60 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The west desert around Dugway is flat, open, and largely empty. Campers come here for the space between themselves and the nearest road. Dugway Proving Ground restricts access to some areas, so confirm which roads are open before planning a specific route in. Dispersed and RV options exist in the area; what's available for dispersed camping near Dugway covers the undesignated sites with no fees and no services. No shade, limited water sources, extreme summer heat from June through August.
"I loved the location because it wasn't far off the main highway, had decent road access and offered great views, a simple hike to a nice promontory and near running water (unpotable)."
"This campsite is beautiful, and fairly close to Moab and the Arches entrance. There are gorgeous views of the mountains and cliffs and the lake is nice to hike around."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Nestled wonderfully between Stockton and Dugway, Clover Springs offers a scenic getaway from city life."
"Minus a star for no running water and proximity to a busier road."
from $12 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The view from the top of the rock is really pretty, you can see the whole valley with the mountains in the distance."
"This is such a cool spot and one of the many reasons I can’t get Utah out of my outdoorsy heart."
"You can see other campers but they are so far away from you, and if you park facing away from them, it's nice and feels pretty private."
"A lot of sites in an open field next to mountains. Sites are pretty spaced out. LOTS of gnats and other bugs, but quite and pretty view of the sunset."
"The loop campground is a great spot to spend the night if you're wanting to explore the Stansbury's from a central location."
"I usually expect a decent drive to find what I need, but this involved a very long drive down a rutted gravel road, out of the canyon, and back to Grantsville. I think it was 40 minutes each way."
"A wonderful place to set up camp for a week for a week or to use as a basecamp to climb the high peaks that surround the terminus of the South Willow Canyon road! "
"There was an interesting little dam on the east side of the campground and I scared a bunch of trout out from under it as I walked across so bring your fishing pole or fly rod if you want to!"
from $20 - $34 / night
Check Availability"The campsites in this campground have all the same amenities as the other campgrounds in the canyon which includes a picnic table, metal fire ring, and vault toilets withing walking distance. "
from $20 - $62 / night
Check Availability"Surrounding the campground are these amazing looking rock cliffs and outcrops that look like volcanic flows or maybe a pyroclastic flow or tuff. "
"Was worth the slight detour off the highway to have a nice spot while nearing SLC. Intake was a great surprise, creekside, private, and cool rock formations."
from $20 / night
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ScoutI love driving through Middle Canyon. Its 5 dollars for a day pass and it's beautiful. I have never failed to see deer on the drive. I love to drive through it when the leaves change in Fall.
TravelerI camped in "The Flats", the farthest camping area from the highway. No other campers in the area. Super quiet boondocking. I saw a few OHVs a few times in the distance. The road in is a few miles of bumpy pavement and later washboarded dirt, but acceptable with my 24 ft travel trailer. I would stay again.
TravelerRaw land at the foot of the mountain, bring water. No tables, no amenities, quarry down the road. The road changes from old asphalt to rough gravel just past this site. There's lake nearby, but not here. Watch out for ants!
ScoutFree to camp wherever but it’s out in a range area, trash is everywhere and the roads are quite rough. Wind is present and highway is nearby.
GuideBeautiful view of the great salt lake. Very few camp sites for RVs. Looks like there are some long termers. It is a marina. But as for a beautiful sunset... awesome. You can walk down to the waters edge. Was a walk in site for this stay. 20 mins to any restaurants.
ScoutWe pulled in and were a bit nervous because it’s off the freeway and we thought it be would be loud BUT it was actually surprisingly not. The grounds are very well kept & the staff was amazing! We stayed for 2 nights & would stay again if we were in the area.
GuideWe generally like this area, because it's one of the few spots in northern Utah that can accommodate our 36' motorhome. The downsides are that the roads are really rutted, so take it very slow and make sure that your rig can make it into a spot and, most importantly, OUT of the spot. As mentioned in other reviews, there's broken glass and ammunition scattered over all of the campsites, but they're big, and every site has a view of the beautiful lake and surrounding mountains. It gets down into the low 30s at night during the spring, so be sure to be prepared for cold nights. It's late May when I'm writing this, and it's JUST NOW getting out of the 30s at night and into the 40s. Daytime temps are pretty mild during the spring, at 65-80 degrees every day. I recommend this spot if you don't mind being in what's basically a free RV park (with much better spacing - most spots are at least 20-30 feet apart), because it gets so busy here. Also, a Provo Sheriff's deputy knocked on everyone's door on our second day there to ask how long they'd/we'd been there, and then, after 12 days, we moved to another nearby spot up the road, and on our second day here, he knocked on our door again to ask questions about our stay. We're rule-followers, and he was very professional and nice, but if you don't like getting "the knock," this may not be the place for you, as he seems to go through the sites regularly. All in all, I'd recommend this place, as it's mostly peaceful, even being as busy as it is.
TravelerFantastic BLM spot surrounded by the Great Salt Lake. No services but good internet service. Very quiet. Watch out for the cow patties. This area allows shooters so you may hear them. Suggestion is to not stray too far from the paved road.
ScoutDriving a Ford Bronco Raptor pull a 15ft trailer - made it to the top only to be engulfed in mosquitos! Road very rocky and 4wd needed
Dispersed camping near Dugway, Utah offers varied terrain across several elevations, from desert valleys at 4,350 feet to mountain campsites exceeding 8,000 feet. The area sits within the Great Basin region where overnight temperatures can drop 30-40 degrees below daytime highs, even in summer months. Road conditions to many sites deteriorate significantly after rain or snow, with rutted dirt roads common throughout the region.
