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A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service campground

Joes Valley Reservoir

Forest Service campground in Manti-La Sal National Forest, Emery County, Utah. 7,120 feet. 13.2 miles from Orangeville.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest
Elevation
7,120 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
51 51 standard non-electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Emery County

Overview

Joe's Valley Reservoir Campground is located in a high mountain valley next to its namesake, at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the surrounding off-road vehicle trails. A paved road winds around the lake but quickly turns to dirt once the elevation begins to increase.

Recreation

The reservoir offers good fishing for cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, tiger muskie and trophy splake. Boating, water skiing and canoeing are popular on the lake. A boat ramp is located nearby on the eastern shoreline. Horseback riding, bouldering, hiking and mountain biking are popular in the area as well.

Facilities

The campground contains several single and double-family campsites, all of which are accessible. Many sites have lake views and some sites are shaded. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Roads and parking spurs are paved. Boat ramps can be found nearby for easy lake access.

Natural Features

Joe's Valley is situated on the Wasatch Plateau in Central Utah. Juniper, pinyon pine and sagebrush cover the area, and aspens and pines dot the surrounding hillsides. Located on a reservoir, there is nearby access to Seely Creek, Littles Creek, North Dragon Creek, and Lowry Water.

Nearby Attractions

Renowned bouldering opportunities are located in nearby Straight and Cottonwood Canyons. Popular mountain fisheries at Grassy Lake, Pete's Hole, and Potters Ponds are all within 10 miles of the group site. The 370-mile Arapeen Off-Highway Vehicle Trail System can be accessed directly from the Reeder Trailhead, which includes 66 and 55-inch OHV trails. Attractions at Joe's Valley Reservoir include the Orange Olsen Guard Station cabin rentals, and Joe's Valley Group Pavilion.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • swimming site
  • water sports

The land around Joes Valley Reservoir

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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