Best Dispersed Camping near Brigham City, UT

Dispersed camping opportunities abound in the mountains surrounding Brigham City, Utah. Several free primitive sites can be found within an hour's drive, including Green Canyon Dispersed Campground, Curtis Creek/Arbs Basin, and the Monte Cristo area. These sites offer varying levels of accessibility and amenities. Green Canyon features 15-25 first-come, first-served sites during summer months, some suitable for groups. Most sites have established fire rings, though site conditions vary due to heavy use. According to reviews, Green Canyon can become quite crowded, especially on weekends, with significant vehicle traffic and noise sometimes continuing late into the night.

Road conditions vary significantly between sites. Many access roads are unpaved and can become rutted or washboarded. Several campers noted that while some sites are accessible with standard vehicles, others require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. The Monte Cristo area includes boondocking spots approximately 1/4 mile down dirt roads from Highway 39, with limited turning space that makes access difficult for larger RVs. Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping offers numerous sites along a well-maintained road near the Logan River.

Most dispersed sites require visitors to be self-sufficient. No drinking water is available at these locations, and toilet facilities are limited or nonexistent. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods; always check current regulations before planning to have a campfire. Cell service ranges from spotty to nonexistent depending on the location. Wildlife awareness is essential; bears and mountain lions inhabit the area. Proper food storage and vehicle security are mandatory. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with chilly nights common even in summer months. Winter access is restricted at many sites, with Green Canyon's road closed from December 1 through April 15.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Brigham City, Utah (15)

    1. Green Canyon Dispersed Campground

    16 Reviews
    North Logan, UT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 755-3620

    "About 15 mins outside of Logan up a beautiful canyon. Headed up around 4pm on a Saturday during Memorial Day weekend so didn’t have high hopes but found a spot with a fire ring almost immediately!"

    "Easy to find by putting the coordinates provided in Google Maps. Came in after dark and easily found a site about 1/4 mile or so up the road. Road is a bit bumpy but nothing major."

    2. Middle Fork Conservation Area

    4 Reviews
    Eden, UT
    21 miles
    Website

    "My family and I were driving through and needed a place to stay for the night. We camped the first night that lot camping was allowed (9/10) so it was quiet and peaceful."

    4. Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo

    8 Reviews
    Eden, UT
    29 miles

    "About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs."

    "Two nice boondocking spots just a short drive on a tight dirt road off the highway. The campsite on the right is bigger, the one on the left is very small."

    5. Monte Cristo Pull-off

    1 Review
    Eden, UT
    25 miles

    "Picked a pull-off spot about 10 min up the highway and was really surprised. It went pretty deep and and truly felt like I was away."

    6. Smithfield Dispersed Campsite

    4 Reviews
    Richmond, UT
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 320-8300

    "After you've passed the Smithfield campground there are plenty of spots on both sides of the road where you can pull off and have dispersed camping."

    "Stayed here for two nights, at the end of a dead end road, close to the creek. Real easy place to be."

    7. Curtis Creek / Arbs Basin

    2 Reviews
    Woodruff, UT
    30 miles
    Website

    "Awesome time love the dirt road love love the trees the nature, everything about it basically the hills and country"

    "We stayed here for the night on our rooftop tent. It’s very quiet, barely any people. There’s man made firepits made out of rocks of people who have stayed here. It’s chilly and very pretty around."

    9. Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping

    9 Reviews
    Garden City, UT
    38 miles
    +1 (435) 232-2674

    "You can drive well into Idaho. You can drive for about 1.5 hours up in here and see amazing river meadow mountain views. The views are truly amazing."

    "Amazing location especially because it’s close to bear lake! I heard it’s better in August, but if you camp way further down the mosquitos are absolutely miserable."

