Desperation Campsite campground
Desperation Campsite
One of the main attractions of the area is the nearby Lower White River, which offers excellent fishing opportunities for brown and rainbow trout. The river is also a popular spot for kayaking and rafting during the spring and early summer months.
The Desolation Canyon Wilderness Area is also located nearby, which offers visitors the chance to hike through stunning canyons and see unique geological formations. Dinosaur National Monument is also within driving distance and offers visitors the chance to see dinosaur fossils and learn about the natural history of the area.
The best time to visit the Desperation Campsite is during the spring and early summer months when temperatures are mild and the river is at its highest levels. Average temperatures during this time range from the mid-50s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit. Visitors should be prepared for hot temperatures during the summer months and colder temperatures during the fall and winter.
Overall, the Desperation Campsite offers a unique and peaceful camping experience for visitors looking to explore the natural beauty of Utah.
What's on-site at Desperation Campsite
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Desperation Campsite, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mccook Desperation Campsite #2 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Zane Canyon Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Brewer Overlook Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Book Cliffs Roadside Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Big Park East Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Desperation Campsite -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Near Watson | 221 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 2,780 cfs | → |
| Corral Gulch Near Rangely | 0 cfs | → |
| Duchesne River Near Randlett | 86 cfs | → |
| Uinta River At Randlett | 31 cfs | → |
| Duchesne R Ab Uinta R Near Randlett | 51 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Desperation Campsite -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Willow Creek | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| East Willow Creek | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Dinosaur 0.3 Sw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Glade Park | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Grand Junction 4.0 W | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Fishing spots
- Mack Mesa Lake
- Highline Lake
- Mack Mesa Reservoir
- Duchesne River
- Kenney Reservoir
- Fruita Reservoir Number 2
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Desperation Campsite as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Desperation Campsite
Can I make reservations at Desperation Campsite?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Desperation Campsite?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Desperation Campsite.