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Dispersed camping near Garrison, Utah includes several primitive campsites on public lands, primarily in Nevada just across the state line. BLM-managed areas like Gravel Pit, Great Basin Flats, and Sacramento Pass offer free dispersed campsites with no fees or reservations required. Additional dispersed sites can be accessed along Baker Creek Road near Great Basin National Park and in Marjum Canyon on the Utah side. These undeveloped areas serve as alternatives to established campgrounds when visiting Great Basin National Park or exploring the surrounding desert landscape.
Access to many dispersed sites requires navigation on unpaved roads with varying conditions. The Gravel Pit BLM site features a large, flat gravel area with easy highway access but no amenities. Forest Road NF-589 near Baker Creek presents challenging conditions with washouts, downed trees, and rocks that demand high-clearance vehicles. Several reviews note that "roads are narrow and rough with decent sized rocks" and warn against entering with two-wheel drive vehicles or trailers. Most sites lack water, toilets, trash facilities, and shade, making proper preparation essential for camping in this remote region.
The dispersed camping areas around Garrison provide expansive desert views and proximity to Great Basin National Park attractions. Sacramento Pass BLM area, though technically a designated campground with pit toilets and picnic tables, functions as free overflow camping when the national park facilities fill up. According to one camper, "Great Basin was full, so went west on 6 about 8 miles and pulled into dispersed campground." Marjum Canyon offers particularly secluded camping opportunities with unique features including "a hobbit hole that was walled in by a hermit that lived in the area for 20 years." Cell service is extremely limited throughout the region, with one review emphasizing "no one gets service out here," recommending satellite communication devices for emergency situations. The remote nature of these free dispersed campsites provides quiet camping experiences despite their proximity to major attractions.
"There are no amenities other that a couple bushes to pee on. AT&T service is good. Love these peaceful BLM spots!"
"As the description said, it's a working gravel pit. and the BLM got to work at 8am the morning after I arrived. So, be aware of that."
"Large flat area just a few hundred yards off the road and five minutes from great basin Ranger station. The dirt road is a two track with a little rutting."
"Plenty of flat area, was one other car there. Seems to be a construction site in that area (just a big hole with a bulldozer)."
"There are more dispersed sites available via dirt roads if you want to be back from the campground. It was very nice for a BLM site. There is a fun hiking trailhead right off the horse area."
"Not sure if this is what I understand to be dispersed camping, as it’s a first come first served campground with tables, fire rings and pit toilets, just no water."
"First off I'll start by saying the "Get directions" location on this app is incorrect AND the GPS will take you down a private, gated, dirt road to get there."
"Quiet easy access-just what you want in a dispersed campsite."
"Easy to get into the park and easy to get situated. All dirty, with concrete pads for your RV or Trailer. Not a bad spot, felt safe and headed out the next day during our commute."
"Pull off right next to freeway, large parking areas on both sides. More areas beyond fence on the north side. Stayed close to the entrance and didn't explore much."
"You don’t have to drive through the gate, although I recommend you do for a more secluded spot slightly further from the road. It gets a little sandy, so be wary with your 2WD vehicle."
"Long drive on gravel roads. No high clearance required. Beautiful spring and nice campsite for vans and tents. No big rigs. Dark skies and stars aplenty. One established fire ring."
"Dispersed camping and small pull-offs all throughout. Photos are of the Western slope pouring out of the canyon."
"And has ~2000' of vertical rise and lies 4000' above the surrounding valley. Theres some good climbing in the canyon but there is room for plenty of development."
ScoutNo facilities or anything on site, just a large gravel pit and lot on the far side. Shaded by the mountains to the West so it is significantly cooler than in the open sun even before the sunset. No direpits or anything so be totally self sufficient
GuideVery remote and wild, but the sites are very developed. Firm level pads, grills, picnic tables, horse pen, clean toilets, trash can. We passed the first group of sites, went up to the top and so glad we did. Trails everywhere. Views amazing! It snowed in May- be ready!
RangerI stayed up in the house camp area and had a concrete pad, covered picnic table, and metal fire ring. There was a bathroom up there and another at the lower level. The road was pretty good. There are more dispersed sites available via dirt roads if you want to be back from the campground. It was very nice for a BLM site. There is a fun hiking trailhead right off the horse area. Beautiful view in all directions. A few bugs.
ScoutJust a few minutes from Baker, no fuss, easy open camping. No facilities of any sorts, so bring your own water, electricity and restroom solutions.
LegendWhen we arrived we had the whole place to ourselves. The roads in were great. There's plenty of space to maneuver a large rig. It is fairly level. The view of snow capped mountains are amazing. There are no amenities other that a couple bushes to pee on. AT&T service is good. Love these peaceful BLM spots!
