Gooseberry Reservoir

Star4.08
70 reviews
540 NORTH MAIN STREET
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

8,400 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Open from June 12 to...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens National Forest Service site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Gooseberry Reservoir
$10.00 - $10.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Facility rates for standard non-electric sites are $10 per night during both peak and non-peak seasons. An $8 reservation fee applies for online...
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Standard Site Fee$10.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
(435)283-4151
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What Campers Say

4.08

Satisfactory

Based on 70 reviews

46 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peaceful

"The Gooseberry Reservoir Campground is favored for its scenic location, peaceful environment, and access to recreational activities such as fishing and hiking. However, the lack of shade, limited amenities, and occasional issues with campsite cleanliness have been highlighted as drawbacks."

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Campground Map

540 NORTH MAIN STREET

Gooseberry Reservoir

540 NORTH MAIN STREET

Driving directionsFrom Fairview, Utah, travel north about a mile on Highway 89, to the junction with Highway 31. Travel east on Highway 31 for about nine miles, to the junction with Forest Development Road 124. Go north on Forest Development Road 124 for three miles, to the campground.
A well-maintained dirt road leads to the campground, providing relatively easy access for cars and RVs alike. However, user reviews mention variability in road conditions: 'The well-maintained dirt road was the worst. Wash board, ruts and very large rocks. I watched as my trailer bounced all over the place.'
Nearby places
Fairview: ~10 miles (~15 minutes)
Ephraim: ~35 miles (~40 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Supplies available in Fairview (~10 miles) and Ephraim (~35 miles), including groceries, fuel, and camping essentials.

Best Time to Camp at Gooseberry Reservoir

Summer brings warm days perfect for outdoor adventures, though mountain evenings remind you to pack that extra layer as temperatures dip. The true magic unfolds in September and October, when the surrounding aspens burst into a golden symphony that draws photographers and nature lovers alike. As winter approaches, the landscape transforms into a crystalline wonderland, though freezing temperatures and snow make this season better suited for day trips than overnight camping.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Warm days and cool nights; peak season offers fishing/hiking though sites lack shade.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 14% in UT

September–October highly recommended for leaf-peeping and cooler weather by multiple reviewers.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Campground opens Jun 12; spring camping not available.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed Nov 1–Jun 11; winter season not available for camping.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: June 12 to September 30 (peak season pricing applies).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open from June 12 to October 31 each year. Reservations start June 25 and end October 31.
  • Current Alerts: None explicitly mentioned in the authoritative source or user reviews.

About Gooseberry Reservoir

Escape to the tranquil mountain sanctuary of Gooseberry Reservoir Campground, where pristine waters meet alpine meadows at 8,400 feet. This hidden gem beckons those seeking solitude and natural beauty, offering endless opportunities for fishing in the reservoir's calm waters, paddling across its glassy surface, or exploring the surrounding trails by foot or bike. While the campground keeps things simple with vault toilets and no water or garbage services, the reward is an authentic wilderness experience far from the crowds.
Gooseberry Reservoir accommodates different camping styles, including sites for RVs and tents. Group camping and primitive camping options are not explicitly mentioned, and there are no cabins or glamping facilities.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in is typically after 14:00 local time.
Check-out
Check-out is typically before 12:00 local time.
Stay Limit
14 consecutive nights maximum per stay.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Gooseberry Reservoir Campground offers a range of recreational activities centered around the reservoir and the surrounding trails. These include fishing, canoeing, hiking, biking, and off-road vehicle riding. Boating is limited to hand-powered watercraft and does not include a boat ramp.
HikingThe Great Western Trail runs adjacent to the campground, offering opportunities for hiking. Reviewers appreciate the scenic views and nearby trails.
FishingThe reservoir is popular for fishing, with opportunities to catch cutthroat and rainbow trout. User reviews are divided; one camper noted, "Fishing wasn't all that," while another called it "fantastic."
BikingThe Great Western Trail offers opportunities for biking, though further details about difficulty or terrain are not provided.
BoatingCanoeing is permitted, limited to hand-powered boats only. No boat ramp is available.
Wildlife viewingCampers frequently mention the peaceful environment and occasional wildlife sightings, such as fish jumping in the lake.
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include exposure to leeches in the lake, strong winds due to lack of shade, and encounters with sheep and their guard dogs in the campground. Some user reviews also mention complaints about sheep herders and dogs, saying, 'The problem being their dogs...could not let our own dogs out...without 4 large white dogs charging and barking.'
Active AlertsNone explicitly mentioned in the authoritative source or user reviews.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Gooseberry Reservoir

Reviews

4.1
70 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Gooseberry Reservoir is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
The Gooseberry Reservoir Campground is favored for its scenic location, peaceful environment, and access to recreational activities such as fishing and hiking. However, the lack of shade, limited amenities, and occasional issues with campsite cleanliness have been highlighted as drawbacks.
Review Summaries
Based on 70 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users praised the peaceful and scenic environment, describing it as "beautiful" and "relaxing." The fishing and easy access to the reservoir were commonly appreciated. One user noted, "We always...
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Based on 70 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints frequently focus on the lack of shade and trash collection. Reviewers also mentioned the narrow spacing of sites and occasional overcrowding due to non-campers parking in reserved areas....
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Based on 70 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing your own shade due to the lack of trees. Preparing for colder nights and packing out garbage are crucial. Visitors also suggested reserving sites well in advance.
Based on 70 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Fall (September to early October) is highly recommended for leaf-peeping and cooler weather. One reviewer highlighted this as "ideal for the leafs changing color." Summer reviews often touch on the...
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Based on 70 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The reservoir is beautiful. Fishing was fantastic. We had the best time!" "Quiet campground. It's sparse so bring your own shade." "No cell service either." "We love Gooseberry Reservoir, one of my...
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Based on 70 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 006: Criticized as "not true" that every site has a reservoir view. Site 004: Noted for being in poor condition, with broken tables and trash. Site 007: Praised for its spaciousness and...
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Based on 70 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews addressing accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Based on 70 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Mixed experiences with pets. Some reviewers noted issues with sheep dogs being aggressive toward their pets, which limited their ability to let their pets roam freely.
Based on 70 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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