    10. Hobbit 2 Dispersed Site

    1 Review
    North Logan, UT
    28 miles

    "Didn’t stay, it’s right next to the road maybe for a camper van not for a truck and 30’ camper"

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Brigham City, UT

44 Reviews of 15 Brigham City Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2020

    Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo

    Boondocking site on a hill

    About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs. Our 17 ft trailer with 4x4 was tricky to get into the spot because the loop was so small. Has a fire pit but with fire restrictions we didn’t have a fire. The view is fantastic of hills covered with aspen and fir trees. Quiet but cars can be heard now and then.

    There are many other boondocking spots in this area but this one is a good one.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2023

    Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo

    Beautiful and secluded

    Two nice boondocking spots just a short drive on a tight dirt road off the highway. The campsite on the right is bigger, the one on the left is very small. Very popular for hunters in September, so you'll have lots of people walking right by your camp. The views are beautiful, but it can get quite blustery. We weren't able to have a fire when we stayed there.

  • Steven E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2019

    Green Canyon Dispersed Campground

    Green Canyon Disbursed Campgrounds

    Green Canyon is one of Logan Utahs underrated and overused gems. The canyon itself is open for recreation of various kinds year-round.

    During the summer months when most of us like to go camping, there are between 15 and 25 sites available on a first-come first-serve basis. Some of these are groups sites that can accommodate large gatherings. Most sites have established fire rings, however the overall site condition as well as the condition of the fire ring is sometimes questionable. This is usually due to high volume. This Canyon is also notorious for high school Gatherings, so there is usually a lot of pallet wood burned. You will find on almost every trip Nails screws Staples and broken glass. Beer bottles beer cans and cigarette butts are also pretty common unfortunately. (Wear good shoes!) Aside from questionable condition of the campgrounds, it is easy to get to and free. And relatively close to Logan. So it's easy to see why I get so much use.

    Green Canyon is better known and more happily known for its trail that runs alongside the road. Local residents love this Trail for trail runs, or mountain biking. There are Vault toilets in the parking lot at the bottom, as well as at the very top where Green Canyon meets water shed Canyon.

    In the winter months the road is closed, and is groomed by a local group named Nordic United. They groom it for cross country skiing several times a week and after every good storm. Trail is also used during the winter for snowshoeing, as well as Fat Tire snow biking.

    To top it off in the winter at the top Powder Ridge ski touring also has a yurt you can rent if you are willing to cross country ski or Snowshoe to it. (See separate review).

    Overall Green Canyon only gets 3 out of 5 stars because of its high traffic and high litter volume. Remember to leave no trace and always leave it better than you found it!

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Hobbit 2 Dispersed Site

    A one spot stop

    Didn’t stay, it’s right next to the road maybe for a camper van not for a truck and 30’ camper

  • Lucille W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Green Canyon Dispersed Campground

    Easy Access

    This canyon is within the Cache National Forest. Just outside of Logan, UT. Super easy access to a neat little canyon. My Honda Civic was able to navigate the gravel road far back into the canyon. There are two restrooms - one at the trailhead and one down into the canyon a bit. Several spots with picnic tables. Many pullouts / camping spots with stone fire rings on either side of the road. There were tons of mountain bikers around, as there is a mountain bike / trail running / hiking trail that goes through the canyon as well. Kinda crowded on the weekend. Lots of trucks, razors, and ATVs. BUT the canyon itself is cool and pretty. There is even a cave up on the left coming in and we saw some people bouldering up there. Overall not bad for a free place to stay! Met some super kind folks in there.

  • Janelle K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Middle Fork Conservation Area

    Great spot!

    My family and I were driving through and needed a place to stay for the night. We camped the first night that lot camping was allowed (9/10) so it was quiet and peaceful. It is down a dirt road in a valley surrounded by cattle and deer and elk. Beautiful sunset and moonrise. A local ranger came by to chat and told us it can get busy with local homeless people and drug users, just FYI. But overall we felt completely safe and our neighbors were nice and friendly!

