Soapstone Basin
Region: Uinta Basin & Flaming Gorge | Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service (Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest) | Cost: Free
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Forest terrain representative of the Soapstone Basin area. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Soapstone Basin sits on the south slope of the Uinta Mountains, reached via the Mirror Lake Highway corridor but tucked away from the main scenic byway traffic, with dispersed forest camping in a quieter pocket of the range.
Quick Facts
| Distance from Kamas | Via Mirror Lake Highway (UT-150), then Soapstone Basin Road |
| Road & Clearance | Graded dirt road, passable to most vehicles in dry conditions |
| Rig Suitability | Tents, vans, and most RVs |
| Amenities | None |
| Cell Signal | Little to none |
| Best Season | Summer through early fall |
| Stay Limit | 14 days |
Map
Getting There
From Kamas, take the Mirror Lake Highway (UT-150) and turn off onto Soapstone Basin Road, which branches away from the main byway into a quieter basin on the south slope of the range.
What to Expect
Lodgepole pine forest and open meadow camping away from the busier pull-offs directly along the Mirror Lake Highway, a good option if the main corridor feels too crowded on a summer weekend. Trails from the basin connect into the broader Uinta backcountry.
Good to Know
Like the rest of the Mirror Lake Highway corridor, a recreation pass may be required depending on exactly where you park, check current signage or bring a pass just in case. Roads can be rutted after rain; give them time to dry before bringing in a heavier rig.
A quieter pocket of the Uintas is a great place to break in a new power setup away from the crowds. See what an off-grid power system looks like