202 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campers passing through the Sanpete Valley use Ephraim as a base for Manti-La Sal National Forest access to the east. The Forest Service roads heading up into the mountains from town give tent, dispersed, and cabin options depending on what someone is after. Ephraim dispersed options cover the primitive sites with no water or restrooms, where the 14-day stay limit and pack-in/pack-out rules apply.
Manti-La Sal National Forest is the main draw for campers in this stretch of central Utah. Manti-La Sal dispersed sites span a much larger section of forest than what's immediately accessible from Ephraim, with roads branching into Sanpete and Carbon counties. Elevation here climbs above 10,000 feet in places, so roads stay snow-covered into May most years and close again by November. Bring water regardless of season.
"It is RIGHT next to a mountain bike trail, so expect some early-morning bikers to be coming down. Overall, it was a great place to camp."
"Campsite I stayed at/the drive up is amazing during sunset"
"You are WALKING distance from sport climbs of all grades. Verizon service just outside the campground, where the pavement ends we parked at a turnout."
"There are a lot of campsites and all are right next to climbing areas. The maple leaves in the fall are fantastic."
from $10 - $40 / night
Check Availability"There are great atv trails nearby. There is a great golf course right next to the lake/campground. The restaurant at the golf club has really good food. The bathrooms are kept clean."
"This place is a great place to camp if you have one of the single or double site next to lake. There is plenty of grass and great facilities. The group site on other side of road is not the best."
from $35 - $300 / night
Check Availability"The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because some of the sites aren't level and are pretty close to each other. I had to use 3 yellow square leveling blocks on the left side."
"Not too far off the highway and I felt like I was up deep in the mountains. This park is beyond pretty. Staff was great. All around great visit."
from $50 - $300 / night
Check Availability"Manti Community is located just outside of Manti UT and is easily accessible via a dirt road. It's never full and rarely has any people."
"This is a forest campsite with vault toilets nearby. Lots of wildlife especially small furry ones. Dirt road into the site is bumpy. Great for peace and quiet."
from $10 - $40 / night
Check Availability"It was a really nice camp ground with a lot of off road trails. Cant swim in the lake because its really small but it has a lot of fish. A lot of cows and horses roaming freely."
from $10 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Weren’t too many campers around. Lots of trees for shade. Lake is drying up and looks a bit sad."
"Right near the reservoir, I had a freat, secluded time, while in between bouldering seasion. Will visit again but will camp roght outside park with the other renegades"
from $10 - $18 / night
Check Availability"It rained a bit, then cleared up so you get some extra mud boots in that case with the unique utah red soil. Temperature in april was in the high 30Fs at night, and the sound of coyotes can be heard."
"Close proximity to the water, newer facilities at each site. We appreciated the shade over each table! The food prep table was a nice touch."
from $40 - $90 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe stayed in the 3100 section and it was beautiful. Aspens every where. It was cool and we needed some jackets for sure. There was still snow on the mountain and we were able to hike out and build a snow man. Amazing lakes and wonderful views. The bluebells were in bloom and breathtaking!
GuideThe hike was a little scary if you’re scared of heights but beautiful views of hills and the river.
GuideThere were many camp sites that had the most amazing views of the city below and sunrise! Would love to stay longer and explore more!
TravelerNice campground, quiet and away from the highway. There are 20 individual sites and three large group sites. Sites 1-18 are in the trees; 19 and 20 catch the early morning sun. There are numerous water hydrants and the outhouses were clean.
TravelerFun campground with a discovery walking nature trail. Dry camping with easy river/creek access. Stayed in loop A - lots of trees, birds and insects. Clean and close to the Salt Lake Valley. Fun place to camp with family. Limited cell service, clean vault toilets, great fire rings, picnic tables.
ScoutThis was my backyard all growing up. Absolutely beautiful! When you go up the main road, there is a park and you can stay overnight there and there are actual bathrooms there.