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping

    Amazing mnt views great road

    2wd friendly road for MILES. You can drive well into Idaho. You can drive for about 1.5 hours up in here and see amazing river meadow mountain views. The views are truly amazing. There are nice size and spread out dispersed camping spots along the way. Just make sure you stick to the gravel road as you go up, dont turn off. The road turns to dirt in idaho but is still 2wd safe until you get to a ver clear turn around. Beware of cows! They will be in several sections of the road but are friendly to cars and move out of the way. The sites can be a little buggy but many have direct river access or beaver pond access. If this place had cell signal it would be one of the best spots ever

  • Maddie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2025

    Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping

    Great for big groups

    Amazing location especially because it’s close to bear lake!

    I heard it’s better in August, but if you camp way further down the mosquitos are absolutely miserable.

    I went by myself on a Friday afternoon and it was super busy but there were still some spots for just a car right off the side of the road which worked fine for me since I was car camping, but I would be cautious if you aren’t car camping to make sure you show up earlier than I did (6pm).

    Also if you keep driving for maybe 20-30min down the road there’s even more beautiful spots, but it’s pretty rocky so be careful if you don’t trust your car/have low clearance. I got my car stuck in a ditch trying to pull into one of the further spots (10/10 don’t recommend) lol. Bumper is now falling off and I think one of the rocks gave my tire a leak.

  • Ruby W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Green Canyon Dispersed Campground

    Neat Canyon

    Stopped in Logan on our way through Utah. Logan has STUNNING and charming views of mountains and an vast valley. Green Canyon was recommended by a friend. Plenty great dispersed sites for car camping. Tons of little spots along a gravel road. Fire rings and multiple clean bathrooms are available. The sites has a bit of leftover trash and the occasional shard of broken beer bottles. Nothing horrible, but certainly a place where people like to party. Seems to be a highly trafficked location. Cool rock visuals above a majority of the sites. Also tons of trails and mountain bikers. Met some climbers working on a sketch little project on one of the many many boulders. Sounds like there’s some legit stuff farther down the canyon.


Guide to Brigham City

Primitive camping near Brigham City, Utah takes place in the Wasatch Mountains where elevations range from 5,000 to over 9,000 feet. Temperatures in these dispersed sites can drop 30-40°F from day to night, even in summer months, requiring proper thermal gear. Most sites remain inaccessible from December through mid-April due to snow accumulation.

What to do

Fishing access opportunities: Several dispersed sites provide direct river or stream access for anglers. At Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping, sites are "easily accessible and close to Logan river if not on it," according to camper Chris A. The area features beaver ponds that also offer fishing opportunities.

Wildlife viewing: The higher elevation sites offer excellent opportunities to spot local wildlife. Near Smithfield Dispersed Campsite, visitors report seeing deer and occasionally elk in early mornings and evenings. One camper noted, "It's a very pretty canyon with a creek running through it."

Winter activities: While most roads close for camping, some areas transform for cold-weather recreation. Green Canyon becomes a cross-country skiing destination in winter months. "The road is closed, and is groomed by a local group named Nordic United. They groom it for cross country skiing several times a week and after every good storm," notes a visitor.

What campers like

Solitude in less-visited areas: For those willing to drive deeper into dispersed areas, isolation can be found. At Franklin Basin, Kennedy F. reports, "Ended up driving this road up to Idaho to find a bigger spot and some solitude. Took the dirt road for about 30 minutes and got the most perfect spot. Nobody was near us and the view was amazing."

Natural soundscapes: Many campers appreciate the natural ambient sounds at these primitive sites. At Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo, visitors enjoy sleeping with natural background noise. Erika M. describes camping near a creek: "We had that for our soundtrack as we slept."

Fall foliage viewing: The aspens and maples in the mountains surrounding Brigham City create spectacular autumn displays. Colyer D. described Monte Cristo as "Absolutely Perfect" in late September: "The views were immaculate, the sites were very spread out, it was the end of September and all the leaves were changing."

