Tent camping in the Uinta region near Altonah, Utah offers wilderness experiences at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 70-80°F during the day but drop below 40°F at night even in July. The camping season generally runs from late May through September, with snow possible through early June at higher elevations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Pyramid Lake Dispersed Camping, trout fishing can be excellent during midday and afternoon hours. "The trout were very active midday into the late afternoon," notes one visitor who hiked in when vehicle access was limited by fallen trees.
Boulder scrambling: The south side of Pyramid Lake features a large boulder field for explorers who enjoy rock scrambling. "There is also a large boulder field on the South side of the lake which is fun to scramble around," reports a camper who discovered this activity while staying at the lake.
Geocaching: Several camping areas have hidden geocaches for treasure hunters. At Uinta Canyon, "several geocaches in the area so be sure to take your GPS," according to a reviewer who enjoyed this activity during their stay.
What campers like
Stargazing: The night skies at higher elevations provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. At Ashley National Forest Riverview Campground, "The night sky was amazing, could see the whole milky way galaxy," according to a recent visitor who appreciated the clean facilities.
Privacy between sites: Many campsites in the area provide good separation between camping parties. At Riverview Campground, "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."
Temperature relief: The high elevation camping areas near Altonah provide an escape from summer heat. At Dispersed Camping--Mill Hollow/Utah FR054, visitors find "a short 1.5 hour drive and temp drops 20 degrees from the valley," making it popular during hot summer months.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many primitive sites requires appropriate vehicles. At Mill Hollow, "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."
Site availability patterns: Weekends bring more visitors to the area. For Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Dispersed Camping, one camper advises "If you go early enough in the day to scope out sites, you get a lot of freedom with what experience you will have."
Cell service: Expect limited or no phone reception in most camping areas. At Uinta-Wasatch-Cache, one camper reported "I had ZERO AT&T service from the moment I crossed state lines from the north," which is typical throughout the region.
Tips for camping with families
Group site options: For the best tent camping near Altonah, Utah with larger family groups, consider Uinta Canyon where "We held a family reunion here in the group site which is just north of the regular campsites. There were about 150 people, 14 campers and several tents."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites offer opportunities to see local wildlife. At Mill Hollow, "I've seen plenty of chipmunks and even had two elk run past my campsite," which can be exciting for children when viewed from a safe distance.
Facilities for groups: Some campgrounds feature additional amenities for family gatherings. At Uinta Canyon, "There is two bathroom facilities, plenty of picnic tables and a group fire pit with bench seating. The rangers came in once a day to see if we needed anything and were very friendly."
Tips from RVers
Site access limitations: Larger RVs face significant restrictions in accessing the best tent camping near Altonah, Utah. At Dollar Lake Campsites, "This area is located a little over 8 miles from the parking area. It is walk or horse ride in only," making it tent-only camping.
Alternative parking strategies: For RVers wanting to tent camp in remote areas, consider parking at designated areas and hiking in. Near Pyramid Lake, "Park on the side of the road on Mirror Lake highway. Backpack in several miles on the super fun trail, with lots of scrambling and fun mini-adventures."
Clearance requirements: RV owners should carefully assess road conditions before attempting access. At Mill Hollow, "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."
