10 Best Camping Spots in Uinta

Uinta is a mountain region that stretches from northeast Utah to the southernmost edge of Wyoming. It is known for being the highest mountain range in the country. Uinta is complete with interesting lakes, rivers, forests, and basins throughout.

Its majestic mountain peaks are an adventure enthusiast’s dream, containing a plethora of unforgettable outdoor experiences at every turn. When it comes to beautiful campgrounds, the Uinta Mountain range has no shortage of offerings.

These include opportunities to go fishing, hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, and more. There is no better place to enjoy nature in its preserved state. A few of the best camping spots in Uinta are Rainbow Park, Massey Meadow, and Mill Hollow.

If you see a visit to Uinta in the near future, read on to get in on the best locations to pitch a tent and experience this gorgeous mountain range at its finest.

1. Red Canyon Campground

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The Red Canyon Campground is famous for its formations of beautiful Pink Claron Limestone. It is a must-see when visiting Utah. The campsite is accessible by the Scenic Byway Utah State Highway 12, near the Flaming Gorge Reservoir at 7,400 ft elevation.

Despite being named after the vibrant, rugged canyon it sits on, the campground itself is flat. Its grassy terrain, perfect for setting up a tent.

The nearby Green Lake offers plenty of fishing opportunities to guests of the campsite. Trout are plentiful in the waters near Red Canyon.

Other available activities include hiking and biking through the network of easily accessible trails. When exploring the landscape, you may find ancient carvings and paintings from Native American tribes.

The Red Canyon Campground offers accommodations for tents and RVs. The on-site amenities range from campfire and picnic areas to shared potable water access. There are no reservations at Red Canyon. Instead, camping spots are reserved on a first-come-first-served basis.

2. Massey Meadow Camping Area

The Massey Meadow Camping Area is situated on the outer boundary of the Ashley Valley National Forest. The forest spreads from the corner of Utah to Wyoming. It encloses over one million acres of land.

Massey Meadow is composed of wide-open fields of grass and wildflowers. There is an abundance of wildlife to discover while camping on this site, from deer to bears. The landscape is plentiful with mushrooms, berries, and similar plants.

The campsite itself features plenty of space between individual spots, offering privacy to campers. It also features picnic and barbecue areas for gathering. Things to do while camping include hiking, birdwatching, and taking scenic drives.

There are several nearby attractions to enjoy during the day. These include the Hideout Eagle Basin Trail to the Steinaker State Park. The campground is close to Massey Cave, which could be of interest to hikers and climbers.

Campers at Massey Meadow can also take advantage of the accessibility of the Flume Trail, a challenging hiking and mountain biking destination.

Massey Meadow is an ideal place to experience nature in its entirety. The singular amenity offered on the campground is a shared vault toilet. This location is best for camping in a tent, as there are also no hookups for an RV.

Related Read: Best Time To Visit Uta

3. Grizzly Ridge Yurt

Credit: David Papadakos Legacy / Flickr

The Grizzly Ridge Yurt is by far one of the most unique camping experiences the state of Utah has to offer. It has just over 300 square feet of capacity.

This eclectic accommodation sleeps four to eight people in its two full-sized bunk beds. There is no electricity or plumbing in the yurt at all, and water is also not provided.

The location of the yurt is optimal for breathtaking views of the forest and accessibility to nearby attractions. It is surrounded by trees and mountains. This creates the perfect quiet spot for a private getaway.

There are plenty of hiking and biking opportunities around the yurt. Grizzly Ridge is the most notable at over 9,000 ft of elevation.

During the winter, the area sees a lot of snow. There are tons of activities from snowshoeing and skiing to snowboarding and sledding.

A specific combination code is needed to access the lock on the front door of the yurt. That said, reservations are required to visit.

They must be made at least three business days in advance by calling the district office. Without a reservation and code, guests cannot access the inside of the yurt.

Visitors should be reminded to bring their blankets and bedding, as they are not included with the bunk beds. Multiple stoves and a dining area are provided. However, campers must bring their food, utensils, and supplies to cook with.

4. Rainbow Park Campground

The Dinosaur National Monument in Jensen, Utah holds plenty of interesting campsites within its wide-open landscape. It is named after the ancient creatures that once lived there.

Guests can view fossil remains inside rock formations during their visit. The monument is open to visitors all day, every day year-round excluding major holidays. Snow conditions may cause certain sections to be closed in the winter.

The Rainbow Park Campground offers an opportunity to experience history and nature all in one. From hiking and discovering ancient pictographs and petroglyphs to viewing dinosaur bones, there is no shortage of activities close by.

The park offers ample space for picnics and campfires. There is also a historic ranch available for touring. The Green River offers rafting among other water activities.

Guests should keep in mind that many nearby attractions require driving off-road to access. This can potentially become dangerous when there is rain, snow, or other extreme weather.

