Forest roads climbing east out of Farmington into the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest open up dispersed camping on public land without fees or reservations. The drive from the valley floor to accessible sites takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes, and most of the approach roads are paved until you branch onto the forest roads themselves. High-clearance vehicles reach more options, though standard passenger cars handle the main gravel corridors in dry conditions. Farmington's tent campgrounds cover the developed alternatives with designated spots and vault toilets at lower elevation.
No water at any dispersed site. Pack everything in and pack everything out, including waste. Cell service drops off sharply once you clear the ridgeline. The 14-day stay limit applies and rangers in this corridor are active during summer weekends. Elevation above 7,000 feet means nights get cold well into June, so a warm sleeping bag is worth having regardless of the daytime forecast.
"We found a spot that was more of a hill, which made it neat to get around, but the site was LITTERED with spent ammo, broken glass and broken pieces of clay pigeons."
"Camp is about 25 minutes from town via a dirt road 4x4 not required in certain areas just be cautious when selecting certain sites if you don't have 4x4."
"You can backpack in and camp anywhere a 1/2 mile from any road like the other nearby canyons. Good trails to approach from are Church fork and Lambs Canyon Trailhead."
"All the camping is backcountry so you can pick any trail and just make sure that you are 1/2 mile off the road and at least 200 ft from developed ares and water."
"We frequently come up here just to sleep outside some nights and head back home in the early morning to get food and shower."
"My family and I were driving through and needed a place to stay for the night. We camped the first night that lot camping was allowed (9/10) so it was quiet and peaceful."
"Aire trail there are a few premade dispersed camping spots. 1 is good for groups of 3 tents with a nice big fire pit and the others are smaller for 1 or 2 people sharing a tent."
"The hike is moderately difficult, especially carrying overnight gear, but it’s super worth it. There are dozens of locations along the trail you can just venture off into to camp."
"The views are great but the road is definitely washed out. You will need 4WD and high clearance to pass through the washouts and rocks which start near the entrance and go all the way to the top."
"There was a weird spot when Google maps told us to go right (staying on the paved road) while there was an "alternate" route up a dirt road to the coordinates on the dyrt."
"Campground Review: Mineral Basin is located in the Wasatch Mountains to the East of Salt Lake City."
"The ride up to mineral basin was dirt roads with amazing views. The campsite we settled on was absolutely beautiful."
from $6 / night
"The best part about living in Salt Lake City is that you can have brunch at Ruth's Diner at 8am, pack up your car around 10am, leave for the trail by 11am, and be on the trail by 11:30am."
"These are all backcountry sites and you have to be at least a 1/2 mile from any road before camping. The best spots are more than a mile in at the meadows anyway!"
"About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs."
"Two nice boondocking spots just a short drive on a tight dirt road off the highway. The campsite on the right is bigger, the one on the left is very small."
TravelerRight up the road from where the campsite marker is we found this private little circular site with fire pit. Ground was at a slope, good to keep in mind, for this specific spot.
ScoutThis road will test your skills it you don’t have 4x4 and high-clearance, but it still drivable even further uphill. Wasn’t able to make it to where the pin is, just kept going up the main road and found gorgeous spot! Quite popular place
ScoutCalled to make sure ok to stay a night in parking lot at 1513 pm. Told no by staff at desk.
RangerOne of the most beautiful sites I've been to in utah. The drive up in autumn is absolutely stunning. Pit toilets are located about 4mi down the mountain, road up will require AWD or 4x4.
RangerCamp is about 25 minutes from town via a dirt road 4x4 not required in certain areas just be cautious when selecting certain sites if you don't have 4x4. Also worth noting lots of dirt bikes and side by sides and folks shooting guns, so if you're a light sleeper you may not enjoy this site. Otherwise, it's totally fine.
TravelerSuch amazing views throughout the whole drive and onto the trail. I’ve never been to a dispersed spot as busy as this. Every spot was filled and people drove up until about 7pm still looking for spots. It’s definitely a rich daddy money playground area. Incredible views still.
TravelerWent camping up Cascade springs for our first time in the new Camper, Their are a lot! Of good sites, so hard to choose.. these ended up staying up more toward the top… It had gorgeous views, it seemed more of a tent area but we pulled our teardrop right up in there.. it has 2 fire pits are 3 decent areas to pitch your sleeping area at.. I would give this camp area a 9/10… its to beautiful and peaceful to not go back..
I seen 32 foot rvs at the camp ground below us.. so that should tell you that it’s mostly drivable up,
GuideWe had a wonderful view of the city with few bugs and a visitor in the morning! Roads were tough so we didn’t get up too far but had a wonderful stay.
GuideI stayed here for one night, the higher you go, the better the views. The lower you go it is a little bit louder with people dirt biking, four wheeling, shooting guns, recreationally, etc. I was towards the top of the mountain and I did not have any issues with sound the whole night. I felt very safe camping by myself.
Dispersed camping near Farmington, Utah provides access to secluded sites across varying elevations from 5,000 to 9,000 feet in the Wasatch Mountains. The camping season typically runs from late May through October, with many areas imposing seasonal closures for snow and wildlife protection. Higher elevation sites offer temperature relief during summer months, often 10-15 degrees cooler than valley temperatures.
