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Smith and Morehouse Campground is located a very short distance from Smith and Morehouse Reservoir on the western edge of the Uinta Mountains in northeastern Utah. The town of Oakley, Utah, is just 12 miles away. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing and exploring the Smith and Morehouse Trail.
The reservoir is open to motorized boats, though a wake-less speed is enforced, making it an excellent place for canoeing and kayaking. A boat ramp is located on the northwest shore. Anglers enjoy fishing for stocked rainbow trout and other native fish species.
The 14.6 mile point to point moderately trafficked Smith Morehouse Trail is popular with hikers and backpackers. The trail begins at nearby Ledgefork Campground and leads through forests, meadows and a marsh before spurring off to Erickson Basin and Island Lake. It is one of the less popular hikes in the Uintahs and at times can be difficult to navigate where the actual trail is. Be sure to take a map and compass/gps to help along the way. It is a good idea to take two cars or have someone drop your group off at one of the trail heads and meet you at your destination so you have transportation waiting for you at the other end. The trail is difficult and can be very hot in the summer months. Be sure to take an adequate amount of water.
The campground offers numerous family sites, most of which are accessible. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided, as are vault toilets. Firewood is available for purchase from the host. This is a paved campground with no hook-ups.
The campground is situated just below the reservoir in a scenic conifer and aspen forest at an elevation of 7,800 feet. Smith and Morehouse Creek runs through the campground. A variety of wildlife makes its home around the reservoir, including moose and deer. Summer temperatures range from 65-75 degrees in the day to 40-50 at night.
For facility specific information, please call (385) 273-1100.
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, Length 65 miles/104 km, Time to allow: 2 hours. Heading east from Kamas through the national forest, Mirror Lake Highway is one of the most popular mountain routes in the state. The road winds through farm and ranch lands and rises to heavily forested mountain terrain accented by the meadows and rugged peaks. There are numerous access points into the High Uinta Wilderness along this byway.
**Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees**
* Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation.
* Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
* You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
**Late Cancellations**
* Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.
* Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.
* Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
* Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
* Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge.
**No-Shows**
* Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date.
* If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.
**Refunds**
* Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure.
* Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location.
* Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.
* Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.
* Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.
**Recreation.gov Billing Information**
* Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777."
**Changes to Policies and Procedures**
* Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 2018.
From Salt Lake City, Utah, take Highway 80 east for 36 miles to the Kamas exit. Travel south for 12 miles to Oakley, turn left on Highway 213 and travel 12 miles to end of pavement. Turn right and go 2 miles to the campground entrance.
34 single sites - $26.00, capacity - 8 people
Extra Vehicle - $10.00 per vehicle
Picnic area - $10.00 Monday- Thursday
Overflow at the Boat Launch - $18.00
Boat Launch - $10.00 (Not included in campsite fee)
Season Boat Launch Pass - $60.00
We kayaked, and it was so beautiful and peaceful! We saw some eagles too!
So beautiful and peaceful! There is really no cell service except for T-Mobile. The camp hosts are so friendly and helpful, and the campsites and bathrooms are super clean. The water available at the camp is dependent on the reservoir level, so just check before you come. We always cut our own firewood there from felled trees, and there are plenty.
Just beautiful! This is the place we go to "get away". There s no service here which is wonderful because my family is just together. It's only about an hour and a half from the south side of the salt lake valley, and super easy to get to!
The reservoir is so full the water is flowing over the spillway into the river and makes for great river fishing :) We went over 4th of July weekend and they made us pay $15 per vehicle and only two pets per group were allowed.
One of my favorite places. Easy to get to, beautiful drive , and can almost guarantee you’ll see the osprey and some kind of animal. I’ve seen moose, beaver and eagles just at the res. Works great for kayaks and canoes. And great fishing.
