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Lower Bowns Campground is located on the east side of Boulder Mountain on the shore of Lower Bowns Reservoir at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring local trails.
Popular activities in the area include hiking, biking, hunting and riding the Rosebud ATV Trail. Lower Bowns Reservoir offers boating, canoeing and fishing for rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout.
This campground contains three accessible sites: one group site can accommodate up to 50 people, and two single sites can each accommodate up to 10 people.
Vault toilets are provided, and roads and parking spurs throughout the site are gravel.
The campground is sparsely forested with pinyon pines and juniper, which offer only limited shade. Boulder Mountain lies to the west of the site, and Capitol Reef National Park's Waterpocket Fold and the Henry Mountains lie to the east.
Capitol Reef National Park is just 45 minutes from the campground. This unique park offers excellent hiking trails, historic sites and breathtaking scenery.
Sightseeing along Utah Highway 12, a National Scenic Byway, is very popular. Travelers visit from every corner of the world to gaze upon stunning red rock canyons and desert landscapes.
From Torrey, Utah, take Highway 24 approximately one mile east to the junction with Highway 12. Turn right and travel 16 miles to Forest Road 186. Take FR 186 5 miles to the campground.
Beautiful lake. But fishing was terrible. My husband caught a 4-5 inches. He threw it back. But it was great for peace and quiet.
We enjoyed our time at Lower Bowns Group Site. We pulled a 24 foot trailer and there were a couple of dicey moments, but nothing too bad. Group site was clean, and had plenty of space. Walking distance to the lake. Some availability to camp directly on the lake. Not too far from Capitol Reef, so we made a day trip. Bring your own firewood as the pickings are very slim.
Camped on the beach on the east side of the Reservoir. Really good trout fishing near the rocks on the east side, caught limit in about an hour and they had decent size. Got pretty chilly overnight, bring a warm sleeping bag.
My husband was born and raised on this mountain. He and his Dad spent many hours fishing this beautiful body of water. The landscape is serene, peaceful. Fishing is active/successful. Turn off Hwy 12 at the Lower Bowns road sign, it is dirt road all the way down and is very rough in spots. A car is not advised. You will need a 4wd if trying to access the back side of the reservoir. Take bug spray!
Lower Bowns Reservoir is a good sized lake about 20 minutes down a dirt road from the 12. The fishing can be good there. There is a campground on the west side of the lake. On the east side, be careful to stay on the dirt road, Opuntia fragilis cactus are invasive and are everywhere! Watch your dogs!