GuideThis spot is only a few miles from Great Basin National Park, it's in one of the most empty parts of the country, it's secluded, beautiful, and I get good cell service here. There are no facilities at all, it's just a few acres of gravel off the side of the road, but it's a good place to stop and relax for the night if you ever find yourself out here.
ScoutIts a nice spot with covered picnic tables. Had a flattened tent spot, nice spot for a bunch of cars. Got there at 10 pm and still plenty of spots. You can definitely hear the road from your spot. But its not too bad
RangerRating 5 stars because this site is exactly what we needed—a place to pullover, sleep, and cook. You don’t have to drive through the gate, although I recommend you do for a more secluded spot slightly further from the road. It gets a little sandy, so be wary with your 2WD vehicle.
This site has plenty of wide-open loops for rigs of any size to find a spot to park overnight. I took a timelapse video walking around the beginning portion, but I have no idea how far down it goes since we just stayed close to the entrance.
It was a little spooky pulling up at night, but by the morning it was easy to see that this site sits safely in the wide-open middle of nowhere. We were the only people there.
RangerWe have not gone in very far, but it has been easy to get in and out at this point. There are a couple of soft spots and a hole by the gate that you need to watch out for.
Primitive camping near Garrison, Utah includes several undeveloped sites across public lands that extend into eastern Nevada. Located in high desert terrain at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet, this area experiences wide temperature swings even in summer months. Most dispersed campsites lack facilities but offer proximity to Great Basin National Park's alpine landscape while requiring proper preparation for remote conditions.
Trilobite hunting: Explore areas near Marjum Pass Dispersed Camping where exceptional fossil sites exist. One camper noted it's "Home to one of the biggest cliffs in North America and you've probably never heard of it. Notch Peak is just to the south of the campground."
Visit geological features: The unique formations at Marjum Canyon include a historical shelter. A reviewer mentioned "a hobbit hole that was walled in by a hermit that lived in the area for 20 years" among the primitive camping spots along the canyon road.
Equestrian access: The upper camping area at Sacramento Pass BLM Campground provides sites near horse facilities. One visitor recommends: "Make sure you take the road up the hill out of the lower camp spots to the upper area. To this day this is one of my favorite spots."
Privacy and space: Free primitive camping areas often feature well-separated sites. At Gravel Pit BLM, campers appreciate that "There was lots of open space to park where ever. It was quiet!"
Convenient overflow options: When national park campgrounds fill up, dispersed camping provides reliable alternatives. A camper at Great Basin Flats described it as a "Large flat area just a few hundred yards off the road and five minutes from Great Basin Ranger station."
Stargazing opportunities: The lack of light pollution creates exceptional night viewing. One camper at Baker Creek Road stated: "If you can get above the trees like I could by sitting on the roof of my trailer when the sun went down, the views are actually stunning at this campsite."
Communications limitations: Cell service is virtually nonexistent throughout the region. Visitors to North Pinnacle should note that "the information on the parks website is a bit misleading. Road is not for RV's or trailers. Just after you enter the park on Snake Creek Road a sign clearly indicated no RV's or trailers past the roads first pull out."
Road conditions: Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles. One camper attempting to reach Baker Creek Road reported: "Tried to go in but the road ditched and seemed obvious that forest service is trying to stop people from going there."
Water requirements: No potable water exists at any dispersed camping areas. A camper at Marjum Canyon advised: "bring a gps locator or satellite phone because no one gets service out here, oh and lots of water!"
Covered picnic tables: Sacramento Pass offers family-friendly amenities despite being free. A visitor noted: "Each site is an established site, with a covered picnic table & firepit. Each site is spaced out also. There's 2 bathrooms & a dumpster."
Site selection timing: Arrive early to secure better spots. At Sacramento Pass, "Stayed in #7 which was exposed, but the last one available so we took it. Free. Pit toilets are dirty but don't stink and trash has been emptied."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning hours provide the best wildlife spotting chances. At Millard Desert Camp, the "large parking areas on both sides" offer "absolutely beautiful" desert viewing opportunities.
Level parking challenges: Most primitive sites aren't level. One RV camper reported: "My 4in levelers for my rooftop tent were not tall enough to counter this slope. I ended up having to use large boulders and back over them to level my truck."
Access limitations: Many dispersed areas have restrictions for larger vehicles. A reviewer warned about Baker Creek Road: "This OHV road is narrow and rough with decent sized rocks. There are very little opportunities to turn around and I would strongly recommend AGAINST entering with a two-wheel drive vehicle or a trailer."
Satellite connectivity: For those needing communications, satellite options work in some areas. An RVer at Sacramento Pass noted: "AT&T coverage was poor, with 0 to 1 bar of 5GE and speeds of only 0.3 MB/s. We had access all 3 western DISH satellites and Starlink had speeds were up to 11 MB/s."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Garrison, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Garrison, UT is Gravel Pit BLM Dispersed Campsite with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Garrison, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Garrison, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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