Cook’s Messa Trailhead Dispersed Camping Site 2
Love it!
Plenty of space. Trails at your feet. Beautiful scenery and can hardly hear the street traffic from vehicle.
Central Utah's Sigurd area connects travelers to a diverse range of camping experiences within Sevier County. The Richfield KOA, operating from March through October, provides full-service camping with hookups and amenities just 10 miles north of Sigurd. For those seeking unique accommodations, Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe (15 miles south) combines camping with natural hot spring access. Free dispersed camping can be found at Mountain Mecca and throughout Fish Lake National Forest, where primitive sites offer solitude without facilities. The Sevier River corridor hosts several RV parks with riverside sites, including Sevier River RV Park, which maintains level, gravel pull-through sites.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the region. Most developed campgrounds operate from spring through fall, with many closing by late October. As one camper at Sevier River RV Park noted, "The park was quiet and peaceful, though you could wake to the geese if you choose a spot close to the pond." Summer brings high temperatures in lower elevations, while higher forest sites remain cooler. Wind can be challenging in exposed areas, particularly during spring and fall. Cell service varies dramatically across the region, with better coverage near towns and limited or no service in forest and canyon areas. Travelers should prepare for temperature swings, as nights remain cool even during summer months.
Many campers highlight the area's night skies as a standout feature. The region falls within minimal light pollution zones, creating exceptional stargazing opportunities. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with visitors reporting sightings of deer, waterfowl, and various birds. Proximity to OHV trail systems, particularly the Paiute Trail network, attracts many visitors. According to one reviewer at Fillmore KOA, the campground provides "part of the Utah UTV trail system" with convenient access. Fishing opportunities at nearby reservoirs and the Sevier River complement the camping experience. Most established campgrounds maintain clean facilities, though some visitors note that sites can be close together during busy periods.
"Great campground in Richfield Utah."
"Everyone had ATV’s so I expect if you want to go off-roading this probably perfect for you."
"Just driving through, we heard about this place and have to come back! Makes you feel like you’re back in the 80’s just having a good time, away from all the stress and worries of the city."
"Beautiful location and it was a nice place to walk around. Outdoor kitchen and showers as well as community space. Camping was about $25/night."
"Close to town and quiet in the winter. I imagine summer weekends would be teaming with ATV traffic."
"Beautiful scenery and just right outside of town. Very easy to access for most. I did see an RV camping but it had to be a bit more difficult for them."
$25 - $145 / night
"My favorite site is tucked in the trees near the creek and offers a ton of room for tents. There is an apple tree near by that has delicious green apples in the late summer."
"Tucked up against red rock cliffs, a forest with maple trees in the desert. This spot is just off hwy 50 (paved all the way) so it makes a great stop."
"The surrounding area is scenic with cows in pasture and a mountain backdrop. We only stayed a single night and did not use any amenities. WiFi was very weak but the hookups are in good condition."
"Near the highway(not close enough to hear anything) but backed up to the most beautiful mountains to watch the clouds roll in. Large grassy sites, full hookups, pool, bathrooms and free showers."
"Close to the highway, far enough to not really hear it."
"We took a short walk and did encounter a small herd of cows near the road. It was perfect!"
$55 - $65 / night
"This RV park offers pull through spaces perfect for if you’re pulling a motorhome and a trailer or a bigger rig set up nice right off the highway stopped for one night, easy in and easy out however it"
"This is a very easy place to throw a tent up or park an RV close to lake and good fishing. In some beautiful country. There are some primitive bathrooms, and nice tables. The campsites are big."
"We camped in our 4Runner and parked just feet from the waters edge, it was gorgeous!! We’d certainly visit again!"












Plenty of space. Trails at your feet. Beautiful scenery and can hardly hear the street traffic from vehicle.
Beautiful vistas, lots of options to park. It seems to be popular, with it being right outside of Capitol Reef. Road noise is present but not bothersome. Easy access.
Excellent spot right off the road with a quick drive to Capital Reef. Pretty quiet. Good for any size rig. Spots fairly level and spaced out even with 15+ rigs there the night I stayed. Catch the sunset at Panorama Point a couple miles from this BLM.
Great spot for a day or two. The parking area has plenty or room would not recommend the last half mile of road its rough.
Worthy of an overnight stop. Springs were busy during the day but fun.
this is a nice spot with lots of space close to capitol reef national park. showed up on a monday afternoon and had a lot of choice of spot, made it up just fine in a subaru legacy. lots of trailers, so a bit noisy as a tent camper. in addition, the ground is sooo rocky we had a hard time finding a spot we could stake.