It is worth noting that the park’s visitor center can offer information about current road conditions before traveling.

Related Read: 70 Best Things To Do in Utah

5. Red Fleet State Park

Red Fleet State Park is one of Uintah County’s most attractive state parks. Nicknamed “Little Lake Powell”, there are a wealth of outdoor activities to enjoy while visiting.

On top of its mild weather and beautiful scenery, Red Fleet is an optimal destination for camping. Whether you are traveling by tent or RV, there are ample accommodations for your stay at the campsite.

Some of the amenities offered at the campground include picnic and campfire areas. There are also shared restrooms. Not to mention the stunning views of the desert landscape and sandstone mountains.

Adventure lovers will enjoy the plentiful water activities Red Fleet State Park has to offer. These range from paddle boarding to canoeing. Equipment is not necessary to bring. The park provides rentals of kayaks, boats, canoes, paddle boards, and more.

Other options for daytime activities include fishing in the Red Fleet Reservoir and hiking the Dinosaur Trackway. Its proximity to the nearby Dinosaur National Monument offers additional excursions for visitors to the Red Fleet Campground.

Just a short distance away, guests can spend the day uncovering ancient fossils and artifacts from thousands of years ago.

6. Soapstone Campground

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In Utah’s mountainous Summit County, the Soapstone Campground is a public recreation area within the larger Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest. It has an elevation of 8,200 feet in the Uinta mountains.

Soapstone is composed of a scenic landscape and heaps of recreational activities. Fishing for trout is among some of the most popular things to do while visiting this area. The Soapstone Campground offers convenient access to the Provo River, where trout are plentiful.

This campsite also provides easy access to the Soapstone Basin, where guests can participate in horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking along its winding trails. There are also plenty of opportunities to go off-roading in the Uinta wilderness.

While there is no potable water available to guests of the campground, each space comes standard with a picnic table and campfire pit. There is a shared vault toilet available for use, and the park does provide trash collection across the campsites.

Related Read: 10 Top Park City Hiking Trails

7. Mill Hollow Campground

Another gem within the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest region, the Mill Hollow Campground is a solid choice for nature lovers.

Best known for the Mill Hollow Reservoir, this campsite offers a plethora of outdoor activities within the grounds and nearby for its overnight guests.

There are opportunities for fishing and canoeing in the reservoir, as well as hiking through an expansive network of nature trails. Birdwatching is another popular choice with tons of unique bird species, specific to the mountain region.

The tall trees provide optimal shade during the day to participate in activities such as horseshoe throwing and archery.

Mill Hollow contains a total of 28 individual campsites. They each come standard with a picnic table, grill, and a campfire ring. There are pit toilets in the restrooms, and clean water is provided on-site.

8. Wolf Creek Campground

Credit: Erika Hernandez Calvo / AllTrails

At the top of the Wolf Creek Highway sits the Wolf Creek Campground at over 9,000 ft elevation. The landscape features colorful wildflowers and dense pine trees, along with unobstructed views of the adjacent Wasatch Range.

Trail Hollow is a popular choice for hiking, with breathtaking scenery you can’t miss when visiting Wolf Creek. Wildlife viewing and biking are available through the meadows and trees.

Some of the amenities offered at Wolf Creek include an expansive outdoor amphitheater. These come along with picnic tables and fire pits.

Visitors of Wolf Creek should note that no clean water is available. Therefore all water needed for the entire stay should be brought along. Similarly, RV campers should be aware that there are no electrical or sewer hookups on site.

Reservations are not available at Wolf Creek, so it is recommended to arrive early to secure a spot. Guests are also expected to bring their garbage bags and transport their trash on their way out of the campground.

9. Washington Lake Campground

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Best known for its proximity to the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, the Washington Lake Campground boasts amazing weather and beautiful views of nature.

Hiking enthusiasts can take advantage of the many trails accessible directly from the campsite. Most notably, this includes the Crystal Lake Trail that begins on the camping grounds.

The best things to do while visiting Washington Lake include taking scenic hikes and drives, wildlife watching, boating, and fishing. In this area, you are likely to catch mostly albino and rainbow trout.

When it comes to the campground’s amenities, Washington Lake provides vault toilets shared across all campsites. There is no water provided, but firewood is conveniently available to purchase.

10. Bear Canyon Campground

The Bear Canyon Campground is a lush, green landscape that consists of an array of trees from aspen to oak. This site also features wide open, grassy meadows and clear blue skies.

The campground offers convenient access to the beginning of many hiking trails throughout the recreational areas. Camping spots also contain campfire pits and picnic tables. The canyon is swallowed by the Wasatch Range, creating beautiful viewpoints all around the campsite.

Those planning a visit to Bear Canyon Campground should keep in mind that shade is rare during warmer months with so few trees. Amenities include parking and toilets that are both flushable and non-flushable.