Dispersed camping near Magna, Utah offers sites on BLM land with elevations ranging from 4,300 to 8,500 feet. The area experiences temperature swings of 30-40°F between day and night, especially at higher elevations. Most sites require vehicles to navigate washouts and rocky terrain that worsen after rainfall.
What to do
Hiking near Twin Peaks Wilderness Area: Camp at Twin Peaks Wilderness Area - Dispersed for access to several peaks offering panoramic views. "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!" Nearby peaks include "Broads Fork Twin Peaks, Sunrise Peak, and Dromedary Peak. All of which require no more than class 4 scrambling."
Wildlife viewing at mountain locations: The higher elevation sites provide opportunities to observe native wildlife. At Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts, campers report "Everytime we come here we also see moose and deer. Best time is definitely fall." Keep a safe distance from wildlife and store food properly.
Trail running on established paths: The canyons east of Magna offer extensive trail networks. "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." Most trails require a $5 per vehicle entrance fee.
What campers like
Open desert spaces: At Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping, campers appreciate the spaciousness. "Private feel. 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." Most sites can accommodate larger vehicles: "Easy to find camping spots, even big enough for our 32' no problem."
Mountain lakes and streams: The eastern mountain areas provide water features during spring and early summer. One camper at Lone Peak Cirque Dispersed advises to "bring a lot of water (at least 3 L each) and a filter if you plan on staying overnight in the cirque. All water is runoff so also make sure there is still snow up there as that is your only water supply."
Lake views from western sites: Sites west of Magna offer unique vistas of the Great Salt Lake. At Miner's Canyon Dispersed, campers report "Spacious enough that your neighbors are distant, and quiet for the most part" with "Nice gravel road for the next half mile" leading to sites with "sound of waves from the lake" providing ambient noise.
What you should know
Seasonal road closures: Many mountain roads close during winter and spring. Check current conditions before departing. At Millcreek Canyon, one camper noted in July 2025: "Warning - road is closed 3.5 miles into the park before where camping spots were indicated. No notice on when it would reopen."
Variable road conditions: Access roads deteriorate throughout the season and after storms. For Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping, one camper advised "Dirt road is also real rough, probably not for sedans" while another noted "We brought a 30' RV with a lifted Ram 2500 and had no problem driving over the washouts."
Insect activity: Bugs can be problematic, particularly in warmer months. At Horseshoe Knoll, campers report "Lots of biting bugs and moths" and another mentioned "bugs are terrible." Sites near water typically experience higher insect activity after sunset.
Tips for camping with families
Close-to-city options: For families seeking shorter drives, consider Millcreek Canyon where one family reports: "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."
Safety considerations: For family camping trips, choose sites with established fire rings away from washout areas. One camper at Bountiful B Dispersed noted their site "was LITTERED with spent ammo, broken glass and broken pieces of clay pigeons" so carefully inspect your area upon arrival.
Weather preparations: Mountain areas experience rapid temperature changes. Pack layers and rain gear regardless of forecast. At higher elevations like Lone Peak Cirque, one visitor described the experience as "super worth it" but cautioned the "hike is moderately difficult, especially carrying overnight gear."
Tips from RVers
RV-friendly sites: Some dispersed sites can accommodate larger rigs. At Miner's Canyon Dispersed, one RVer reported: "Sites were fairly level, but there were some instances of trash and broken glass so be wary when dropping your RV or camper." Another mentioned "6 other RVs here when I stopped" indicating sufficient space for multiple vehicles.
Cell service information: Working remotely requires knowledge of connectivity. At Bountiful B Dispersed, one camper shared: "Cell service is also spotty here. I have Xfinity Mobile and I had decent coverage here and there.... everyone else had T-Mobile and they were also spotty, but more so compared to mine, so AT&T (who I think XM uses) is slightly better."
Generator etiquette: Some sites permit generators, which can affect campsite selection. One camper at Miner's Canyon noted "Larger RVs occasionally run generators which can be noisy" suggesting positioning your site away from larger rigs if seeking quiet.
