Franklin Basin Road
Region: Wasatch Front & Uinta Mountains | Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service (Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest) | Cost: Free
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Forest terrain representative of the Franklin Basin area. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Dispersed camping directly along Highway 89 in Logan Canyon itself is off-limits, but Franklin Basin Road, a designated corridor branching north near the top of the canyon, is the legal, well-established alternative, and it puts you close enough to Bear Lake and the Beaver Mountain ski area to base a trip around either one.
Quick Facts
| Distance from Logan | About 25 miles up Logan Canyon (US-89), then onto Franklin Basin Road (FR 006) |
| Road & Clearance | Lower loop is graded gravel, fine for most vehicles and RVs; the road narrows and roughens toward the upper end near the Idaho line |
| Rig Suitability | Tents, vans, and RVs in the lower loop; smaller rigs recommended further up |
| Amenities | Vault toilets at the lower loop; no water |
| Cell Signal | Little to none this deep in the canyon |
| Best Season | Summer through early fall; snow closes the road in winter |
| Stay Limit | 14 days within a 30-day period |
Map
Getting There
From Logan, drive US-89 up through Logan Canyon toward Bear Lake. About 25 miles in, watch for Franklin Basin Road (FR 006) branching north. The lower stretch opens into a large gravel loop with room for groups and bigger rigs; continuing north the road follows the Logan River's East Fork toward the Utah-Idaho line and gets progressively rougher and more scenic.
What to Expect
The lower loop is popular and easy to reach, with established fire rings and enough room to spread out even on a busy weekend. Push further up the canyon for quieter, more tucked-away sites among the pines, with the trade-off of a narrower, rockier road. The area connects to trails around Beaver Mountain and sits close enough to Bear Lake for a sunset drive over the summit.
Good to Know
Remember that camping directly along the Highway 89 shoulder through Logan Canyon is prohibited, Franklin Basin Road (and other posted side canyons) are where dispersed camping is actually allowed. Check the Logan Ranger District's Motor Vehicle Use Map or call the district office for current road and fire conditions before you go, especially early or late in the season when snow can linger at the upper elevations.
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