Glamping close to Roosevelt, Utah provides access to Ashley National Forest with elevations ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 feet, creating diverse camping experiences across multiple forest zones. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day while dropping into the 40s at night. Seasonal access to most glamping sites typically runs from late May through September, though higher elevation locations may have shorter seasons due to snowpack.
What to do
Fishing at East Park Lake: This reservoir offers rainbow trout fishing opportunities at 8,000 feet elevation. "Nice little campground. Camping spots are to close to each other. Bathrooms located in the campground and by the boat dock are kept clean. Short walk to the lake. Great fishing!" reports Cortney M. about East Park Campground.
Hiking the Swift Creek Trail: Starting from Swift Creek campground, this trail ascends quickly with rewarding views. "From here we set off on the Swift Creek trail that ascends quickly. The Yellowstone trail however goes through a dense tunnel of forest for quite a few miles," notes Alan B. from Swift Creek. The trail network includes routes toward Kings Peak with numerous alpine lakes within day-hike distance.
Geocaching near Iron Springs: The Forest Service area around Iron Springs offers numerous geocaching opportunities. "Great area. Many trails for hiking and OHV travel. In the heart of geocaching country. There are a couple bathroom facilities available at the group site," explains Cortney M. about the area. The campground sits at the edge of a large meadow with several trail systems branching outward.
What campers like
Secluded riverfront sites: Riverview Campground offers sites directly on the Yellowstone River with natural privacy. "We showed up Labor Day weekend. Almost every spot along the river was taken, but once you were in your camp you could hardly tell neighbors were around," explains Cody W. from Ashley National Forest Riverview Campground. These sites feature clean toilets and direct river access.
Night sky visibility: Many glamping locations near Roosevelt feature minimal light pollution for stargazing. "This was a great place to get away from the normal day to day. The lake is pretty low due to the drought, but we had a great time enjoying the water from the shore," notes Shad G. about Moon Lake Campground. The high elevation and distance from urban centers creates exceptional night sky conditions.
Historical exploration: Nine Mile Canyon Ranch serves as a base camp for exploring ancient rock art in the area. "Nine Mile Ranch is a great campground outside of Wellington, UT and a good base camp to check out Nine Mile Canyon. They have historic cabins they have used for camping cabins, RV and tent sites," says Jessica D. The ranch offers rustic glamping accommodations with modern facilities while providing access to significant historical sites.
What you should know
Water availability varies: Many Forest Service campgrounds have limited or seasonal water access. "Camp sites have picnic tables and firepits with a grill. Its kinda a dry vegetation in the park mostly sage brush and junipers. Some bigger shadier trees towards the lake but you better book those way in advance cause they fill up fast," warns Cortney M. about East Park Campground.
Limited cell service: Most glamping sites in the national forest have no cellular coverage. "This campground is at end of the FS #18 paved road and then .7 mi of gravel. There are 20 sites, $10/ $5 senior. No host on site. No cell signal, no water and no trash dumpsters," reports Greg L. about East Park Campground.
Mosquito season considerations: Late June through July can bring heavy mosquito activity at several glamping locations. "Beautiful campground with so much gorgeous area to be explored. It was a busy July weekend with some bouts neighbors but we found ourselves able to get away and go hiking and take in the views. Bathrooms were cleaned and maintained. We happened to go during mosquito season, but the views were with it," notes Jennifer S. about Spirit Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Rental options for water activities: Moon Lake Lodge provides boat rentals for families wanting lake access. "The Moon Lake Lodge has some cabins that you can stay in and they have a nice little store that has some essentials there including ice cream. Lots of shade and trees for hammocks," shares Shad G. about the amenities available near Moon Lake Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities at Vernal KOA: The Dinosaurland KOA offers structured activities for children. "There was a small but functional K-9 park, a kids park, a swimming pool, a jump pad, and they had bike/3 wheeler rentals, and a mini golf coarse," explains Cortney M. about Vernal Dinosaurland KOA.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region offers excellent wildlife sighting potential for educational family experiences. "When we arrived the campground was almost empty. There were a handful of folks fishing at the lake but overall it was a very quiet visit. Except for an unusually aggressive cow that decided to yell at my family for 15 minutes or so. If you come here, make sure to take the time the drive Red Cloud Loop Scenic Byway. Within a few miles of the campground we saw 4 moose," reports Jennifer C. about East Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Road condition awareness: Many forest roads require careful navigation for larger vehicles. "FS road #13 has large diameter cobble base and makes for a bumpy road. There are much better dispersed sites across the hwy on FS roads #839 and #838 for RVs and TTs," advises Greg L. about Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping.
Full hookup options at Steinaker: State park facilities provide the most reliable amenities for RVs. "Spent one night here. The staff was really friendly and it's a very well maintained camp. The showers and bathrooms were spotless, and the dumpsters were very convenient. I ended up at a full hookup spot that cost $50 a night. I believe there are $30 options available as well," notes Kelda C. about Steinaker State Park.
Limited turnaround space: Forest service roads may lack adequate turning areas for longer rigs. "I would not go up this road with a trailer unless you had a turnaround open. This area is best suited to overlander tent and truck camper types," cautions Greg L. about Forest Road 13 dispersed camping areas.
