Hideout Canyon Camping Area
RV Guide
Introduction
Situated in Sweetwater County near to the small town of Moab, the Hideout Canyon Camping Area was once a place where outlaws went to seek refuge. One of the biggest names from Wild West history, Butch Cassidy, born Robert Leroy Park, and the rest of the Wild Bunch gang used to use this area to hideout from the law.
This small camping area is well situated next to the Kokopelli trail and near to the La Sal Mountains and its central location means that there is lots to see and do nearby. The site itself is part of the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area in Ashley National Forest. This sprawling BLM-area includes the 91-mile long Flaming Gorge Reservoir, making it a popular spot for water sports enthusiasts; with water-skiing boating, rafting, fishing, paddling and even scuba diving available.
Hideout Canyon is the perfect getaway for those with an adventurous spirit and a longing for solitude; providing an ideal base to explore this remote and unpredictable landscape. However, if you are looking to experience an RV camping adventure in the Utah wilderness, this may not be the best site for you. It is only accessible by hiking, four-wheel-drive or by boat. Still, there are several RV campgrounds nearby, and there is a wealth of recreational activities available in the region.
RV Rentals in Hideout Canyon Camping Area
Transportation
Driving
Hideout Canyon is near to the town of Moab in Ashley National Forest. To drive to the location, take Onion Creek Road (MP 20) from HWY 128 and from there, drive ten miles. Turn left just before the ranch before traveling 1.5 miles to the camping area. This last two miles of this road is a dirt road and suitable for four-wheel-drive and high clearance vehicles only. This road is only open in the summer months, with driving conditions expected to be dangerous in poor weather conditions. If you are driving in this area early in the morning or late at night you need to be extra cautious, as there may be wildlife on the roads.
Alternatively, to get to the Hideout Canyon Campground by boat, take SR 44 from Manila and travel seven miles in the southeast direction. From SR 44, travel northeast on Forest Road 92 before turning into Sheep Creek Bay. Using boat ramp here and then travel two miles southeast by boat and you will arrive at the campground. The Lucerne Valley Marina is also just a few miles away by boat, and here you will be able to find shops, fuel, fishing supplies and the like.
Parking
There are no parking lots at this campground, and it is only accessible via boat or by high clearance vehicle.
Public Transportation
Due to the remote location of the Hideout Canyon, there is no public transport that currently services the area. However, there are bus tours and shuttle services from the town of Moab to some of the nearby wilderness areas.
Campgrounds and parking in Hideout Canyon Camping Area
Campsites in Hideout Canyon Camping Area
First-come first-served
Hideout Canyon Camping Area
This BLM campsite is a tent-only campground that is open from May to September and only accessible via boat, hike or four-wheel-drive. There are eighteen different sites available, with 10 guests per site, and these are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Offering back-to-basics primitive camping in the Utah wilderness, this is dry camping only, with no electric sites and only limited shade. However, there are flush toilets and water hydrants.
Hittle Bottom Campground
The Hittle Bottom Campground is also maintained by the US Bureau of Land Management, and it is situated around forty-five minutes from the town of Moab. This campground has 15 individual campsites and one group campsite, and it can accommodate everyone- from large RVs to one-man tents. The majority of the sites here are first-come, first-served apart from the group option which needs to be booked in advance.
Offering lakeside camping with excellent access to the reservoir, this is a popular site that can get busy in the summer.
Lucerne Campground
Located in the Ashley National Forest, the Lucerne Campground is managed by the USDA Forest Service. This is also lake-side, on the north shore of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Open from May to September, this campground has showers, dump stations, potable water, and electric hookups and an amphitheater on-site which has interpretive programs in the summer.
Seasonal activities in Hideout Canyon Camping Area
In-Season
Boating
The 91-mile long Flaming Gorge Reservoir provides the perfect opportunity for getting our on the water and enjoying the crystal clear waters. This is the perfect campsite for water sports enthusiasts, with many visitors using a boat as their primary form of transport here. The boat ramp at the campsite is open 24 hours for easy access to the reservoir. If you are looking for rafting, the Green River has a range of sections from flat water to more intense white-water rapids.
OHV Driving
Whether it is an off-highway vehicle and or an all-terrain vehicle, in the area surrounding Hideout Canyon you can discover some of the most diverse trails in the country. From the high desert areas to the north of the Flaming Gorge recreation area to the high alpine country of the mountains, there are trails to suit all levels and abilities.
All riders must wear a helmet, and vehicles must be road safe. Non-residents will also require a permit. If you are planning on visiting the area for some OHV fun, it is important to remember that it is fundamentally a critical habitat for a diverse range of species. As a result, you must only ride on designated routes.
Hiking
The area surrounding Hideout Canyon is home to over 90 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, and OHVs. The region presents ample opportunity to explore the unique geology, outlaw history, and Native American rock art whilst admiring the colorfully striated cliffs and dense pinyon pine and juniper forests. Hideout Canyon is also located at the end of the Kokopelli trail; an epic 142- mile multi-use trail that goes all the way from Colorado to Utah. Another popular nearby trail is the Canyon Rim Trail; a 6.5-mile route that offers expansive views and scenic panoramic vistas.
Off-Season
Fishing
The untamed natural beauty in the heart of the Wild West and world-class waters make this a popular vacation destination for anglers. The Flaming Gorge Reservoir is known to offer an abundance of species, with the chance to catch mackinaw, Utah chub, rainbow trout, channel catfish and smallmouth bass.
This reservoir is particularly famous for its trophy lake trout, with the current record at a whopping 51lb 8oz. If you enjoy fly fishing, the nearby Green River is considered to be one of the best streams in the county. If you are planning on fishing, non-Utah residents must hold a valid fish permit from the Division of Wildlife Resources.
Horse Riding
With such a wealth of untouched landscape to be explored, the Hideout Canyon is ideal for a horse riding adventure. There are several horse riding trails in the area, including the Hideout Canyon and Down Mountain Overlook trail which offers some pretty impressive views. Avid equestrians may also like to camp with their horse, with this option available at the nearby Browne Lake Campground.
This is a primitive campground that runs on a first-come, first-served basis and has a vault toilet but no drinking water or hookups.
Wildlife Watching
An ideal location for an intensive wildlife experience, there is a wide variety of species native to this region. With black bear, bobcat, moose, mountain lion, mule deer, otter, bighorn sheep, elk and herds of wild horses, you will definitely want to pack your camera. Bird watchers will also appreciate the chance to spot falcons, osprey and the majestic bald eagle.
The best time to see the local wildlife is at dawn or dusk. You should never approach wildlife and always be cautious when you are in the area.
