- Camping & Cabins

Camping & Cabins

Fishlake National Forest offers diverse lodging opportunities, from lakeside campgrounds ideal for fishing and swimming, to rustic dispersed camping for solitude, plus historic guard stations for a unique stay. Enjoy easy access to hiking, UTV, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails from these bases for a truly immersive experience.

Visitors to Fishlake National Forest can choose from 29 developed campgrounds and nine undeveloped (dispersed) camping areas. While camping is allowed across most of the forest unless restricted by special orders or closures, many sites require reservations that can be booked through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Any campgrounds that do not accept reservations are managed on a first-come, first-served basis.

A view of Copperbelt Peak from the Bullion Pasture Trailhead

The Fishlake National Forest enforces a 16-day camping limit. After 16 days, visitors must move at least 5 road miles for camping in another area.
The 16-day stay limit also applies to camping equipment. Camping equipment may not remain in place longer than the 16-day stay limit, even if used by a different person or group.

A campsite within the Kents Lake Campground displays a picnic table and wood available for a fire

The Fishlake National Forest manages a network of developed campgrounds, most of which offer amenities like restrooms, picnic tables and fire rings or grills. Many sites can be reserved in advance. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak season, and can be made online through Recreation.gov or by phone 1(877-444-6777).

The Gooseberry Admin Site Cabins shown in the summer time on the Richfield Ranger District

In addition to our campgrounds and dispersed camping areas, guard station cabin rentals are also available to rent at a few select locations on the forest. Reservations are required for all cabin and guard station rentals and must be made online in advance through Recreation.gov

The Fishlake National Forest offers a variety of campgrounds, dispersed areas and picnic areas that offer group sites. These larger sites are ideal for family reunions, youth outings, and other group gatherings that usually require more space. Group sites typically provide larger campsites, or additional campsites grouped together, and offer additional amenities like group fire rings, extra picnic tables and benches or pavilions.

Tents are shown in a dispersed camping area on the Fishlake National Forest

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 amenities such as tables and fire pits, are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets in popular areas.

There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.