Dispersed camping options near Dugway, Utah offer campers backcountry experiences in high desert terrain situated at elevations between 4,300-5,200 feet. The area features stark rock formations against mountain backdrops with significant temperature variations between seasons. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F while spring and fall provide milder conditions with highs in the 60-70°F range.
What to do
Mountain hiking access: Loop Campground serves as a gateway to the Stansbury Mountain range with 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," notes Robert G., who suggests weekday visits when "the campground is usually completely empty so if you're looking for some peace and quiet, try to get here Monday to Thursday."
Waterfall exploration: Ken's Lake Campground provides access to nearby Faux Falls. "Enjoy a hike to Faux Falls. Remember to take your own shade, and water," recommends Amanda B. Another camper notes, "There is a waterfall that can be hiked to from campsite, planning on doing this this evening."
Rock exploration: White Rocks Dispersed Camping features unique geological formations worth exploring. According to Robert F., "It's a very quiet area and scenery is beautiful." The area offers opportunities for amateur geology enthusiasts to examine unique desert rock formations.
What campers like
Cave exploration: White Rocks Dispersed Camping offers unique cave features within the rock formations. "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," explains Lauren R.
Mountain views: The elevated terrain provides expansive vistas across the valley. Robert F. from White Rocks Dispersed Camping notes, "Scenery is beautiful," while Lauren R. adds, "The view from the top of the rock is really pretty, you can see the whole valley with the mountains in the distance."
Water recreation: Ken's Lake Campground offers swimming opportunities during hot months. "Ken's Lake is a great place to cool off. The water was low, maybe about 25% and very muddy throughout. But whatever it was fun to jump in and hang out by the shore," mentions Nick C., who adds that "dogs love it!"
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to many campsites require careful navigation. Lauren R. from White Rocks Dispersed Camping recommends "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."
Services availability: Most sites lack amenities, requiring thorough preparation. "This is a no service campground. I used it for an overnight stay. Very warm end of May. Had cell connection through Verizon," notes Joseph W. about Ken's Lake.
Weather challenges: Seasonal conditions create distinct camping experiences. "It was really windy when I visited so keep that in mind—Moab gets some brutal winds that, once your tent is up, will put a fine layer of dust/sand over everything you own," warns one Ken's Lake camper.
Bug problems: Several locations report significant insect activity. At Horseshoe Knoll Dispersed Camping, visitors report "So many bugs it was awful, the mosquitoes ate us and our dogs even with bug repellents," and another notes, "LOTS of gnats and other bugs, but quite and pretty view of the sunset."
Tips for camping with families
Seek shaded sites: Limited shade makes tree-covered spots valuable for pet friendly camping near Dugway, Utah. "The camping area down below has soft soil to make for easy staking and is protected and shaded by leafy trees," notes Allison W. about White Rocks.
Kid-friendly recreation: Look for natural features that entertain children. One Intake Campground visitor describes "amazing looking rock cliffs and outcrops that look like volcanic flows or maybe a pyroclastic flow or tuff. It's really crumbly and doesn't make for good climbing but forms pretty 'melting mud' walls."
Morning activities: Plan for early day recreation before temperatures rise. "The kids loved being able to play in the park. Beautiful stars at night," reports Sabrina G. about her family trip to Ken's Lake with grandchildren.
Water access for cooling: Streams provide relief during hot days. Alan B. notes that at Intake Campground, "There are 5 single sites all aligned in a row next to the creek," while at Cottonwood Campground "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Limited level areas dictate where larger vehicles can camp. At Horseshoe Knoll, Sara R. notes, "From what we could tell there were probably only a couple good spots for an RV or tow-behind. There are no reservations, just find a place where your car fits and park it."
Group site availability: Upper Narrows Campground offers larger spaces for RV groups. "This is one of 2 campgrounds that has very large group sites, so if you're coming here with a mob then this is one of the places to check out! The group sites cost $50 and $90 and can hold 30 and 50 people respectively," explains Alan B.
Water management: No hookups means planning water usage carefully. For pet friendly camping near Dugway, Naomi W. warns about Loop Campground, "I would definitely camp here again, but pack more efficiently so I could do it all in one trip. The four stars is less about the campground and more the state website's lack of clarity ('no water' can mean there's water just at the entrance to the park, or it can mean something more like this)."
