camping. A visitor observed, "Massey Meadows is a beautiful place to camp. Mostly wide open meadow like spaces where you just pull up your camper and park."
Consider insects when selecting sites: At Juniper Point, families should note insect concerns: "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."
Plan for temperature swings: Mill Hollow provides relief from summer heat. A camper noted, "Great escape from the SLC Valley heat…a short 1.5 hour drive and temp drops 20 degrees from the valley."
Bring games for evening entertainment: McCoy Flats offers large open spaces. A visitor shared, "Totally free dispersed camping, so crawl off in there and set up wherever your heart desires and your vehicle allows."
Tips from RVers
Assess road conditions before commitment: Soapstone Basin Dispersed Camping requires planning for RVs. A camper advised, "The road at times was a bit rough for my little Ford escape and tab camper however the sunsets were amazing as was the dark moonless night."
Find level sites early in the day: Arrive early to secure appropriate spots. An RVer at Uinta-Wasatch-Cache noted, "There's still spots before this spot in the road but be aware. The road gets pretty rough/there's a decent sized dip after the first few sites, which we were able to make with a 4WD high clearance car, with a small trailer."
Know your vehicle limitations: Several primitive sites have challenging access. At Pyramid Lake, a camper shared, "I would not attempt without a 4wheel drive with high clearance. Our 4runner did great even with the camper."
Consider generator restrictions: Most primitive sites near Altonah have noise limitations. At Soapstone Basin, a visitor observed, "We went on a Friday afternoon and there were a lot of large groups (multiple campers, trucks, ATVs) but we were able to find a spot a little ways down the road."
