Top Free Dispersed Camping near Garden City, UT

Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Garden City? We've got you covered. Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Garden City, UT (18)

Showing results 1-10 of 18 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Garden City

41 Reviews of 18 Garden City Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from Green Canyon Dispersed Campground
    September 8, 2024

    Green Canyon Dispersed Campground

    Beautiful Foliage

    (October 4th, 2023) Stopped here for a night on a road trip and it was the perfect place for some down time. There were still open spots when we got here late; we snagged a cool site with a small cave and a climbing route a decent way down the road. In the morning we hiked around some of the trails and explored the area. Even though it rained, it was a beautiful place to see some foliage! We only saw a few other people but it was the middle of the week and weather wasn’t great.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping
    August 4, 2024

    Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping

    Wasted time looking here

    Tons of land, tons of campsites.. but most are "occupied" by empty trailers with no other vehicles or people around. There's empty cars parked on top of fire pits, no tents or any sort of life nearby. Felt strange.

    This road is rough and very bumpy. Didn't feel comfortable "taking over" a campsite with things already parked there. Wouldn't recommend coming here.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo
    July 30, 2024

    Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo

    Absolutely Perfect

    We could not have asked for a more perfect spot. The views were immaculate, the sites were very spread out, it was the end of September and all the leaves were changing.

    No notes. Can’t recommend this spot enough.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping
    July 15, 2024

    Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping

    Big areas of solitude

    Ended up driving this road up to Idaho to find a bigger spot and some solitude. Took the dirt road for about 30 minutes and got the most perfect spot. Nobody was near us and the view was amazing. We went at the beginning of June, it was a bit chilly some mornings and at night, so come prepared.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Fossil Butte National Monument BLM
    July 12, 2024

    Fossil Butte National Monument BLM

    I wanted dark quiet and remote!

    And I got it at fossil butte. At north end of park is a 17% grade loose gravel narrow road with two hairpins - good luck! But northern end of park boundary is well marked. Dark dark sky and unbelievably quiet.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo
    June 23, 2024

    Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo

    Tons of free camping in the area.

    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.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area
    June 17, 2024

    Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area

    Great lake side camping! Beautiful views!

    Great campsites next to the lake. Excellent views and quiet. Only saw a couple other campers off in the distance. Lots of birds and ducks to watch.

    Saw a moose way off in the distance.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Green Canyon Dispersed Campground
    June 1, 2024

    Green Canyon Dispersed Campground

    Nice hiking trails and very close to town

    Perhaps a little too close to the university in Logan Utah it was busy that Friday night. I think all the spots filled by 7pm some 50 people there that night. There is close spots for small couples and large groups and also more private spacious spots for people with pets like me

  • Camper-submitted photo from Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area
    November 22, 2023

    Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area

    Spacious and peaceful!

    I wandered in after dark and the dirt road was easy to navigate. No one was around for miles which was quite nice! A few people drove past (I assume to go hunting) but not much traffic noise. Peaceful along the water. Clean bathrooms. Because of the regulations I wasn’t able to make a fire and had to stay overnight at the designated camp spot but I would definitely recommend this spot.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo
    September 3, 2023

    Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo

    Beautiful and secluded

    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. Very popular for hunters in September, so you'll have lots of people walking right by your camp. The views are beautiful, but it can get quite blustery. We weren't able to have a fire when we stayed there.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Green Canyon Dispersed Campground
    June 27, 2023

    Green Canyon Dispersed Campground

    Busy dispersed, road noise, but available

    We didn’t have a problem finding a spot but it was very busy with lots of road traffic even until late. We woke up to our car being drive-by paintballed. It cleaned off easy, but not fabulous. Another camper left their fire ring with smoldering coals and didn’t extinguish it. Good for a quick place to sleep on your way through town, but not a super relaxing experience.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping
    June 23, 2023

    Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful location right off highway 89

    Absolutely beautiful location off highway 89. A popular place especially for ohv-ers. Lots of places to park but most of them seemed to be “claimed” (tents or trailers with no vehicles) for the upcoming weekend. That is the only reason for the loss of one star. We were there on a Thursday night just for and one night stop-and-go, so any of those claimed spots we could have used had they not been there.

    There is a creek that flows back and forth around the area, we had that for our soundtrack as we slept.

    At about mile 2 from the turn-off, there is a cattle guard and clear signs that the road is public but the land is not. It is possible that there is another cattle guard further up and more dispersed passed it as we saw more rvs head up and not turn around and come back, but we did not investigate that.

    Well worth the trip in the search for a spot though. It was an amazing stay.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping
    June 13, 2023

    Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping

    Off-grid camping with beautiful scenery.

    I have grown up camping in the Franklin Basin area. It is the perfect location for anyone looking for places to hike or ride. There are many different places to visit throughout the area such as the "Plane Crash" site, Beaver Creek, old logging trails, and more. If your looking for a place to just get out in the dirt and relax, this is the place.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Heart Mountain Spring
    November 29, 2022

    Heart Mountain Spring

    Washboard Road

    This was a very amazing experience. The hot springs were absolutely amazing.

    There were a few visitors but only us and one other stayed. Our stay was a couple of nights.

