Fishing enthusiasts will find Trial Lake Campground positioned at 9,500 feet elevation in the Wasatch National Forest, where the short season runs from late July through early September. The campground accommodates RVs up to 40 feet with water hookups available at select sites, though campers should prepare for rough access roads leading to the area.
The 60 campsites spread across forested terrain near the lake, with some positioned directly across from the water. Site density creates close quarters between neighbors, and several campers note the lack of privacy at certain spots. Chris B. mentions that at waterfront Site 7, "other people were parking at our site or literally walking thru the middle of the site to get to the water." The high elevation brings rapid weather changes, from sunshine to hail within hours.
Wildlife sightings include bald eagles overhead, while fishing opportunities draw many visitors to the lake itself. Camp hosts maintain clean restrooms and sell firewood on-site. The campground serves as a base for exploring nearby Lilly Lake Campground and other Uinta Mountain destinations.
Reservations help secure spots during the brief but popular summer season, particularly for sites closest to the water.
Description
Overview
Trial Lake Campground is located just off the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway on the shores of Trial Lake at an elevation of 9,500 feet. The byway cuts through the Uinta Mountains, which are known for their abundant recreational opportunities and scenic beauty.
Recreation
Trial Lake offers canoeing, kayaking and fishing for rainbow trout. Popular trailheads for Crystal Lake and Bald Mountain are located a mile away at Washington Lake Campground. Numerous additional hiking, biking, horseback and off-road vehicle riding trails crisscross this beautiful region.
Facilities
This campground contains several single-family sites and one double site, all with picnic tables and campfire rings. Some sites have tent pads. The lake is visible from most sites.Vault toilets and trash collection are provided. Firewood is available for purchase from the host. Roads and parking spurs are paved.
Natural Features
A dense forest of Engelmann spruce and white fir covers the shores of the lake, providing ample shade in the campground. Summer wildflowers dot the landscape. Summer temperatures range from 65-75 degrees during the day to 40-50 degrees at night.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (385) 273-1100.
Nearby Attractions
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway parallels the Lower Provo River as it snakes across a portion of the Uinta Mountains, leading to numerous high alpine lakes and streams, countless trails, breathtaking scenic viewpoints and various campgrounds. The High Uintas Wilderness can be accessed from several trails along the byway.
Charges & Cancellations
Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. Recreation.gov Billing Information Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777." Changes to Policies and Procedures Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 2018.
Fee Info
Cash, Check, or Scan & Pay (with recreation.gov app) 55 single sites - $31.00, capacity - 8 people + 1 vehicle 3 double site - $62.00, capacity - 16 people + 2 vehciles Extra vehicle - $10.00 per vehicle (paid on-site cash/check) Day Use - $15.00 Firewood - $9.00
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundTrial Lake Campground is located in Utah
Directions
From Salt Lake City, Utah, take I-80 east for approximately 30 miles to Exit 146 for Highway 40 toward Park City/Heber City/Vernal. Take Exit 4 onto Highway 248 toward Kamas. Take left onto UT 32 then right onto Highway 150 (Mirror Lake Scenic Byway). Go 25 miles to campground. From Salt Lake City, Utah, take I-80 east for approximately 30 miles to Exit 146 for Highway 40. Go south on Highway 40 for approximately 13 miles and take left onto UT Highway 32. Stay on UT-32 for 16 miles (there will be a 4-way stop in Francis.) Take right onto Highway 150 (Mirror Lake Scenic Byway) in Kamas. Go 25 miles to campground. From Provo, Utah, take Highway 189 thru Provo Canyon to Heber City. At the junction with Highway 40 in Heber, turn left and stay on Highway 189 thru town. At the north end of Heber, turn right onto UT Highway 32. Stay on UT-32 for 16 miles (there will be a 4-way stop in Francis.) Take right onto Highway 150 (Mirror Lake Scenic Byway) in Kamas. Go 25 miles to campground.
Address
Wasatch Cache National Forest
FR042
Kamas, UT 84036
Coordinates
40.6816667 N
110.9480556 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 13 min from Salt Lake City, UT
- 1 hr 20 min from Provo, UT
- 1 hr 39 min from Ogden, UT
- 2 hrs 23 min from Logan, UT


















