For those who want to experience Manti-La Sal National Forest, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. Glamping is not only a fun alternative to traditional tent camping, but also allows you to pack more or less gear as you see fit. The Dyrt makes it easy to find glamping for your Manti-La Sal National Forest adventure.
Joe's Valley Reservoir Campground is located in a high mountain valley next to its namesake, at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the surrounding off-road vehicle trails. A paved road winds around the lake but quickly turns to dirt once the elevation begins to increase.
The reservoir offers good fishing for cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, tiger muskie and trophy splake. Boating, water skiing and canoeing are popular on the lake. A boat ramp is located nearby on the eastern shoreline. Horseback riding, bouldering, hiking and mountain biking are popular in the area as well.
Joe's Valley is situated on the Wasatch Plateau in Central Utah. Juniper, pinyon pine and sagebrush cover the area, and aspens and pines dot the surrounding hillsides. Located on a reservoir, there is nearby access to Seely Creek, Littles Creek, North Dragon Creek, and Lowry Water.
Renowned bouldering opportunities are located in nearby Straight and Cottonwood Canyons. Popular mountain fisheries at Grassy Lake, Pete's Hole, and Potters Ponds are all within 10 miles of the group site. The 370-mile Arapeen Off-Highway Vehicle Trail System can be accessed directly from the Reeder Trailhead, which includes 66 and 55-inch OHV trails. Attractions at Joe's Valley Reservoir include the Orange Olsen Guard Station cabin rentals, and Joe's Valley Group Pavilion.
$18 / night
$24 - $100 / night
Joes Valley Reservoir Campground is located in a high mountain valley adjacent to and just above Joes Valley Reservoir at an elevation of ~7,000 feet. Juniper, pinyon pine, and sagebrush cover the area, and aspen and pine dot the surrounding hillsides. Several sites provide nice views of the reservoir, and some sites are shaded. The campground contains several single- and double-family campsites, all of which are accessible. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Roads and parking spurs are paved. A boat ramp is located within the campground. The reservoir offers good fishing for cutthroat, rainbow trout, and trophy splake. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, water skiing, and canoeing, as well as horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. The expansive Arapeen OHV Trail System can be accessed just west of the reservoir and has more than 350 miles of designated, well-maintained trails that are suitable for all riding skill levels.
$10 - $18 / night
Orange Olsen is located at 7,000 feet with a panoramic view of Joes Valley. The dwelling and cabin offer amenities including solar powered lighting, LP range and heated shower. The dwelling can accommodate six visitors while the cabin sleeps four. These cabins do not have electricity.
Joes Valley Reservoir offers boating and fishing opportunities just minutes away. A boat ramp is available on the east and west shorelines. Joes Valley Campground is located immediately south of Orange Olsen, with Joes Valley Group Pavilion only a mile away.
The dwelling and cabin are set in an open sagebrush meadow interspersed with pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine trees. There is no shade available.
Renowned bouldering opportunities abound in nearby Straight and Cottonwood Canyons. Popular mountain fisheries at Grassy Lake, Pete's Hole, and Potters Ponds are all within 10 miles of Orange Olsen. The 370-mile Arapeen Off-Highway Vehicle Trail System can be accessed directly from the dwelling and cabin.
$40 - $60 / night
Perhaps the most popular recreation area on the Wasatch Plateau is the Miller Flat-Joes Valley-Huntington Canyon Rec Area. The area boundaries are at Huntington Canyon on the north to Wagon Road Ridge on the south, and from the Skyline drive on the west to the east Forest boundary. It’s beautiful, easily accessed from urban areas, and offers a great variety of recreational opportunities. Whether you camp, fish, hunt, hike, explore on OHVs, ride a horse, or enjoy a day on the lake, you can find a place to do it here. You will find developed camping, dispersed camping, lakes and streams, and a network of motorized and non-motorized trails. The scenery is fabulous and there are hundreds of ways to enjoy the outdoors. The closest access is from SR-10 and SR-31. Closest communities are Huntington and Orangeville on the east side of the plateau, although many visitors come through Fairview on the west.
Payson Lakes Campground is a local favorite, located just 12 miles from Payson, Utah. Visitors love the campground for its great fishing and canoeing opportunities, pretty scenery and close proximity to town.
Payson Lakes offers great canoeing and kayaking. Anglers enjoy fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Powerboats are prohibited.A popular day-use area is located on the shore of Big East Lake, with a small swim beach, picnic tables and flush toilets. A paved nature path begins at the parking area and circles the lake.
The campground is nestled in a forest of aspen, fir and pine trees at an elevation of 8,000 feet. The Payson Lakes area is made up of McClelland, Box and Big East Lakes. Summer wildflowers are abundant. A variety of wildlife makes its home around the lakes.
For facility specific information, please call (385) 273-1100.
