Ashley National Forest contains multiple developed campgrounds with varying levels of amenities, from dispersed sites to established facilities around Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Canyon Rim and Red Canyon campgrounds provide stunning overlook views of the gorge, while Spring Creek Road offers free dispersed camping options with tent and RV accommodation. The region includes both Forest Service managed sites with reservable spots and primitive areas with no services, allowing visitors to choose between convenience and solitude.
Camping is primarily seasonal in this high-elevation area, with most developed campgrounds operating from May through September. Road conditions vary significantly throughout the forest, with some sites requiring travel on rough dirt roads. Many campgrounds near the reservoir feature drinking water, vault toilets, and trash service during peak season, though facilities are limited in dispersed areas. Water sources at campgrounds like Cedar Springs are sometimes non-operational, requiring advance planning. According to one visitor, "The 4 mile dirt road was the main downside for us. It's also a bit dated. Overall it's a pretty good site."
Campers consistently mention the spectacular views as a highlight of Ashley National Forest camping experiences. Sites positioned along the rim of Flaming Gorge are particularly popular, offering dramatic vistas of the reservoir below. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with several reviews noting bighorn sheep sightings near Red Canyon and Canyon Rim campgrounds. Proximity to water recreation serves as another draw, with several campgrounds providing convenient access to boat ramps. Though summer days are typically warm, temperatures can drop significantly at night due to the elevation. Sites with shade are highly sought after during peak summer months. One camper noted, "We love this campground and usually come at least once a year. Sites 7, 8, 9 are our favorites, and while they don't offer a ton of privacy or shade, the views and access to the cliff edge are unbeatable."
"Easy access from the main highway, lots of spots to camp right on the waters edge."
"Got a spot right in the edge of the water. Very private could not see or hear anyone else. Beautiful, clean camping area."
$42 - $82 / night
"This campground is located right up the road from the marina. Loved being able to be close to the water but have such a private, wooded site. Can be busy and would recommend a reservation vs walk-in."
"We were right next to the camp host and next to the bathrooms with running water and hot showers. The campground is a short walk or drive to the marina."
"Don’t take 318 from CO and into Utah in the dark. Lesson learned. Nice quiet place to spend the night, can see stars if the weather is good."
"Dispersed camping on the lake. Drive down a gravel road and then hit a awesome lake view. It was during Memorial Day weekend and still found a spot."
$230 / night
"The pull-thru was nearly level. The site provided enough space for a tent nicely nestled among the trees. A picnic table and fire ring were on site. "
"Great walking access to the swimming beach. Also convenient water and bathroom access for site 67."
$42 - $82 / night
"Campsite tucked back into the pines. Nice and private. Clean and warm showers."
"Potable water and a dump station are located just down the road, for a fee of $6 you can dump and refill your tank. This campground is very close to the Flaming Gorge Reservoir."
$34 / night
"Flush toilets, no showers, & no electricity but did have access to running water. Flaming Gorge resort less than five minutes away with restaurant, general store, & sporting goods available."
"Well maintained campground with bear canyon hiking trail and bootleg amphitheater across the road. Toilets and water spigots are available. They also have a dump site for trailers."
$33 / night
"The look out is within walking distance and it is close to the trailhead to the loop trail. Tent camping and RV this is a nice set up."
"The visitor center has a nice mens and women’s vault toilet and is about a 5 minute walk. We saw Big Horn sheep at the visitor center and later walking along the road adjacent to the campground."
$33 / night
"Right on the edge, there are 3 tenting sites within 50 ft of the side of the cliff, 8,9, and 10. Definitely the best spots."
"Sites 7, 8, 9 are our favorites, and while they don't offer a ton of privacy or shade, the views and access to the cliff edge are unbeatable."
"There are tons of dispersed camping options in Ashley National Forest. I stayed at this site on a Monday and I was the only one there."
"This was one of my favorite finds during my trip through Utah earlier this summer. We were checking out Flaming Gorge and, predictably, all the campgrounds were booked full."
$33 - $173 / night
"Dusty dirt road adjacent to the CG that goes to a over RV park may be an issue for sites close to that side. Dumpster on site. Cell signal good."
"I always stay at Greendale Family CG when visiting Flaming Gorge area because there is a store, gas station and restaurant within walking distance."
