Dispersed camping locations near Clearfield, Utah sit at elevations between 5,000-8,000 feet in the Wasatch Range. Weather conditions vary dramatically by season, with higher elevation sites often inaccessible until late June due to snowpack. Most accessible sites require driving on unpaved forest roads that connect to Highway 39 north of Ogden or in canyons east of Salt Lake City, with camping spots generally located in natural clearings.
What to do
Shooting activities: Access points along Skull Valley Road provide designated shooting areas separate from camping. "This whole area seems to be a local atv, dirt bike, mountain bike, and shooting area. Definitely lots of people shooting guns into gulleys during the day. Everybody seemed friendly though," notes a visitor to Bountiful B Dispersed.
Hiking trails: Explore backcountry routes that require minimal equipment but proper planning. A camper at Neffs Canyon Dispersed Site shares, "We frequently come up here just to sleep outside some nights and head back home in the early morning to get food and shower. There is plenty of hikes but there's only a few with views that are worth it."
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening provide best opportunities for spotting local fauna. "We came during a week day and the whole site was empty! Very quiet, very pretty, and very colorful," reports one camper about dispersed camping near Monte Cristo.
What campers like
Affordability: No permits required at most locations outside of fee areas. "We parked at lone rock which is basically just a shooting range. You name it they obliterated it with ammo. Oh well I climbed to the top of the lone rock which was pretty epic," reports a visitor to Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping.
Privacy: Dispersed sites offer more seclusion than developed campgrounds. "The campsite we chose was off a small spur road which offered privacy and was along a small stream. The flowing water provided some great ambiance and white noise while we slept," shares a camper at Mineral Basin Dispersed.
Accessibility: Many free camping spots near Clearfield can be reached without specialized vehicles. "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," notes a visitor discussing dispersed camping near Monte Cristo.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Dramatic temperature drops occur after sunset in all seasons. "We dealt with rain and even snow on the last morning… But there was green grass and a spot for fires and the Sheriffs rolls through and are super helpful as well," reports a camper at Bountiful B.
Road conditions: Many access points require careful navigation. "The ride up to mineral basin was dirt roads with amazing views. The campsite we settled on was absolutely beautiful. Very quiet and peaceful, great place to get back to nature and forget about day to day things," shares a visitor.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage rules should be strictly followed. "Great for dispersed camping, but watch out for bears and mountain lions as well and make sure you follow the food rules and lock your cars. We didn't see or hear anything, but the Sheriff that stopped by warned us," advises a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose spots with natural barriers like trees or rocks. "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 and truly felt like I was away," notes a camper at Monte Cristo Pull-off.
Water activities: Seasonal creeks offer limited play areas for children. "Some awesome flat areas with a creek if you go in spring. Nice and quiet. Nearby shooting range," shares a Bountiful B camper.
Bug management: Bring proper repellent especially during spring and early summer. "So many bugs it was awful, the mosquitoes ate us and our dogs even with bug repellents. The area was pretty flat it looked like on the left, but we had to go to the right as the left was full when we arrived," warns a visitor to Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most sites accommodate vehicles under 25 feet. "Good dispersed campsite, especially if you're on a road trip along I-80. There are no hookups or services. This is really just a spot of BLM land that has some fairly level sites cleared. Some sites probably required 4WD. From what we could tell there were probably only a couple good spots for an RV or tow-behind," notes an RVer at Horseshoe Knoll.
Leveling requirements: Bring blocks as most free camping areas near Clearfield have uneven terrain. "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," shares a visitor to Green Canyon.
Turnaround space: Scout ahead before pulling trailers into unknown areas. "If you have awd or 4wd its no problem. Great views on the way up and down. I have Verizon and had coverage off and on, its enough to send texts but not much more," advises a Bountiful B camper.