Mountain biking trails access: Millcreek Canyon features excellent trail connections, with one visitor noting that "Millcreek Canyon is home to some wonderful trails that can be accessed by foot or bike. Although the canyon offers many hiking trails, the main use of the trails seems to be for trail running." The area charges "a 5$ per car fee sneaking at the entrance."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Mineral Basin Dispersed camping area provides good habitat for wildlife viewing. According to a visitor, "We woke up to the noises of the wildlife around us, and the beautiful sunrise over the mountains." The area is accessible via dirt roads from the Wasatch State Park side, though some sections require high clearance vehicles.
Summit hiking from camping areas: For those seeking elevation, Lake Desolation Primitive Sites connect to nearby peaks. One hiker reports, "We set out before dawn the next morning to catch the sunrise from Square Top Peak. If you continue along the Lake Desolation trail to the northeast, it joins the Wasatch Crest which leads to stunning views of the Wasatch Range."
Fall color viewing: Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo is particularly popular during autumn. One camper described their experience: "We came during a week day and the whole site was empty! Very quiet, very pretty, and very colorful." Another visitor confirmed the spectacular seasonal display: "It was the end of September and all the leaves were changing."
Star gazing conditions: Albion Basin offers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. A camper shared their experience: "If weather permits, leaving off the rain fly provides an exquisite view of the milky way as you drift off to sleep." The site requires at least a half-mile hike from parking areas to reach legal camping spots.
Water features at sites: Some campers appreciate spots near water sources. One reviewer of Bountiful B Dispersed noted "Some awesome flat areas with a creek if you go in spring. Nice and quiet." Creek access provides both ambiance and practical water access for camping needs, though water should be treated before consumption.
Road condition warnings: Access roads to many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. At Mineral Basin, "The ride up to mineral basin was dirt roads with amazing views," but visitors should know that "If you want to drive a bit higher into Mineral Basin than our campsite, a high clearance or off-road vehicle is required."
Seasonal closures impact access: Many areas have strict seasonal opening dates. A visitor to Millcreek Canyon warned: "Camping doesn't open until July 1st so take that into account." Another reported, "Warning - road is closed 3.5 miles into the park before where camping spots were indicated. No notice on when it would reopen."
Distance requirements from roads: Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts enforces specific dispersed camping rules. According to a visitor, "All the camping is backcountry so you can pick any trail and just make sure that you are 1/2 mile off the road and at least 200 ft from developed ares and water." Another camper confirmed, "to highlight this is WALK IN camping only. No car camping or RVs as it requires you to be 1/2 mile off the road."
Easy access family spots: Some areas provide more family-friendly access than others. One visitor to Millcreek Canyon shared: "We love Millcreek Canyon for camping, hiking, or even just going up for dinner at their day use spots. Pet friendly. One of our families favorite canyons. We take tubes and float in areas of the river. The kids play in the river."
Good first backpacking experience: For families ready to try backpacking, Twin Peaks Wilderness offers accessible options. A visitor noted that "The best spots are more than a mile in at the meadows anyway! Beware of moose as they are commonly spotted hanging out in the lakes near the meadows."
Safety considerations: Middle Fork Conservation Area provides family-friendly terrain but comes with cautions. A family camper reported: "A local ranger came by to chat and told us it can get busy with local homeless people and drug users, just FYI. But overall we felt completely safe and our neighbors were nice and friendly!"
Small trailer access: Monte Cristo area accommodates smaller RVs with some limitations. A camper noted: "About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs. Our 17 ft trailer with 4x4 was tricky to get into the spot because the loop was so small."
Limited site availability: RV campers should arrive early to secure spots in popular areas. One camper at Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo observed: "There are tons of free site all up and down the main road. The only problem is it is busy if you leave on Friday plan to get there by 3 at the latest. Spots fill quick."
Fire restrictions impact: Seasonal conditions often restrict fires in dispersed camping areas. An RVer reported: "Has a fire pit but with fire restrictions we didn't have a fire. The view is fantastic of hills covered with aspen and fir trees. Quiet but cars can be heard now and then."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Farmington Canyon camping located in Utah?
Farmington Canyon camping is located in the Wasatch Mountains east of Farmington, Utah, about 20 miles north of Salt Lake City. This area is part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, offering dispersed camping opportunities with scenic mountain views. For similar experiences in the Wasatch range, Mineral Basin Dispersed is located to the east of Salt Lake City in the same mountain range, accessible via the backside of Snowbird ski resort. The entire Farmington Canyon area provides access to numerous trails and outdoor recreation opportunities while being relatively close to urban amenities.
Are there free dispersed camping sites in Farmington Canyon?
Yes, Farmington Canyon offers free dispersed camping sites throughout the area. As part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, these sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system or fees. Similar free dispersed camping can be found at Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping on BLM land, which offers cleared, fairly level sites without hookups or services. Another option is Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo, which provides boondocking spots with great views about a quarter mile down a dirt road from Highway 39. Remember that free dispersed sites typically lack amenities like restrooms, potable water, or garbage service.
What regulations apply to dispersed camping in Farmington Canyon?
Dispersed camping in Farmington Canyon follows standard National Forest regulations: camp at least 150 feet from water sources, roads, and trails; observe fire restrictions, which are common during dry seasons; follow Leave No Trace principles; and limit stays to 14 days within a 30-day period. Pack out all trash and waste. Similar regulations apply at Cascade Springs Dispersed Site, where high-clearance 4WD vehicles are often needed to access camping areas. At Eagle Mountain Dispersed, camping on BLM land requires proper waste management with no facilities available. Check for current fire restrictions before your trip, as they change seasonally based on conditions.
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