Rustic camping near Cedar Hills, Utah centers around the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, with elevation ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 feet throughout the region. Temperatures drop significantly at night even in summer months, with average nighttime lows in the 40s at higher elevations. Most dispersed sites require no amenities planning as they lack facilities except for established fire rings.
What to do
Trail access from campsites: At Squaw Peak Road Dispersed, campers can explore surrounding trails that connect to panoramic viewpoints. "Continue exploring along the road for amazing panoramic views," reports one camper who stayed at a spot tucked in the trees with views of the Timpanogos mountains.
Early season visits: Timing matters for camping in this area due to snowpack and seasonal closures. When visiting Mineral Basin Dispersed in early June, one camper found "road still closed past the ski resort," preventing access to higher elevation sites until snowmelt.
Water activities: While Utah Lake borders some camping areas, water quality varies seasonally. At Miner's Canyon Dispersed, a visitor noted "the lake isn't safe to swim or drink from at this time due to algae," highlighting the need to check conditions before planning water recreation.
Fishing options: Several alpine lakes near camping areas offer fishing opportunities. Pittsburgh Lake Dispersed provides access to a small alpine lake approximately 0.33 miles around that "has trout for fishing" and even features "an old homestead cabin to explore."
What campers like
Isolation and seclusion: Several primitive camping spots near Cedar Hills offer remarkable privacy. One camper at Squaw Peak Road Dispersed found a site "deep past the meadows" that is "400-500 yards away from the next closest collection of camp sites" with "excellent privacy and a nice breeze that carries the smell of sage and mint through the area."
Nighttime views: The elevation and distance from city lights creates excellent stargazing. A visitor to Albion Basin - Dispersed noted, "If weather permits, leaving off the rain fly provides an exquisite view of the milky way as you drift off to sleep."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours bring opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Salamander Flat, one camper mentioned, "A couple of deer wandered right through our campsite," providing natural encounters without leaving camp.
Easy city access: Despite feeling remote, many sites remain close to urban amenities. A visitor to Miner's Canyon BLM described it as a "nice free spot near Salt Lake City" with "easy drive into the area, paved road up until you turn down toward the lake."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many access roads deteriorate after spring runoff. At Cascade Springs Dispersed Site, a visitor warned "the road is definitely washed out. You will need 4WD and high clearance to pass through the washouts and rocks which start near the entrance and go all the way to the top."
Trash issues: Some dispersed sites suffer from improper waste disposal. A camper at Miner's Canyon BLM didn't give it five stars "because of the excessive trash dumping that occurs at the sites" and noted "this seems to be somewhat common" throughout the area.
Reservation systems: Despite most sites being first-come, first-served, some areas have different systems. At Salamander Flat, one frustrated camper found "all the sites said no reservation, first come first served, but they were all reserved with no campers."
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location and carrier. At Miner's Canyon Dispersed, a camper reported "Visible and Verizon pretty good" while at Sawmill Picnic another noted "No service with AT&T."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom access: Only select camping areas near Cedar Hills provide toilet facilities. A visitor to Sawmill Picnic described it as "ADORABLE! Great for kids and animals. Slots with picnic tables and fire rings. Views are to a gorgeous river view," though noted "the bathroom was atrocious."
Best weekend alternatives: Popular sites fill quickly on weekends. One visitor to Squaw Peak Road Dispersed "definitely recommend going during the week rather than a weekend because it gets BUSY."
Noise considerations: Some sites experience unexpected noise from various sources. At Salamander Flat, a camper reported "the campsites are really close to the main Alpine Loop road and there are cars constantly driving past" and mentioned being awakened by "several cars that drove by from midnight-3am that were so loud."
Wildlife safety: While large predators are rare, small wildlife may require precautions. A camper at Albion Basin noted, "I packed some potables in a bear can because I was unfamiliar with the area's ecology, but this is not necessary as bears do not have a presence in this area."
Tips from RVers
Site selection process: Finding suitable RV sites requires patience and exploration. At Miner's Canyon BLM, one camper "with 5th wheel, took a couple sites before we were happy. Landed with large windows facing lake, lovely."
Connectivity options: Multiple communication solutions exist for remote work needs. The same Miner's Canyon visitor reported "Starlink is a little slower, but maybe cos I am roaming. 60 meg down, 7 or 8 meg up. Visible and Verizon pretty good."
Leveling challenges: Many primitive sites require extra work for RV stability. At Miner's Canyon BLM, a camper noted the "site itself is OK, it's a little uneven, but we managed fine with our RV."
Dump station locations: Plan for waste management with nearby facilities. A visitor to Miner's Canyon BLM mentioned "Maverick gas station about 5 Miles'ish down the road has free dump station."
