Altonah is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Altonah is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Altonah, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
Ashley National Forest Riverview Campground
53 min away
Moon Lake Group Campground
1 hr 5 min away
$15 - $25 / 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."
$15 - $25 / night
"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."
"Ranger Review: INNO INH120 2-Tray Bike Rack at the McCoy Flats Dispersed Camping
Campground Review: This type of camping is"
"Wide open BLM area 3 miles from Hwy but paved (potholes!) into the TH. Vault toilet but no water, trash or designated campsites. Cell signal is very good on all carriers."
"Tons of hikes in the area, can’t remember the names of the trails I did."
"Mostly wide open meadow like spaces where you just pull up your camper and park (dispersed camping). There are a lot of beautiful places you can explore, including Massey Cave."
"We’re in a truck and camper and found a little spot to pull in about 20 minutes off the highway."
"Nearly the entire mountain to the south of the official Soapstone campground is open to dispersed camping."
$6 / night
"Campground Review: Dispersed Camping at Pyramid Lake, UT
Pyramid Lake is another gem of a mountain lake found in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. "
"I would not attempt without a 4wheel drive with high clearance. Our 4runner did great even with the camper."
"Our family really likes dispersed camping near Mill hollow reservoir. It’s very peaceful and scenic!"
"Over Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I got away for a night and dispersed camp in the Unita National forest near the Mill Creek campground. "
"Something worth noting: 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."
"I was coming from Wyoming and 464 was not too far past Mirror Lake Campground and just before Lilly Lake, on the right."
TravelerOur family really likes dispersed camping near Mill hollow reservoir. It’s very peaceful and scenic! The main road in is fairly easy to navigate but if you venture off the main path you’ll want a vehicle with clearance and possibly 4X4. We cherish the ability to camp like this so we always take out everything we brought in “leave no trace” unfortunately not everyone has the same respect so we typically end up taking out any trash we find from the previous campers. Overall a great place to camp if you’re equipped for dispersed camping!
LegendOver Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I got away for a night and dispersed camp in the Unita National forest near the Mill Creek campground. We were planning to stay at the campground but it was closed, so we took advantage of free dispersed camping right outside. This is LNT(leave no trace) camping so be sure to pack out what you pack in. There are no amenities but you are along a water source so if you have a filter, you have water. All along the road there are open fields that can accommodate trailers and bigger parties then just a single tent. Near the campground (and the site we chose) is an outdoor education center which would be fun to go back and visit later in the summer. We really enjoyed camping here as it was peaceful and private (at least when we visited). Later in the summer that may not be the case, especially close to the road. The biggest issue may be the road. My Mazda3 was able to make it up, but the road was quite rutted and rough and you had to go through a small runoff stream. If you have a lowered vehicle, you may have a tough time but anything with a higher clearance will do just fine. Overall, I loved exploring a new area that I will definitely return to.
LegendMcCoy Flats BLM is a mt bike focus recreation area with a network of excellent nonmotorizrd singletrack trails. Dispersed free camping allowed, and currently there are several nice vault toilets scattered along the main access paved road.
This camping area is at the third new vault toilet. Lots of room for large TTs. No trash dumpsters and no water, but cell signal is excellent 5g five bars. Only few miles from main hwy on an old paved pothole filled road. And then only 3 miles back into Vernal and a Walmart on this end of town, so logistics are very good.
https://www.blm.gov/visit/mccoy-flats-trailhead#
GuideBeautiful spot to camp. Lots of places to park. Lots of ATVs and fifth wheels, too. If you’re okay with some ATV brap braps, this is a great spot. We’re in a truck and camper and found a little spot to pull in about 20 minutes off the highway. It’s probably best to have a high-clearance vehicle, but we also saw a Corolla way back where we were, so it’s up to you.
LegendThis is a primitive camping area by Sheep Creek Lake. No amenities, no established campsites, no toilets, no garbage dumpsters, no water, no cell signal. Road access is gravel graved. A primitive boat ramp is available. This lake seems to be more of a Fish and Game nursery lake for raising Colo River Trout.
LegendForest Road #838 is a rough rocky road but is flat so not steep. Several spots in sun or shade. Just off hwy #44 so some hwy noise. No water, no trash, no toilets. Cell signal is marginal.