GuideWhile I like free spots, I’m a disabled veteran and usually get a great discount at Federal spots. I probably would not spend 24, but 12 when I’m with wife and niece…good to have bathrooms. This campground has some of the only shade trees around and the river is close by.
TravelerNice Forest at Camp Ground. Good sites. However, by the highway, which has trucks and traffic so noisy during the day, though quiet at night. It’s at 8000 foot so you hear the trucks climbing up to here and going downhill after here. Nice quiet and dark at night, so good for stargazing.
TravelerThe campground is near the Green River and features quite a few cottonwood trees. Note: Verizon is available here, I had 4 bars. Shade is at a premium, check satellite view to see if you will have shade. The bathrooms are old but clean and well maintained. The sites are well spaced out. The bathrooms have running water but no showers.
GuideA handful of spots to set up camp. Bumpy road to the bottom but nothing unmanageable. Easy river access and cool hikes. Most of them have shade and there’s easy access to bathrooms and water spigots. Watch for ant piles though!
TravelerNice quiet place to camp with a pit toilet nearby. Less traffic than the first two parking areas
ScoutThe fossil exhibit was amazing. The view of the Green River coming through Split Mountain was worth seeing as well. But the area here is small and we are moving on tomorrow.
GuideRough road with limited flat spots. Somehow a guy got a limo up there and was camping out. I followed the advice of other reviewers and went with CR838 instead. So beautiful and perfect for tent camping. There were a bunch of flat spots on 838 with fire rings and a little creek. 013 doesn’t compare at all!
GuideI concur with the other reviews 838 is the way to go! A ton of flat sites with a slightly bumpy road. 838 has a nice little creek and some already made camp fire rings as well.
013 had a rough road and less flat spots. A guy camping out in a limo was showering up that road as well. Can’t believe he got a limo up there!
GuideThis park was recently underwent a multi-million dollar update so reviews before November of 2024 may no longer be 100% accurate. This is a smaller state park with 26 RV/tent sites, each with power and water hookups as well as a fire ring and covered picnic table. Several of the sites will accommodate pretty much any sized rig. We pull a 46+’ toy hauler fifth wheel and had no problems whatsoever. The shower house has 8 separate units that also contain a toilet and sink…all very clean. There are also several tiny homes available for rent, but we didn’t go in those. They look nice from the outside. There is a friendly onsite campground host and DNR law enforcement was on regularly in patrol which we liked to see to help keep those who tend to destroy beautiful places like this in check. The area has much to offer including fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, off-road trails, etc.
Ashley National Forest camping features a range of dispersed sites situated on dirt roads leading to scenic waterfront locations. Several campgrounds offer direct lake access across the 1.3 million acre forest, with elevations ranging from 6,000 to 7,500 feet. Water levels at Flaming Gorge can fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping conditions and boat launches.
Waterfront recreation at Spring Creek Road: Spring Creek Road Dispersed offers direct water access with multiple sites right along the shoreline. One visitor noted: "Pictures do not do these sites justice! The gorge is beautiful, the lake is beautiful, the sites are level and easy to access. By far the best public camping we've been to." The location provides opportunities for kayaking, swimming and fishing without leaving your campsite.
Observe wildlife near Red Canyon: The Red Canyon area hosts several herds of bighorn sheep that frequently visit campgrounds. Campers report regular sightings: "We saw big horn sheep right by camp. The look out is within walking distance and it is close to the trailhead to the loop trail." The Canyon Rim Trail connects several campgrounds and provides overlook access.
Fishing access from multiple entry points: Cedar Springs Campground provides shoreline fishing and proximity to the marina for boat rentals. According to reviews: "This is in a great location if you are going fishing in the Green river or on Flaming Gorge. We were only 10 minutes to the put in of the A section and within walking distant to the marina for Flaming Gorge."
Panoramic canyon views: Canyon Rim offers unparalleled vistas overlooking Flaming Gorge from elevated positions. A regular visitor explained: "We love this campground and usually come at least once a year. Sites 7, 8, 9 are our favorites, and while they don't offer a ton of privacy or shade, the views and access to the cliff edge are unbeatable."
Uncrowded dispersed sites: Forest Road 13 dispersed camping areas provide more isolation than developed campgrounds. A camper described: "As you head down this forest road (it is a bit rough, low-clearance cars might have a rough go of it) you'll see multiple minimal dispersed campsites, most with small man-made rock firepits and nothing else."
