Near Neola, Utah, campers find diverse RV sites at elevations ranging from 5,200 to 8,800 feet with significant seasonal temperature variations. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F while winter months can drop below freezing with occasional snowfall. The area's combination of desert landscape and mountain terrain creates distinct camping environments with limited tree cover at lower elevations.
What to do
Dinosaur exploration: 25 minutes from Fossil Valley RV Park provides access to prehistoric attractions. "This is a great, clean RV park in Vernal. The location is 25 minutes or so to the Dinosaur National Monument," notes Preston G. The park serves as an excellent base for exploring dinosaur exhibits and fossil sites.
Hiking trails: Access forest paths directly from some campgrounds in the area. At Pine Forest RV Park, "The pasture area has formal trails that lead through the national forest to the Firefighters Memorial one direction and a Flaming Gorge overlook the other direction," according to MickandKarla W. These trails offer moderate terrain suitable for most fitness levels.
Water recreation: Red Fleet State Park offers multiple water activities on its reservoir. "They rent kayaks, paddle boards and canoes. The bathrooms are clean and well kept. There is a boat launch and dock & fish cleaning station," reports Tammy H. The park also hosts annual events like Paddlefest where "they close down the lake to all motorized vehicles."
What campers like
Shaded sites: Tree cover provides relief from summer heat at select locations. At Fossil Valley RV Park, "Park has lots of really big shade trees which would be a HUGE plus during hotter summer months," writes Jesse E. Another camper notes, "This RV Park has very nice big shade trees and lots of grass."
Proximity to supplies: Convenient access to necessities reduces planning stress. "This campground is right in the middle of town...within walking distance to just about anything in Vernal...right next to a Maverick convenience store," explains Codie S. This accessibility proves valuable for forgotten supplies or quick meals.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms stand out in camper reviews. At Lakeside RV Park, "The campsite was a pull through, fairly large with a picnic table and fire ring. There is a nice dog walk/path with a great view of the reservoir at the end of the path," notes Chris D. Regular cleaning schedules maintain bathroom quality even during peak season.
What you should know
Water quality varies: Some parks have problematic drinking water. At Vernal RV Resort, one camper reported, "The biggest complaint that I had about the sites was the taste of the water. We had to buy bottled water because we couldn't stand the taste of the tap water even though it went through a filter." Consider bringing additional water filtration or bottled water.
Wi-Fi limitations: Internet access comes with restrictions at many sites. One park offers "free Wi-Fi, but each site is throttled to 5 Mbps (which is fine for basic streaming, but not HD or 4K)." This affects remote work capabilities and entertainment options during evenings.
Coin-operated showers: Budget for shower costs at several parks. At Outlaw Trail RV Park, facilities include "Clean, modern laundry. $2/wash and $2/40 min of dryer. Clean restrooms. Showers 0.25 cents for 7 minutes," according to Cathy C. While inexpensive, having quarters available proves essential.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: On-site recreation areas keep children entertained between adventures. Outlaw Trail RV Park offers "Play set, tons of grass, sand volleyball, tether ball, picnic/grilling areas," as described by ammon L., who added the park was "awesome" for children.
Swimming options: Designated swimming areas provide safe water recreation. Red Fleet State Park includes "a beach area with a floating dock to swim out to," and during special events features "a waterslide down the boat ramp and water trampoline," according to Cortney M.
Educational opportunities: Dinosaur tracks fascinate young visitors throughout the region. At Red Fleet State Park, "our absolute favorite part of this campground is the ability to rent kayaks and kayak over to see the dinosaur footprints," reports Angela G., who adds, "This was our first time seeing anything of the like, and it absolutely blew our minds!"
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Bring blocks for uneven sites at several parks. At Strawberry Adventures RV, the terrain requires preparation. Jennifer H. notes it's an "Incredible recreation area along hwy 40 and discovered this gem with full hookups. A great location near the reservoir and trailheads."
Site spacing: Premium sites offer more privacy and space at select locations. According to Cooper F., Outlaw Trail provides "Clean, convenient, affordable" camping with "no-frills complete hookups on gravel lots." However, site configurations vary significantly between parks.
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. While describing Lakeside RV Park, Michael M. noted it's "right next to Utah 40 but hardly hear any noise." This contrasts with other locations where road noise presents a persistent issue.
