Cabin rentals near Flaming Gorge provide shelter in an area where elevations range from 6,000 to 9,000 feet. Located on the Utah-Wyoming border, this reservoir extends nearly 91 miles with steep canyon walls and forested shores. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer thunderstorms common in afternoons and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing.
What to do
Paddling and fishing: Red Fleet State Park Campground offers excellent water activities and cabin options. "Red Fleet is an awesome lake for water sports. The campground is nice... They rent kayaks, paddle boards and canoes," notes one visitor. The park includes trails where you can view fossilized dinosaur tracks.
Wildlife viewing: Lucerne Campground provides opportunities to observe local wildlife while staying in cabin accommodations. "Antelope wander around the park all day and the water is crystal clear," reports one camper. Another adds, "The site had rabbits, deer and antelope roaming around."
Winter recreation: Seasonal cabins remain accessible during winter months. "Last spring we snowshoed into the Colton Guard Station. What a fun experience! It's about a five mile snowshoe from Highway 40," writes a visitor. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing provide alternative ways to access remote cabins when roads close.
What campers like
Privacy and location: Summit Springs Guard Station offers a secluded historical cabin experience. Though reviews note it's "off main road and mostly hidden from passing traffic on the geology loop road," the cost ranges from $175-$285 per night.
Warmth and comfort: The cabin accommodations provide protection from weather extremes. "We stayed in spot #21 with amazing views and every spot had a paved place for the truck," reports a camper at Flaming Gorge-Manila KOA. Another notes this facility is "very nice and clean. The staff is super friendly."
Cooking facilities: Most cabin rentals include basic amenities for meal preparation. According to one camper at Iron Springs Group Campground, "Circle Camp as we have named it is a popular site and you're lucky to score it anytime during the summer months. As you can see from the pictures it has a nice big fire pit."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Many cabins operate on limited schedules. "This campground is at end of the FS #18 paved road and then .7 mi of gravel. There are 20 sites, $10/ $5 senior. No host on site. No cell signal, no water and no trash dumpsters," reports a visitor to East Park Campground.
Amenities vary significantly: Bathroom and water access differs between locations. "Campground of 31 sites, with pit toilets but also has a flush toilet/4 shower building. And dump station," notes a Steinaker State Park visitor.
Reservation requirements: Secure bookings early, especially for popular cabins. "We didn't have a reservation and they have many first come first serve sites- we even got one with an amazing lake view," explains one Lucerne Campground visitor, though this experience is uncommon during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Steinaker State Park provides family-friendly cabin options with water access. "This is a great recreation area close to the town of Vernal, about 5 miles out. There is a lake for fishing, swimming and water sports. There is a nice beach with pavilions and picnic sites," writes one visitor.
Group accommodations: Iron Springs Group Campground offers facilities for larger family gatherings. "Nice large area in the trees on edge of a large open meadow grassy area. Signs note only two group areas but one in center seems to have all the shade and the tables," explains a visitor. The camp includes bathroom facilities and picnic tables.
Educational opportunities: Select cabins offer access to geological and historical sites. "When we arrived the campground was almost empty. There were a handful of folks fishing at the lake but overall it was a very quiet visit... If you come here, make sure to take the time to drive Red Cloud Loop Scenic Byway. Within a few miles of the campground we saw 4 moose."
Tips from RVers
Accessibility concerns: Sheep Creek Bay Boat Ramp and Campground provides unique cabin options with boat access. "This camp area is sectioned off of the very large sheep creek bay boat ramp parking. There are just 4-5 spots on blacktop for TTs and RVs, one tiny spot for a lone tenter," explains one visitor.
Parking considerations: Some cabin sites have limited parking. "The RV parking and hook ups are actually in the parking lot, but there is a nice green open space with tables that are assigned to each site," notes a Red Fleet visitor, describing how vehicle placement works at certain cabin locations.
Supply planning: Bring essential items as on-site stores are limited. "This park is 15 minutes from Vernal so if you forget anything you can get it with a quick trip to town," advises a visitor about Red Fleet State Park, while another notes that at Manila KOA, "The closest grocery store is 50 mins away."
