USDA Forest Service · Utah
Buckboard
USDA Forest Service · Utah, United States
- Sites
- 12
- Hookups
- 12 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to September 30
- Max RV length
- 20 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 8,796 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- Verizon good · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- BUCKBOARD CAMPGROUND (NFSR 50171) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Manti-La Sal National Forest
- Nearest town
- Monticello
- Address
- 397 N. Main St, Monticello, UT, 84535
- Phone
- 435-587-2041
- Activities
- Auto Touring, Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Off Highway Vehicle Trails, Photography, Picnicking, Scenic Drive, Star Gazing
12 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Buckboard Campground sits in the Manti-LaSal National Forest in southeast Utah at the foot of the Abajo Mountains. Visitors enjoy fishing and exploring local trails.
Recreation
Popular activities include fishing, hiking and off-road vehicle riding. Several trailheads are nearby, including Robertson's Pasture Trail and Spring Creek Trail.
The Abajo Loop State Scenic Backway passes by the campground. It leads from the desert floor and red rock canyons to steep mountains over 10,000 feet high, with overlooks and panoramic views. The byway is suitable for passenger vehicles from late spring through fall but is not recommended for large RVs.
Facilities
The campground offers several single-family sites, as well as two group sites than can each accommodate up to 50 guests. Firewood may be collected in and around the campground. Forest Road 105 to the campground is paved, while parking spurs and the road within the campground are graveled. There are two vault toilets and the campground has water available (seasonally.) There is a 14 day stay limit at this campground.
Natural Features
Aspens and Gambel oaks surround the site, offering partial shade. The campground sits at an elevation of 8,900 feet, and summer temperatures range from 75-85 degrees during the day and 50-60 degrees at night. Mule deer, wild turkeys and black bears frequent the area.
Nearby Attractions
Other attractions in the area include Canyonlands, Arches and Mesa Verde National Parks, Natural Bridges National Monument, Dark Canyon Wilderness, Edge of the Cedars State Park, Lake Powell and numerous archaeological sites.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29° | 16° | -2° | 45° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 33° | 17° | -3° | 45° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 23° | 7° | 68° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 52° | 30° | 15° | 68° | 10 of 11 |
| May | 64° | 41° | 24° | 75° | 4 of 11 |
| June | 77° | 52° | 36° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 82° | 58° | 48° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 77° | 54° | 47° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 49° | 30° | 79° | 1 of 11 |
| October | 57° | 36° | 18° | 69° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 48° | 27° | 13° | 56° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 34° | 18° | 0° | 48° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Dalton Springs Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Nizhoni · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 29 sites
- Devils Canyon · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi · 41 sites
- Windwhistle Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 20 mi · 15 sites
- Windwhistle Group Site · Bureau of Land Management · 21 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in Utah · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.