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Manti Lasal/Joe's Valley
Overview
Situated high in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the Joe’s Valley recreation area near Orangeville, Utah, is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts. Known worldwide for its unique sandstone formations and stunning alpine scenery, this destination offers a refreshing mountain escape. The area serves as a primary hub for those looking to combine high-altitude camping with world-class bouldering and tranquil water activities. It provides a rugged, authentic Utah experience away from the heavy crowds of the southern national parks. Visitors often find themselves immersed in a landscape where high-desert cliffs meet cool mountain breezes.
Location & Surroundings
Located just a short drive west of Orangeville via Highway 29, the landscape transitions quickly from the arid desert floor to lush pine forests and dramatic canyon walls. The centerpiece is the turquoise Joe’s Valley Reservoir, which is framed by the steep, rocky slopes of the Wasatch Plateau. Travelers will appreciate the scenic bypasses that offer sweeping views of the San Rafael Swell to the east and the dense woodlands of the Manti-La Sal National Forest to the west.
Amenities & Park Features
RVers visiting this area should expect a more rustic experience that emphasizes nature over resort-style luxuries. Most sites offer spacious paved pads suitable for medium-sized rigs, along with essential features like fire rings and heavy-duty picnic tables. While full hookups are limited, the access to well-maintained vault toilets and potable water stations ensures a comfortable stay for those prepared for dry camping. The park’s layout is designed to maximize privacy and provide direct access to the surrounding trailheads and shoreline. Many sites are positioned to provide unobstructed views of the water or the towering sandstone cliffs.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw is the reservoir, which is famous for trophy splake fishing and motorized boating. For those on land, the area is an international destination for bouldering, featuring thousands of established routes. Additionally, the Arapeen OHV Trail System provides hundreds of miles of motorized paths that wind through the forest and over mountain ridges. Exploring the nearby San Rafael Swell offers a chance to see unique geological formations and ancient petroglyphs just a short drive from your campsite.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for self-contained RV travelers who prioritize access to extreme sports and quiet evenings under the stars. It is a haven for bouldering athletes and OHV riders who need a reliable basecamp near the trails. Families who enjoy primitive mountain settings and water-based recreation will find the cooler summer temperatures and natural beauty perfectly suited for a week-long escape into the Utah wilderness.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Geoff Fiedler
Comfortable camp spots with clean pit toilets. Ample water for cooking and cleanup. Some sites may be a bit exposed, though many are nestled in trees and relatively private. Great access to the reservoir and be sure to check out the smaller lakes and and forest nearby.
Steven Motta
Joes Valley Campground is beautiful campground in the idle of Manti-La Sal mountain range. The campground is clean and well kept. We stayed in site 26. There were trees on both sides of the campsite and there is ample spacing between sites. There are water spigots throughout the campground to fill water containers, but non at the individual sites. There are no trash bins onsite, so what you bring in, you have to pack out. The campground sits right on the Joes Valley Reservoir which is a beautiful turquoise color and is great for boating and fishing. The water is still very cold for swimming. There is no shortage of biking, hiking and riding trails. The campground sits adjacent to the Arapeen Tail which is a network of OHV trails. We stayed two nights here and wished we could stay more. Will definitely be back. Highly recommend.
Karen Christensen
The campsites are very nice and they are quite level. The view of the lake from the site we always choose is really beautiful. My only issue is that I wish there were campsites with easier access to the lake so that we don't have to haul our kayaks, canopies, lunches, beach toys, chairs etc each time we want to play on the water. But it's a really nice place to stay.
Stephanie Harris
Update - 2022- 2023 was a good winter water year. The reservoir is now full. We were there in July and the wildflowers were still beautiful everywhere, but up by Mary's lake is especially lovely with wildflowers and everything was still green. There are picnic table and fire pits at each site. Potable water @ three locations around the campground, but we fill up in Orangeville town site, before going up the canyon. Bring your own wood and haul your trash away. There's a large assortment of four wheeling trails. It's a good idea to have a map, because it is such a vast area and it's easy to get turned around. We have a paper map, but we also use the GAIA app. There was still snow on skyline drive as of the middle of July 2023, but there are many trails that have full access. We had no problems spending the whole day, each day out on trails, we were there 5 days. 2021-Beautiful place to camp fish and four wheel. But the lake is very low and difficult to get a boat in right now. And they want you to bring your own water because of the drought. But we go here every year and it's wonderful.
Dillon johns
Easy to get to. Restrooms were clean host was friendly