Dispersed camping near Grantsville, Utah offers primitive options in the desert landscape of the Stansbury Mountains, approximately 35 miles west of Salt Lake City. The area sits at elevations between 4,300 and 10,000 feet, creating varied camping conditions with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Wind can be significant in open areas like Skull Valley, where temperatures fluctuate dramatically between day and night.
What to do
Shooting activities: At Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping, target shooting is popular. "Lots of ATV traffic during the day, but we rarely heard anything," notes one camper. Another visitor mentioned it's "right in an outdoor shooting range with multiple spots so that's a plus if you're looking for entertainment."
Summit climbing: The Stansbury Mountains offer challenging hikes. Near Red Pine Lake, you can "make your way through the talus field to the south you can gain the ridge and summit white baldy which gives one of the best views in the entire Wasatch!"
Rock climbing: For experienced climbers, South Willow Canyon has technical routes. Near Upper Narrows, you'll find "extremely close proximity of amazing water carved bulletproof limestone climbing" with routes up to 5.14a difficulty grade established by world-renowned climber Chris Sharma.
What campers like
Isolation and quiet: Campers appreciate the seclusion at Skull Valley Road. "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 visitor.
Creek access: The Loop Campground offers creek-side camping that enhances the experience. "The campground itself was lovely. Very peaceful, good distance between sites," shares a camper who appreciated the natural setting.
Wildlife viewing: Many tent camping areas near Grantsville provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Silver Lake Backcountry, one camper noted, "The scenery is beautiful and we even saw a herd of deer run by our camp."
Night skies: The remote nature of dispersed camping around Grantsville provides excellent stargazing. A Silver Lake visitor mentioned "the fall colors during the day and the stars during the night were spectacular!"
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many camping areas require high-clearance vehicles. For Silver Lake Backcountry, "you're definitely going to need 4WD and high clearance because the roads leading up to the campsite are filled with ruts and holes."
Water access: No potable water is available at most sites. For Loop Campground, prepare for "a very long drive down a rutted gravel road, out of the canyon, and back to Grantsville. I think it was 40 minutes each way" to get supplies.
Wind conditions: The open desert landscape can get extremely windy. At Skull Valley, one camper warned, "Especially if you get here before sunset, you can hike a little ways up the mountain and watch the sun go down, but once it does start to go down it gets real windy. All the breeze from the salt flats comes right your way."
Bug seasons: Lower Narrows Campground and surrounding areas can have significant insect activity. A Skull Valley visitor reported "LOTS of mosquitoes and flies" during summer months, so bring appropriate repellent.
Tips for camping with families
Easier access options: For families with children, choose campgrounds with better road access. At Split Rock Bay Backcountry Campsites, families enjoy "good hiking trails with great views and lots of animals to see" without difficult approaches.
Creek play areas: South Willow Canyon campgrounds offer child-friendly water features. At Lower Narrows, "The creek offers a nice respite from the heat in the summer and would probably be decent fishing as well."
Educational opportunities: Millcreek Canyon Backcountry provides opportunities to spot wildlife with children. "Everytime we come here we also see moose and deer," reports one visitor, making it an excellent nature classroom.
Day-use activities: Consider mixing camping with day activities. One Millcreek visitor shared, "We take tubes and float in areas of the river. The kids play in the river. Just a fun time."
Tips from RVers
Dispersed options: For RVs, Skull Valley Road offers accessible spots. "We brought a 30' RV with a lifted Ram 2500 and had no problem driving over the washouts," notes one RVer who stayed about 12 miles off I-80.
Limited hookups: Most tent camping areas near Grantsville lack RV amenities. Even established campgrounds have few facilities, so bring sufficient water and waste storage capacity.
Seasonal access: Roads to many camping areas close during winter months. Check ahead for closures, especially for Upper and Lower Narrows campgrounds.
Wind preparation: Secure loose items when camping in open areas like Skull Valley. The wind from the salt flats can be strong enough to damage awnings and outdoor setup.
