Tent camping near Bingham Canyon, Utah offers primitive camping opportunities ranging from walk-in sites to demanding backcountry locations. The area sits at elevations between 5,000-10,000 feet, creating distinct temperature patterns where summer nights can drop below 50°F even when daytime temperatures exceed 90°F. Most camping areas remain open from late May through October, with high-elevation sites closing earlier due to snow accumulation.
What to do
Paddleboarding on reservoirs: Silver Lake Backcountry visitors enjoy water recreation during summer months. A camper noted, "Lots of hikes to do nearby, beautiful views, and place to paddle board, kayak, etc."
Hiking to alpine views: Lake Blanche Trail - Backcountry Camp offers access to remarkable mountain scenery. A visitor mentioned it's a "great hike to the lake!" The trail requires physical stamina but rewards hikers with pristine alpine waters.
Wildlife observation: Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts provides frequent animal encounters. Hikers often see local wildlife when camping on ridges accessed from trailheads like Church Fork and Lambs Canyon.
Rock climbing: Skull Valley Road dispersed camping areas provide access to limestone climbing routes. According to a climber, "This spot does offer some decent limestone single and multipitch sport climbing routes. The Valley of Zion contains numerous crags that are mostly moderate with a very rare 11 sprinkled in."
What campers like
Weekday solitude: Most backcountry sites near Bingham Canyon become significantly less crowded midweek. Red Pine Lake provides peaceful camping experiences during non-peak times, especially for overnight visitors.
Trail network access: Millcreek Canyon offers extensive trail options for various activities. One visitor explained, "Millcreek Canyon is home to some wonderful trails that can be accessed by foot or bike. Although the canyon offers many hiking trails, the main use of the trails seems to be for trail running."
Mountain views: Silver Lake Backcountry provides expansive panoramic scenery. A camper described, "Silver lake is amazing and the river running is stunning with amazing hike or UTV Or ATV Riding!"
Night sky viewing: Skull Valley Road campsites offer exceptional stargazing opportunities. As one camper noted, "Nights are quiet and the moon is usually super bright." The minimal light pollution creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
What you should know
High-clearance vehicle requirements: Many camping areas require 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance. At Silver Lake Backcountry, a camper advised, "You're definitely going to need 4WD and high clearance because the roads leading up to the campsite are filled with ruts and holes."
Distance regulations: Several areas enforce minimum camping distances from water sources and roads. At Loop Campground, campers must follow specific site placement rules within designated areas only.
Water availability: Most backcountry sites require carrying or filtering water. A Loop Campground visitor warned, "I usually expect a decent drive to find what I need, but this involved a very long drive down a rutted gravel road, out of the canyon, and back to Grantsville. I think it was 40 minutes each way."
Weather preparedness: Alpine locations experience sudden weather changes. At Red Pine Lake, a camper cautioned, "It stormed pretty hard in the middle of the night, and since the lake is up near the top of the mountain, it got pretty windy. Be prepared for significant foul weather and choose your campsite appropriately."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible group sites: Anderson Park offers family-friendly camping with convenient facilities. A visitor described, "This park allows for camping and accommodates small or large groups. Several fire pits, large covered lighted pavilion with three rows of picnic tables."
Kid-friendly water features: Several camping areas offer stream access for children. At Anderson Park, "Irrigation ditches run throughout the park with bridges for crossing," creating safe water play opportunities.
Short hiking options: Select locations with manageable trail distances for younger hikers. At Kimball Campground, trails connect to Silver Lake with a moderate 2.2-mile hike suitable for older children.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Families often enjoy animal sightings in less developed areas. Millcreek Canyon provides regular deer and moose encounters throughout the camping season.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Most tent camping near Bingham Canyon prohibits larger vehicles. At Kimball Campground, "The dirt road gets rough and rocky, but is drivable" for smaller rigs only.
Dispersed options for self-contained units: Some areas permit small RVs at dispersed sites. A camper at Skull Valley Road Dispersed Camping shared, "We brought a 30' RV with a lifted Ram 2500 and had no problem driving over the washouts."
No hookup availability: RVers must be fully self-contained when camping in these areas. No water, electric, or sewer connections exist at any tent camping locations near Bingham Canyon.
Limited turning space: Access roads often lack adequate turn-around areas for larger vehicles. Most camping areas require advance scouting before attempting to navigate with any RV larger than a small camper van.
