Camping sites near Sterling, Utah include a mix of national forest locations and lakeside destinations at elevations between 5,000-8,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 45-55°F at night. Many dispersed camping areas around Sterling require high-clearance vehicles for access, especially after rainfall when dirt roads become muddy and difficult to navigate.
What to do
Fishing at reservoirs: Palisade State Park Campground offers good fishing opportunities with a stocked lake. According to Becky J., the lake has "tons of fish to go fishing," making it ideal for anglers of all experience levels.
Mountain biking on nearby trails: The Willow Creek Road - Dispersed Site sits adjacent to mountain biking trails. Daniel S. notes, "It is RIGHT next to a mountain bike trail, so expect some early-morning bikers to be coming down."
ATV riding on forest roads: Jimmy's Fork - Dispersed Campsite provides access to numerous ATV trails. David C. mentions, "Many places to camp. For best selection arrive in the middle of the week. Good UTV trails nearby."
Paddling on reservoirs: Multiple water bodies allow for kayaking and canoeing. A visitor to Ferron Reservoir Campground suggests to "bring your canoes or kayaks and spend the day paddling around and fishing. The fishing is great!"
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: The remote location of many camping areas provides excellent night sky viewing. Ashlee W. at Painted Rocks Campground reports, "the sky was so dark you could see thousands of stars."
Cooler temperatures at higher elevations: Many campsites sit at elevations around 8,000 feet, providing relief from summer heat. Tracey W. notes about Willow Creek Road, "You are at almost 8000 ft so not a winter camping spot."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forests around Sterling host diverse wildlife. According to Anthony B. at Manti Community, "This is a forest campsite with vault toilets nearby. Lots of wildlife especially small furry ones."
Lake views from campsites: Several campgrounds offer waterfront perspectives. Ben mentions about Painted Rocks Campground, "The lake is not accessible at this time due to low water level, but the view in all directions is beautiful."
What you should know
Seasonal access limitations: Many forest service campgrounds close during winter months. Manti-LaSal National Forest Lake Hill Campground operates from "May 30 to October 30," with closures dependent on snowfall.
Weekday arrivals recommended for dispersed sites: The best spots fill quickly on weekends. David C. advises for Jimmy's Fork, "For best selection arrive in the middle of the week."
Possible wildlife encounters at night: Small animals may visit campsites after dark. One camper at Manti-LaSal National Forest Lake Hill Campground warns, "Hundreds of chipmunks and skunks raided our camp site when we went to sleep."
Remote locations with limited services: Many sites lack basic amenities. Fleur F. describes Ferron Reservoir as "Remote (about an hour on a one-lane dirt road) and quiet with beautiful scenery."
Tips for camping with families
Choose developed campgrounds for amenities: Families benefit from sites with facilities. LaDell G. notes about Palisade State Park, "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."
Watch for sharp gravel at some sites: Certain campgrounds have rough ground surfaces. Jeff W. cautions about Manti Community: "The site is not level and is covered with crushed rock instead of smooth gravel. Two of my three kids tripped and fell. The crushed rock is sharp and both kids that fell had several cuts."
Reserve early for summer weekends: Popular family sites book quickly. Karin W. says about Palisade State Park, "This is a great place to go kayaking (no power boats allowed). There are great atv trails nearby...if you are lucky enough to get a reservation."
Look for campgrounds with beach access: Water play areas enhance family camping. Brittley A. shares about Palisade State Park Campground, "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!"
Tips from RVers
Check site length before booking: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. Tanner S. notes about Lake Hill Campground, "Nice large campsites. Can be hard to navigate with a large trailer or RV."
Consider off-season visits for more privacy: Shoulder seasons offer less crowded conditions. Edward R. stayed at Oasis Campground and found "Nice facilities, with covered picnic tables at each RV spot, water, and most with electric. Nearby dump station...Pretty scenery, and several miles away from the interstate so very quiet."
Look for pull-through sites for larger vehicles: Some campgrounds accommodate big rigs better than others. Phillip R. mentions about Painted Rocks Campground, "We have a 42 ft motorhome and a separate pickup with a 6x12 trailer and we fit both in a pull through site and it looked like there was another 40 feet available."
Be prepared for high winds at lakeside sites: Open areas can experience significant wind. One camper at Oasis Campground noted they "had the whole lake to myself. Strong 30 mph winds."
