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Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. "Dispersed camping" is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest outside of a designated campground, and is generally allowed anywhere unless posted otherwise. Many people drive out on Forest Service roads into the woods and find spots that meet the needs for their camp.
Dispersed camping may mean no toilet facilities or treated water are located nearby. Typically, dispersed camping is not allowed near developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas or trailheads. Some dispersed sites are provided with fire rings and in those cases please use them as they are designating that area as the spot to safely have a campfire. Finally some dispersed sites have a designated footprint for use. If you see a site with any type of barriers or fencing please respect these areas by not pulling motor vehicles or OHV’s around them. They are there to preserve the surrounding forest making it enjoyable for all for years to come.
Regulations
Follow these general guidelines to help ensure these dispersed camping areas will be enjoyed by future generations of campers:
Camping is limited to 14 days. The campsite must then be moved a minimum of ten miles. Camping is restricted to 28 days in any 60-day period.
All dispersed campers should follow the ideals of Leave No Trace and practice the concept of Pack It In - Pack It Out.
The Motor Vehicle Use Map only allows for motorized vehicles to be parked 150 feet off of any authorized forest service road.
Dispersed camping is prohibited in areas such as developed trailheads and picnic sites.
Choose sites that are already established.
Find camping spots that allow for water to shed naturally. Digging ditches around tents or trailers is not permitted.
Dispose of human waste properly (200 feet from water, in an 8 inch deep hole).
Please do not carve or chop into tree trunks—this can eventually kill the tree.
The Ferron - Muddy Creek Recreation Area is a favorite for campers and fishers. It begins at Wagon Ridge Road on the north and extends south to the Forest Boundary. From foothills near Ferron, Utah it extends west to Skyline Drive. It is located in Emery, Sanpete and Sevier counties and the closest towns are Ferron and Emery, Utah. It can be most easily accessed from SR-10 and I-70. Portions of the Arapeen OHV Trail System are in this recreation area, small reservoirs and dispersed camping sites offer great opportunities for fun on the Forest.
Perhaps the most popular recreation area on the Wasatch Plateau is the Miller Flat-Joes Valley-Huntington Canyon Rec Area. The area boundaries are at Huntington Canyon on the north to Wagon Road Ridge on the south, and from the Skyline drive on the west to the east Forest boundary. It’s beautiful, easily accessed from urban areas, and offers a great variety of recreational opportunities. Whether you camp, fish, hunt, hike, explore on OHVs, ride a horse, or enjoy a day on the lake, you can find a place to do it here. You will find developed camping, dispersed camping, lakes and streams, and a network of motorized and non-motorized trails. The scenery is fabulous and there are hundreds of ways to enjoy the outdoors. The closest access is from SR-10 and SR-31. Closest communities are Huntington and Orangeville on the east side of the plateau, although many visitors come through Fairview on the west.
Traveling over the Wasatch Plateau between the towns of Fairview and Huntington, the Huntington Canyon Scenic Byway makes up half of the Energy Loop, a National Scenic Byway. The byway passes through the Manti-Lasal National Forest and provides excellent views of the mountain tops and valleys below. Huntington Canyon is filled with the history of the region, especially evident is the history of the Mormon pioneers who settled the area. Don't pass up the opportunity to travel Huntington Canyon Scenic Byway.