The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
A Bureau of Land Management site is an area where you can get out into nature. It's not always necessarily a campground but could be a trail or a reservoir. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are usually near a BLM site to offer an affordable, convenient stay. Search "BLM camping near me" to find locations close to you.
Koosharem Reservoir is a BLM lake with proximity to the Fishlake National Forest, the Paiute ATV trail, and Capitol Reef National Park. Its water level is around 310 acres, and the maximum depth is 20 feet.
View a 60-foot waterfall at the end of the hike when you take the Bullion Falls out-and-back trail in the Fishlake National Forest. Horses and dogs are allowed on the trail.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Delano Peak is an out-and-back trail that takes you to the peak of the highest mountain in the Tushar Mountains. Dogs are allowed on the trail.
Length: 3 miles
Intensity: Hard
Goosenecks & Sunset Point takes you to a popular area for watching the sunset. You should start the hike about two hours before sunset to time it right. The sunset can last about an hour to an hour and a half. Goosenecks & Sunset Point is in the Capitol Reef National Park.
Length: 2.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
You can learn about the Fremont people, who lived in the area from 300 to 1400 CE along the Hickman Bridge Trail. Pick up a travel brochure at the trailhead to know which sites to look for as you walk.
Length: 1.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Trout fishing is good at Koosharem Reservoir, Doctor Creek, and Fish Lake. Motorized boats are allowed on Fish Lake, Johnson Valley Reservoir, and Mill Meadow Reservoir. You could also go kayaking and canoeing on many of the small lakes in the area.
Capitol Reef National Park offers some rock climbing opportunities for experienced climbers. The Wingate cliff walls feature natural fracturing. You could use nuts, chocks, and camming devices, but the rock sometimes flakes off easily.
You may spot elk, deer, mountain goats, moose, or black bears in the Fishlake National Forest. Types of birds that frequent the forest include ospreys, hawks, wild turkeys, owls and ducks. In Capitol Reef National Park, you could see pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, chipmunks, elk, mule deer, owls, and black-billed magpies.
Koosharem Reservoir has picnic tables, grills, and ADA-accessible toilets. Other sites in the surrounding area you could find a picnic include Max Reid (Paiute) trailhead, Ponderosa Rec Site, South Fork trailhead, Monrovian Park Picnic Site, and Twin Creeks Rec Site.
You can go OHV and ATV riding on the Paiute ATV trail. The primary trail is nearly 300 miles, and the unmarked paths add up to over 900 miles.
You can try your hand at finding flecks of gold at Little Cottonwood Campground and Indian Creek Trailhead. Miner's Park Interpretive teaches you about the lives of gold miners from the 19th century.
Horseback riding trails in the Fishlake National Forest include Birch Creek, Cove Creek, Mud Lake, Monrovian, and Salina Creek. There are equestrian campgrounds in the forest that have corrals and water as well.
You can go skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in designated areas in the Fishlake National Forest. There are some ice fishing opportunities in the region as well.
RV camping is allowed at Koosharem Reservoir. It features sewer hookups, toilets and phone service. You can bring pets and horses to the campground as well. Other good campgrounds in the area are Single Tree Campground, Doctor Creek Campground, and Mackinaw Campground.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is available at Koosharem Reservoir. Some options in dispersed camping in the Fishlake National Forest are Indian Creek CUA Dispersed, Kents Lake Campground, and Manning Meadows CUA Dispersed.
The dirt road leading to Koosharem Reservoir is sometimes closed, so you should check in advance that it's open. Summer temperatures can be in the 90s, especially in the rock climbing areas. You'll need to bring extra water if you visit in the summer. Winter temperatures are usually in the 20s–30s but can drop lower. The sandstone in the Capitol Reef National Park weakens when it's wet, so you should avoid rock climbing when it's wet or after a rain. Thunderstorms frequently occur here in the afternoons from July to August. You'll also need a permit to go rock climbing.
Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
When you're camping in Utah or any other area, you should dispose of your trash and waste correctly. Don't leave behind any type of grafitti, including handprintsi. Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef National Park has had problems with people leaving behind handprints, which damages and discolors the rock. You shouldn't carve on anything on the land not even boulders or trees. The goal is to leave things the way you found them. You can take pictures and videos for the memories.
Koosharem Reservoir is located at Koosharem Reservoir, Utah 84701. From Koosharem, Utah, head north on UT-62 E/N Hwy 62/N Main St. toward W 100 N St. After five miles, turn left onto UT-24 W. Make a right onto County Road 4545, then a slight left to stay on County Road 4545. Within 102 feet, you'll be at the reservoir.
Ready to visit Koosharem Reservoir? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