The Mount Nebo Wilderness Area is adjacent, brimming with beautiful mountain scenery, pristine waters, abundant wildlife, vibrant summer wildflowers and numerous trail opportunities. The Nebo Loop Scenic Byway stretches 37 miles through high alpine terrain, dense forests and colorful meadows. Devil's Kitchen Geological Area can be found along the loop. It offers a 1/2-mile round-trip trail to interesting red rock hoodoos.
Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. Recreation.gov Billing Information Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777." Changes to Policies and Procedures Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 2018.
$305 / night
Buckhorn RV Park and Resort is located in Huntington, Utah, between the Manti La Sal Mountain range and the San Rafael Swell.
We offer spacious pull-through RV spots, luxury cabins and Tipis, as well as tent sites and a group area for rent. There are bathrooms, showers, and a laundry facility on site. Other amenities include WiFi, cable TV, propane, batting cages, pickleball courts, table tennis, horseshoe pits, cornhole sets, foosball, mini golf (coming soon), and a playground.
Nearby recreation includes boating, hunting, fishing, bouldering, biking, horse-riding, and much more. Come enjoy the wild with all the comforts of home at Buckhorn RV Park and Resort!
$24 - $148 / night
Gooseberry Group Campground is located on an aspen-covered hillside above Gooseberry Reservoir, at an elevation of 8,500 feet. Visitors enjoy fishing and canoeing on the small reservoir and exploring area trails.
Gooseberry Reservoir, which is visible from several sites, offers good cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing, as well as canoeing. The Great Western Trail runs near the campground, offering excellent opportunities for hiking, biking and off-road vehicle riding.
The campground lies within a grove of aspens that is dotted with mature fir trees, in a valley high on the Wasatch Plateau. Some campsites are sunny with little tree cover, while some have ample shade. Sagebrush, grasses and summer wildflowers fill the scenic valley.
$40 / night
Scout
Nice big shade trees. Close to town. On the website it says atv’s need to be registered in Utah so I understood you can ride there. I was wrong you can’t have atv’s in the campground.
ScoutBeing that we already live in southern Utah county, this place has become a go to for our family. Only about 45 mins away from Payson Ut.
Great fishery for children and youth, as well as an amazing area for swimming and kayaking. They do not allow motorized boats, so it is safe. Also the lake isn't too big so if your teen blows across the lake on his kayak or raft he can easily walk it back around the lake.
We definitely recommend it.
Scout
I really want to give a poor review so no one else will take my future reservations. However, they really are in a great location and easily accessible. The Dwelling is large enough to hold a really big family or two couples with small children. The cabin is pretty small but large enough for a family of four. Both have showers, toilet, with running water. The lake is about a mile down the road. The nearest open boat dock is on the other side of the lake (~3 miles). The ATV trails are endless and right out the driveway is access to Skyline Drive AKA God's Country. Fishing is good at Joe's spring and fall. Summer time is better for swimming and wake boarding. The smaller lakes and ponds are better suited for summertime fishing. Luckily the are short drives. Not much of a rock climber but I know the only reason my in-laws come is to go drag themselves up a rock while I wet a fly. Overall a pretty laid back place to spend a few days relaxing.
RangerGreat for groups. I really enjoyed this place.
Scout
Stayed 3 nights. Very pretty and very easy to get to. Didn’t stay at the campground drive down an oil rig road and found a camp spot with no one around!!.
TravelerEndless trails to ride/hike good camping and fishing highly recommended!!!
LegendJoes Valley Campground is beautiful campground in the idle of Manti-La Sal mountain range.
The campground is clean and well kept. We stayed in site 26. There were trees on both sides of the campsite and there is ample spacing between sites. There are water spigots throughout the campground to fill water containers, but non at the individual sites.
There are no trash bins onsite, so what you bring in, you have to pack out. The campground sits right on the Joes Valley Reservoir which is a beautiful turquoise color and is great for boating and fishing. The water is still very cold for swimming.
There is no shortage of biking, hiking and riding trails. The campground sits adjacent to the Arapeen Tail which is a network of OHV trails. We stayed two nights here and wished we could stay more. Will definitely be back. Highly recommend.
Traveler
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
LegendJoe's Valley Reservoir Campground is in the Manti-La Sal Forest about 22 miles off the main road (Route 10). The water and OHV trails outside the campground are what draw people here.
No campsites are close to the water, but you can find a path to the water from the campground and there are nice views from many sites. The marina and boat launch are past the campground entrance. This is not the type of place for a quiet camping experience, but I didn't expect that at a reservoir campground with nearby OHV trails. (Trail maps are on the back of the information board as you enter.)
Sites 1 through 7 are the only non-reservation sites, but we had no problem on a Thursday afternoon choosing a site for one night among the reservable sites. Based on the reservation placards on the posts, the campground was filling up on Friday.
Site notes:
Our site (23) was wide and deep and had lots of trees. We enjoyed the privacy as we couldn't see sites on either side, and we were far enough back that we couldn't see the site across the road.
As you enter, sites 7 up through the 20s have many tall trees. The other side of the campground is more open, and the trees are not as tall.