Clean facilities despite remote location: Many campgrounds maintain good standards for vault toilets and water access. One review specifically mentioned: "Clean toilets both pit and flush. CLEAN Showers free to campers. Quiet. Paved level pull in campsite" at Deer Run Campground, which offers these amenities without electrical hookups.
Water systems frequently non-operational: Multiple campgrounds experience water system outages. At Deer Run Campground, a visitor reported: "Smaller cg than cedar springs. Has a shower house..however NO WATER as of 6-2021 so showers closed. Vault toilets still open, dumpsters. No hookups for RVs, no rv dump."
Many campgrounds require reservations: During peak season, walk-in availability becomes extremely limited. Some loops are fully reservation-only: "Three loops, Loop A and Loop C are all fully reservation only. loop B is all FF only."
Bug conditions vary significantly: Certain waterfront areas experience heavy insect activity. One camper at Navajo Cliffs warned: "Amazing, gorgeous spot...however you cannot be outside without swarms of gnats and mosquitoes overtaking you. And the cows. Poop all along the shore. Gross."
Dedicated swimming areas: Some beaches designate non-motorized zones ideal for children. "Plus is the close adjacent Sunny Cove day use swim beach area. No motorized, kayaks, paddle boards, canoes only, very nice for families at Mustang Ridge CG to drive over the short distance."
Shower access considerations: Mustang Ridge Campground offers some of the area's most reliable shower facilities. A visitor explained: "Our campsite was gorgeous! It was clean, we were not close to any other campers. The sites were very spread out and you were not on top of people."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campgrounds along the rim provide regular wildlife sightings. "There are sheep and deer that come through the campsite. As well as chipmunks and falcons to watch. You can follow the trail head to the visitors center or the other way to Greens Lake."
Site access limitations: Firefighters Campground has unusual site designs that can challenge larger rigs. A reviewer noted: "Most sites seem a bit small and short to my eyes, more for drive in cars, vans and smaller RVs. The design feature that I could strange is every site has a built up 6" side curbs...and those that have trouble backing up a TT are going to be challenged keeping it between the curbs."
Dispersed RV options available: Navajo Cliffs offers large dispersed sites suitable for RVs without services. An experienced camper shared: "Free BLM camping. There are tons of sites, most right on the water. Basically you can camp anywhere you want. Big rigs are all over the place. Make no mistake, this is a very popular place and the weekends are very busy."
Road condition alerts: Forest roads to dispersed sites vary greatly in quality. For Spring Creek Road, a traveler advised: "The road that leads to this dispersed camping is dirt and quite bumpy but no holes. The site is clean with plenty of places for one-two RVs. There is very easy access to the lake from there."
Frequently Asked Questions
What scenic areas in Ashley National Forest are worth photographing?
Ashley National Forest boasts spectacular photography opportunities throughout its diverse landscape. The Flaming Gorge NRA area offers stunning waterfront vistas, particularly at sunset when the red rock formations glow against the water. For night photography enthusiasts, Carmel Campground provides exceptional stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution - perfect for capturing meteor showers and the Milky Way. The Sheep Creek Geological Loop delivers dramatic canyon views and unique rock formations. Red Canyon's vibrant vermilion cliffs create striking contrasts against the blue sky and green forests. Wildlife photography is excellent throughout the forest, with opportunities to capture deer, elk, and various bird species in their natural habitat. The Green River area and high mountain meadows also offer scenic vistas worth exploring with your camera.
Where are the best camping spots in Ashley National Forest?
Ashley National Forest offers diverse camping options for every preference. Deep Creek Campground stands out with beautiful riverside sites, excellent fishing access, and peaceful seclusion away from main roads. For dispersed camping enthusiasts, Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping provides numerous free sites with the only requirement being that you camp within 150 feet of developed roads (with a 16-day limit). Windy Park also offers free dispersed camping options. If you're seeking a location with easy access to activities, Carmel Campground is nestled in the forest with hiking, fishing, and proximity to the Sheep Creek Geological loop. For winter adventurers, Grizzly Ridge Yurt offers a unique camping experience with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities nearby.
What camping is available near Ashley National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ashley National Forest offers a wide range of camping options, with 172 campgrounds and RV parks near Ashley National Forest and 47 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ashley National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ashley National Forest is Spring Creek Road Dispersed - Flaming Gorge with a 4.9-star rating from 12 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ashley National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 47 free dispersed camping spots near Ashley National Forest.
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