Best Tent Camping near Highland, UT
The Wasatch Mountains surrounding Highland, Utah provide several backcountry tent camping options with alpine lakes and forested terrain. Silver Lake Backcountry and Red Pine Lake offer highly-rated tent-only sites accessible via walk-in trails. Both require permits and feature pristine alpine settings with mountain views. Kimball Campground, located just northeast of Highland, provides both walk-in tent sites and drive-in access, though roads can be challenging without proper clearance vehicles.
Most primitive tent camping areas near Highland require preparation for minimal amenities. Tent campsites typically feature unimproved dirt or forest duff surfaces with limited or no facilities. Water sources are scarce at most locations, with campers needing to bring their own supply or filter from streams when available. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry summer months. Many backcountry tent sites require permits and enforce strict regulations about camping at least 200 feet from water sources, particularly in watershed areas like Little Cottonwood Canyon. Vault toilets exist at some trailheads but are absent at most remote tent-only camping areas.
Weekday visits provide the best experience for backcountry tent camping. According to one camper at Red Pine Lake, "The weekend can get very busy so during the week is the best time to camp as it's likely you'll be the only overnight camper." Silver Lake visitors note the need for 4WD vehicles after rainstorms, with a required half-mile minimum hike from the trailhead to reach legal camping areas. The alpine settings offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, with campers frequently reporting moose and deer sightings. Millcreek Canyon provides additional walk-in tent sites with the requirement to camp at least half a mile from any road. Fall brings cooler temperatures and spectacular foliage, making it an ideal season for tent campers seeking both comfort and scenery.