What you should know

Campsite claiming practices: Many campers report issues with site availability despite apparently vacant spots. At Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping, Kaden M. observed: "Tons of land, tons of campsites.. but most are 'occupied' by empty trailers with no other vehicles or people around. There's empty cars parked on top of fire pits, no tents or any sort of life nearby."

Road quality variables: Road conditions deteriorate significantly after rain or early in the season. Sarah C. noted about Smithfield Canyon: "No warning that the road narrows with no turn around about a mile into the campground, or the trees are overgrown which scratched up my sides."

Time of day considerations: For optimal site selection, early arrival is recommended. Regarding camping near Franklin Basin, Maddie F. advises: "I would be cautious if you aren't car camping to make sure you show up earlier than I did (6pm)."

Tips for camping with families

Seasonal pest awareness: Mosquitoes can be problematic at certain sites during early summer. At Franklin Basin, one camper warned: "If you camp way further down the mosquitos are absolutely miserable. I heard it's better in August."

Access to safer swimming areas: While many streams are fast-moving and dangerous for children, certain areas provide calmer water access. Curtis Creek/Arbs Basin offers several sites near gentler sections of creek, with Hannah M. noting it's "very quiet, barely any people."

Weather preparation: Temperature swings affect children more severely. Kennedy F. advises about camping at higher elevations: "We went at the beginning of June, it was a bit chilly some mornings and at night, so come prepared."

Tips from RVers

Turn-around limitations: Several dispersed sites have limited space for maneuvering larger vehicles. At Monte Cristo Pull-off, Brian C. warns: "Not for large RVs. Our 17 ft trailer with 4x4 was tricky to get into the spot because the loop was so small."

Site pre-assessment: For larger rigs, scouting ahead prevents difficult situations. Nathan S. suggests: "This is now my current go to for last minute camping. Picked a pull-off spot about 10 min up the highway and was really surprised. It went pretty deep and truly felt like I was away."

Road surface considerations: Even well-maintained forest roads can present challenges. Johny R. notes about Franklin Basin: "2wd friendly road for MILES. You can drive well into Idaho... Just make sure you stick to the gravel road as you go up, dont turn off. The road turns to dirt in idaho but is still 2wd safe until you get to a ver clear turn around."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Brigham City, Utah?

Several free dispersed camping options exist near Brigham City. Green Canyon Dispersed Campground offers 15-25 first-come, first-served sites with established fire rings and restrooms. It's accessible even with 2WD vehicles like a Honda Civic via a navigable gravel road. Another option is Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping, which features numerous spread-out sites along a 2WD-friendly gravel road with beautiful river and mountain views. Both locations provide free camping opportunities within reasonable driving distance from Brigham City, with Franklin Basin being particularly popular among OHV enthusiasts.

Is there beach access for camping near Brigham City, Utah?

While Brigham City itself is inland, you can find beach camping opportunities within driving distance. Spiral Jetty offers primitive camping along the shores of the Great Salt Lake, providing a unique beach camping experience with no facilities. For a more traditional beach experience, Curtis Creek / Arbs Basin provides access to creekside camping with natural swimming holes during warmer months. Many campers also make the drive to Bear Lake from the Franklin Basin area for day trips to enjoy sandy beaches and water activities. These options provide various water-adjacent camping experiences at different distances from Brigham City.

What are the rules and regulations for boondocking around Brigham City?

When boondocking near Brigham City, you must observe fire restrictions which may prohibit campfires during dry seasons. At Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo, established fire pits exist but fire bans are enforced when conditions warrant. Camp in designated dispersed areas only, using existing sites rather than creating new ones. Bountiful B Dispersed has designated areas for fires, and local law enforcement regularly patrols to ensure compliance with regulations. Most areas follow the standard 14-day stay limit. Pack out all trash and waste, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Note that hunting seasons (particularly September) may bring increased traffic to dispersed camping areas.