Orangeville's camping areas sit between 5,500-9,000 feet elevation in central Utah's Castle Country region, surrounded by the Manti-La Sal National Forest and San Rafael Swell. The area experiences dramatic temperature shifts between seasons, with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter lows dropping well below freezing. Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Orangeville have direct access to ATV trails and fishing reservoirs.
What to do
Bouldering adventures: Joe's Valley is known for world-class bouldering opportunities where dogs can join their owners. "Really enjoy staying here. Free camping and plenty of activities to do in the area. Climbing (Bouldering). Site seeing (Not far from The Wedge)," notes Jake L. about New Joe's Bouldering Area Campground.
Reservoir activities: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Orangeville provide water recreation options on nearby reservoirs. At Millsite State Park Campground, "We went for a couple of hikes in the Ferron Canyon which you can walk to, and they have paddle boarding on the reservoir which we didn't have time to do," shares Sarah S.
OHV trail riding: The area offers extensive networks of off-road vehicle trails accessible from various campgrounds. "Endless trails to ride/hike good camping and fishing highly recommended!!!" says Daryl S. about Joe's Valley Campground.
What campers like
Geological features: The unique rock formations around Orangeville draw many campers with pets. "The geology is beautiful. The red and grey rock mountains are indescribably peaceful," Alexia B. notes about Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping.
Water recreation options: Pet owners appreciate the cooling options during hot summer months. "The pond was a great way to cool off and have fun, our family loved the zip line into the water and the giant floating water park! It was so nice to have access to paddle boards, kayaks, and a peddle boat," writes Nichelle D. about Swell Retreat.
Stargazing opportunities: The remote location creates exceptional night sky viewing. "You will never see a more beautiful night sky," Jason mentions about Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping.
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Weather conditions change dramatically throughout the year. "Temp was in the 70s with a slight breeze. Our first night was a tough one. We got caught in a severe wind storm but everything held together and besides a lack of sleep, we all survived," reports Jason about his May visit to Little Grand Canyon.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience significant noise issues. "Semi-truck traffic on the highway that borders the campground, about every 5-10 minutes, day and night, no exaggeration!" warns Barbara B. about Huntington State Park Campground.
Limited facilities: Many dispersed camping areas require self-sufficiency. "This BLM campground now has designated campsites, a picnic table, large deep fire rings, pit toilets and no trash service. Also no water," explains Lois A. about New Joe's Bouldering Area Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Families with dogs enjoy cooling off at Swell Retreat. "Our family enjoyed a fabulous week at the Swell Retreat. The pond and all of the canoes, paddle boards, and water inflatable helped to cool us down after a hot day in the sun. The zip line was a challenge for our younger folks," shares Joyce S.
Site spacing: Look for campgrounds with adequate space between sites. "The campground has picnic tables, fire pits, and a gorgeous view of the lake from nearly every site. This side of the lake is a bit more dense with trees," notes Derek E. about Ferron Canyon Campground.
Local activities: The area offers family-friendly explorations. "It's a bit out of the way, but is a family favorite. The campsites are nice and they have really nice bathrooms. We did, however, head up the mountain and had some good success fishing close by," Justin J. mentions about Millsite State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV campers traveling with pets have several full-service options. "We have a 36' Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site MI08 for 3 days in mid June. We left our boondocking site in the Grand Staircase-Escalante NM to get electric and water hookups because the temperatures were climbing into the 100's in the area," shares Ray & Terri F. about Millsite State Park.
Satellite access: Many campsites allow for good satellite reception. "There were a few tall trees at each of the sites, but there were gaps between them, so we were able to get DISH coverage on all three western satellites at our site," continues Ray & Terri F. about their Millsite State Park experience.
Cell service: Mobile connectivity varies throughout the region. "AT&T coverage was fair, with 2-3 Bars of LTE service and speeds up to about 2 MB/s," adds Ray & Terri F.
Legend
