Tent campsites near Dammeron Valley, Utah range from simple dispersed spots to more structured camping options. Located at approximately 4,600 feet elevation in Washington County, this high desert region experiences temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night, particularly in spring and fall. Several camping areas maintain seasonal fire restrictions from June through September due to the dry conditions.
What to do
Creek exploration: Kolob Road BLM Dispersed offers streamside camping with water access. "Nearby river gives you that ambient sound to drown out the world," notes one camper. The nearby creek provides a refreshing spot to cool off during hot days.
Swimming and climbing: Veyo Pool and Crawdad Canyon combines camping with unique recreation options. "Camp almost directly at the base of your climb," reports Christina S. The site features "a fully finished spring-fed pool, concession area, flushable toilets and hot showers."
Wildlife watching: Early mornings at several campgrounds near Dammeron Valley offer wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper at Pine Valley Recreation Area mentioned "A few deer sightings" while exploring the surrounding trails. Morning and evening hours provide the best chances to spot local wildlife.
What campers like
Natural sounds: The running water at several sites provides natural white noise. At Kolob Road BLM, campers appreciate that the "Little river by the site is very pretty" and creates ambient background sounds for sleeping.
Distinctive terrain: Leeds Canyon Dispersed #1 features unique geological formations. "Cool spot with red cliffs and red sand all around," says Jonathan E. The distinctive landscape creates an authentic desert camping experience.
Space between sites: Many dispersed camping areas provide separation between campers. At Kolob Terrace Road, "There were a couple of other vans there but the trees and campgrounds offered a fair bit of privacy," according to Anastasia T. This spacing allows for a more secluded tent camping experience near Dammeron Valley.
What you should know
Wind considerations: Be prepared for potential high winds in open areas. At Leeds Canyon Dispersed, one camper noted it was "very windy at night (but not during the day)" and was "worried about the well-being of my tent."
Limited amenities: Most dispersed camping requires complete self-sufficiency. At Oak Grove Campground, "Seems very nice, only $5 and cg is in a old growth pine grove... No water or trash. One vault toilet. Cell signal weak 1-2 bars."
Road conditions: Access roads to many sites require careful navigation. For Kolob Road BLM, Greg L. warns "strongly do NOT recommend TTs or any RV at this BLM spot due to steep downhill rd and no turnarounds! Tent or van nomads only due to no tt turnarounds!"
Insect activity: Be prepared for bugs, especially after dark. One camper at Oak Grove experienced "RIDICULOUS BUGS AFTER DARK" including "a camel spider," "lots of gnats," and received "a huge spider bite right away."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Mitt Moody Campground in Pine Valley recreation area offers family-appropriate exploration. "There were a lot of areas to explore and walk through," reports one visitor. The campground has walk-in tent sites with nearby bathrooms.
Water features: Children enjoy camping near streams or pools. Veyo Pool and Crawdad Canyon is "kids favorite camp spot. Plenty of things to do," according to Aaron W., who added "crawdading in the river is available. Bring a bucket or get one at the concessions."
Pack a wagon: For walk-in tent sites, bring equipment to transport gear. At Mitt Moody Campground, "It is a walk in campground so make sure you pack a wagon to haul your stuff. Water is by the bathroom so you have to walk a little to fill up jugs."
Tips from RVers
Length limitations: Many campgrounds restrict larger rigs. At Leeds Canyon, "Lower dispersed sites 1-6 are easiest to get into with a TT," but many roads become "sketchy" beyond certain points.
Surface preparation: Campsite surfaces often require preparation for comfort. At Mitt Moody, "Lots of rocks in the ground so be prepared with a shovel if you have a big tent so you can remove small rocks."
Turnaround points: Check for adequate space to maneuver larger vehicles. One RVer at Leeds Canyon Dispersed reported, "We went with 26ft trailer mid march. As someone else mentioned it is good for rv only on the first four or so. After that we wondered how we were going to turn around."