GuideAs of June 2026 they are charging $15/site/night. Past the campsite you can access New Joe’s Bouldering Area, though the road is very rough.
The campsite, however, is right off the road so no trouble with roads to camp for the night. You could technically hike from the vault toilets to the bouldering but it would be ~30min walk to get there
GuidePlenty of space here. Bathroom/showers are very nice and spacious. Wish I could be here longer. The Price river runs along the backside of the park.
GuideIt rained a bit, then cleared up so you get some extra mud boots in that case with the unique utah red soil. Temperature in april was in the high 30Fs at night, and the sound of coyotes can be heard. Amazing views and very quiet. You'll see the wildlife is shy, and I think they have some burrows in the landscape nearby
Camping sites near Ephraim, Utah include both established facilities and dispersed locations at elevations between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. The Manti-La Sal National Forest surrounds much of the region, creating camping opportunities that extend from sagebrush valleys to aspen-filled mountains. Temperatures in summer typically range from 45°F at night to 85°F during daytime, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August.
Rock climbing at conglomerate cliffs: Maple Canyon Campground is known for its unique cobblestone walls that attract climbers of all levels. "You are WALKING distance from sport climbs of all grades... If you are interested in geology, this place is worth at least a hike. Some canyons have pictographs too!" notes Sarah W.
Fishing for multiple species: The reservoirs around Ephraim provide good fishing opportunities throughout the season. A visitor to Oasis Campground reported, "There is a lot to fish for including northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, wiper, and catfish year-round."
Mountain biking on forest trails: Many camping areas connect directly to trail systems. Daniel S., who camped at Willow Creek Road, mentioned, "This was a great site to stop and pitch my rooftop tent. Not too far up the canyon, and it was very quiet. It is RIGHT next to a mountain bike trail, so expect some early-morning bikers to be coming down."
Paddle sports on reservoirs: Several nearby lakes offer non-motorized boating. "The lake is nice and the trails around the lake are good for running, 4-wheeling and exploring," explains Madison G. about Manti Community Campground.
Privacy at dispersed sites: Willow Creek Road Dispersed Site offers quieter alternatives to established campgrounds. "There is some ATV traffic but respectfully slow. Good roads in but we got there on a Sunday night and quite a bit of traffic heading out. I imagine the weekends are busy. Lots of spots to camp along the road but this one seemed the most private," reports Tracey W.
Fall colors in canyons: September and October bring spectacular foliage to higher elevations. Lisa from Maple Canyon noted, "Fall is beautiful with all the colors! We were here in late October after a little snow so the place was empty. Even with no host (assume gone for winter) the area was very clean, pit toilets were open and stocked with TP."
Dark skies for stargazing: The remote location means minimal light pollution. At Painted Rocks Campground, Ashlee W. experienced "the sky was so dark you could see thousands of stars."
Clean facilities: Developed campgrounds typically maintain good service standards. "The camp sites are great. They were clean and well kept," shares Venessa C. about Joes Valley Reservoir.
Seasonal closures and access: Most forest campgrounds operate from late May through October. At Lake Hill Campground a camper noted, "It was a really nice camp ground with a lot of off road trails. Cant swim in the lake because its really small but it has a lot of fish. A lot of cows and horses roaming freely."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location. According to Lisa at Maple Canyon, "No cell service. Closest cell reception is top of canyon (via hike) or where concrete road ends at mouth of canyon."
Road conditions: Some dispersed camping areas require appropriate vehicles. Ethan W. advised about Maple Canyon, "You are gonna want a car that can deal with some bumpy roads but a great place with climbing."
Wildlife presence: Bears and other wildlife inhabit the mountains. "Bear and cougar country so keep your food and trash properly stored," warns Lisa about camping in forest areas.
Trash disposal: Some sites lack trash facilities. "Campground does not have dumpsters. You are required to pack everything out so try to have as little of garbage as possible or make space for it with you to take," explains Mars B. about Joes Valley Reservoir.