Double sites (D on the post, 17 out of 48 sites) cost $18 instead of $10. A double site has two picnic tables and a pad that is double in width. There are no discounts on double sites with a pass such as the America the Beautiful Senior Pass.
Tenters, this doesn't look like the best place for tents, but people were managing to find relatively flat spots.
Pads on single sites for back in or pullthrough easily accommodate large trailers and fifth wheel campers. That translates to many generators which can be run from 6 am to 10 pm.
ATVs and larger OHVs are popular. People were riding the smaller ones on the campground loops...fast.
This is a no frills Forest Service campground with vault toilets and drinking water. Be prepared to take your trash home because there are no dumpsters.
LegendSince I was about 3, my family has gone to Joes Valley Reservoir for an extended family reunion! We tend to reserve the entire lower loop for a week in August. It's a bit of a downhill walk to the lake, but worth it given that there are plenty of fish and crawdads to catch for a big fish-fry!
There are toilets and picnic tables, and the roads have been paved in recent years. The best part about the campground is its ability to host a large group. The area is spread out yet open enough to feel like everyone has their own space and still together as a group. So, if you're wanting to plan a family trip, this may be where you want to go!
It is a bit noisy, however. Everyone has 4-wheelers and most people bring RV's with generators... so expect some noise, lol.
RangerI found Joe’s Valley reservoir on a Facebook group and I hadn’t ever heard of it. After seeing the pictures, my family decided to give it a shot and we were not disappointed. The drive up along the river is so beautiful. It is a little narrow, but there was some equipment out so it appeared they were working on the road and fixing it up. Take it slow with the big rigs.
My kids loved the water despite the wind throughout the day. There were a fair amount of people boating, swimming, fishing, kayaking, etc around the shoreline near the marina, but I didn’t feel it was too crowded at all.
We camped in site 49 which is a double site. The site has two picnic tables and a double wide parking pad. Trees are limited except with the sites on the rim starting with number 7.
I would definitely come back.
GuideI've camped at this campground twice now; once in August of 2020 and once in July of 2021. Both times the experience has been good. The campsite has potable water and vault toilets. Before my two visits, I reserved my sites on recreation.gov. This made the experience hassle-free.
One thing to note is that although you can tent camp at this site, the majority of campers are those using RVs. I enjoyed my experience tent camping. However, if you are somehow bothered by RVs or excess noise, you might want to find another campground.
Overall, a good place to stay and I will certainly be back.
TravelerThe camp sites were great. They were clean and well kept. The water was really low. We don’t own a boat, so we were shore bound. Lots of rocks and trash on the shores and the sand was like quick sand along the water. Long story short, don’t go to hang out by the water and swim.
It is also worth noting that there is water available, but not at each site.
GuideEven with the effect of the drought this campsite is still beautiful. No facilities except fresh water fountains and vault toilets sparsely located. Very quiet during the week, weekends busy but respectful. Road into camp is paved but curvy.
ScoutSite was clean and quiet. Weren’t too many campers around. Lots of trees for shade. Lake is drying up and looks a bit sad. Water is far out from any marina or anglers point so if you plan to fish or kayak be ready for a good walk Or a drive to take you to the other side of the lake! Also campground does not have dumpsters. You are required to pack everything out so try to have as little of garbage as possible or make space for it with you to take.
Scout
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
RangerLoved the lake tons of fish to go fishing!
GuideWe’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! Good place for families or big groups to come to!
TravelerWe come here often. The only reason I didn't rate 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. This is a great place to go kayaking (no power boats allowed). 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. So many great reasons to come here if you are lucky enough to get a reservation.
GuideLots of big rigs, asphalt, generators, traffic and noise
TravelerThis 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.
GuideWe stayed here a while back and loved the camp grounds. They are nice and well kept. Great for trailers or tents of any size. Depending on the location you reserve you'll have an area of grass and a spot for your vehicle. We love going there in the summer months. Even to just go fishing is great. They also rent paddle boats and canoes if wanted. Have a sandy little beach as well. We mostly go for the fishing though. Awesome place!
ScoutFamily comes here every year around Mother’s Day. This year we went May 17th and it was still cold.The water was very high. We love palisades or we wouldn’t be going every year. It is getting busier so it’s harder to get a reservation. It’s so pretty and the golf course is gorgeous.
RangerIf you're looking for solitude, drive up a canyon road and skip Palisade State Park. It's loud and busy most days of the week in the summer. If you're bringing a group this might be your spot. The lake is nice and the trails around the lake are good for running, 4-wheeling and exploring.
GuideGreat for hunt camp or family camping. Easy access to fishing and off-road excursions, hiking and photography.
LegendLots of rivers close, and a view of Joes Valley. Nice big camp sites.
When we stayed here it was in the summer and we were the only ones in the whole campground. Big campsites with nice tables and bathrooms.
Traveler
Great campground and great owner and a hidden treasure
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Manti-La Sal National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Manti-La Sal National Forest is Joes Valley Reservoir with a 4.1-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Manti-La Sal National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 glamping camping locations near Manti-La Sal National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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