Dispersed camping areas near Ashley National Forest accommodate both tent and RV setups throughout the 1.3 million acre forest. The area sits at elevations between 6,000-13,000 feet with summer temperatures averaging 70°F during day and 40°F at night. Forest Road 13 dispersed sites provide secluded camping options with unofficial fire rings, while established campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities within proximity to Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
What to do
Kayaking and paddleboarding access: Spring Creek Road Dispersed offers direct water access for non-motorized activities. "Nice area where you can get a spot right on the water. It's a little busy with others but sites are private enough. Few bugs and not as windy as some other places nearby," notes Greg C.
Salmon and bass fishing: The reservoir contains multiple fish species accessible from shore or boat. "Saw a heap of fish, Kokanee salmon and bass mostly, but unable to catch any/get a bite," reports Emily at Navajo Cliffs.
Red Canyon hiking: Multiple trails provide views of the gorge and surrounding landscape. "Don't miss Red Canyon Overlook (40.8939814, -109.5641603) and check out the campgrounds nearby for other stays," suggests Tom D., who visited Cedar Springs Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Pronghorn antelope frequent the campgrounds and surrounding areas. "Antelope wander around the park all day and the water is crystal clear," notes Sara about Lucerne Campground. "The little island in the middle has an eagles nest and some antelope on it, so you can get some wildlife views as well," adds SpentBrassOffroad B. at Jug Hollow Road.
What campers like
Waterfront camping spots: "Keep following the dirt road to get to a few spots by the water! I took my Kia Soul down the road and a Honda civic was parked there as well. Only a few spots but you can jump right in the water," writes taryn about Spring Creek Road Dispersed.
Clean toilet facilities: Deer Run Campground maintains exceptional facilities according to Jeff G., who notes: "CLEAN toilets both pit and flush. CLEAN Showers free to campers. Quiet. Paved level pull in campsite."
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the space between camping spots. "Our site was a pull-thru that accommodated our 32 ft truck/trailer combo with just enough space for an additional vehicle. Numerous trees provided some shelter from the wind and made the site private," shares Bill S. about his stay at Deer Run.
Camp host services: "Ken came and let us know he'd seen a mtn lion in the morning and be careful with our dog, he didn't want to see it harmed. He went around the entire campground to let everyone with pets know," explains Cortney M. about the dog friendly campgrounds in Ashley National Forest.
What you should know
Water system maintenance: Several campgrounds experience periodic water system outages. "Note that the water system was not functioning as of 6-2021 and that means all the flush Restrooms and the RV dump are closed. Welcome to portapotties for restrooms," warns Greg L. about Firefighters Campground.
Weather variations: The area experiences significant temperature swings and weather patterns. "The wind off the lake can be furious. Try to find a spot further in, especially if you are tent camping," advises Lin about the shoreline camping areas.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. "Slow internet with T-Mobile," reports Michelle L., while Cortlan S. notes: "I had full bars of LTE extended network on Verizon, enough to send texts, make calls, and could load some webpages but it was pretty slow."
Road conditions: Access roads to dispersed sites require caution. "The dirt road in isn't too bad and is pretty short, there were plenty of sedans driving in so it's accessible for most vehicles when the ground is dry," reports Cortlan S. about Spring Creek, while others warn about rough patches on Forest Road 13.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming beaches: "Great walking access to the swimming beach. Also convenient water and bathroom access for site 67," reports Erin S. about her stay at Mustang Ridge Campground, making it one of the more pet-friendly campgrounds in Ashley National Forest.
Educational opportunities: "We drove in from Green River on I-80 taking 530 to Manila, then 44 to 191 north to Cedar Springs Campground. We did not encounter any unpaved roads on our route," explains Tom D., detailing a family-friendly route to the area.
Wildlife awareness: "Lots of cows and cow poop so watch out if you bring dogs!" warns Cortlan S. about the open range conditions at many dispersed sites. Families with pets should bring waste bags and maintain leash control.
Shade considerations: "The trees in this campground aren't very big so it doesn't offer much shade so bring an awning of some sort," recommends Cortney M. about Firefighters Campground, important for families planning summer visits.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and access: "Cedar Spring lists a 35' maximum length and it took us two tries to get in while gathering a crowd. But we fit with a few feet to spare parking our tow vehicle down by the camp host," reports Tom D. about navigating larger rigs.
Road navigation: "The design feature that I found strange is every site has built up 6" side curbs...and those that have trouble backing up a TT are going to be challenged keeping it between the curbs," notes Greg L. about Firefighters Campground.
Dump station locations and costs: "Potable water and a dump station are located just down the road, for a fee of $6 you can dump and refill your tank," shares Timothy T. about facilities near Deer Run Campground, useful information for RVers seeking pet-friendly campgrounds in Ashley National Forest.
Seasonal considerations: Most developed campgrounds operate from mid-May through early September. "Large campground and there are 68 sites in a couple confusing loops. Roads are all two way but are narrow and campsites are close tucked along these narrow roads," explains Greg L.