Look for sites with recreational amenities: Manti - La Sal KOA offers facilities designed for children. "The staff there are super helpful and friendly. The campground is well maintained and clean with lot of trees for shade. The camp spots are plenty large with all the amenities anyone would need regardless of RV size," notes Garrad J.
Consider mid-week visits: Weekends bring higher traffic to popular camping areas. "Many places to camp. For best selection arrive in the middle of the week," advises David C. about Jimmy's Fork dispersed camping area.
Check reservoir conditions: Water levels can affect beach access and swimming. "The water was really low. We don't own a boat, so we were shore bound. Lots of rocks and trash on the shores and the sand was like quick sand along the water," reports Venessa C. about Joes Valley Reservoir.
Prepare for temperature swings: Elevation affects comfort significantly. One camper at Maple Canyon recalled, "We didn't realize it was still covered in snow. I drive a Subaru outback AWD and still needed to stop and put on the chains... Though it got pretty cold my son had thought ahead and brought zero degree sleeping bags."
Site leveling challenges: Prepare leveling equipment for uneven sites. Jeff W. cautioned about Manti Community Campground, "The site is not level and is covered with crushed rock instead of smooth gravel... We have a 32' trailer and thought we could turn around in the site, don't try that. There is a +/- 30 yard lane you have to back down to get your trailer to the site."
Campground navigation: Large rigs require planning at some sites. At Painted Rocks Campground, one RVer advised, "We have a 42 ft motorhome and a separate pickup with a 6x12 trailer and we fit both in a pull through site and it looked like there was another 40 feet available. We were in campsite #2 but it looks like there are other sites that are quite long. The site was level with water and 50 amp power."
Alternative options during peak times: Forest roads can accommodate RVs when campgrounds fill. At Maple Canyon, Rebecca J. noted, "Even if the spots are full, there is a lot of camping along side the road on your way in."
Service limitations: Many sites don't offer full hookups. "It is a bit of a downhill walk to the lake, but worth it given that there are plenty of fish and crawdads to catch for a big fish-fry!" reports Derek E. about camping at Joes Valley Reservoir.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping spots near Ephraim, Utah?
Ephraim offers diverse camping options in central Utah. Manti-LaSal National Forest Potters Pond Campground provides a tranquil forest setting with abundant trees, accessible via Millers Flat Road. For those seeking RV accommodations, Pleasant Creek Ranch (formerly Manti-La Sal KOA) offers full hookups and amenities. Additional options include Maple Canyon for rock climbing enthusiasts, dispersed camping along Skyline Drive with mountain views, and Lake Hill Campground. Most Forest Service campgrounds in the area are open from late May through September, depending on snow conditions at higher elevations.
What camping facilities are available in Ephraim Canyon?
Ephraim Canyon offers several camping options with varying facilities. Maple Canyon provides drive-in sites with basic amenities including vault toilets and some reservable spots, making it popular for climbers exploring the conglomerate rock formations. For more developed options, Palisade State Park Campground near Sterling offers water hookups, restrooms with showers, and reservable sites that can accommodate larger RVs. Many sites in the canyon feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails. Dispersed camping is also available along forest roads, though these lack facilities. Most campgrounds in the canyon are seasonal, typically operating from late spring through early fall.
Are there established campgrounds with facilities near Ephraim?
Yes, several established campgrounds with facilities are located near Ephraim. Miller Flat-Joes Valley-Huntington Canyon Recreation Area offers developed sites with access to fishing and outdoor recreation. Huntington State Park Campground provides restrooms and sites suitable for camping, though cleanliness has been noted as inconsistent. Other established options include Manti Community Campground with water and toilets, and Lake Hill Campground in the Manti-LaSal National Forest. Most established campgrounds in the area feature vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Many require reservations during the peak summer season, and fees typically range from $15-25 per night depending on amenities and location.
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