Dispersed tent camping areas near Emery, Utah range from 5,000 to 8,000 feet elevation across Manti-La Sal National Forest and adjacent BLM lands. The region features high-desert terrain with juniper woodlands transitioning to aspen and pine at higher elevations. Seasonal temperature variations are significant, with summer daytime readings often exceeding 90°F at lower elevations while higher camps maintain cooler conditions.
What to do
Mountain biking access: Willow Creek Road camping sites connect directly to mountain bike trails. "It is RIGHT next to a mountain bike trail, so expect some early-morning bikers to be coming down," notes Daniel S. about the Willow Creek Road Dispersed Site.
Wildlife viewing: Fish Lake National Forest dispersed camping offers opportunities to observe both domestic and wild animals. "We took a short walk and did encounter a small herd of cows near the road," reports Christy S. at Fish Lake National Forest.
Cathedral Valley exploration: Higher elevation sites provide access to more remote park sections. "If you follow the road all the way up you can access Cathedral Valley Campground (great views from up there)," suggests Azaali J. about the Polk Creek Road area.
What campers like
Temperature relief: Higher elevation sites provide escape from summer desert heat. "Weather is cooler than in Capitol Reef so it's a nice place to recharge and escape the heat," reports a visitor at Polk Creek Road Dispersed Camping.
Solitude: Many dispersed sites offer quiet camping away from crowds. "I passed several occupied sites but found a gorgeous pull through with beautiful views. Private, only had 3 cars drive by in 18 hours," shares Alisa H. about camping in the area.
Sunset viewpoints: Several sites feature exceptional evening light displays. "Campsite I stayed at/the drive up is amazing during sunset," notes Dalton about the Willow Creek area.
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Seasonal bans frequently affect camping areas. "There's currently fire restrictions so we didn't have a fire but we set up a nice little sitting area around the fire with logs we found in the forested area," explains Azaali J.
Bear presence: Wildlife precautions are necessary in certain areas. "There is a mama bear and cub in the area although we didn't see her," warns a camper at Polk Creek Road.
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs significantly between sites. "Great views, quiet, only downside is no cell service," reports Dave B. about Fish Lake, while another camper notes, "I had cell service- T-Mobile" at the same general area.
Weather conditions: Higher elevations experience extreme conditions in winter and shoulder seasons. "You are at almost 8000 ft so not a winter camping spot," advises Tracey W. about Elkhorn Recreation Site.
Tips for camping with families
Pack warm clothing: Even summer nights require layers at higher elevations. "It is higher elevation so make sure you bring your coat," advises Brad B. "We stay up here quite often during the elk hunt and it is quite busy in the fall but there is still plenty of room for the kids to bring bikes and 4 wheelers."
Weekday visits: Reduced traffic creates better family camping experiences. "We got there on a Sunday night and quite a bit of traffic heading out. I imagine the weekends are busy," observes Tracey W. about weekend patterns.
Road conditions: Some access roads present challenges for standard vehicles. "The road getting up to the camp ground is dirt and sometimes can have ruts and is bumpy but has really good access and is well maintained," notes a visitor to Trio Ravine Overlook.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through accessibility: Several dispersed sites accommodate larger vehicles. "This was our first time boondocking and this spot did not disappoint! It's convenient to I-70 but feels very remote. There was a spot on the left that would have had awesome sunset views, but we took the next one on the right. It had a pull through and trees," shares Christy S.
Wind exposure: Open sites experience significant gusts seasonally. "Very windy in March but breathtaking night skies and beautiful sunrise," reports Lauren S. about camping at Trio Ravine.
Road surface quality: Access roads vary considerably in condition. "Close off I70, a little washboard on lower road," notes Alisa H., while another camper describes, "Road is easy to travel."
