Dispersed camping opportunities near Meadow, Utah provide access to natural hot springs, scenic mountain backdrops, and forest recreation areas. Located in central Utah at approximately 4,800 feet elevation, the area experiences hot summer days with cool nights and cold winters with occasional snow. Most dispersed sites lack basic amenities, requiring campers to pack all essentials including water.
What to do
Explore nearby hiking trails: Castle Rock Campground offers access to multiple hiking paths including the Joe Lott Trail leading into Fishlake National Forest. "There are red rock pillars, yellow aspen and native american art," notes one camper at Castle Rock Campground.
Visit historical sites: Fremont Indian State Park contains nearly 700 Native American rock art panels accessible from nearby camping areas. "The state park is nice for petroglyphs but that's about it with a few short hikes. One hiking trail in camp," reports a visitor staying at Castle Rock Campground.
Soak in thermal waters: Beyond Meadow Hot Springs, other thermal soaking options exist in the region. At Mystic Hot Springs, visitors can enjoy unique soaking tubs. "Amazing soaking and star gazing, and surprisingly easy soaking. Maybe I just got lucky!" shares one camper.
ATV recreation: The region connects to extensive trail systems including the Paiute Trail. "It is very well maintained and has a beautiful landscape to it," notes a reviewer about Richfield KOA, which serves as a base camp for off-road enthusiasts.
What campers like
Secluded fishing spots: Adelaide Campground provides creek access for fishing enthusiasts. "Great spot to relax and fish or hike. Plenty of shade and privacy, pleasant even in summer when the weather is very hot," writes one visitor at Adelaide Campground.
Mountain views: The surrounding landscape features mountain backdrops visible from many camping areas. "Our site had a stream running by it," mentions a camper at Castle Rock Campground describing their site's natural amenities.
Quiet camping environments: Several campgrounds in the region offer peaceful settings away from highway noise. "We loved how quiet fishlake was. We camped on a rim that looked out for miles," notes a visitor to Fishlake National Forest Adelaide Recreation Site.
Clean facilities: Maintained campgrounds in the area receive positive feedback for cleanliness. "The campground and facilities are very clean and well maintained. The camp hosts and staff are very friendly," reports a visitor at Fillmore KOA.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Coverage can be spotty or nonexistent in remote camping areas. "There is NO cell service so if you are coming from a long distance be sure to make sure there are availability's before you drive into the site," advises a camper at Adelaide Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate seasonally due to weather conditions. Castle Rock Campground operates from April to October, while Richfield KOA runs from March 1 to October 31.
Road conditions: Access roads to remote sites may require appropriate vehicles. "Road is very bumpy and may be difficult for cars to get back to the main spring but you can always park and walk," warns a visitor to Meadow Hot Springs.
Pet restrictions: While most campgrounds are pet friendly near Meadow, Utah, rules vary by location. "We had friends camping here that we hung out with. It is very well maintained and has a beautiful landscape to it," mentions a visitor at Richfield KOA, which allows pets but requires them to be leashed.
Tips for camping with families
Consider established campgrounds: Families often prefer sites with basic amenities. "We stayed in site 23. $20 for a tent site ($40 for a double site). Cool area to explore. Fire pit and a faucet with a bucket. Bathrooms close by. $5 for a bundle of wood," shares a visitor at Castle Rock Campground.
Look for water features: Streams and small water bodies can entertain children. "A lot of the sites have direct access to the creek and are in the shade all day," notes an Adelaide Campground visitor about the family-friendly setup.
Unique accommodation options: Some campgrounds offer alternatives to traditional tent camping. "Got to stay in a rad tipi site for only $30! They had firewood available by the bundle for $5/armload," reports a camper at Wagons West RV Campground describing their experience with specialty lodging.
Educational opportunities: Several area campgrounds provide learning experiences for children. "Visitor center has an education center that looked promising but is currently closed due to COVID," mentions a Castle Rock Campground visitor regarding nearby educational facilities.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Many area campgrounds accommodate larger rigs with pull-through sites. "Long pull through spaces," notes a reviewer at Wagons West RV Campground.
Hookup information: Campgrounds vary in available utility connections. "Really quiet, convenient and quite pretty place to stop overnight. We stayed in site 33 which was great because we didn't have to unhook our tow vehicle," explains a visitor at Fillmore KOA.
Leveling considerations: Terrain may require leveling equipment at some sites. "Our 24' pop up truck camper fit just fine and had enough room for my sister's SUV," reports a camper at Castle Rock Campground.
Travel center options: For quick overnight stops, some RVers utilize travel center hookups. "This is in the back of the Loves Travel Center. It has 2 super nice dog parks that are fenced in," states a reviewer at Love's RV Hookup-Fillmore, though noting "It is loud since it's in a gas station parking lot."