    It’s worth the drive if you have 4WD or very good shocks and suspension

  • Camper-submitted photo from Fossil Butte National Monument BLM
    July 7, 2022

    Fossil Butte National Monument BLM

    Potentially a great spot

    Not a lot of info listed for this location so adding a review to hopefully help out! We didn’t get to camp here but it made me leave “stars”.

    The drive into the monument is easy, zero issues. Once the road turn to gravel, it gets steep. We have a 15k pound fifth wheel and a 2wd dually and we’re only able to make it a couple 100 yds up the hill before we started spinning. If you have 4WD you may be able to make it with a big rig, but might still be a little tricky with the gravel. We didn’t get to go very far, so if you have a bigger rig use caution. Up the hill it looked like a few sharp corners that may not be good for a bigger rig to get around with bad traction. We are not new to dispersed camping as it’s our primary camp type, this one just didn’t work out! Looked beautiful!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Salt River Pass
    July 6, 2022

    Salt River Pass

    Pretty

    It’s a pretty spot, but we were unfortunately unable to stay here because a couple was already there and they asked us to leave because they wanted the spot to themselves - which we understood.

    They also blocked the road that goes pass the site with their truck so we weren’t able to drive any further to see if there was anywhere else in the area, but upon looking at satellite view of the coordinates, the road seems to go on a bit further so if you have the chance to drive through there may be more potential sites.

    The road is a bit rough and you definitely need a high clearance vehicle to drive through.

    Tons of wildflowers and trees everywhere. A very private spot right off the highway.

    We ended up staying at Allred Flat campground just a mile or so up there road. It’s $10 a night - $5 if you have a pass - and in my opinion was even prettier than this site.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Fossil Butte National Monument BLM
    July 2, 2022

    Fossil Butte National Monument BLM

    Spectacular!

    Beautiful and remote area 10 miles up the road from the Visitor’s Center. Paved road that turns to dirt- both in great condition. High clearance vehicle needed, especially on the BLM land. Visitor’s Center provided a map showing the location of the dispersed camping (road off to the left at the top). Strong internet access. Spectacular views!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Green Canyon Dispersed Campground
    November 2, 2021

    Green Canyon Dispersed Campground

    Great spot, even in wet weather!

    Easy to find by putting the coordinates provided in Google Maps. Came in after dark and easily found a site about 1/4 mile or so up the road. Road is a bit bumpy but nothing major. Our truck handled it with ease, but even a sedan would probably be fine.

    The site we chose had a fire pit and plenty of flat ground to set up. A tent, van/truck, or small trailer would work well. There are some larger more open areas that could accommodate an RV.

    Great views of the canyon! It was raining most is the the time we were there, so I can only imagine what it is like on a nice summer day.

    There are a couple outhouses. Did not see any sinks.

    Overall highly recommend.



Guide to Garden City

Camping near Garden City, Utah, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Beach Access: Enjoy the beautiful waters of Bear Lake at the Bear Lake State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The water is absolutely beautiful! Can’t wait to come back again."
  • Hiking and Exploring: The Monte Cristo campground is surrounded by hiking trails. A camper shared, "There are easily accessible hiking trails connecting from the campground."
  • Fishing and Water Sports: At the Bear Lake/Marina Side KOA Holiday, you can rent water sports gear and enjoy fishing. One reviewer noted, "Tons of great activities... close to Bear Lake Marina."

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at the Sunrise Campground. One visitor said, "The sites are huge! The bathrooms were pretty clean."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: The Bear Lake/Marina Side KOA Holiday is popular for families. A reviewer mentioned, "There is an amazing playground for kids, swimming pool, and jumping pillow."
  • Quiet and Peaceful: Many enjoy the tranquility at the Smithfield Campground. One camper said, "This little spot has five or six campsites that are spaced nicely and are all very clean."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like the Bear Lake State Park Campground, lack certain amenities. A visitor pointed out, "It gets really windy from one moment to the next."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: The Idaho Bear Lake State Park Campground can get busy in summer. One reviewer noted, "It was well maintained, but it was a big party here during the Summer."
  • Dog Restrictions: If you're bringing pets, check the rules. At the Bear Lake State Park Campground, dogs are not allowed on the park beaches.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like the Bear Lake/Marina Side KOA Holiday that offer activities for kids. A parent mentioned, "Great bathrooms/wash house... tons of activities."
  • Plan for Windy Days: The Bear Lake State Park Campground can get windy, so be prepared. One camper said, "It gets really windy from one moment to the next."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Some campgrounds, like the Sunrise Campground, don’t have markets nearby. A visitor advised, "Make sure to take your own."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: At the Monte Cristo, some sites are tight for larger RVs. A reviewer noted, "The loops that connect the campground are paved by asphalt... can be very tight if you have an RV or trailer longer than 25' long."
  • Look for Electric Hookups: If you need power, the Bear Lake/Trail Side KOA Journey offers electric hookups. One camper mentioned, "Everything is clean... the roads to the mountains are around the corner."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Many campgrounds, like the Idaho Bear Lake State Park Campground, have dump stations available. A visitor shared, "Electric and water hook ups with dump site."

Camping near Garden City, Utah, has something for everyone, from beautiful lakes to family-friendly activities. Just remember to check the specific campground details to make the most of your trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Garden City, UT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Garden City, UT is Green Canyon Dispersed Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 13 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Garden City, UT?

    TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Garden City, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.