Prior Flat Campground offers 15 wooded sites across 9 acres at 7,717 feet, where aspens and pines shelter picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet. Reviewers consistently mention the quiet. Many report being the only campers. And the convenience for exploring Shirley Mountain roads. There's no potable water, so bring your own.
The facility contains 15 campsites on about 9 acres and includes one pull-through site and parking spurs.
Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall showcases the campground's golden aspens and offers the clearest wildlife-viewing opportunities as elk and mule deer move through lower elevations; daytime highs are typically in the 40s–60s°F with crisp nights often dropping below freezing. Fewer summer crowds and the quieter trailheads make for intimate wildlife encounters and photography, though hunters may be active during parts of the season so awareness and blaze orange are recommended. Expect calm, dry weather windows interspersed by
Peak months: September, October, August
Avoid: December, January, February
Elevation7717 ft above sea level
Natural Features and SceneryAspens and pines create a mixed forest where wildlife moves through daily. Antelope cross the ridges, mule deer and elk browse near the edges, and golden eagles ride the thermals overhead. The golden aspens are especially striking in fall when the canopy lights up and animals descend from higher elevations. Sagebrush fills the gaps between trees, and the forest floor stays relatively open. Some sites sit higher than others. Useful after rain, when lower spots can flood.