Nestled along the scenic banks of the Blacksmith Fork River in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Pioneer Campground offers a tranquil escape for nature enthusiasts. Situated just 9 miles from Hyrum, Utah, at a comfortable elevation of 5,600 feet, this charming campground provides a secluded and relaxing camping experience amidst the beauty of black willow and box elder trees. With 17 well-spaced single campsites, Pioneer Campground is the perfect destination for families, solo adventurers, and anyone seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Utah’s wilderness.
Essential Information for Your Visit to Pioneer Campground
Planning a camping trip to Pioneer Campground requires being aware of a few key regulations and essential information to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. From wildlife awareness to campground rules, here’s what you need to know before you arrive.
Important Notifications and Seasonal Closure
Please note that Pioneer Campground is closed for the season. The gates are locked, and all facilities, including restrooms, water, and trash services, are unavailable. Entry is prohibited and may result in citations. The campground is scheduled to reopen in May 2025. Always check for the most up-to-date notifications before planning your visit, especially regarding seasonal closures and any alerts that may affect your trip.
Bear Safety: Camping Responsibly in Bear Country
Pioneer Campground is located in bear country, and it’s crucial to take necessary precautions to ensure your safety and the well-being of wildlife. Proper food storage and waste management are paramount.
- Secure Food and Trash: Always store food and trash in bear-resistant containers or securely in your vehicle. Never leave food or coolers unattended, especially at night.
- Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with food storage regulations can result in substantial fines, up to $5,000, removal from your campsite, and even imprisonment. Remember the crucial saying: “a fed bear is a dead bear.” Human food is not healthy for bears, and habituating them to human food sources can lead to dangerous encounters and ultimately harm the bear.
Pack-It-In, Pack-It-Out: Maintaining the Pristine Environment
Pioneer Campground operates under a ‘pack it in, pack it out’ policy. This is essential for preserving the natural beauty of the area and minimizing human impact.
- Bring Garbage Bags: Ensure you bring sufficient garbage bags to collect all your trash.
- Dispose of Waste Properly: Since facilities are limited, you are responsible for removing all your waste when you leave. This includes food scraps, packaging, and any other trash generated during your stay.
Pet Policy: Camping with Your Furry Friends
Dogs and domestic pets are welcome at Pioneer Campground but must be managed responsibly to ensure the safety and comfort of all visitors and protect the natural environment.
- Leash Requirement: Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet (6’) at all times within the campground.
- Clean Up After Your Pet: Pet owners are required to clean up dog feces immediately and dispose of it properly.
- Limit on Number of Dogs: A maximum of two dogs are permitted per campsite.
- Dog Behavior: Do not allow dogs to threaten or attack people or animals, interfere with other visitors, vehicles, or property, cause damage to vegetation or habitat, or harass wildlife. Responsible pet ownership is key to a harmonious camping experience for everyone.
Campground Etiquette and Rules: Ensuring a Pleasant Stay for All
To foster a respectful and enjoyable environment for all campers, Pioneer Campground has established specific etiquette guidelines and rules.
- Gate Hours: Campground gates are open from 7 am to 10 pm.
- Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are strictly enforced from 10 pm to 6 am. Generators are not permitted after 10 pm to ensure a peaceful night’s rest for all.
- Designated Campsites Only: Camping is permitted only within the designated campsite boundaries. Do not extend beyond the marked boundaries of your site.
- Maximum Occupancy: Each single campsite has a maximum occupancy of 8 people.
- Reservation Policy: Reserved campsites will be held until 12 pm on the day following your scheduled arrival date. If you anticipate a late arrival, please notify the campground or booking service.
- Prohibited Vehicles: Horses and off-road vehicles are not allowed within the campground to preserve the tranquility and safety of the area.
- Leave No Trace Principles: Adhere to Leave No Trace principles:
- Dispose of all trash in dumpsters where provided, or store it properly in your vehicle or a bear-resistant container.
- Remove all personal property and trash when departing.
