Lower Bowns, near Loa, Utah, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature without the usual crowds. This campground offers well-kept sites that are perfect for tent camping, RVs, or even a bit of glamping if you’re feeling fancy.

The area is known for its stunning scenery, with plenty of trees providing shade and a peaceful atmosphere. Campers have raved about the proximity to Calf Creek and the beautiful night skies, making it a great place for stargazing. One visitor mentioned, “The night sky was beautiful,” which is a sentiment echoed by many who appreciate the tranquility here.

While amenities are limited—no drinking water or electric hookups—there are picnic tables and fire pits available for your use. Just be mindful of the ants if you’re planning to tent camp, as some folks found them to be a bit pesky. If you’re up for a little adventure, the road to the campground can be a bit rough, but it’s worth it for the peace and quiet you’ll find once you arrive.

For those looking to explore, you’re just a short drive from Capitol Reef National Park, where you can hit some fantastic hiking trails. Whether you’re fishing at the nearby lake or just soaking in the natural beauty, Lower Bowns is a solid choice for a camping getaway.

## Overview

 Lower Bowns Campground is located on the east side of Boulder Mountain on the shore of Lower Bowns Reservoir at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring local trails. [View Lower Bowns Campground Map][1] 
## Recreation

 Popular activities in the area include hiking, biking, hunting and riding the Rosebud ATV Trail. Lower Bowns Reservoir offers boating, canoeing and fishing for rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout.
## Natural Features

 The campground is sparsely forested with pinyon pines and juniper, which offer only limited shade. Boulder Mountain lies to the west of the site, and Capitol Reef National Park's Waterpocket Fold and the Henry Mountains lie to the east. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Capitol Reef National Park is just 45 minutes from the campground. This unique park offers excellent hiking trails, historic sites and breathtaking scenery. Sightseeing along Utah Highway 12, a National Scenic Byway, is very popular. Travelers visit from every corner of the world to gaze upon stunning red rock canyons and desert landscapes. 

[1]: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1203377.pdf

Lower Bowns

Boulder, UT is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Boulder camping trip.

Boulder

The Best Camping Near Boulder, Utah

We camped in the free dispersed camping area out of season. Greatful it was open unlike the surrounding camp areas. There were some hunter/ATV groups nearby who were driving through outlr camp. They were friendly but kind of annoying that they brought their loud vehicles around us frequently. Beautiful area, probably should take something more capable than a sedan to get here.

Beautiful spot outside Capitol Reef

I love this place. The lake is easy to fish with lots of hungry trout. The camp site is clean and the mountain air is amazing.

Make sure you pack a pontoon boat with you. There is really good fishing only steps away from the campsite. Nice cedar trees to get you out of the sun. The Boulder mountain is one of the most beautiful places in Utah.

Awesome place to camp 

This is a RV site mainly. We tent camped here and it was not great at first. Ants are everywhere and you can’t get rid of them. Plenty of free dispersed in the same area. 
Also. The directions are iffy that they send you. You want to turn on the road going to Lower Bowns reservoir. Go all the way to the end and you will find the site on your left. But I wouldn’t bother. Plenty of dispersed camping.

Nice but free available

This is a beautiful spot, but definitely not ideal for someone looking to stop for a night between destinations. It is pretty far off the beaten path, down a rough gravel road. There are also several free dispersed camping sites nearby, and other campsites closer to the road. 
The actual sites are large with nice tables and fire pits. The ants were awful though, so I definitely wouldn’t suggest tent camping here. There is a pit toilet but no other amenities. You’re close to the lake, it’s nice and quiet, and the night sky was beautiful. 

Nice Spot if You Plan to Stay Awhile

Take the gravel road off rt12 that leads you down to the lake. There’s dispersed camping all the way down to the reservoir- just look for signs to make sure you’re not on private property. There’s a big clearing to your right about 3/4mi down the road. Lots of trees to hammock and I had no neighbors while I was there. 

Nobody around

Awesome place to camp when you can't get a spot at Capitol Reef. It's only a 15 minute drive away from a great hike to a waterfall and you can swing over to Capitol Reef in about 40 minutes.

Awesome place to camp near Capitol Reef

Great Campsites! Calf Creek is close. 
The well manicured sites are on the left, somehow east to miss if not watching. 
I pulled a 25ft tongue pull trailer with a half ton but be careful, go slow!
The long road down isn’t easy with heavy loads, the road is narrow. We had our daughter ride a bike ahead of us before we pulled out of ravine to hold off or warn oncoming traffic. 
We thought it was wise to put it in 4WD high but transmission in low, to grind out of the washboard roads and steep grades, it was a good idea. 



Photos of Lower Bowns

Real photos from real campers