Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Green River slices through the Uinta Mountains in the northeastern corner of Utah, offering rafters, kayakers and other whitewater enthusiasts miles of tumbling whitewater to pit their paddling skills against. Fishermen wade out from shore in waterproof gear, casting their lines for fighting trout common in the waters. Although it has less than 150 year-round residents according to the 2010 census, the small town of Dutch John along its shores makes an excellent place to set up your RV for enjoying all the area has to offer.
Flaming Gorge Reservoir straddles the border of Utah and Wyoming just outside the west limits of Dutch John, with half of the north-south lake in each state. The area is renowned for its scenic red and black canyons, and trophy size lake trout, which can exceed 30 pounds. Rainbow and brown trout, small-mouth bass and kokanee salmon are also in the lake. Just 4 miles west of Dutch John, enjoy camping at Antelope Flat, with sites for both families and groups. The lightly used campground has flush toilets, drinking water, an RV dump station, cabanas, picnic tables, fire rings and grills. Electric hookups are an option at Lucerne Campground just 30 miles west of Dutch John. For a more rustic experience, just 6 miles beyond Lucerne, you can camp along the sandy beach in Stateline Cove Campground. The campground has dispersed camping with vault toilets and a few picnic tables.
Less than 40 miles south of Dutch John, two state parks provide RV-friendly campsites. Red Fleet State Park lies along the Red Fleet Reservoir. Steinaker State Park is 5 miles farther south on the shores of Steinaker Reservoir. Take a hike to see dinosaur tracks, beginning at Red Fleet, or search for fossilized clams, oysters and other shellfish at Steinaker. Drop your line for largemouth bass, rainbow or brown trout, or bluegills. You can choose from campsites with full hookups or self-contained spots at both parks, and reservations are accepted year-round.
Ashley National Forest encompasses more than a million acres in northeastern Utah and Wyoming, providing more than 1,000 campsites suitable for RVs. Hookups primarily are at campgrounds near Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Other campgrounds provide vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables, and many have potable water. RV size is restricted in some campgrounds to 25 feet. You also may camp in dispersed sites throughout the forest, provided you stay within 150 feet of a designated roadway, and a minimum of 1/4 mile from any man-made facilities.
Dutch John lies at an elevation of 6,463 feet above sea level, giving it mild summer days in the upper 80s Fahrenheit. Nights can cool down to the 50s or below, especially when summer rains pelt the area. In the spring, temperatures heat up to the 60s as early as April, but nights can remain freezing or lower. Autumn temperatures generally remain above freezing at night until early October. Expect nighttime temperatures in the teens from November through February, with days heating up less than 10 degrees above the freezing mark.