Dispersed camping opportunities abound in the Cache National Forest near Hyrum, Utah. Several free primitive sites are available, including Green Canyon Dispersed Campground, Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping, and Smithfield Dispersed Campsite. These areas feature established fire rings at most sites and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Green Canyon offers between 15-25 sites during summer months, with some large enough for group gatherings. According to reviews, many sites have stone fire rings on either side of the road, though site conditions can vary due to high usage.
Road conditions to these dispersed sites are generally manageable for most vehicles. Standard passenger cars can navigate the gravel roads in Green Canyon and Franklin Basin during dry conditions. Several campers noted that even sedans can access many sites, though some areas may require high clearance or 4WD vehicles after rain or snow. Most sites lack amenities; no drinking water is available, and visitors must pack out all trash. Vault toilets are located at Green Canyon's entrance and further up the canyon.
Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months. A permit fee of $10 for 3 days may apply in certain areas. The road to Green Canyon dispersed camping closes December 1 through April 15 for winter recreation. Cell service varies significantly between locations; Green Canyon typically has reception with multiple carriers, while more remote areas like Curtis Creek have no service. Wildlife awareness is essential; proper food storage is required to prevent attracting bears and mountain lions. Campsites fill quickly on summer weekends, particularly in Green Canyon, which often reaches capacity by early evening due to its proximity to Logan.
"About 15 mins outside of Logan up a beautiful canyon. Headed up around 4pm on a Saturday during Memorial Day weekend so didn’t have high hopes but found a spot with a fire ring almost immediately!"
"Easy to find by putting the coordinates provided in Google Maps. Came in after dark and easily found a site about 1/4 mile or so up the road. Road is a bit bumpy but nothing major."
"The coordinates on the map are not exactly right for this campsite, at least in early may."
"After you've passed the Smithfield campground there are plenty of spots on both sides of the road where you can pull off and have dispersed camping."
"Stayed here for two nights, at the end of a dead end road, close to the creek. Real easy place to be."
"About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs."
"Two nice boondocking spots just a short drive on a tight dirt road off the highway. The campsite on the right is bigger, the one on the left is very small."
"Didn’t stay, it’s right next to the road maybe for a camper van not for a truck and 30’ camper"
"While there are a lot of disbursed sites along the corridor, they were all completely filled due to a bike race happening at nearby Beaver Mountain."
"Easily accessible spot off FR 006. Found shady, mostly level spot to park van right off the road. Peaceful location. Fire pit in the camp area. No amenities."
"Picked a pull-off spot about 10 min up the highway and was really surprised. It went pretty deep and and truly felt like I was away."
TravelerYes the road in is rough but while I was there they graded the first half. I made it with a 20ft bus. Just go slow. The views are beautiful and it was very quiet. Loved walking out to the waters edge.
TravelerGoogle maps took us up a dirt road, must have a high clearance vehicle way. We still arrived, but at 5-10 mph. If Google maps asks you to leave a nice gravel road on your way here, dont do it lol. Campground very nice with newer pit toliets (bring your own TP). View is amazing of the reservoir and surrounding mountains.
GuideThis had amazing views, including a cool cave. However, the road is very bumpy and the spots are smaller. It would not be good for a larger RV. The spots fill up very quickly.
GuideCamp is about 25 minutes from town via a dirt road 4x4 not required in certain areas just be cautious when selecting certain sites if you don't have 4x4. Also worth noting lots of dirt bikes and side by sides and folks shooting guns, so if you're a light sleeper you may not enjoy this site. Otherwise, it's totally fine.
RangerVery easy access off 89. Very large sites with fire rings start about 1/4 off the main road. Only one other site being used that I saw. Pit toilet available at the large parking area. Clean and well kept. No cell service. Free range cows.
TravelerPretty far but worth a visit. We got here midnight and IT WAS WINDY!! Was afraid our car gonna tip over (yes, it’s that bad)
To our surprise it snowed in the morning and we had such a long walk around the site, very inspiring, very introspective. Would recommend!!!
GuideWe had a wonderful view of the city with few bugs and a visitor in the morning! Roads were tough so we didn’t get up too far but had a wonderful stay.
ScoutWhile there are a lot of disbursed sites along the corridor, they were all completely filled due to a bike race happening at nearby Beaver Mountain. We continued up and finally found a nice camp site just on the south side of Utah border but it turned out to be on private property. There’s a small stretch of a private property near the state line marked by a sign posted cattle grate. The property owner stopped by, he was super polite, but explained the boundaries and asked us to move along.
In many spots on the road on the way up there were wide open areas where a single camper had claimed a large area, even sites that could comfortably accommodate several rigs, so just a few things to watch out for.
GuideI stayed here for one night, the higher you go, the better the views. The lower you go it is a little bit louder with people dirt biking, four wheeling, shooting guns, recreationally, etc. I was towards the top of the mountain and I did not have any issues with sound the whole night. I felt very safe camping by myself.
Dispersed camping near Hyrum, Utah provides free overnight options throughout the Cache National Forest. The area sits between 5,000 and 7,000 feet elevation, creating distinct camping conditions at different sites. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-85°F, while spring and fall can bring unexpected frost and precipitation. Road access varies significantly by season, with most areas closed to vehicles from December through mid-April.
Hiking from camp: Several camping areas connect directly to trail systems. Green Canyon Dispersed Campground offers access to popular hiking routes. "Cool rock visuals above a majority of the sites. Also tons of trails and mountain bikers. Met some climbers working on a sketch little project on one of the many many boulders," notes reviewer Ruby W.