We stayed here in April 2026. The expectations were low, but the return was high. First of all the gift shop is way cooler than you might guess for an RV stop. The check-in service was nice and efficient. Most of the spots are level, although where we were with slightly offkilter. Nevertheless, that did not deter us. It looked like it had a nice swimming pool in area for the kids to play and, believe it or not, the barbecue is actually not to be missed. I would’ve never guessed there would be a restaurant that good at an RV park in a small town, but we truly enjoyed it. The guacamole was fresh. The chicken was perfect and understand that the ribs are even better. The only thing I had to say about the park was the bathrooms were a bit dated in the showers were as well. That said, I gave it five stars because the barbecue was that good and it kept us from having to find another restaurant.
Personally, this is one of my favorite spots and an awesome spot at that. The views are incredible and excellent for photography or for simply admiring. I stayed here for the full 14 days, experiencing both good and bad weather; I still recommend it.
Road Quality
Average. Gravel/dirt road with some potholes and ruts; an everyday vehicle could get down the road with care. It's a single-lane road, not a lot of through traffic, except campers. Roads can get soft with rain or snow, especially the potholes and ruts. Be careful and keep an eye on the weather.
Site Quality
Average. Campsites appear to be level for the most part; they have fire rings, they’re a good distance away from one another, and they appear to be large enough to fit two, maybe three bus-sized RVs. Sites are mainly dirt and grass; ground can get soft with rain or snow. Be careful and keep an eye on the weather.
View Quality
Excellent. Snow-capped mountains surround you, with excellent sunrises and sunsets and amazing night skies when they're clear. Plenty of birdwatching and perhaps other wildlife if you're lucky!
Noise Quality
Depends. The campsites closer to the entrance will hear the highway, but it’s mostly white noise for those who do not mind. I imagine the further you go back, the less you’ll hear the highway. The occasional plane or helicopter will fly by at a low altitude. Lots of birds; you’ll mostly hear them in the mornings and evenings. Neighbors have been friendly and respectful, making little to no noise. Besides the highway, aircraft, and birds, it's a quiet spot.
Internet Quality
Excellent. Full bars on LTE. Although I imagine the further you go back, away from the highway, the fewer bars you’ll get.
Just few miles away from the interstate. Closer sites can hear some traffic. We went down a little ways and didn’t hear the road. Road would be awful if it rains- be aware!
The Sigurd area sits at approximately 5,250 feet elevation in central Utah's Sevier Valley, surrounded by the Pahvant Mountains to the west and the Sevier Plateau to the east. Dispersed camping near Sigurd, Utah offers access to multiple ecosystems, from high desert terrain to alpine forests within a 30-mile radius. Winter temperatures typically drop below freezing at night, while summer daytime temperatures can exceed 90°F in lower elevations.
Mountain biking trails: Mountain Mecca features several established paths for biking enthusiasts. "Lots of mountain bikers and cool exploring to do around the area," notes Trent L., who found "a nice big private spot in the trees" just past the initial camping areas.
Hot springs soaking: Mystic Hot Springs provides a unique camping experience with natural mineral pools. "The pools are awesome, and the retro busses outfitted as campers are rustic," shares Hayley K., who adds that the venue includes "showers, bathrooms, and a gift shop" plus "a stage on site where there are impromptu bands and yoga classes take place."
Fishing opportunities: Koosharem Reservoir offers stocked rainbow trout fishing about 35 miles southeast of Sigurd. "Great fishing spot I highly recommend. Picnic areas and tent areas too," writes Becky J. Another visitor, Cat F., confirms "They stock this with rainbow trout if you're a fisherman" and mentions "great Verizon service here, mountains are beautiful."
Privacy at dispersed sites: Free camping at Mountain Mecca provides seclusion just outside town. "Very private. Great for mountain biking," writes Jill S., who was "Pleasantly Surprised" by the "beautiful scenery" that's "very easy to access for most." Jennifer A. notes that while it's an "open area" that "looks like local party spot," there are "lots of spots to pitch a tent, established fire pits."
Fall foliage viewing: Maple Grove Campground showcases seasonal colors in a unique setting. "Tucked up against red rock cliffs, a forest with maple trees in the desert," describes Martha M., who adds it's "just off hwy 50 (paved all the way) so it makes a great stop." Mark M. recommends visiting "during fall colors" and notes his campsite was "Very shady" with a "creek runs thru" the grounds.
