By:
Submission
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest outside of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no toilets, no treated water, and no fire grates are provided.
Camping in dispersed areas on the Forest is allowed for fourteen (14) days in any thirty (30) day consecutive period. Campers must move off Forest after reaching the 14-day limit. The stay limit also applies to all camping equipment (tents, chairs, ATVs, ATV trailers, etc.), even if used by a different person or group. Camping equipment must be removed by the end of the fourteen (14) day stay limit or the equipment may be impounded. Stay limits are implemented to reduce impacts to vegetation and wildlife habitat, as well as provide access to popular campsite areas for other visitors.
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It's your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience.
In most areas, dispersed camping is allowed up to 150 feet from a designated Forest Service Road, with some exceptions. Exceptions are based on protection of resources that may include water quality, soil conditions, and wildlife & fish habitat.
No Dispersed camping within 100 feet of water (we recommend 200 feet).
No dispersed camping where topography or existing vegetation limits vehicle travel (e.g. steep terrain, trees, brush).
No dispersed camping within wet meadows or in saturated soil conditions. In these areas, walk-in tent camping and picnicking are allowed, however vehicle travel into these areas may be restricted. The public is asked to use existing pull-outs off the main road and walk in to take advantage of these areas that help provide clean water, productive soils, and habitats for fish and wildlife.
I normally love this drive, but a huge portion of the forested space is currently burned down and ugly.
Gorgeous! Even after the 2018 fire. One of my favorite places anywhere!
Driving the Mt Nebo Loop has been a bit of a running joke in our family. On the way home from a long drive, "Hey kids, should we take the Mt. Nebo Loop?" Or in the pitch dark "Say, let's take the loop" yet never, in 20+ years, have we driven it until recently and wow, have we been missing out!
Beautiful scenery, waterfall at the Grotto trail, pine trees, patches of red rock (Devil's Kitchen that's reminiscent of a mini Ceder Breaks or micro Bryce canyon ridge). The stark uplifting of Mt. Nebo itself, that might make those adverse to heights a bit dizzy at the overlook. There are the Payson Lakes managed by the Forest Service, plan on a $10 day use or if you have certain Access Passes for the National Parks it's free entrance if you want to visit any of the lakes- the drive is yours for the price of whatever fuel your vehicle requires. We took our EV on this drive, (charged in Orem at the Library) and made it comfortably back to top off for the rest of the drive home.
We saw a few leaves changing and know that we'll be back for the foliage in a few weeks, this time, following through with the "Hey kids, let's drive the Mt.Nebo Loop."
The park is 9 minutes away from our house and overall is a nice place to gather together as a family and have a good time. We found two fire pits so far and picnics tables. It has a decent parking lot, restrooms and a frisbee golf course. We also were lucky enough to see a couple of deer running around the last time. Under the bridge, there is a small stream where you can take your kids and jump around. Our dog loves being there. I would suggest more cleaning though. Some places need to be swept off a little bit.
