Dispersed camping near Lewiston, Utah offers significant elevation changes from the valley floor at 4,500 feet to mountain sites above 8,000 feet. This creates distinct seasonal camping windows with most higher elevation sites accessible from late June through early October. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing in the valley and can reach single digits in higher elevations, making proper cold-weather gear essential during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Hiking near Mount Naomi Wilderness: Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping provides excellent access to wilderness trails. "If your looking for a place to just get out in the dirt and relax, this is the place. There are many different places to visit throughout the area such as the 'Plane Crash' site, Beaver Creek, old logging trails, and more," noted one camper about the Franklin Basin area.
Paddle sports on mountain lakes: Tony Grove Lake accommodates non-motorized watercraft with clear, calm waters. A visitor to Tony Grove Lake mentioned, "The small lake is great for kiaks, paddle boards or row boats. There is a variety of hiking trails. One goes all around the lake."
Bird watching in river bottoms: Green Canyon attracts diverse bird species, particularly in spring. "Birds in caves in side of valley. Well loved trail starts a short distance up the road," reports one camper who stayed at Green Canyon when testing winter camping gear.
What campers like
Creek-side sites for natural white noise: Smithfield Dispersed Campsite offers spots along moving water. A camper at Smithfield Dispersed Campsite commented on the appeal: "I first visited this area in the spring, and have since been there around 4-5 times. It's very beautiful with lots of greenery and a river through the whole canyon. The road is dirt and bumpy so be prepared for that."
Solitude in higher elevation spots: Some campers prefer driving farther to find privacy. "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," shared a visitor to Franklin Basin.
Hot springs access for winter camping: The Belmont Hot Springs RV Park offers warm soaking options during colder months. "We went in the winter and we were able to jump into the hot springs and my family loved. We would be going every winter as it isn't too far from salt lake city," reported one winter camper.
What you should know
Winter road closures affect access: Many canyon roads have seasonal restrictions. "Road to dispersed camping is closed Dec 1 - April 15. Permit fee is $10 for 3 days," noted a winter visitor to Green Canyon Dispersed Campground.
Weekend noise levels vary by location: Green Canyon can get particularly loud on weekends. "Very loud, with folks driving around until the AM. Definitely a local party spot," warned one camper, while another mentioned, "Perhaps a little too close to the university in Logan Utah it was busy that Friday night. I think all spots filled by 7pm some 50 people there that night."
Space limitations for larger vehicles: Narrow canyon roads present challenges. At Smithfield Dispersed Camping, a camper warned about unexpected road conditions: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Look for established campgrounds with facilities: Smithfield Campground offers more structured camping with amenities. A camper at Smithfield Campground shared, "It is a favorite spot for us and our family. We often turn left on to the dirt road and pick a spot there. But you stay straight and it takes you in to a very nice campground with tables and toilets."
Choose smaller campgrounds for cleaner experiences: Less traffic often means better maintenance. One visitor to Smithfield Campground noted, "This little spot has five or six campsites that are spaced nicely and are all very clean. First come first served, so you will see people driving in and out when they see everything reserved. Cleanest campsite restrooms I've ever seen."
Pack for mosquitoes during early summer: Some sites have significant insect activity. A visitor to Franklin Basin warned, "I heard it's better in August, but if you camp way further down the mosquitos are absolutely miserable."
Tips from RVers
Consider higher-end RV parks for full amenities: The Aspen Grove RV Park near Tremonton offers complete facilities. "We were running out of options for places to stay as most things were completely full. This was a wonderful surprise when we found it. Their after hours check in process was organized and amazing," shared one RVer.
Look for pull-through sites for larger rigs: Some areas accommodate bigger vehicles. "Great place to overnight while passing through northern Utah. Huge full hookup sites with concrete pads," reported an RV owner about Aspen Grove.
Check road conditions before mountain access: Franklin Basin has rough sections. "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. Just make sure you stick to the gravel road as you go up, don't turn off," advised a camper familiar with the best places to camp near Lewiston.
