Manti-LaSal National Forest Lake Hill Campground welcomes dogs at all campsites with picnic tables spread throughout the pine-covered grounds. Palisade State Park Campground provides full-hookup sites for RVs and pet-friendly cabins with nearby water access where dogs can cool off during summer months. Both locations require pets to remain leashed when outside vehicles or tents. Maple Canyon and Manti Community campgrounds also accommodate pets with spacious sites suitable for tent and RV camping. Dispersed camping options include Willow Creek Road and Jimmy's Fork, where pets can roam more freely on the natural terrain. Small furry wildlife frequently visits campsites at night, so secure food storage is essential when camping with pets.
Several hiking trails accessible from campgrounds allow leashed dogs to join their owners for outdoor exploration. The Willow Creek area features mountain bike trails where early-morning hikers with dogs should be aware of cyclists coming downhill. Willow Creek Road sites sit at nearly 8,000 feet elevation, making them unsuitable for winter camping with pets. Dispersed camping areas offer more privacy for dogs that may be reactive to other campers but lack amenities like waste stations or water sources. During weekends, pet-friendly sites throughout the region fill quickly, with better availability mid-week according to frequent visitors. The nearby small towns provide basic supplies and veterinary services, though bringing all necessary pet food and medications is recommended as local options are limited.
$10 - $20 / night
"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."
$35 - $300 / night
"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."
"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"
$50 - $300 / night
"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."
$10 - $40 / night
"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."
$10 - $40 / night
"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."
$10 - $18 / night
"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"
$40 - $100 / night
"Place really gave that “middle of nowhere feel”, lake and surrounding area were beautiful. Campsites were simple and bathrooms were nice."
"Nearby dump station. Some grass and green areas for dogs. Adequate shower facilities. Pretty scenery, and several miles away from the interstate so very quiet."
$40 - $90 / night
"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."
"We chose site 15 having never been here before because it was close to a restroom and we have a toddler. During our stay there was only one other person in the campground and it was quiet."
TravelerThis is a rest stop. It's great. There is a dog park. Water to hook up to for a fill. There are a ton of picnic tables and a paved walking path through an outdoor educational museum. bathroom too. Perfect for an in between salt lake and Moab.
TravelerAwesome first camp of the year. Booked as soon as the state parks opened back up. Place really gave that “middle of nowhere feel”, lake and surrounding area were beautiful. Campsites were simple and bathrooms were nice. Only issue we had was we accidentally booked a site without electric. Could’ve been more clear on website, but also likely a rookie mistake being our first camp in Utah
RangerWe chose this area as a central location to Moab, Provo and SLC! Nice scenic drives to all of those places from camp and did not feel too far out. Campground was clean and well kept. Staff is very nice and helpful. It will be beautiful in a few years with the landscaping investment they have made. Plenty of individual showers. I recommend the ones at office building, they are bigger. Laundry facilities great. Huge plus is dish washing sink with hot water. It is always nice to not have to wash dishes in camper. Dog park, playground and splash pad. My only caution is that it is between Highway and railroad tracks so if you are noise sensitive be aware. We didn’t notice any major noise and slept very comfortably with the nice flowing River behind us. Helper is cute town to explore.
GuideNo concrete pads, just gravel with grass and picnic tables between. The landscaping looks a little overgrown. The fencing around the small dog park isn’t secure.
Office and laundry facilities are closed on Sundays. Bathrooms are small but clean with one toilet stall and two shower stalls each.
Full hookups and pull through spaces. Wi-Fi is available but we didn’t test it.
It’s a very quiet place. Fillmore has a Best Western with a golf course, a few gas stations and a Carls Jr.
ScoutWe love going to this Park in Castle Dale. Castle Dale has so much to offer us because we have 3 kids and there is so much to do in the area. Our kids are 9, 7 and 3 1/2 so it makes things very convenient and easy for us to go there and we can rent ATV's locally as well and there is a lot of close by site seeing.
The park has a new owner and they have been consistently improving the parks. We were there about a month ago and they just opened up the laundry facility and club house, I hear they are going to add a dog park , provide propane sales and even have charging stations for EVs. Love that they are making these improvements shows that they really care
GuideBeautiful RV Park!! Friendly service! Escorted to our Site# 201 which backed up to the Price River. Site was super level for us. Great space between neighbors on our side of the park. There is a picnic table. However, we took our chairs down to the river bank each evening. So tranquil and relaxing! Laundry room is nice and all machines were in working order. We did not use the restrooms but took a peek in and they are all clean and look new. Beautiful mountain scenery as well. AT&T, T-Mobile Cell Service were excellent. No issues with their WiFI. So many cable channels! If there was one Con, it was that the dog park/run area was muddy. Looks like they are watering the area to maybe get more grass to grow. However, there are plenty of other grassy spots with Dog Waste Stations and bags to walk your dog. Street traffic noise can be heard. We do have a white noise machine and it did not interrupt our sleep. Enjoyed our relaxing stay here! Highly recommend!
TravelerStayed here at the end of the camp season. It’s a nice campground, but the spots are a little confusing. First, their normal campsites are really small. We’d actually accidentally set up residence in a double spot without knowing it. So that was unexpected, given the spots are kind of pricey already (normally it’s $23/night, but the doubles were $46/night). And although we only had 6 people (limit for a single site is 8), we also had to pay an additional $8 for the extra car. Besides that, it’s nice that they allow pets.
