Fishlake National Forest spans 1.5 million acres across central Utah with elevations ranging from 5,500 to 11,800 feet, creating diverse camping conditions throughout the year. The forest contains over 100 lakes and reservoirs including Fish Lake, Utah's largest natural mountain lake at 2,500 acres. Weather varies significantly by season with summer daytime temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F, while nighttime temperatures can drop to 40-50°F even in July.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Fishlake National Forest Doctor Creek Campground, you'll find excellent lake access for anglers. "Fishing, boating.. really it has a lot of activities. No solitude though, if that is what you are after," notes one camper who appreciated the variety of water activities.
ATV trail riding: Lizzie & Charlies RV-ATV Park offers direct trail access for off-roading enthusiasts. A visitor mentioned, "Very clean. People are very friendly," making it ideal for ATV riders seeking both quality accommodations and immediate trail access.
Mountain exploration: The area surrounding Bear Valley RV and Campground provides extensive exploration options. "Beautiful area. Surround by mountains and farm fields... Bryce Canyon National park was about 40 mins away. Zion National Park was a little over an hour. Cedar Breaks National Monument was around those same times too," reports one camper who used the location as a base for regional exploration.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention the cleanliness of facilities at campgrounds near Fishlake National Forest. One camper at Bear Valley RV and Campground stated, "This camp ground was easily the nicest and most well taken care of on our camping trip! The cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen at a camp ground!"
Spacious sites: Monroe Canyon RV Park receives high marks for its site dimensions. A reviewer noted, "The spaces are wide and long and can accommodate some pretty lengthy rigs," making it suitable for larger recreational vehicles and those needing extra space.
Friendly management: The personal touch from owners makes a difference at several campgrounds. At Monroe Canyon RV Park, a camper shared, "Jordan was an amazing host and I don't believe I have met anyone more friendly. Take some time and stop by the red barn and get some BYU creamery ice cream for yourself."
What you should know
Operating seasons: Most RV camping near Fishlake National Forest operates seasonally. Doctor Creek Campground has a defined season from "May 18 to September 6," while other facilities may close during winter months due to elevation and snowfall.
Site assignments: Some parks assign spaces rather than allowing selection. A reviewer at South Forty RV Park mentioned, "The only thing I didn't love is that you don't get to reserve a specific site. They assign one to you when you arrive."
Utility connections: RV parks vary in hookup configurations. "The hookups on our sites were more to one end of the site and not so much in the middle of the site," noted a visitor at Rubys Inn RV Park and Campground, highlighting potential setup adjustments for some rigs.
Wildlife presence: Several campgrounds feature resident wildlife. At Sevier River RV Park, a camper observed, "There is a fishing pond that was also home to geese, ducks and other birds. A river runs along two sides of the park. There is also an enclosure containing chickens and turkeys."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specific features for younger campers. Bear Valley RV and Campground provides "a playground," according to a regular visitor who returns annually with family.
Educational opportunities: Explore cultural sites nearby with children. A camper staying at Sevier River RV Park noted, "Fremont Indian State Park is nearby. We found this to be a very interesting park to see petroglyphs and rock art, along with some examination of cultures and explorers."
Wildlife interaction: Kids enjoy supervised animal encounters at certain parks. At Sevier River RV Park, "The office provided food so our 3 year year old granddaughter could feed those birds," mentioned one grandparent, describing an engaging activity for young visitors.
Tips from RVers
Sizing considerations: RV camping near Fishlake National Forest accommodates various vehicle sizes. At Monroe Canyon RV Park, a full-timer observed, "The spaces are wide and long and can accommodate some pretty lengthy rigs. The great part for us was that it is accessible to the Paiute trail system within minutes."
Extended-stay amenities: For longer visits, practical facilities matter. "Bathrooms were clean and well maintained. Showers and a laundry are available," noted an RVer at Sevier River RV Park, who appreciated these conveniences during multi-day stays.
Connectivity options: Signal varies throughout the region. A visitor at Sevier River RV Park reported, "We had 3 bar LTE with Verizon. I was able to use my hotspot, though had trouble posting on Facebook later in the day," providing useful information for those needing to stay connected while camping.