Tent camping near Dugway, Utah ranges from high-elevation mountain sites to flat desert terrain across public lands. The area sits at the edge of the Great Salt Lake Desert with elevations varying from 4,300 feet in the valley floor to over 11,000 feet at nearby mountain peaks. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F during day and drop below 50°F at night, creating challenging temperature swings for campers without proper gear.
What to do
Rock collecting expeditions: Drive the historic Pony Express Trail to reach multiple mineral collection sites near Pony Express Trail includes: Boyd Station. "To the north of the road past Boyd Station is the Dugway Geode beds where large soft ball sized geodes can be dug up! South of here at Topaz Mountain you can find, you guessed it, topaz!" says camper Alan B.
Sand dune recreation: Little Sahara Recreation Area offers 60,000 acres of sand dunes for outdoor play just 2 hours from Salt Lake City. Jericho Picnic & Camping Area serves as a central base for dune activities. "Our Boy Scout Troop sand boarded and rolled down the dunes. Lots of people bring their ATV's," reports Ryan B.
Mountain hiking: Set up camp at Loop Campground for access to Deseret Peak Trail. "For those that want to get a little closer to the peak, there is a 7 mile one way trail to the top of Deseret Peak that offers amazing views of the Great Salt Lake Valley! You can see all the way to the northern end of the lake as well as beyond the Bonneville Salt Flats into Nevada," notes Alan B.
What campers like
Geological formations: Paul Bunyon's Woodpile offers access to unique rock formations with nearby dispersed camping. "We found a great campsite right by the trailhead, the only spot with trees and shade. Easy hike to see the formation, but very hot in July! Lots of coyotes howling at night, but otherwise great!" shares Chloe B.
Night sky viewing: The open desert terrain provides exceptional stargazing opportunities. At White Sands Campground, camper Carolynn D. reports, "We arrived late evening, self pay registration was easy. The Stars were beautiful and the sand was soft and fun to walk in."
Solitude and space: The vast dispersed camping options along Skull Valley Road provide privacy rarely found in more popular camping areas. "Beautiful views, wide open spaces and super quiet," notes Rara B., while Kim J. adds "My favorite place to camp. Other campers are respectful at night and friendly during the day. Nights are quiet and the moon is usually bright."
What you should know
Wind exposure: Desert camping sites offer little natural protection from strong winds. One camper at Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping notes, "Fucking windy night and dusty I hate dust so much. Maybe if I parked down road inside the sagebrush it would have broke the wind."
Limited supplies: Prepare to bring everything you need. At Loop Campground, Naomi W. warns, "I have a small SUV, so I buy firewood and fill up water containers after I've set up camp. 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."
Insect populations: Expect mosquitoes and flies, especially in warmer months. "LOTS of mosquitoes and flies," reports Rara B. about camping along Highway 196 in Skull Valley.
Tips for camping with families
Consider terrain needs: Camp Eagle Mountain offers a developing campground with some amenities while maintaining a natural setting. "It is a dry area and hot mid-summer, but good base for ATV, bike, and hunting areas. No ATV/bike riding or hunting on the campground - just a good base camp for those types of activities," explains Angela S.
Sand activities: White Sands Campground provides unique terrain for family play. "The sand was soft and fun to walk in. We set up two tents and thoroughly enjoyed the visit," reports Carolynn D.
Distance between sites: Loop Campground offers better spacing between campsites for families wanting privacy. Naomi W. notes, "The campground itself was lovely. Very peaceful, good distance between sites."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. One RVer at Skull Valley reports, "We brought a 30' RV with a lifted Ram 2500 and had no problem driving over the washouts." However, another camper warns, "Dirt road is also real rough, probably not for sedans."
Dump facilities: Lower Narrows Campground and other established sites in South Willow Canyon have no dump stations. Alan B. notes, "There are only 3 sites and there are no water or trash facilities so bring all you need and then pack it all out!"
Electrical considerations: No electricity is available at tent camping sites near Dugway. Campers requiring CPAP machines or other medical devices should bring sufficient battery power or generator capacity where allowed.
