5 Great Camping Spots Near Coalville, Utah (Escapod Headquarters)
The day has finally arrived! You've picked up your Escapod & are ready for an adventure in the great outdoors. So, where should you go?
Read on for our top picks for 5 great camping spots near Escapod HQ. All these destinations are within an hour and a half of our headquarters in Coalville, UT.
1. Mt. Timpanogos Campground
Situated minutes from Sundance Resort and only an hour from Escapod. Mt. Timpanogos Campground is nestled in a gorgeous Aspen grove, making fall a stellar time to camp here! There is phenomenal hiking & biking, both on Mt. Timp and at nearby Sundance Resort. If you happen to be there on a Sunday, stop in for the incredible brunch at the Foundry Grill. You can also go for a day trip to the Mt. Timpanogos caves or check out Bridal Veil Falls.
Cool fact: Timpanogos is the mountain range that inspired the topo lines on our TOPO Series trailer. It was one of the hikes that Chris Eckel & Chris Hudak did together as their partnership was coming to fruition.
Downsides? Camping fees & people? We're stretching here...hard to come up with any downsides.
When? June 05, 2020 – June 11, 2020 (First-come, First-served) June 12, 2020 – September 06, 2020 (Peak Season - Online reservations highly recommended) September 07, 2020 – September 13, 2020 (First-come, First-served)
How Far? 1 hour (55 miles) from Escapod HQ
Fees? From $24/night
Pets? Allowed. Respect leash laws where indicated.
Antelope Island State Park. Photo: Chris Hudak
2. Antelope Island State Park
Just north of Salt Lake City, Antelope Island offers gorgeous views of the Great Salt Lake and epic sunsets. It feels like you’re on the seashore, which considering it is an ancient seabed, I suppose you are!
There are some fun hiking & biking trails to enjoy out here but also great wildlife sightings. Bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, & pronghorn antelope (fastest land animal in North America - can run up to 70 mph!) have made this place their home.
Downsides? Depending on the time of year, you may encounter biting gnats (in late spring) or the smell of brine shrimp (late fall).
When? Open year-round.
How Far? 1 hour 15 mins (62 miles) from Escapod HQ
Fees? From $20/night
Pets? Allowed. On-leash only.
Stansbury Island (Bureau of Land Management) Photo: Chris Hudak
3. Stansbury Island
Stansbury Island is the second-largest island in the Great Salt Lake. You'll find wide-open spaces, great sunsets, and really cool reflections off of the salt flats. It's BLM land, so there are very few people, but it also means there are no facilities. It's a great spot to camp if you’re planning to head further west. This terrain offers a fun place to test the off-road capabilities of our trailers.
Downsides? No amenities! This could be considered a plus or minus depending on your perspective! Also, during hunting season, you'll want to keep your pets nearby.
When? Open year-round, but the best times would be April - November
How Far? 1 hr 30 mins (86 miles) from Escapod HQ (west of Salt Lake City)
Fees? None! Thankful for our public lands!
Pets? Allowed! And mostly free to roam, though you'll want to be mindful of hunters.
4. Ledgefork Campground
Fishing, canoeing, hiking, swimming, Ledgefork Campground has it all! Located just above Smith and Morehouse Reservoir on the western edge of the Uinta Mountains, the town of Oakley is just 14 miles away. If you're looking for a quick bite away from the campground, check out the Rhode Island Diner.
Ledgefork is nestled in a serene conifer and aspen forest at 7,800 feet. Smith and Morehouse Creek runs through the campground and a variety of wildlife makes its home around the reservoir, including moose and deer.
Downside? Water is open to motorized boat traffic.
When? June 12, 2020 – June 18, 2020 (First-come, First-served) June 19, 2020 – October 15, 2020 (Peak Season - online reservations highly recommended) October 16, 2020 – October 31, 2020 (First-come, First-served)
Fees? From $24/night
How Far? 45 mins (30 miles) from Escapod HQ
Pets? Allowed. Respect leash laws where indicated.
5. Moosehorn Campground
There are numerous places to camp in the Uinta National Forest, but one of our favorites is Moosehorn Campground. The fishing is world-class in the Uintas, so you can try to catch your dinner in Moosehorn Lake! There are ample rainbow, brook, & cutthroat trout swimming the waters. If you're looking for a more intense activity, checkout nearby Bald Mountain for a fun and challenging hike!
Moosehorn Campground is at an elevation of 10,000 feet and summer temps range from 50-85 degrees and even colder at night! Be sure to bring some warm layers, even in the mid-summer months!
Downside? High elevation of 10,000 feet, may be a tough adjustment for those coming from sea-level.
When? July 1 - September 6 (Peak Season - online reservations highly recommended) September 7 - September 30 (First-Come First-Served)
Fees? From $23/night
How Far? 1 hr 15 mins (50 miles) from Escapod HQ
Pets? Allowed. Respect leash laws where indicated
Hopefully, these suggestions are helpful! If you think we left something out, let us know in the comments below!
Also, if you're just looking for a quick & easy spot to camp for a night before heading out on your big adventure, check out Echo, Jordanelle, or Rockport State Parks. All of these locations are within 30 minutes of Escapod and offer campsites from $24/night.
*Please, don't forget to follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace anywhere you camp!
**State Park openings are dependent on current COVID-19 recommendations. Please check the Utah State Parks COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date information.
