Best Tent Camping near Bingham Canyon, UT
The Wasatch Mountains surrounding Bingham Canyon, Utah offer several backcountry tent camping options within an hour's drive. Red Pine Lake provides tent-only camping accessed via a 3-4 mile hike up Little Cottonwood Canyon, requiring a permit and offering alpine lake views. Silver Lake Backcountry, located about 40 minutes from Provo, features walk-in tent sites with mountain vistas of Timpanogos Massif and Box Elder Peak. Millcreek Canyon Backcountry allows primitive tent camping at least half a mile from any road, while Loop Campground near Dugway provides walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings.
Most tent campsites in the region require significant preparation as amenities are minimal. Red Pine Lake campers must stay at least 200 feet from the water since it serves as a drinking water source, and fires are prohibited. Backpackers need to carry all supplies, including water or filtration equipment. Silver Lake Backcountry requires a 4WD vehicle after rainstorms, with camping restricted to areas at least half a mile from the lake. Skull Valley Road offers dispersed tent camping with no facilities, requiring complete self-sufficiency. Many sites enforce 7-14 day stay limits and operate seasonally, with some roads closing during winter months.
Weekday camping provides the most solitude at these locations. According to one visitor at Red Pine Lake, "The weekend can get very busy so during the week is the best time to camp as it's likely you'll be the only overnight camper." Campers at Millcreek Canyon frequently report wildlife sightings, with one noting, "Every time we come here we also see moose and deer. Best time is definitely fall." The terrain at most sites consists of uneven, sometimes rocky surfaces, so quality tent footprints are essential. Kimball Campground features wooded tent sites that provide shade but campers note the chalky, dusty soil makes keeping gear clean difficult. These primitive tent camping areas reward those willing to hike in with spectacular mountain views and peaceful surroundings.