Established Camping
Shady Dell Campground — Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest
Shady Dell Campground, near Kamas, Utah, is a solid choice for those looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest. This spot offers a mix of tent and RV sites, making it accessible for different camping styles, and it’s a great base for exploring the nearby hiking trails.
The campground is known for its clean vault toilets and friendly hosts, which campers appreciate. Many visitors enjoy the proximity to a lovely creek, perfect for a refreshing dip or just relaxing by the water. As one camper noted, “It’s a great campground close to the creek & a good jumping point for hikes in the Uintas.”
While there are no electric hookups or showers, the shaded sites provide a comfortable atmosphere, especially during the warmer months. Campers have mentioned the pleasant surroundings, with plenty of trees and a paved drive loop that makes navigating the area easy.
For those who want to explore, the Fairy Forest is just a short walk away, adding a touch of whimsy to your stay. Keep in mind that the campground can get busy, especially during peak season, so arriving early is a good idea. Whether you're camping with family or friends, Shady Dell Campground offers a welcoming environment to enjoy the great outdoors.
Description
USDA Forest Service
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Overview
Shady Dell Campground is nestled in the curves of the Provo River. The campground is located on the beautiful Mirror Lake Scenic Byway in the Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah at an elevation of 8,200 feet. The Uintas are known for their abundant recreational opportunities and scenic beauty.
Recreation
The Lower Provo River can easily be accessed from the campground and offers good trout fishing. Soapstone Basin is nearby, with miles of exciting off-road vehicle trails for riders of all skill levels. Numerous additional hiking, biking and horseback riding trails crisscross this beautiful region.
Facilities
The Lower Provo River can easily be accessed from the campground and offers good trout fishing. Soapstone Basin is nearby, with miles of exciting off-road vehicle trails for riders of all skill levels. Numerous additional hiking, biking and horseback riding trails crisscross this beautiful region.
Natural Features
The campground is situated among a dense forest of pine, fir and aspen trees, which provide ample shade and beautiful fall color. Thickets of willow line the Lower Provo River, which flows alongside the campground.
Nearby Attractions
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway parallels the Lower Provo River as it snakes across a portion of the Uinta Mountains, leading to numerous high alpine lakes and streams, countless trails, breathtaking scenic viewpoints and various campgrounds. Fishing, canoeing, hiking, backpacking, horseback riding and biking are popular activities. The High Uintas Wilderness can be accessed from several trails along the byway.
Charges & Cancellations
Reservation Cancellations & Changes Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below). Changing an Existing Reservation: When changes are made prior to the cut-off window: If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee. There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit the recreation fee for the day of departure. There is no change fee if the customer wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility. If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date. Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Cabins / Lookouts: Customers who cancel a cabin or lookout reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Group Day Use Area: Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee. Changes or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window: Once a reservation date has begun, customers cannot change a reservation using the online system or through the Call Center (see below for early departures). If the location is staffed, on-site personnel may or may not be able to assist with changes or cancellations (check with local staff). No-Shows Overnight and Day-Use Facilities: A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date and will hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night___s recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use fee for a day-use facility. Early Departures If a customer departs prior to the scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund. Please notify staff at the facility if you depart early to allow others to use the site. Customers may notify the call center to request a refund of remaining unused nights. If a customer requests a refund for an early departure after the facility check-out time has passed, the customer will not be refunded for that night and is eligible for a refund on any additional nights that will not be used. Interagency Pass Discounts The following are the only Interagency Passes that provide a discount on camping reservations and some tickets: Senior Annual Pass Senior Lifetime Pass Access Pass Golden Age Pass Golden Access Pass Eligible pass discounts only apply to individual campsites and may apply to a ticket for the pass holder. Interagency Pass discounts do not apply to group reservations, cabins, shelters, and multi-use sites (doubles, triples, etc.). Pass discounts only apply to the recreation (or use) fee for the facility. Other charges such as electricity or water hookups, reservation or other fees are not eligible for a discount. The holder of the pass must occupy the site for which the discount is applied. The pass can only be used for one site during a time period. Refunds Customers may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Customers may also initiate a refund request through the call center at any time after their reservation has ended. Fees: Applicable fees, such as reservation fees, service/cancellation fees, lottery application fees, and change fees, are non-refundable. Debit or Credit Card Purchases: Refunds for debit or credit card payments made after October 1, 2018 will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. In the event that a customer has cancelled this card, they will need to contact their card company to have the funds released. We cannot issue refunds to any card other than the one used to pay. If a customer paid with a debit or credit card prior to October 1, 2018 their refund will be issued in the form of a Treasury check. Check or Cash Purchases: Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. You may update the address at the time you request the refund. It may take up to 6-8 weeks for the Treasury check to arrive. Please make sure your address is up to date in your customer profile. Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within your Recreation.gov customer profile. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. Recreation.gov Billing Information Reservation transactions will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777 NM" Changes to Policies and Procedures Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated September 2019.
Fee Info
Cash, Check, or Scan & Pay (with recreation.gov app) 17 single sites - <strong>$27.00</strong>, Capacity - 8 people + 1 vehicle 1 double site - <strong>$53.00</strong>, Capacity 16 people + 2 vehciles Day use - <strong>$15.00</strong> Extra vehicle - <strong>$10.00</strong> per vehicle (paid on-site cash/check) Firewood - <strong>$9.00</strong>
Location
Shady Dell Campground — Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest is located in Utah
Directions
In Kamas, UT, at the intersection of State Rt. 32 (Main St.) and State Rt. 150 (Center St.), take Rt. 150 (Mirror Lake Scenic Byway) east 17 miles to the campground sign. Turn right at the sign into the campground.
Address
UT-150
Kamas, UT 84036
Coordinates
40.590114 N
111.015751 W
Access
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TGood
- T-MobileAvailable
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 1 min from Salt Lake City
- 1 hr 9 min from Provo
- 1 hr 27 min from Ogden
- 2 hrs 11 min from Logan