- Unclean campsites will be reported to the District Ranger Law Enforcement Officer. Leaving food or trash in an unoccupied campsite may result in a $5,000 fine.
- Cleaning fish, animals, or bathing in areas where drinking water is supplied is strictly prohibited to maintain water quality.
- Fireworks and explosives are prohibited. Discharging firearms within the campground is not allowed to ensure safety and peace.
- Refrain from fighting or boisterous behavior. Be considerate of fellow visitors and keep noise levels reasonable.
- Amplified music is not allowed in USDA Forest Service campgrounds and facilities to preserve the natural soundscape.
- Vehicle Length Restrictions: The maximum vehicle length specified for campsites includes any tow vehicle. Be sure your setup fits within the designated space.
- Minimum Stay Requirements: There is a 2-night minimum stay requirement on weekends and a 3-night minimum stay on holiday weekends.
- Trailers, Campers, and RVs: Arrive with your RV or trailer water tank filled. Hooking up to spigots or power in restrooms, even for medical devices, is strictly prohibited.
- Bring Your Own Drinking Water: Potable water may not be readily available at all times. Please bring your own drinking water to ensure you have an adequate supply.
- First-Come, First-Served (FF) Sites:
- Reservable sites must be booked at least 5 days in advance through Recreation.gov.
- To claim a First-Come, First-Served site, you must physically be present at the campground on the day you wish to check in.
- Availability of FF sites is not guaranteed, and Recreation.gov does not provide real-time updates on FF site occupancy.
- The only way to determine FF site availability is to arrive at the campground in person on your check-in day.
- Availability cannot be predicted in advance.
- Campground staff cannot be contacted for availability updates, especially in remote locations.
- Recommended arrival times for FF sites vary by day, with weekends and holidays filling up more quickly.
- To claim an FF site, you must be present, occupy the site immediately, and pay the required fee at that time.
- There is no waiting list for First-Come, First-Served sites.
- Extra Vehicle Fee: An extra vehicle fee of $10 per vehicle, per day applies and is payable on-site via cash or check.
- Firewood: Firewood is available for purchase at $9 per bundle.
- Discount Passes: If you have booked at a discount using a Senior or Access Pass, you are required to pay the difference in cash or check upon arrival if you cannot present valid proof of pass ownership. Only Senior or Access Passes qualify for discounts.
- No Refunds for Weather or Natural Conditions: Camping is an outdoor experience, and refunds are not given for inclement weather or natural conditions.
Changes and Cancellations: Understanding the Campground Policies
Familiarize yourself with the policies regarding reservation changes and cancellations to avoid any unexpected fees.
- Reservation Cancellations: Customers can cancel reservations online or through the call center prior to arrival. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund. Cancellations close to the arrival date may be considered late cancellations and incur additional fees.
- Changing an Existing Reservation:
- Switching dates entirely outside the original reservation dates incurs a $10 change fee.
- Extending or shortening a reservation within the original dates does not incur a change fee. Early departures may forfeit fees for unused nights.
- Switching to a different site of the same price within the same facility and dates does not incur a change fee.
- Reservations made beyond the maximum booking window cannot be changed until 18 days after the original booking date.
- Late Cancellations and Cancellations within the Cut-off Window:
- Individual Campsites: Cancellations the day before or on the day of arrival incur a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night’s use fee (not exceeding the total reservation cost). One-night reservation cancellations forfeit the entire amount without an additional service fee.
- Cabins/Lookouts & Group Facilities: Cancellations less than 14 days before arrival incur a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night’s use fee.
- Group Day Use Areas: Cancellations less than 14 days before arrival forfeit the total day-use fee.
- Changes or cancellations are not possible online or via the call center once a reservation date has begun. On-site staff may or may not be able to assist with changes at staffed locations.
- No-Shows:
- No-show customers who do not arrive and do not cancel by check-out time the day after arrival (or check-in time for day-use facilities) are considered no-shows.