LegendCampground Review: Dispersed Camping at Pyramid Lake, UT
Pyramid Lake is another gem of a mountain lake found in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. It is a small-medium sized lake you can drive to (with a small walk in) and has lots of National Forest dispersed camping. This area, while on National Forest, does require a recreation pass. A three-day pass is $6 which you can get at the various self-serve stations found along the main Mirror Lake Highway or it is free if you have a National Parks pass. It is on the honor system. So before I go into the camp area a few notes on getting there. Once you turn off highway 150 towards Murdock Basin, you have 6 miles of dirt/rock road ahead of you. A car can make it the first four miles, but a vehicle with at least 18” of clearance (and recommended AWD/4WD) is required as the road turns into sections of just really large rocks. You can stop and camp anywhere along that forest service road, but to get to either Pyramid or Echo Lake, you need the higher clearance.
The camping area and lake: it is dispersed camping so it is very primitive. No running water (either bring your own or a way to filter lake water), no pit toilets (bring a spade to dig a cat hole and bury or pack out your TP), tent or hammock camping (a pull behind trailer won’t make it the last few miles), scattered fire pits (practice extreme fire safety and make sure you fully put out any fire you start), and no garbage service (pack out whatever you pack in), aka typical backcountry camping. I loved it! The lake is beautiful and there is a trail you can walk around it. I did bring my inflatable paddleboard but didn’t end up breaking it out because it was too windy. But I will definitely return to paddle the lake another day. Multiple people were fishing and I could see the fish jumping as well. There is also a large boulder field on the South side of the lake which is fun to scramble around. I have decided my dog is part mountain goat. I chose a small spot about 50 meters from the water—halfway between the lake and where I parked the car. It was small and perfect for just one person and dog.
Downsides to the lake: While visiting a small mountain lake is always fun, there was a few things that didn’t meet my expectations (which are relatively low). The biggest thing which surprised me was how busy it was considering how rough the road was. It is really fun to see lots of people enjoying the outdoors but there were two larger groups of twenty-somethings that were really loud the whole night. I think one group played music and stayed up all night long and randomly walked down to the lake loudly with flashlights (which was really not necessary considering it was a cloudless, full moon night). They had dogs barking and generally seemed to not take the other people camping at the lake into consideration. Granted it was a killer spot for a group campout but it definitely affected by enjoyment of the evening. Overall, I really enjoyed the area and will return to camp again.
Gear Review: Matador Transit30 Duffle
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get the opportunity to test out gear for our awesome partners from time to time. I was given the privilege of testing out the Matador Transit30 packable duffle bag in grey. This bag, when stuffed is shorter but thicker than my phone but when unpacked is a full 30 liter duffle bag. For those who don’t speak liter size it is about the size of a typical medium Adidas duffle bag. It is made up of water resistant ripstop material, has one seam sealed zippered pocket, and the main pocket is accessed by a two-way seam sealed zipper.
Pros:
Cons:
Overall, I am very excited to use this bag for quick overnight camping trips and overall general duffle bag usage. I can see myself including this bag when I travel in case I need extra storage space. If you have a slight love obsession with gear bags (as I do), this is a must addition to your packing arsenal. Its versatility and weight are unmatched and time will tell on the durability (but I have a feeling it will hold up just fine!).
LegendThis is a great free camping site on BLM land. It is right across from the Moosehorn campground and is very close to Mirror Lake. Also only 5min drive from the Bald Mountain hime which offers incredible sunsets. There are a number of sites in this area and requires going down a dirt road. RVs can access the majority of sites. There are preexisting firepits and small clearings where tents can go. The prime, level spots are the best. There are a number of other sites that still have fire pits, but it is hard to find level ground for tents. There are lots of trees for those who like hammocking. Services are about 30 min drive from this location. Pack your own water!
TravelerThere were lots of different site options, like mentioned in other reviews. Some of them are fairly close together, but there’s a good amount of visual privacy from trees etc. We didn’t have any issues with loud neighbors which was super nice. This was a great free option. Something worth noting: 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. But I wouldn’t have attempted it in my sedan. There’s still spots before this spot in the road but be aware :)
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Altonah, Utah, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, campers can enjoy the great outdoors in a truly immersive way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Altonah, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Altonah, UT is Juniper Point — Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Altonah, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 55 dispersed camping locations near Altonah, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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