Top Free Dispersed Camping near Coalville, UT
Planning a dispersed camping trip near Coalville? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Planning a dispersed camping trip near Coalville? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
$6 / night
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest outside of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no toilets, no treated water, and no fire grates are provided. Camping in dispersed areas on the Forest is allowed for fourteen (14) days in any thirty (30) day consecutive period. Campers must move off Forest after reaching the 14-day limit. The stay limit also applies to all camping equipment (tents, chairs, ATVs, ATV trailers, etc.), even if used by a different person or group. Camping equipment must be removed by the end of the fourteen (14) day stay limit or the equipment may be impounded. Stay limits are implemented to reduce impacts to vegetation and wildlife habitat, as well as provide access to popular campsite areas for other visitors. There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It's your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. In most areas, dispersed camping is allowed up to 150 feet from a designated Forest Service Road, with some exceptions. Exceptions are based on protection of resources that may include water quality, soil conditions, and wildlife & fish habitat. No Dispersed camping within 100 feet of water (we recommend 200 feet). No dispersed camping where topography or existing vegetation limits vehicle travel (e.g. steep terrain, trees, brush). No dispersed camping within wet meadows or in saturated soil conditions. In these areas, walk-in tent camping and picnicking are allowed, however vehicle travel into these areas may be restricted. The public is asked to use existing pull-outs off the main road and walk in to take advantage of these areas that help provide clean water, productive soils, and habitats for fish and wildlife. Forest users can obtain Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM’s), that show where dispersed camping is allowed and roads and trails that are designated open to motorized vehicles
Numerous dispersed campsites along Highway 150 and Christmas Meadows Road which branches off of it.
$21 - $29 / night
$6 / night
Salamander Flat trail connects the Timpooneke trail head with the Salamander Flat dispersed camping area and the Pine hollow trail. The trail starts by crossing a stream, then travels through large stands of fir trees, and crosses the road approximately 1 mile from the trailhead. The Salamander Flat dispersed camping sites and Junction with the Willow Hollow trail is .5 miles farther up the trail. From the dispersed sites, it is another .6 miles to the junction with the Pine Hollow trail #047. Trail users should be aware of the high level of use that this trail receives, and should expect to see each type of user group on any given day. This trail is subject to a wet trail closure order during the spring and early summer. These closures help to protect and sustain the trail during wet periods. The trail will be signed as closed to all uses except hiking when these closures are in effect. Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest outside of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no toilets, no treated water, and no fire grates are provided. Camping in dispersed areas on the Forest is allowed for fourteen (14) days in any thirty (30) day consecutive period. Campers must move off Forest after reaching the 14-day limit. The stay limit also applies to all camping equipment (tents, chairs, ATVs, ATV trailers, etc.), even if used by a different person or group. Camping equipment must be removed by the end of the fourteen (14) day stay limit or the equipment may be impounded. Stay limits are implemented to reduce impacts to vegetation and wildlife habitat, as well as provide access to popular campsite areas for other visitors.
The views are great but 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.
After a long day of travel we just wanted to get to any site and camp. This is a national forest so there is technically a park permit required. However, we have an annual park pass and they accept that as well. It is an honor system kind of park permit. They ask you to scan the QR code or pay at the self pay station. $10 for a 3day pass, $20 for a 7 day pass.
The drive up to this site is winding and the cars seem to be used to driving it because they come around the corners pretty fast. Drive carefully and stay on your side of the road. It site is just after mile marker 17.
The site is huge! Lots of space for people, cars, RVs and trailers. The road is paved until you turn in and then it’s a regular dirt road.
The major con in this park in general is the bathrooms are yucky especially at this site.
This seems to be a local hangout for the youngsters as well. They were not a bother to us however, they were letting loose, having a good time at their site. They left around 11 or so.
No service with AT&T
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. Nice view of the sunset. There’s no cell service.
I want to start positive and say that the views are some of the best! Mt Tiponogous is in full view and the panoramic views are all great as well. It was only my group that camped up there the night we camped, but a couple people did drive by for some off road action. Speaking of off road action, the road is atrocious. Dont come unless you have some serious high clearance 4wd vehicle or you will bottom out and destroy your vehicle. I’m saying this as someone from Lake City CO who grew up driving the Alpine Loop, the road is BAD!
The road leading here is very bumpy. There are two specific spots that are really bad. 4x4 is almost a requirement. I did however see some people make it up in a van so it is possible. The coordinates lead to an open field with a lot of campsites. I would suggest parking in the lot a little further ahead on the left. This road is a popular destination so people ride up and down it a lot. The views are well worth it and there is also some hiking trails around here as well. There are more dispersed camping sites further along this road. I was able to get a very spotty one bar signal of Verizon while near the coordinates.
Great dispersed camping area with plenty of room! If going all the way to the marked location on the map, only attempt with a high clearance 4x4 or you will not make it! We have a TRX and overland camper and bottomed out on a culvert that dropped off sharply. We went to the marked location only to find a single camping spot on a moderate slope. Recommend stopping two miles earlier in the “Big Glade” meadow, flat and plenty of camping spots. We ended up a mile before that at a cross roads at 8900’. Concur with the ATv traffic from previous reviews, but overall relatively quiet
It was easy to find and the road can be a little scary when wet. There is a couple of miles with pretty rocky roads so i wouldn't risk a low clearance car. It was extremely busy when we went, but managed to find a spot mostly to ourselves. No bathrooms, primitive and huge families with atvs and dirt bikes everywhere nearby. They were polite and had reasonable time for no noise. Cool pathways to walk or ride on and very nice views even though most the wildflowers seemed to have just finished their blooms.