ScoutWe camped here in May, 2024, on our way north, traveling through Utah. What looked like a nice campground from the Utah State Park website was not a nice campground. Firstly, the bathrooms were not clean. Second, this seems to be a hang-out for the locals in Huntington, especially the teens. Third, what few trees there are, are half-dead from not being watered. There is evidence that a lot have been cut down, probably because they died entirely. It is a mystery that a state park, with a reservoir, does not water the grass and trees in the campground! Fourth, and most importantly, there is semi-truck traffic on the highway that borders the campground, about every 5-10 minutes, day and night, no exaggeration! Drive a few hours northeast and camp at Green River State Park in Green River, UT. That is truly a nice, park-like setting, away from the noise of I-70.
LegendWe were blown away at how tranquil and beautiful the surroundings are at Potters Pond Campground. The abundant trees and brush truly make one feel like they are a million miles away from home. The journey to the campground starts at Millers Flat Road which is a dirt road that is for the most part well groomed/maintained. It is very bumpy, but can be done with most vehicles. We were towing our 24' TT so we were going slow. It is about 8.3 miles of dirt road to the campground from UT 31. The sites are spaced far enough from each other which gives you plenty of room to spread out and relax. The short walk to the pond is easy and you will appreciate the stillness of the water. Most people were either fishing or enjoying the pond on a row boat. Not 100% sure if the pond is okay to swim in as there are no signage and the presence of blue algae is apparent. Potters Pond is part of the USDA national forest and is wide open and plenty of trails to hike/bike. The campground is adjacent to the Appain Trails where one has access to 300+ miles of off-road enjoyment.
The campground does not have any potable water or any services. There are vault toilets spread out throughout the grounds. Also, there are no dumpsters....so what you bring in, you have to take with you. The campground is situated above 9000ft elevation so the days are mild warm and the nights can be cool to cold. If you're looking for solitude and nature, this is the place to go!
Dispersed camping near Ephraim offers numerous options in the Manti-LaSal National Forest with elevations ranging from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. The area features a mix of pine forests and open meadows with seasonal wildflowers blooming from late spring through early summer. Summer temperatures typically range 70-85°F during the day and drop to 40-50°F at night, requiring campers to prepare for significant temperature variations.
Conglomerate rock climbing: Maple Canyon attracts climbers with its unique geological features. "This was mom's (me) first camping trip, ever! My son and I found this gem in late March (opening day 3/21)... We've tried to go back over a weekend in the later spring and summer, but it's a rock climbers paradise and now you need reservations on the weekend," notes Belinda H. about Maple Canyon.
Fishing in nearby reservoirs: The fishing opportunities vary by season and location. "Great rec area including a playground. Bathrooms well maintained and pedal boat and other boat rentals. Plenty of fish to catch off the shore or in a boat," reports Matt L. about Palisade State Park Campground.
Mountain biking on local trails: Trails connect many camping areas and offer varying difficulty levels. "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," mentions Daniel S. about Willow Creek Road dispersed site.
Privacy at dispersed sites: "Just off of willow creek rd. Turn left at the map coordinates. You are at almost 8000 ft so not a winter camping spot. 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," shares Tracey W. about Willow Creek Road - Dispersed Site.
Well-maintained facilities: State park campgrounds offer more amenities than forest service sites. "We stayed here for one night on a road trip. We chose site 15 having never been here before because it was close to a restroom and we have a toddler. The shade shelter, tent pad, and table were very well taken care of and clean," says Ashlee W. about Painted Rocks Campground.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Ephraim: Many sites accommodate pets with specific rules. "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," explains Anthony B. about Manti Community, which allows pets throughout the campground.
Weather considerations: High elevation sites experience dramatic temperature changes. "You are at almost 8000 ft so not a winter camping spot," warns Tracey W. about dispersed camping in the area.
Weekend crowds: Plan ahead for busy periods, especially at established campgrounds. "Many places to camp. For best selection arrive in the middle of the week. Good UTV trails nearby," advises David C. about Jimmy's Fork - Dispersed Campsite.
Wildlife encounters: Small animals frequently visit campsites. "This is a forest campsite with vault toilets nearby. Lots of wildlife especially small furry ones," notes Anthony B. about Manti Community campground.
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires appropriate vehicles. "Dirt road in, off the hwy, was a bit rutted, but we made it okay in van," reports Mark M. about Maple Canyon.
Choose sites with amenities: Families typically prefer established campgrounds with facilities. "The campground is spacious, has showers, running water bathrooms, fire pits, cement pads and pavilions. Great place to camp- much better than being on the beach- due to the wind!" recommends Andrea P. about Oasis Campground — Yuba State Park.
Look for recreation options: Water features provide entertainment for children. "We've been coming here for several years now, and it hasn't disappointed! It is a simple yet adventurous place to hang out and stay a few nights at! We really love the lake and all the little trails we could mountain bike on!" shares Brittley A. about Palisade State Park.
Consider site layout: Some campgrounds offer more space between sites than others. "We come here often. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 star is because the campsites are too close together and our best kept secret is no longer a secret and it is crowded all the time," notes Karin W. about pet-friendly camping at Palisade State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Many forest service campgrounds have uneven sites. "Beautiful campground overall. We stayed in site #8 which is secluded. 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," cautions Jeff W. about Manti Community.
Length restrictions: Check campground information before arriving with large rigs. "Nice large campsites. Can be hard to navigate with a large trailer or RV," advises Tanner S. about Manti-LaSal National Forest Lake Hill Campground.
Hookup availability: Only certain campgrounds offer full services. "There is not much to do in the area and the lake is seriously low, but it is a great place to park for a night or two if you want peace and quite and you have a big rig. We have a 42 ft motorhome and a separate pickup with a 6x12 trailer and we fit both in a pull through site," explains Phillip R. about Painted Rocks Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ephraim, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ephraim, UT is Maple Canyon with a 4.4-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ephraim, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 128 dog-friendly camping locations near Ephraim, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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