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Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping

8 ReviewsAdd Review

Free and drive-in, Utah Forest Road 13 runs through Ashley National Forest on a cobble-base surface that makes for a noticeably bumpy ride. Low-clearance vehicles may struggle, and reviewers advise against bringing trailers unless a turnaround is clearly available. That said, several campers with all-wheel-drive vehicles report getting through without issue by taking it slow. The road eventually opens into multiple dispersed sites, each spaced far enough apart to avoid feeling crowded.

Sites vary between wooded and more open ground, with most featuring stone firepits built by previous campers and plenty of dead wood nearby for fires. The tree cover provides shade without blocking light entirely, and kiloalpha 2. notes it "does get breezy at night." Verizon and AT&T users report spotty but functional service, enough to send texts and make calls when needed.

A number of reviewers who found FR 13 too rough redirected to Forest Road #838 Dispersed Camping Area, which has fire rings, flat spots, and a small creek running through it. Road #839 Dispersed Camping is another nearby alternative, particularly noted for RV and trailer access. Both sit within the broader range of free camping near Ashley National Forest for those weighing options in the area. The 16-day stay limit applies here, so plan accordingly and arrive with firewood tools since no services are provided on site.

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Map & DirectionsUtah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping is located in Utah near Ashley National Forest

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

40.85496887 N
109.55466436 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 9/9/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 9/9/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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Reviews8 Camper Reviews - Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping

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4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Many visitors appreciated the spacious, private dispersed sites with established fire pits and peaceful atmosphere. The rough forest road limits larger RVs but works well for cars and smaller vehicles seeking a quiet retreat.

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2026

Go with 838 instead

Rough road with limited flat spots. Somehow a guy got a limo up there and was camping out. I followed the advice of other reviewers and went with CR838 instead. So beautiful and perfect for tent camping. There were a bunch of flat spots on 838 with fire rings and a little creek. 013 doesn’t compare at all!

Site838
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Abigail C., June 1, 2026
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2023

Great Campsites, Convenient Location

We loved camping here after visiting Flaming Gorge! It was definitely worth the drive down because it loops us back up to I-80 on the western side of the gorge.

The road is bumpy but it's nothing a regular passenger car shouldn't be able to handle. The camp sites are spacious and each one is far enough from each other that peace and quietness was never an issue. There are some sites with fire pits and lots is dead wood that can be used. Plenty of shade from trees, but it does get breezy at night.

Month of VisitOctober
  • One of the many camp sites here
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  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by kiloalpha 2., October 4, 2023
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2022

Worth the drive

Well spaced sites, very private . Various sites to choose from, whether it’s more wooded or open area. Didn’t have anyone pass me through out my 2 nights there, I went for 4th of July weekend. Spotty Verizon and ATT service but still managed to be able to text and call as needed .

Month of VisitJuly
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  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Drifting M., July 8, 2022
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2021

Nice spot right off the road

I followed the other reviewers advice and went with #838. There are tons of dispersed camping options in Ashley National Forest. I stayed at this site on a Monday and I was the only one there.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Ashley B., October 12, 2021
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Ashley B., October 12, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2021

Pretty, rough road, FS 838

Lovely little spot. After reading reviews I opted for going on FS 838... There were large camp sites. There was a large group in one when I went by, and other sites that could fit maybe 4 or so cars. I sleep in my outback so I found a little spot. The road was pretty rough, some large divits and larger rocks on the road. I drive an outback so I just went slow and it was fine. It evened out around the corner, the but the beginning was rough. Enjoy it! It's a great spot for an over night and seemed to have a ton to do around the area, it was just a stopover for me.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Kate R., July 12, 2021
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Kate R., July 12, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 15, 2021

Beautiful forest camping

We found a spot next to a stream on forest road 838. Very few campers in the area, all quiet and respectful. Road was rough, no problem for our Subaru Forester. Lots of hiking available in the area.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Tom E., June 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Tom E., June 15, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 5, 2021

Rocky road camp

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. 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. FS notes 16 day limit

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Greg L., June 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Greg L., June 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Greg L., June 5, 2021
  • (15) View All
Reviewed Sep. 29, 2020

Just off the highway, amazing dispersed camping!

This was one of my favorite finds during my trip through Utah earlier this summer. We were checking out Flaming Gorge and, predictably, all the campgrounds were booked full. I prefer cool dispersed camping anyway, so I decided to venture off some forest roads to see what I could see. And man, that paid returns!

As you head down this forest road (it is a bit rough, low-clearance cars might have a rough go of it, as well as full-sized RVs) you'll see multiple minimal dispersed campsites, most with small man-made rock firepits and nothing else. You're back in the trees, but they aren't overly heavy, so the light comes through just fine, and you'll have open spots as well. One dispersed site on the way to mine looked to have an incredible view, but alas, it was taken.

My site was very large, right where the fire road (more a trail really) seemed to split in two directions. Tons of flat ground for tents, a big healthy stone firepit, and plenty of wood around to harvest. Set up shop as soon as I found it and glad I did. So quiet, big and open, trees for the hammock - basically everything I look for when I try and find a cool place to camp. 

Highly, highly recommended. Would camp here again in a heartbeat. Unfortunately I was too excited to remember to get any good photos of the site itself, so instead, please drool over the shishkabobs I got going on the fire, and the trees at dusk.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Quinn Z., September 29, 2020
  • Review photo of Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping by Quinn Z., September 29, 2020
Showing results 1-8 of 8 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a 4WD vehicle to access dispersed camping areas in Ashley National Forest?

While 4WD is not absolutely necessary for many dispersed camping areas in Ashley National Forest, it's helpful for some rougher roads. Forest Road 13 has a large cobble base that makes for a bumpy drive and might be challenging for low-clearance vehicles. However, many campers successfully access the area with standard passenger cars and SUVs like Subaru Foresters. Forest Roads 838 and 839 are more accessible alternatives with rough but manageable conditions for most vehicles. Always check current road conditions before heading out, especially after weather events.

Where are the best dispersed camping spots in Ashley National Forest?

The best dispersed camping spots in Ashley National Forest are found along Forest Roads 838 and 839, which offer more favorable conditions than FR 13, especially for those with RVs or trailers. FR 838 features excellent sites next to streams with few campers and plenty of privacy. These areas provide spacious, well-spaced sites that accommodate various camping styles, from wooded to more open areas. Many sites can fit multiple vehicles, while smaller spots work perfectly for single-vehicle campers. The area around Flaming Gorge offers particularly scenic camping opportunities with convenient access to recreational activities.

What are the rules for dispersed camping in Flaming Gorge and Ashley National Forest?

Dispersed camping in Ashley National Forest and the Flaming Gorge area follows standard Forest Service regulations. Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and minimize impact on vegetation. Camping is typically limited to 14 days within a 30-day period. Campfires are permitted but should be kept small and completely extinguished before leaving. Camp at least 100-200 feet from water sources to protect riparian areas. Always use existing sites and fire rings when available. During fire restriction periods, additional rules may apply. For the most current regulations, check with the Ashley National Forest ranger district office before your trip.

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