Dispersed camping options surrounding Great Basin National Park span across BLM and Forest Service land at elevations ranging from 5,500 to 8,000 feet. Temperatures fluctuate significantly with season and elevation, with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter lows often below freezing. Access roads to rustic camping areas vary from maintained gravel to rough high-clearance routes requiring 4WD capability.
What to do
Rockhounding opportunities: At Garnet Hill Camp, visitors can search for semi-precious stones. "It is about 3 miles on a dirt road to the trailhead. As you are approaching the trailhead, there are spur roads with some good turnouts to park," notes Mike G.
Hot springs exploration: Gandy Warm Springs offers natural bathing options about 45 minutes from the park. "Beautiful spring and nice campsite for vans and tents. Dark skies and stars aplenty," reports Mike M., who also mentions the "long drive on gravel roads" to reach this secluded spot.
Night sky viewing: The remote location provides exceptional stargazing conditions year-round. "We loved this spot for an overnight. We drove our 25' RV up and found a perfect spot. It snowed over night and we woke up to a gorgeous sunrise," shares Alex H. about their winter experience at Garnet Hill Camp.
What campers like
Solitude and space: Free single NF-589 Dispersed Campsite offers isolation from crowds. "This campsite is completely silent but there is a home about a half mile through the woods to the North towards Lehman Caves Road," notes Teri G.
Accessible amenities: Some free sites maintain unexpected facilities. Sarah M. remarks about Sacramento Pass BLM Campground: "For this to be a free campground, it's really nice! Each site is an established site, with a covered picnic table & firepit. Each site is spaced out also."
Connectivity in remote areas: Several campsites maintain cell service despite isolation. "About one thousand feet before the top of Garnet Hill, at a 90 degrees right hand turn, there are a number of good, level spots with excellent cell service on T-Mobile," advises Marty K.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: High-clearance vehicles are recommended for many dispersed sites. Teri G. warns about Baker Creek Road: "This OHV road is narrow and rough with decent sized rocks. There are very little opportunities to turn around and I would strongly recommend AGAINST entering with a two-wheel drive vehicle or a trailer."
Navigation challenges: GPS coordinates may be inaccurate for some areas. Virginia D. shares about Snake Creek on Forest Road 448: "If you tell google to send you to this camp you will find a relic sheep handling facility on BLM land that is mapped as Snake Creek Campground. We never made it to the camp."
Active work sites: Some BLM sites serve dual purposes. At Gravel Pit BLM Dispersed Campsite, Amber cautions: "I enjoyed camping here, and I could see it being a great spot for a large group. As the description said, it's a working gravel pit... and the BLM got to work at 8am the morning after I arrived."
Tips for camping with families
Established campsites preferred: For families with children, sites with defined boundaries provide safety. "Beautiful and clean dispersed camping. There are many different sites. Even has restrooms. The best sites are further back in the forest don't stop at the main section just off the road," recommends Matt G. about Sacramento Pass.
Check campsite status: Seasonal maintenance or closures may affect access. "Tried to go in but the road ditched and seemed obvious that forest service is trying to stop people from going there. Two spots closer to main road had no camping signs," reports Ladd A. about Baker Creek Road.
Weather preparedness: Temperature swings can be extreme, especially at higher elevations. Steve M. notes about Millard Desert Camp: "This was a convenient stop as we drove through. As others have said, you can hear HW 50, but (at least in Nov) there was very little traffic."
Tips from RVers
Turnaround space limitations: Many dispersed camping areas near Great Basin National Park lack adequate space for larger vehicles. Marty K. advises: "I would not take a trailer or large motor home to the top of the hill. There are no good places for trailers (tents are ok) and the parking lot at the top is small."
Size-specific site selection: Strawberry Creek Dispersed Camp offers accommodations for various vehicle types. Teresa A. describes it as having "quiet easy access - just what you want in a dispersed campsite," making it suitable for modest RVs and vans.
Overnight versus extended stays: RV campers report different experiences based on duration. "We pulled into the first side available on the left-hand side of the road going into Strawberry Creek. Nice views to the north. Very quiet," notes Pamela M., highlighting the area's suitability for quick stops.
