Jordanelle and Rockport State Parks near Oakley provide camping at elevations between 6,000-7,000 feet, creating moderate summer temperatures compared to lower elevations. Fall visitors experience brilliant aspen colors throughout the nearby Uinta Mountains while spring campers should prepare for widely fluctuating temperatures and occasional snow even in May.
What to do
Kayaking on Smith & Morehouse Reservoir: Motorized boats aren't permitted, creating a peaceful paddling environment at Smith-Morehouse Campground. "We took inflatable Kayaks with us this year and they were a ton of fun especially for those that wanted to enjoy the water without being freezing cold," notes Shad G., who appreciates the reservoir's no-wake policy.
Hiking from campgrounds: The Smith and Morehouse Trail connects directly from Ledgefork Campground with creek access. "There is a hiking trail right from the campground that is beautiful. It follows a creek all the way and eventually ends up over into the Crystal Lake area," explains a regular camper who appreciates the connectivity to broader trail networks.
Fishing in smaller streams: Yellow Pine Campground offers creek access with mountain trout. "It's a beautiful campground that my family and I have been going to the last few years. It's quiet each campsite has a nice separation. There's hiking trails, and fishing," shares Sean R., noting the distinctive scent from the surrounding pines.
What campers like
Camp hosts who maintain clean facilities: Wasatch National Forest Soapstone Campground receives praise for its maintenance. "Great location next to the river. Very clean facilities. Great staff!" reports Alvin C. The campground maintains well-spaced sites despite its popularity.
Natural forest scents: The pine forests create distinctive aromas many campers mention. Yellow Pine Campground has a particularly notable characteristic where "The whole area smells like butterscotch and vanilla due to the Pondarosa Pines," according to Sean R., creating a sensory experience beyond just visual appeal.
Shade during summer months: The mature tree cover at many Uinta Mountain campgrounds provides natural cooling. "The sites are well spaced and large, with lots of trees to provide good shade and adequate privacy from neighbors," notes Jen G. about Soapstone Campground, an important feature during peak summer heat.
What you should know
River noise can mask highway sounds: Select sites at Soapstone Campground strategically to minimize road noise. "The sound of the river drowns out most of the highway noise this time of year," reports Brett C., particularly important during peak summer season when Mirror Lake Highway traffic increases.
Bug activity varies by month: Mosquitoes peak in early July near most water features. "We came up for a couple of July 4ths and were astonished at how many horseflies there were all of the sudden," warns Brendan A. about Smith-Morehouse, suggesting Memorial Day and Labor Day visits offer better conditions.
Water availability inconsistent: Ledgefork Campground has ongoing water system issues noted by repeat visitors. "The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because they still haven't fixed the water and you have to bring in your own," cautions a third-time visitor, advising campers to arrive with full water containers.
Tips for camping with families
Wheelbarrow assistance available: Some campgrounds provide practical gear-moving help for families with small children. "They provide wheelbarrows near the restrooms to help haul your stuff to your campsite which I thought was awesome and super helpful!" mentions Paige J. about Twin Coves at Rockport State Park.
Campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Echo Island RV Resort offers multiple swimming pools and fishing opportunities. "They had a small pond for kids to fish in, two swimming pools and two hot tubs, very clean and modern facilities... and they have dvds and sports equipment you can check out," shares Carlee G., appreciating the variety of activities for children.
Off-season camping provides more space: Family campers report better experiences in shoulder seasons. "Once we found this gem, we have started going here every other week... even at full capacity, it doesn't feel (or sound) full and it stays the perfect temperature," notes Emelia S. about camping at Rockport in spring and fall.
Tips from RVers
Site-specific leveling challenges: Many forest service campgrounds weren't designed for modern RVs. "My 30' TT was perched with some effort on top of a pull-through that was a mound rather than flat. Unlevel and narrow asphalt sites," cautions James J. about Pine Creek Campground at Wasatch Mountain State Park.
RV size limitations in National Forest campgrounds: Carefully check site dimensions before booking. "Road is tight. Our 26ft trailer was a little hard to navigate within the campground," reports one camper about Smith-Morehouse, while another notes Ledgefork has "sites really vary in size" making advance research essential for larger rigs.
Water pressure considerations: Some full-hookup sites have unusually high water pressure. "Be careful hooking up your RV to water. Very high pressure," warns Trevor S. about Hailstone at Jordanelle State Park, suggesting use of a pressure regulator to protect RV plumbing systems.
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