F150 with aftermarket tires - 19' travel trailer with 225/75/15 tires.
The initial road turn off is VERY easy to miss. If you're coming West on HWY150 and you see the brown Moosehorn sign, you've missed it. It's around Mile Marker 31 and the first 30' looks like it was paved at one point. It's just debris and potholes now.
The start is a little bit tight and rocky, but slow and steady gets you thru it. There is a first camp off to the right for an RV with level ground, loop to turn around. This one was taken and so I continued down towards the lake overlook. It's difficult to get level (I'm not really level right now lots of blocks, chocks, and rocks) but I don't care, the view is amazing. Great Starlink/Solar connection
High in August was getting to 75 and the low at night was not as cold as the lowlands of Uintas.
We could not have asked for a more perfect spot. The views were immaculate, the sites were very spread out, it was the end of September and all the leaves were changing.
No notes. Can’t recommend this spot enough.
Every site in every area from here to mill hollow is packed with swarms of biting flies. Seriously. Don’t come here.
Plenty of dispersed spots along the ridge road. Most have easy pull in access and fire rings. Beautiful views from multiple spots along the ridge but comes with the expected exposure to wind/sun. More privacy for the spots further along the road some nestled in beautiful aspen groves. It is a great area. We camped overnight and fly fished the currant the next day. It was July 4 weekend but still not crowded.
All the sites said no reservation, first come first served, but they were all reserved with no campers. Camp host, as usual, nowhere in sight. I've camped in 43 states for decades and Utah is easily the worst state to camp at due to this system of theirs.
Also the drive up there is about 6 miles of winding hell with idiot children driving so fast I'm surprised there's not a death every day.
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. Road was very accessible lower down with some more adventurous offshoots requiring higher clearance and likely 4x4. We went up an offshoot and navigated through and around some deeper ruts and snow drifts but found an amazing spot on the rim. Fewer people the more altitude we gained. Lots of spots here. Keep driving until you find one, closer in spots are usually taken up with trailers and small rvs. Highly recommend.
Plenty of spots on an easy dirt road, campfire rings and lots of space. There's so many birds and critters so you get the nature sounds but it's close to the road so there's road noise all night. Beautiful space. I think I heard a moose in the night-possibly not, but possibly?
Definitely rough reading for a portion of it. Lots of mosquitos. But super pretty and secluded. There were several spots that provide you with your own area and privacy. Bathrooms only about a 5 minute drive away. I had zero service though. Great spot and would come back again.
Was just driving til I found somewhere cool and this was it! Beautiful place but bugs were out so come prepared
The drive up is beautiful but there is actually no drive in camping. Camping doesnt open until July 1st so take that into account.
There are tons of free site all up and down the main road. The only problem is it is busy if you leave on Friday plan to get there by 3 at the latest. Spots fill quick.
Honestly, the only saving thing about this campsite is how beautiful it is. It truly feels like you are on top of the world. But, there were many downsides and we will not be returning. First, the road to get there was horrible. Don’t go up there unless you’re ready to do some off-roading. Second, the campsite had zero shade — so make sure to bring a canopy of some sort; there are no trees around the site. Third, the campsite is all gravel, so if you have a dog, be careful they don’t burn their paws (it was hot! We had to keep our dog in our man-made shade)! Lastly, at least 20 cars drove through the campsite per day, and this seems to be a spot a lot of people stop and get out and walk around. Then, someone set up camp right next to us! So, if you truly want to primitive camp, where it’s just you and nature, and have privacy, this is not the place to go.
Great campsites next to the lake. Excellent views and quiet. Only saw a couple other campers off in the distance. Lots of birds and ducks to watch.
Saw a moose way off in the distance.
We couldn’t access early June road still closed past the ski resort.
Be careful there is a 5$ per car fee sneaking at the entrance. Pretty good trails on the way up but like in the Titlr I wasn’t able to make it
Don't come with a trailer. Just don't do it. Sure is pretty but we never made it to the top
There are no camping signs saying you can camp ⅓ mile from parking area but the only way to get ⅓ mile is to hike
Dispersed camping all along the road past the Washington Lake established campgrounds
I actually stayed a bit earlier on (at a trailhead parking lot; didn’t see any signs that said I couldn’t) down the road because this section of the road was closed and I just have to say what a fantastic view! The mountains up here are truly breathtaking and I would highly recommend staying anywhere in this area if you can. The weather was quite cold and crisp but worth every second of it. The night was quiet as I spent most of it in my car but the sunrise was like no other. Highly recommend
I wandered in after dark and the dirt road was easy to navigate. No one was around for miles which was quite nice! A few people drove past (I assume to go hunting) but not much traffic noise. Peaceful along the water. Clean bathrooms. Because of the regulations I wasn’t able to make a fire and had to stay overnight at the designated camp spot but I would definitely recommend this spot.
Camping near Coalville, Utah, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Coalville, Utah, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Make sure to check out the local campgrounds and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Coalville, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Coalville, UT is Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Coalville, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 51 dispersed camping locations near Coalville, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.