- No-shows are assessed a $20 service fee and forfeit the first night’s recreation fee for campsites or the entire day-use fee for day-use facilities.
- Early Departures:
- Partial refunds may be available for early departures. Notify campground staff of early departure to allow others to use the site.
- Refund requests for remaining unused nights can be made through the call center. Refunds requested after check-out time will not include that night.
- Interagency Pass Discounts:
- Discounts on camping are available only with Senior Annual, Senior Lifetime, Access, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passes.
- Pass discounts apply only to individual campsites (not group sites, cabins, etc.) and may apply to the pass holder’s ticket.
- The pass holder must occupy the discounted site and can only use the pass for one site at a time.
- Discounts apply only to the recreation fee, not to other charges like hookups or reservation fees.
- Refunds Process:
- Refund requests can be submitted through Recreation.gov profiles within 7 days of the reservation end date or via the call center anytime after the reservation ends.
- Reservation fees, service/cancellation fees, lottery application fees, and change fees are non-refundable.
- Refunds for debit/credit card payments after October 1, 2018, will be credited to the original card. For prior payments or check/cash payments, refunds will be issued as a Treasury check, which may take 6-8 weeks.
- Full refunds are issued in case of emergency closures.
For detailed information on visiting bear country, please refer to wildawareutah.org and wildlife.utah.gov.
To prevent the spread of tree-killing pests, Don’t Move Firewood. Obtain firewood within 10 miles of the campground and burn it on-site. Learn more at dontmovefirewood.org.
For complete campground Rules and Regulations, visit gocamputah.com/rules.
Recreation and Nearby Attractions around Pioneer Campground
Pioneer Campground is ideally situated for outdoor adventures and exploring the natural wonders of Utah.
On-Site Recreation
At the campground itself, visitors can enjoy:
- Riverside Relaxation: Pioneer Campground’s location on the banks of the Blacksmith Fork River offers opportunities for peaceful relaxation by the water.
- Hiking and Fishing: The surrounding area is perfect for hiking and fishing in the Blacksmith Fork River.
Nearby Attractions
Venture beyond the campground to discover these nearby attractions:
- Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway: Embark on a breathtaking drive along the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway. This route begins in historic Cache Valley and winds northeast through the national forest towards Bear Lake, spanning the Utah/Idaho border. The byway offers stunning views of geological formations and vibrant fall colors.
- Great Western Trail: Mountain biking enthusiasts can access the Great Western Trail, a multi-use trail, by following Forest Road 245 near the Blacksmith Fork Guard Station.
- Wildlife Viewing: Explore area roads and trails to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat.
Planning Your Trip to Pioneer Campground
Ready to experience the beauty of Pioneer Campground? Here’s practical information to help plan your visit.
Reservations and Booking
Campsites at Pioneer Campground can be reserved through Recreation.gov. For reservations, call the Recreation.gov reservation line at 1-877-444-6777 or visit their website. Remember to book reservable sites at least 5 days in advance. First-Come, First-Served sites are available, but occupancy is not guaranteed and requires in-person check-in.
Contact Information and Driving Directions
For additional information about Pioneer Campground, contact:
- Mailing Address: 564 W 700 S Ste.305, Box #5 Pleasant Grove UT 84062
- Physical Address: Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest FR 155 Hyrum UT 84319
- Phone Number (for campground inquiries): 385-273-1100
Driving Directions: From Hyrum, UT, at the intersection of State Routes 165 and 101, take Route 101 east for 8 miles to the campground sign. Turn right at the sign to enter Pioneer Campground.
Rental Options
Need camping gear? Explore gear rental options for your trip to Pioneer Campground here.
Experience the Pioneer Campground Difference
Pioneer Campground offers a unique blend of riverside tranquility and access to outdoor adventure in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful family camping trip or a basecamp for exploring Logan Canyon, Pioneer Campground is an excellent choice. Book your campsite today and create lasting memories in Utah’s stunning natural landscape!
