Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area spans 91 miles along the Wyoming-Utah border with elevations ranging from 6,000 to 7,500 feet. The region features dramatic red canyon walls contrasting with turquoise waters covering 42,000 acres. Weather conditions vary significantly throughout the year, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during days and dropping to 45-55°F at night.
What to Do
Fishing for kokanee salmon: During fall spawning season, the vibrant red salmon create a striking display at Sheep Creek. "Great fly fishing! Site 29 had 2 tables, views of Ashley Forest, and privacy. Very good campground with showers," notes a visitor to Firefighters Campground.
Paddleboarding on calm waters: Early mornings offer the calmest conditions before afternoon winds pick up. "We took our paddle boards out every day. The wind picked up in the afternoons, too hard to paddle, but we walked along the shore and found some lovely rocks," shares a camper at Spring Creek Road Dispersed.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area hosts pronghorn antelope, deer, eagles, and occasionally bighorn sheep. "The campground is at the end of a long dirt road, but it's good quality. Some noise from kids at other campsites until around 10:30pm. No litter. Good water access," reports a visitor to Navajo Cliffs.
Boat rentals at marinas: Cedar Springs Marina offers pontoon boats, kayaks and fishing equipment. "We stayed here for three nights having met my brother and wife, renting a pontoon boat for one day on the lake and enjoyed the views," mentions a camper at Cedar Springs Campground.
What Campers Like
Direct water access: Sites closest to the reservoir fill quickly during peak season. "Nice grassy spots, just pull in where ever you see a fire ring. The dirt road in isn't too bad and is pretty short, there were plenty of sedans driving in so it's accessible for most vehicles when the ground is dry," notes a camper at Spring Creek Road Dispersed.
Clean facilities: Campground hosts maintain bathrooms consistently throughout the season. "Clean sites, very overpaved. Picnic tables, firepits, pit toilets. Firewood sold by host $7/bundle. $24/night single site," explains a visitor to Cedar Springs Campground.
Variety of camping experiences: Options range from fully developed sites to primitive dispersed camping. "This campground has large RV spots and there are 140 of them. Antelope wander around the park all day and the water is crystal clear. We didn't have a reservation and they have many first come first serve sites," shares a camper at Lucerne Campground.
Scenic hiking trails: Red Canyon area offers views from multiple overlooks. "Don't miss Red Canyon Overlook and check out the campgrounds nearby for other stays," recommends a Cedar Springs Campground visitor.
What You Should Know
Limited cell service: Coverage varies by location and carrier. "I had full bars of LTE extended network on Verizon, enough to send texts, make calls, and could load some webpages but it was pretty slow," reports a Spring Creek Road camper.
Seasonal water availability: Many campgrounds have limited or no water early and late season. "Note that the water system was not functioning as of 6-2021 and that means all the flush Restrooms and the RV dump are closed. Welcome to portapotties for restrooms," warns a camper at Firefighters Campground.
Road conditions: Access to some dispersed sites requires careful navigation. "The road is bumpy but it's nothing a regular passenger car shouldn't be able to handle. The camp sites are spacious and each one is far enough from each other that peace and quietness was never an issue," shares a visitor to Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping.
Weather preparedness: Afternoon winds can be intense, particularly for tent campers. "Wind off the lake can be furious. Try to find a spot further in, especially if you are tent camping," advises a camper at Jug Hollow Road.
Tips for Camping with Families
Shower facilities: Deer Run Campground offers free showers for registered campers. "Clean toilets both pit and flush. Clean showers free to campers. Quiet. Paved level pull in campsite," mentions a visitor to Deer Run Campground.
Beach swimming areas: Sunny Cove day use area permits non-motorized watercraft only. "Plus is the close adjacent Sunny Cove day use swim beach area. No motorized, kayaks, paddle boards, canoes only, very nice for families," recommends a camper at Mustang Ridge.
Wildlife encounters: Schedule early morning or evening wildlife viewing when animals are most active. "This campground sits right on the shore of Lake Flaming Gorge. Hiking is great right out of the campground," shares a Jug Hollow Road visitor.
Dog friendly campgrounds: All dispersed areas permit pets, while established sites have specific rules. "Our site was a pull-thru that accommodated our 32 ft truck/trailer combo with just enough space for an additional vehicle. Numerous trees provided some shelter from the wind and made the site private," notes a Mustang Ridge camper about their dog-friendly accommodations.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Many campgrounds have size restrictions despite being labeled "big rig friendly." "Site 12 lists a 35' maximum length and it took us two tries to get in while gathering a crowd. But we fit with a few feet to spare parking our tow vehicle down by the camp host," explains a visitor to Cedar Springs Campground.
Dump station access: Limited services available during shoulder seasons. "Upon arrival the campground was about half full, but no water was on yet, the dump station was closed, the camp host had set up, but was not present," cautions a Cedar Springs camper.
Leveling challenges: Prepare blocking materials for uneven sites. "The design feature that I found strange is every site has a built up 6" side curbs...and those that have trouble backing up a TT are going to be challenged keeping it between the curbs," observes a Firefighters Campground visitor.
Generator policies: Rules vary by location, particularly in dog-friendly dispersed camping areas. "Several generators running during the hot days but they were shut off at night which was nice since we were tent camping," shares a Mustang Ridge camper.
