The Little Creek Campground in Utah is a Bureau of Land Management property, managed by the local BLM office, with support from Rich County, and the Town of Randolph, Utah. The BLM site is located at the base of the Monte Cristo Mountains in the Little Creek Valley which is vegetated with sagebrush and native grasses.
A small first-come, first-served, ten site campground with reservable group sites is situated at the BLM site and provides amenities such as restrooms, potable water supply, and trash receptacles. The Little Creek Campground is situated at 6380 feet above sea level in an open desert landscape on a 25-acre reservoir.
There is no shade here, and visitors should be prepared for very hot temperatures during the summer, or choose transition seasons for overnight camping when the climate is more hospitable. Inquiries and reservations for group sites can be made by contacting the Salt Lake Field Office.
The BLM site is a popular staging area for recreational activities. Visitors to the Little Creek Campground enjoy horseback riding, cycling, hiking, and OHV activities along area trails as well as fishing on the reservoir. During the winter, snowfall in the region makes snowmobiling and skiing possible on designated trails and at local resorts.
Multiple state parks are within a one to two-hour drive of the BLM site and provide additional wilderness areas to explore, campgrounds, and recreational activities. Check out the Bear Lake State Park, Bear River State Park Loop, Hyrum State Park or Willard Bay State Park while visiting the area.
Little Creek Campground is situated three miles west of Randolph, Utah, where travelers can access services and amenities. The Little Creek Campground is situated in a desert landscape at the base of the Monte Cristo Mountains, and harsh terrain with sudden climate changes is characteristic of the area. During the summer, visitors will experience high temperatures and dusty conditions, while sub-freezing temperatures with snow and sometimes icy road conditions can occur in the winter. Ensure your vehicle is appropriately equipped for the environment with topped up fluid levels and good tires to provide traction during the offseason.
Travelers can take Interstate 80 to Evanston, Wyoming, and then take State Highway 89 north. At the Utah border, this highway becomes Utah Highway 16. Continue north to Randolph, then turn left to head west on Canyon Street. Canyon Street becomes Little Creek Road. At the fork in the road head north. A short distance down this branch the Little Creek Campground will be on the right side of the road. There is a cattle guard at the campground entrance that is bumpy and may jostle the contents of RVs and tow trailers so proceed slowly.
The access road and the roads around the campground are naturally dirt surfaced and can become rutted in wet weather or be the dusty in dry weather. RVs and tow trailers may need to proceed slowly on rough road surfaces and to avoid stirring up dust.
There are 10 individual sites available at Little Creek Campground for tenting, vans, travel trailers, and RV units. There is a small fee for individual campsites, which are available on a first come, first serve basis. There is also a group site that can be reserved through the local BLM field office.
The campground is located across from the 25 acre Little Creek Reservoir, which is ideal for fishing activities, and informal hiking trails extend from the campground. The campground is open, with little shade, and is known for having plenty of insects and mosquitos, so don't forget the bug spray. There are trash receptacles, a potable water supply, and vault toilets on site.
There are no RV hookups, firewood, or a dump station, so be prepared and ensure you are appropriately supplied. This is a scenic desert campground, with majestic mountains nearby. Campers can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and local wildlife while staying in the area.
Explore the natural, informal trails throughout the Little Creek Valley, around the reservoir, and up into the Monte Cristo Mountains. You can hike, mountain bike, or horseback ride in the area. There are steep elevation changes especially in the mountainous areas, so be prepared for some climbs.
Ensure you have enough water for yourself and your stock if you are horseback riding, and that mountain bikes are well maintained and able to handle rough terrain without mechanical breakdown. Temperatures are very hot in the summer so be prepared. Late spring and early fall are ideal times, as unpredictable weather can occur in the offseason.
Visitors to the Little Creek Campground can enjoy fishing on the Little Creek Reservoir. The reservoir is 25 acres in size; however, there is no boat ramp here, so you will have to carry your boat and hand launch it. There is also a speed restriction on the lake. Species available for catch in this Utah lake include bluegill, largemouth and striped bass, carp, crappie, blue catfish, gar, pickerel, walleye, and redear sunfish.
The Little Creek is also near the campground and you can try your luck fishing from the banks here. Make sure you have a valid state of Utah fishing license!
Off-highway vehicle enthusiasts will find OHV areas in the Little Creek Campground vicinity. Haul ATVs and dirt bikes, or take 4x4s and jeeps to OHV areas in the region such as the Jordan River OHV State recreation area, or a little farther afield to the Shoshone OHV trail.
The Shoshone OHV trail has 50 miles of trails for off-highway activities. This trail system is open all year round. However, it may be inaccessible during the winter with snowy or muddy wet conditions. Ensure you are appropriately equipped with safety gear as this is a remote region with little cell phone coverage. Visitors should not engage in OHV activities alone in case of emergency. Watch out for wildlife and livestock along the narrow trails.
Utah has plenty of groomed and backcountry cross country ski areas and trails for nordic sports enthusiasts to enjoy. You can also cross country ski along numerous back roads and on some golf courses during the winter months. The trails in the mountainous areas are the most likely to have adequate snowpack for cross country ski trips.
If you are cross country skiing in the backcountry, be prepared to set our own track, be aware of avalanche conditions and weather forecasts, and be well kitted out for harsh winter conditions!
Downhill skiers and snowboarders will find an alpine paradise in the Utah mountains with many nearby ski resorts providing miles of groomed downhill runs, chairlifts, tows, accommodations, rentals, lessons, and plenty of amenities.
Resorts in the mountains nearby average 500 inches of powder for alpine adventures. Plenty of excellent snow conditions are generated by Utah’s “lake effect”. Resorts have a variety of trails from beginner, to advanced and expert runs, so there is something for everyone regardless of your experience level.
Snowmobile area and trails abound in northern Utah, and are accessible for visitors in the area with snow machines. Get ready to head out in the snowmobile areas and along designated snowmobiling trails at the Hardware Ranch, Monte Cristo, Logan Canyon, and many other trails. Check avalanche reports before heading out and ensure you have appropriate safety equipment including locators, avalanche gear, helmets, and emergency winter survival gear.
