Camping & swimming; good spots? (Salt Lake City, Alpine: rentals, live in, horse)

[Panz]

Greetings. This is my first post. I located a thread similar to this one, but pertaining to a different part of the state, in which some of you gave another poster some very good advice. Maybe you can help me too....

I live in the Salt Lake valley, and I'm looking for some lakeside camping spots. I don't mind too much if it's primitive, or developed camping, but what I'm hoping for is a spot that doesn't get -too- crowded during weekdays, where swimming is allowed. I won't be there on weekends. I wouldn't like to drive more than 2-2.5 hours, though obviously the shorter the drive the better....

My wife and I have just been feeling this incredible *itch* to get away, you know. Get out of the city. And we're from Utah, but we don't really know where to go. When I was a kid, the camping trips were always organized by my Dad, I didn't pay too much attention, and plus we lived far away from where I live now, so it wouldn't necessarily translate.

Anyway, long story short... Any great lake camping in Utah, not too crowded, within a few hours of Salt Lake City?

thanks,
-Nick

[Bridget]

We always like to go to Moon Lake. It is located in the High Uintahs. It is most crowded around the holidays but otherwise I think it is okay. You can reserve a spot online or just drive there and get one. Each site has water hookups and there are a couple of flush toilets within the campground. There are hiking trails, horse rentals but no atvs allowed. We go swimming in it but it is mostly just off the shore. It is can be very cold but it has a sandy beach. They have not found the bottom of the lake in some spots and there can be underwater currents so I wouldn't suggest going too far out. There is no boat ramp so there are mostly canoes and maybe a few smaller boats here and there but not crowded at all.

[Badland wonder]

You might try Capitol Reef National Park. If you have never been there, it is worth a visit. Camping right on the Freemont River and places to get your feet wet. Or higher in the mountains on the drive there is Fish Lake, most wonderful place.

[lolagranola]

I too was going to say Capitol Reef. Only been there once, but it was very quiet with really beautiful landscape. Moderate hiking.

We loooove City of Rocks (national park in Idaho). Two and a half to 3 hours drive. Amazing place. Rustic campgrounds, once you are off of the road, you may as well be on another planet.

[EdLo]

Tibble Fork Reservoir is on the Alpine Loop (we plan to do the loop in August) I found some great links, just google Tibble Fork Reservoir. It sounds like it's the perfect place for your family. If you go there before we do, post your experience so I might know what to expect.
Eddie