Overnight accessibility: Fish Lake National Forest dispersed sites provide convenient free camping options off I-70. "Just needed to find a place for the night and this was perfect! No one around, huge site, beautiful views and free!" writes Laurie H. Christy S. adds, "It's convenient to I-70 but feels very remote" and mentions they "took a short walk and did encounter a small herd of cows near the road."
Road conditions vary: Access to Maple Grove requires navigating some uneven terrain. "Did walk up and down paved road into camp and then on dirt roads off main road that had a few FCFS dry camp pull out areas along the creek," reports Mark M., who stayed in June and noted the campground was "very shady" with "campsites well spaced many with good views of valley or the red rock cliffs."
Animal encounters possible: Wildlife and livestock roam near many campsites. Fish Lake National Forest camper Christy S. mentions, "We took a short walk and did encounter a small herd of cows near the road." At Maple Grove, Mark M. reported seeing "some bear scat on trail closer to I-70."
Road noise at some locations: Highway proximity affects some camping spots. At Koosharem Reservoir, Cat F. notes "there is some road noise from 24 at times as it is quite close. But the scenery here is exceptional." Lucas F. adds that while "the sunrise was beautiful here with a great view of the mountains and the reservoir," campers should "hope you don't mind the sound of cows though."
Easy fishing access: Koosharem Reservoir offers simple shore fishing suitable for children. Brad B. describes it as "a very easy place to throw a tent up or park an RV close to lake and good fishing" with "primitive bathrooms, and nice tables" and notes "the campsites are big."
Entertainment options: Fillmore KOA provides family-friendly amenities within 30 miles of Sigurd. "The KOA pool and spa were great," mentions Preston G., who adds, "I never knew there was so much to do in Fillmore. We visited the hot springs and lava tunnels. Kids had a blast."
Bathroom facilities: Campgrounds with toilets reduce family camping stress. At Maple Grove, Jessi D. describes it as "one of my favorite hidden little campgrounds" with "numerous sites available for RVs/Camping trailers" and mentions "The small creek that runs through the campground is stocked with fish multiple times per year."
Optimal site selection: Fillmore KOA offers strategic parking options. "We stayed in site 33 which was great because we didn't have to unhook our tow vehicle and you have no one looking in your front windshield," advises Victoria C., who found it "Really quiet, convenient and quite pretty" and notes "sites are reasonably spaced."
Weather preparation: Wind protection matters at exposed sites. Kristin S. reports at Fillmore KOA, "When we arrived, the wind was consistently 45+ mph.... not sure if this is an extraordinary occurrence but the map says wind picks up frequently and to store your things."
Hookup considerations: Richfield KOA provides reliable connections for RV travelers. John C. found it "better than average koa" and noted "staff was great, park was clean but spaces were pretty tight and it was very crowded." For those with recreational interests, he adds it's a "nice place for an overnight and if you're into atv's it seemed like there were some close by spots to ride."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sigurd, Utah located and how do I get there?
Sigurd is a small town located in central Utah's Sevier County, approximately 160 miles south of Salt Lake City. The town sits along Highway 24, about 7 miles south of Richfield, which serves as the largest nearby city with services. To reach Sigurd, you can take I-15 to the Richfield exit, then follow Highway 119 east to Highway 24 south. The area is characterized by its rural setting with beautiful mountain views, including the Sevier Valley. Sevier River RV Park is located nearby, offering convenient access for travelers along this route through central Utah.
What camping options are available in and around Sigurd, Utah?
The Sigurd area offers diverse camping options to suit different preferences. Oasis Campground — Yuba State Park is a popular destination about 20 minutes from Sigurd, featuring lakeside sites with simple amenities and clean bathrooms. For those seeking RV accommodations, Butch Cassidy Campground near Salina provides full hookups and is big-rig friendly. Travelers can also find dispersed camping opportunities in the surrounding Fish Lake National Forest. The region includes various public campgrounds with different amenity levels, from basic sites with vault toilets to developed areas with electrical hookups, all within a 30-45 minute drive from Sigurd.
What outdoor activities can I enjoy while camping near Sigurd, Utah?
The Sigurd area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. At Doctor Creek, you can enjoy boating and fishing on Fish Lake while admiring the beautiful aspen groves of Pando in the fall. Hiking is excellent around Sunglow Recreation Site, which features well-trafficked trails with stunning mountain views. The region is part of Utah's UTV trail system, making it popular for off-road adventures. Water recreation is plentiful at nearby reservoirs like Yuba and Otter Creek. Capitol Reef National Park is within day-trip distance, offering world-class hiking, photography, and scenic drives. Wildlife viewing, stargazing, and mountain biking are also popular activities throughout the surrounding mountains and forests.
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