Dispersed camping opportunities near Morgan, Utah provide alternatives to established campgrounds within East Canyon State Park. The area sits at approximately 5,000 feet elevation with nearby mountain peaks rising to over 9,000 feet, creating varied camping conditions across seasons. Summer evenings often drop 30-40 degrees below daytime highs, requiring appropriate gear even during warm months.
What to do
Fishing access points: Echo State Park offers multiple fishing spots along the reservoir shoreline. "A great place to spend a really hot day if you have a boat to take out on the water," notes Alan B., who caught "good sized smallmouth bass" while camping at Dixie Creek Campground.
Hiking nearby trails: Farmington Canyon trails connect to camping areas but require suitable vehicles. "If you've never driven up Farmington Canyon it is a steep road with no shoulder, I'd recommend a 4X4 or all wheel drive vehicle," advises Casey S. from Bountiful Peak Campground.
Water activities beyond swimming: Many campgrounds offer water recreation beyond the designated swimming areas. At Anderson Cove, Blake T. mentions, "If you have some water toys it's awesome because you can anchor them on the shore or the dock."
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Morgan area campgrounds show significant differences between weekday and weekend experiences. "Gets extremely busy on weekends but nice and quiet on the weekdays. Checked in on a Wednesday afternoon for FCFS site. Plenty open," reports Kristen W. about Anderson Cove.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites offer wildlife watching directly from camp. At Echo Campground, Kalli W. shares, "We enjoyed the sunrise over the lake and watching wildlife. We were able to spot many species of birds as well as deer, sheep, & prairie dogs."
Scenic overlooks: Campsites on elevated terrain provide exceptional views. "Great time in the wilderness while overlooking the lights of SLC," writes Desiree K. about Bountiful Peak Campground, which offers night views of the valley lights.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The Morgan area experiences significant temperature fluctuations. James J. at Dixie Creek Campground observes, "It's obvious where the historical water level use to be. Wish I could have seen the reservoir full because it may never happen again," indicating drought impacts on reservoirs.
Site selection strategy: Not all sites offer equal amenities or views. At Dixie Creek Campground, Mark M. advises, "Spot 19 is in the middle and seems to have a good view regardless of who is parked in adjacent spots, and spot 32 also seems to have a good view and the advantage of being on the outer edge so no backdoor neighbors."
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. About South Fork Campground, Wyatt S. notes, "It gets packed during the weekends so plan ahead! Right along side the river too."
Tips for camping with families
Beach quality considerations: Waterfront sites vary in beach quality and maintenance. At Dixie Creek Campground, Britney O. cautions, "The water access isn't super easy, the campground is a little higher than the beach."
Kid-friendly facilities: Some campgrounds offer specialized areas for children. Joey M. reports about Dixie Creek Campground: "The lake is active with choice of water fun rentals. The site is standard with a small lawn area and a pavilion."
Space for activities: Look for campgrounds with room for games and exploration. Whitney K. from Anderson Cove appreciates that "There was a lot of space to be spread out from others. The beach is so large and it's easy to camp out. The sand is soft and fun for the kids to build sand castles."
Tips from RVers
Site surface considerations: RV sites vary in surface material and leveling requirements. At Echo Island RV Resort, Alice P. reports, "Gravel slots, picnic tables and fire pits at each site. Good park design for the back up sites to get a large trailer situated no problem."
Hookup configurations: Some campgrounds have unusual hookup arrangements. G.F. notes about Cherry Hill Campground: "The sites are pull-through, but the shorter sites are dirt and have shared electrical boxes, which meant that we had to grab out the extension cord and plugin on the other side of the RV."
Elevation challenges: Higher elevation campgrounds require additional planning. Wyatt S. points out regarding Bountiful Peak Campground: "The sites have plenty of room, tons of shade and easy access to bathrooms," though seasonal closures are common with the campground typically opening July 1st.