Wildlife observation: Dawn and dusk provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. Curtis Creek / Arbs Basin offers a secluded setting for wildlife viewing. "We stayed here for the night on our rooftop tent. It's very quiet, barely any people... It's chilly and very pretty around. Nice view of the sunset," writes Hannah M.
Creek access: Many dispersed sites offer direct water access. The sound of running water creates a natural soundtrack at several locations. "There is a creek that flows back and forth around the area, we had that for our soundtrack as we slept," explains Erika M. about her experience at Franklin Basin.
Accessibility options: Sites range from roadside pullouts to more remote locations. "2wd friendly road for MILES. You can drive well into Idaho. You can drive for about 1.5 hours up in here and see amazing river meadow mountain views," shares johny R. about Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping.
Variety of site sizes: The area offers everything from small tent spots to large group areas. "There are nice size and spread out dispersed camping spots along the way. Just make sure you stick to the gravel road as you go up, dont turn off," continues johny R. about Franklin Basin.
Seasonal beauty: Fall brings spectacular leaf displays while spring offers wildflowers. "We could not have asked for a more perfect spot. The views were immaculate, the sites were very spread out, it was the end of September and all the leaves were changing," reports Colyer D. about Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo.
Site availability timing: Popular areas fill quickly, especially on weekends. "I went by myself on a Friday afternoon and it was super busy but there were still some spots for just a car right off the side of the road which worked fine for me since I was car camping, but I would be cautious if you aren't car camping to make sure you show up earlier than I did (6pm)," advises Maddie F. about Franklin Basin.
Cell service limitations: Signal strength varies dramatically between areas. Curtis Creek has no service at all according to reviews. "We had cell service via t-mobile, att&t, and visible with varying strengths," reports CrookedSnake about Green Canyon, though other areas have no coverage.
Noise considerations: Some areas experience significant traffic and visitor activity. Smithfield Dispersed Campsite can be busy during peak seasons. "Lots of trucks, razors, and ATVs. BUT the canyon itself is cool and pretty," notes Lucille W. about the Green Canyon area.
Road condition awareness: Some access roads deteriorate after rain or during early/late season. "Also if you keep driving for maybe 20-30min down the road there's even more beautiful spots, but it's pretty rocky so be careful if you don't trust your car/have low clearance," warns Maddie F. about Franklin Basin.
Space for activities: Several areas offer room for children to explore safely. "I have grown up camping in the Franklin Basin area. It is the perfect location for anyone looking for places to hike or ride. There are many different places to visit throughout the area such as the 'Plane Crash' site, Beaver Creek, old logging trails, and more," shares Auston T.
Site selection timing: Arrive early for the best family-friendly spots. "This is now my current go to for last minute camping. Picked a pull-off spot about 10 min up the highway and was really surprised. It went pretty deep and and truly felt like I was away," writes Nathan S. about Monte Cristo Pull-off.
Size limitations: Many sites can't accommodate larger rigs. "About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs. Our 17 ft trailer with 4x4 was tricky to get into the spot because the loop was so small," advises Brian C. at Monte Cristo.
Turn-around options: Some roads narrow without proper turn-around areas. "No warning that the road narrows with no turn around about a mile into the campground, or the trees are overgrown which scratched up my sides. The only spaces large enough for my 23 ft RV were occupied," cautions sarah C. about Smithfield Dispersed Camping.
Elevation considerations: Higher elevation sites require better vehicle power. "Lots of spaces here. Big pull-in spots for camper rigs. And some small side pull outs for sedans who don't mind walk-in tent spots," notes Robert S. about Franklin Basin dispersed areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV rentals available for dispersed camping near Hyrum, Utah?
There aren't specific RV rental services dedicated to dispersed camping in the immediate Hyrum area. However, you can rent RVs from companies in nearby Logan or Salt Lake City and take them to suitable dispersed sites. When considering this option, be aware that some dispersed sites have limitations for larger vehicles. Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo has spots accessible to smaller trailers (under 17ft), though the dirt roads and small turning loops make it challenging for larger RVs. Similarly, Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area can accommodate larger RVs like 31' Class As if you navigate slowly on the access road. Always check road conditions before bringing a rental RV to dispersed sites.
What amenities are available near dispersed camping sites around Hyrum Reservoir?
Dispersed camping sites around Hyrum Reservoir generally offer minimal amenities, as is typical with dispersed camping. At Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping, you'll find fire rings at established sites but no other facilities. The area offers excellent views and is accessible via 2WD-friendly gravel roads. Some dispersed areas near Hyrum have basic vault toilets at trailheads or along main access roads, like at Left Hand Fork - Dispersed Site. For more amenities, you'll need to travel to nearby towns. Logan, about 15 minutes from Hyrum, provides grocery stores, restaurants, and other services. Cell service varies by location - some areas have good Verizon coverage, while others have limited or no reception. Most sites don't have potable water, so bring your own supply.
What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Hyrum area?
Dispersed camping around Hyrum generally follows standard Forest Service regulations. Most sites allow camping for a maximum of 14-21 days within a 30-day period. At Heart Mountain Spring, free camping is permitted for up to 21 days. Fire restrictions are common during dry seasons, so always check current restrictions before planning to have a campfire. You must use existing fire rings where available. Some areas like Green Canyon Dispersed Campground operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. Stay on established roads and camp only in areas with evidence of previous use. Pack out all trash and follow Leave No Trace principles. Some locations may have seasonal closures, particularly during winter months.
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