Camping opportunities near Vernal, Utah range from forested mountain sites at 7,000+ feet elevation to high desert settings with minimal shade. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F during day and drop below 50°F at night. The Ashley National Forest surrounds much of the region, offering both established campgrounds and dispersed options with varying levels of facilities and accessibility.
What to do
Shoreline exploration at East Park Campground: Located on the shores of East Park Reservoir, the campground provides direct lake access with a boat ramp for water activities. "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," notes a visitor to East Park Campground.
Discover historic geological formations: The Echo Park area features dramatic cliff formations where two major rivers converge. "The campground was very quiet. Only 3 other sites occupied when we visited in late June. Beautiful cliffs surround one side and the river with amazing views of steamboat rock are on the other," writes a camper at Echo Park Campground.
Explore mountain trails: Forest Service roads throughout Ashley National Forest offer access to numerous hiking paths. "Ice cave, grizzly ridge, brush creek cave, the old copper mines all in the area. Highly recommended for any adventurer," reports a visitor to Iron Springs Group Campground.
What campers like
Reservoir views: Many campsites provide direct sightlines to water features. One reviewer at Steinaker State Park Campground notes: "Steinaker State Park and Campground is located about five miles north of Vernal, UT. The campground is beautiful, and the campsites vary between desert vegetation, large shady cottonwoods, and sandy beaches."
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, many campgrounds maintain well-serviced restrooms. A camper at Flaming Gorge-Manila KOA reported: "The facility is very nice and clean. The staff is super friendly."
Family-oriented recreation areas: Several glamping locations near Vernal offer organized activities. "We just had spent a week in Colorado, we chose this camp ground as a stop over on the way home. When we got here the staff was amazing! The place was clean and the amenities were awesome, so awesome we ended up staying here longer than one night so we could enjoy a movie in the park, explore the end of dinosaur days, and relax in this quiet KOA."
What you should know
Weather fluctuations: Mountain settings can experience rapid temperature changes and unexpected conditions. Pack accordingly for both hot days and cold nights.
Road conditions: Many camping areas require travel on unpaved roads. A camper at Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping warns: "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."
Insect activity: Certain locations experience heavy mosquito presence during summer months. "Title says it all. Gorgeous location along creek surrounded by awesome cliffs. But we had to leave because we literally couldn't escape the mosquitos," notes a visitor to Echo Park Campground.
Water availability: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. "Nice CG, paved FS rd all the way except last 1/2 mile of gravel from FS rd #20. CG has 20 camp sites, no reservations. $10 nite, vault toilets but NO water or garbage," reports a camper about East Park.
Tips for camping with families
Group accommodations: Reservable group sites accommodate larger family gatherings. "Nice large area in the trees on edge of a large open meadow grassy area. Signs note only two group areas but one in center seems to have all the shade and the tables," says a visitor to Iron Springs Group Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specialized facilities for children. According to one camper at Vernal/Dinosaurland KOA, "What I liked about this campground were all the activity options they gave you, unlike some other KOA's I've stayed at. 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."
Alternative glamping options close to Vernal: For families seeking glamping experiences, several options exist. "We rented the group site for Mothers Day weekend, very clean and nice, close to town...had a blast on paddle boards and kayaks," notes a Steinaker State Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Unlevel sites: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. "Most sites are best for smaller rigs, tent trailers and tents. There were only 4-5 sites that would accommodate our 26' trailer. Because the campground is on the side of a hill, sites are pretty unlevel, but we were able to adapt," comments a visitor to Cedar Springs Campground.
Limited hookups: Full-service sites are concentrated at specific campgrounds. "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."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide on-site sanitary dumping. "Upon arrival the campground was about half full, but no water was on yet, the dump station was closed, the camp host had set up, but was not present and the vault toilet cleaning logs said baths had not been cleaned for 6 days," reports a Cedar Springs camper.