Explore natural springs: Clover Springs offers a small creek perfect for children to splash in during hot days. According to one visitor, "Very few deep spots. Not really a fishing spot and if you were to catch it would be small. Very quiet spot with good views." The spring maintains a consistent flow even during dry periods.
Rock climbing at White Rocks: White Rocks Dispersed Camping features formations suitable for beginner to intermediate climbing. "The campsites themselves were beautiful, there's a massive rock you can climb with small caves for exploring. I've heard some people camp in the caves which sounds like my personal h*ll but if that's your thing the caves are accessible for that," notes one camper.
Hiking mountain trails: Wasatch National Forest Loop Campground serves as a gateway to numerous trails. "The main trail leaving the campground is a loop trail for Deseret Peak but you can split off on numerous side trails to follow the range to the north or south," explains one reviewer. Many trails start directly from campgrounds with minimal driving required.
Isolation and quiet: Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping offers significant separation between sites. One camper noted, "You can see other campers but they are so far away from you, and if you park facing away from them, it's nice and feels pretty private."
Off-season availability: South Willow Canyon campgrounds are often completely empty on weekdays. "I have hiked from the trail head several times mid-week and the campground is usually completely empty so if you're looking for some peace and quiet, try to get here Monday to Thursday," reports a regular visitor.
Unique desert formations: The White Rocks area provides distinctive geology not found elsewhere in the region. "I drove out to watch the meteor shower and photograph the milky way. It's a very quiet area and scenery is beautiful," shares one photographer who visited specifically for night sky viewing.
Access challenges: Many roads require appropriate vehicles. A visitor to White Rocks warns, "I would recommend driving a 4x4, it is a dirt road to get there and a little bumpy. I drove my VW Taos which is back wheel and was fine, but some areas were a little sketchy."
Prepare for bugs: Insect activity varies by season and location. "Lots of gnats and other bugs, but quite and pretty view of the sunset," reports a camper at Horseshoe Knoll, while others mention similar issues at most low-elevation sites.
Limited water access: Cottonwood Campground Slrd and other forest service sites require self-sufficiency. "Be warned that all of the campgrounds in the canyon do not supply water or trashcans so you'll need to bring all you need to drink as well as trash bags to haul out all of your garbage," advises a frequent visitor.
Noise factors: Military operations can affect camping experiences. One White Rocks camper noted, "There were people shooting not too far from camp. The site is also close to Dugway Proving Grounds so there was a loud explosion sound at one point as well."
Creek access for kids: Intake Campground provides safe water play opportunities. "This is the 2nd campground that you come across after you enter the Wasatch National Forest... There are 5 single sites all aligned in a row next to the creek," describes a visitor who appreciated the natural water feature.
Avoid summer heat with elevation: Stansbury Mountain campgrounds sit at higher elevations with cooler temperatures. "The campground is at a pretty good elevation and will be much cooler than the surrounding desert, especially at night so make sure you're prepared appropriately," advises a Loop Campground visitor.
Plan for limited facilities: Most sites lack conventional amenities. At Cottonwood Campground, a visitor noted, "It's unreal that this place is free. The sites are a little close together but there weren't many people there at the end of September and the changing leaves were spectacular!"
Site selection for larger vehicles: At Horseshoe Knoll, look for specific areas suitable for RVs. "Easy to find camping spots, even big enough for our 32' no problem. Could easily see much larger RV's fitting in and getting out easy. We took a spot in the beginning I think about the 4th one you pass," advises one RV camper.
Level sites are limited: Ken's Lake Campground provides more developed options for RVs. "Probably the cheapest paid camping in Moab with cell service. Cows roam through during the day but they don't bother you. There's a waterfall nearby. 20/night. Clean sites. Level. Good roads," reports a camper who appreciated the maintained access.
Prepare for wind exposure: Open desert camping areas offer minimal protection from weather. "Only downside is there's no shade/coverage and could definitely feel the winds stronger than other areas," notes a camper who stayed at Ken's Lake during a windy period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping near the Dugway Geode Beds in Utah?
The best camping options near the Dugway Geode Beds include Dugway Pass Dispersed Camping which offers multiple dispersed sites with rock fire pits along the Pony Express Road. This area is directly adjacent to the geode beds, making it an ideal base for rockhounding. Pony Express Trail includes: Boyd Station is another excellent option located north of Boyd Station, providing convenient access to the geode beds where softball-sized specimens can be found. These dispersed camping areas are free but require you to bring all necessary supplies, including water.
Can I rent an RV for camping in Dugway, Utah?
While you can't rent RVs directly in Dugway, you can rent from companies in nearby Salt Lake City, about 85 miles away, and drive to Dugway area campgrounds. Several camping areas around Dugway are RV-accessible, including Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping which has pull-off roads suitable for RVs. Miner's Canyon Dispersed offers lakeside sites that can accommodate RVs, though road conditions can be rough in some areas. Be prepared for primitive conditions as most sites lack hookups, and always check road conditions before driving an RV to dispersed sites in the Dugway region.
What are the camping options available in Dugway, Utah?
Dugway offers diverse camping options across the region. Clover Springs Campground — Salt Lake Field Office provides a scenic developed option between Stockton and Dugway for $12 per vehicle with proximity to natural springs. For those seeking free dispersed camping, Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry offers primitive sites with established fire rings, though it's near a shooting range and OHV trails. Other options include White Rocks Dispersed Camping with explorable rock formations, and Knolls Recreation Area along Highway 80. Most dispersed sites require you to bring all supplies including water.
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