Dispersed camping near Grantsville, Utah offers extensive backcountry options across varying elevations from 4,300 to 6,500 feet. The region experiences extreme temperature fluctuations with summer days regularly exceeding 90°F while nights can drop below 50°F even in July. Most primitive sites throughout the area require campers to be entirely self-sufficient with provisions including water, as natural sources are scarce and unreliable.
What to do
Off-road exploration: 7-mile Pass provides extensive terrain for recreational vehicles. "This is a large area in the west desert available for disperse camping. No services and no water, and not particularly scenic. It's fun to ride ATVs and go shooting. There is no shade so be prepared," notes one visitor to Seven Mile Pass.
Rock climbing: White Rocks features unique geological formations that attract climbers. A camper explains, "This is such a cool spot and one of the many reasons I can't get Utah out of my outdoorsy heart. The rock formations out here are magnificent and so much fun for all ages." White Rocks Dispersed Camping offers direct access to these formations.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning hours present opportunities to spot pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and numerous bird species. Morning is also ideal for avoiding summer heat. "Great spot for a night. Fun if you have a Side by side or mountain bike. Some sites are very accessible, others need 4x4," mentions one camper about the diverse terrain.
What campers like
Mountain vistas: The Stansbury Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to many camping areas. A visitor to Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping notes, "Beautiful views, wide open spaces and super quiet. LOTS of mosquitoes and flies. We brought a 30' RV with a lifted Ram 2500 and had no problem driving over the washouts."
Night sky clarity: The remote location offers exceptional stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. "My favorite place to camp. Other campers are respectful at night and friendly during the day. Nights are quiet and the moon is usually super bright," reports one regular camper.
Seasonal wildflowers: Spring brings desert blooms throughout the region, particularly from late April through mid-June. A camper at Miner's Canyon Dispersed shares, "Gorgeous view of Utah lake. Sunflowers and purple hummingbird flowers galore...skyline and stars are stunning."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access deteriorates significantly after rain. "The sites are trashed. I think people live here full time. You can hear generators running at night and occasional gunshots in the distance (shooting range)," warns one camper about certain areas.
Wind exposure: Most sites lack natural windbreaks. "It was very windy for a couple of hours but settled down after a while. It wasn't as cold as we were expecting in our RTT," reports one visitor describing typical evening conditions.
Limited shade: Trees are scarce throughout the region. One camper states, "The camping area down below has soft soil to make for easy staking and is protected and shaded by leafy trees," highlighting the rare exceptions where shade can be found.
Seasonal insects: Gnats and mosquitoes peak from June through August. A visitor to Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping mentions, "So many bugs it was awful, the mosquitoes ate us and our dogs even with bug repellents. The area was pretty flat it looked like on the left, but we had to go to the right as the left was full when we arrived."
Tips for camping with families
Water planning: Each person needs 1-2 gallons per day minimum. "Quick and easy camp site for an adventure in skull valley. We had the place to ourselves and had no issues finding it. Great views and a fun place to hang out alone in the desert," shares a visitor about proper preparation.
Protective gear: Wide-brimmed hats and high-SPF sunscreen are essential due to high UV exposure. "The area was pretty flat it looked like on the left, but we had to go to the right as the left was full when we arrived. It was fairly quiet though at night since you're very spread out from each other which is nice," notes a family camper.
Kid-friendly activities: Rock collecting and wildlife tracking provide natural engagement opportunities. "My young son loved the nearby spring, it was very mushy but not horrible in some spots!" reports a parent who visited with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Scout potential spots before committing to park larger vehicles. A visitor to Mineral Basin Dispersed advises, "We were car camping, so didn't have to worry to much about space. From what we could tell there were probably only a couple good spots for an RV or tow-behind."
Leveling equipment: Bring substantial leveling blocks as most sites feature uneven terrain. "With 5th wheel, took a couple sites before we were happy. Landed with large windows facing lake, lovely," shares one RV camper about finding the right spot.
Generator considerations: Limited flat areas mean generator noise carries across campsites. "Tons of dispersed camping areas along the 196. We stayed about 12 miles off of the I-80, on the east side of the 196. We brought a 30' RV with a lifted Ram 2500 and had no problem driving over the washouts."
