Best Glamping near Manila, UT

Access to the park was easy as was check in. The camp hosts were super nice and very accommodating during our three night’s stay. We proceeded backwards through the campground as instructed to pull through site 8, which is FHUs and 50 AMP. We had to maneuver our 39’ fifth wheel so the utilities side bedroom slide wouldn’t go into a tree. The utilities are placed in the middle of the pad so that was nice. However, water pressure was only about 25 to 30 psi so we filled our freshwater tank and used the pump. We got spotty service on Verizon between 1 and 2 bars. In the mornings we were able to get our Verizon MiFi to work well. We really liked being on the upper campground level with more space between the sites and the covered patio with the picnic table. Sites 1- 8 that lead to the upper level are FHUs. Beware that site 8 is a 1/4 moon turn with a large tree then two poles out the front of the site that people have complained about hitting. We could have backed out of the site but decided to go carefully forward and we missed the poles(obvious from scrapes that some people did not), but we did scrape the branches of the trees. Pull through site 7 is probably the easiest FHU to get into. The rest of the sites are a mix of different services, i.e. water and electric or no hookups at all. They also have a couple of yurts and a cabin. The main draw here seemed to be OHVs but there were also a few people with boats. Checkout Moonshine Arch. It took us twice to find the Moonshine Arch, which is just down the road from Steinaker SP. Google maps nor Waze will get you to the trailhead. It's best to ask for directions from the camp host manning the Steinaker SP gate entrance. The first time we were not prepared and missed the turn to the left after you get on the gravel road(there's no sign). When we got to the parking area, we had no idea which way to go and ended up wondering around. There was a couple with a brochure(which you can get at the park office) but it was basically worthless. Since it was hot and we had our dogs, we bailed but did have a nice hike. The second day we were better prepared and found a blogger who had posted instructions. Basically its a.8/less than a mile moderate hike as follows: 1) go through the green gate to an old, rough jeep trail and follow it around to the right to another green gate, 2) before that green gate follow the trail to the left until you come to an intersection where you'll go right and continue until you get to the flat rocks that go up a hill, 3) climb the flat rock hill staying towards the left until you see a BLM info sign, 4) at the sign follow the trail to the left(at this point you can follow the footprints in the sand) and keep going until you get to the arch, which has a sign that you are there, and of course the arch is hard to miss at this point. Some info says you can see the arch after you climb the flat rock hill. You can see trees around the arch once you know where it is but not the arch itself. Also, if you are into dinosaurs, this is your area starting with Vernal’s museum plus state and national sights as well.

This was one of my favorite finds during my trip through Utah earlier this summer. We were checking out Flaming Gorge and, predictably, all the campgrounds were booked full. I prefer cool dispersed camping anyway, so I decided to venture off some forest roads to see what I could see. And man, that paid returns!

As you head down this forest road (it is a bit rough, low-clearance cars might have a rough go of it, as well as full-sized RVs) you'll see multiple minimal dispersed campsites, most with small man-made rock firepits and nothing else. You're back in the trees, but they aren't overly heavy, so the light comes through just fine, and you'll have open spots as well. One dispersed site on the way to mine looked to have an incredible view, but alas, it was taken.

My site was very large, right where the fire road (more a trail really) seemed to split in two directions. Tons of flat ground for tents, a big healthy stone firepit, and plenty of wood around to harvest. Set up shop as soon as I found it and glad I did. So quiet, big and open, trees for the hammock - basically everything I look for when I try and find a cool place to camp. 

Highly, highly recommended. Would camp here again in a heartbeat. Unfortunately I was too excited to remember to get any good photos of the site itself, so instead, please drool over the shishkabobs I got going on the fire, and the trees at dusk.

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. No shade and big toy hauler TTs seem to hog the area. $13/$6.50 senior, NO WATER no cell signal. Trash and toilets at boat ramp about 100yds away across the blacktop parking area. Unless you are a boat person, this blacktop cg area is not my idea of a cg. No RV dump either.

If you are in an RV with a boat and enjoy blacktop camping, this is the place to be. Close to the boat ramp, easy access. When we are with my elderly family who need to be stable we stay here. If we are just us and the kids and dogs we go stay at Dutch John.

It's hard to find a bad spot to camp at the reservoir and this campground is not an exception. The site we were in had plenty of shade and had a picnic table and a permanent fire ring.

This area is on the west side of the reservoir so you have plenty of hiking opportunities heading west up into the forests. If you continue on past the dam there is cliff diving at some boat docking sites on the east shores

My family has been camping here for 29 years!!! It our favorite spot in the lake!!! Somewhat protected from the storms and it’s a very quiet place!!!

This is a sectioned off section ofr the parking lot at the boat ramp where 4ish rvs can park/camp. While the camping isn't much, it is right at the boat ramp/launch which is super convenient. There are toilets. Very little shade.

Our reservation got changed at the last minute from Buckboard WY to Lucerne and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. The staff was super accommodating and friendly, and our campsite was absolutely gorgeous and one of the cleanest I’ve ever seen. Definitely recommend.

This campground is 20 dollars a night, which is a bit more than some of the nearby campgrounds. Very nice hosts and some grassy spots for tents. The views of flaming gorge are great.

We came late in the year, however one section was still open. There was plenty of spots to choose from. The site had rabbits, deer and antelope roaming around. The bathrooms were clean and well kept. No soap dispensers but there was a hand air dryer.

Great campsite next to the lake. The staff was great and super helpful. Antelope and ground squirrels have made this place home.

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- we even got one with an amazing lake view. This is one of those places I will never forget because it’s so pretty. Also, the bathrooms (flush toilets only) are super clean. Sites have electricity and water is available.

It’s alright not worth 22 bucks tho