Thousand Lake Mountain — Fishlake National Forest Dispersed Camping

Thousand Lake Mountain is a big forested plateau rising north of Torrey and Loa, and it’s the best answer when Cathedral Valley is baking. The desert floor down below can run triple digits in summer. Up here you get aspen, spruce, and cool nights. Dispersed camping is allowed on Fishlake National Forest land along the forest roads, mostly in pullouts and old clearings. Pick a spot that’s already been used and keep your footprint small. There are no facilities, no water, and no trash service, so pack it in and pack it out.

Expect dirt and gravel forest roads that are fine in dry weather but turn slick and rutted when it rains. Snow can hold the upper roads into early summer, so the camping season runs roughly June through October. Cell service is spotty at best. Check with the Fishlake National Forest office (Loa Ranger District) for current road conditions and fire restrictions before you go. They change fast in dry years. It makes a good basecamp before or after the Cathedral Valley Loop, and it’s a lot cooler than the valley floor. Have a dirty day.

Cool plateau camp above the Cathedral Valley heat