Tent camping near Kamas, Utah offers backcountry solitude at elevations ranging from 7,000 to over 10,000 feet in the Uinta Mountains, where summer nights typically drop to 30-40°F. Most dispersed camping areas remain snow-covered until late June, with peak season running July through mid-September when wildflowers carpet alpine meadows. Primitive campsites generally require high-clearance vehicles to access during optimal conditions.
What to do
Fishing at high altitude lakes: Mill Hollow reservoir provides accessible fishing within minutes of the main forest road. "I've camped here a couple times and I absolutely love it. You'll find the lake pretty soon after you've driven the gravel road for a few minutes where you can fish or just hang out," notes a camper who frequents the area.
UTV/ATV riding on forest trails: The road networks near Silver Lake Backcountry offer extensive off-road opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "There were a lot of off road vehicles and people fishing. More crowded then we were expecting, but the views were amazing! Not a lot of shade, as in bring your own," reports a visitor who camped there in summer.
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: Opportunities abound for spotting elk, deer, and various small mammals. One camper at Mill Hollow mentioned, "I've seen plenty of chipmunks and even had two elk run past my campsite. Such a peaceful and serene place...especially at night when the OHV and dirt bikers sleep."
What campers like
Temperature relief from summer heat: The significant elevation gain provides natural air conditioning during hot months. A camper at Mill Hollow reported, "Great escape from the SLC Valley heat...a short 1.5 hour drive and temp drops 20 degrees from the valley. We were here in late May and there was still snow in places."
Stargazing opportunities: Minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. "The sunsets, the moon out during the day, and the stars at night...just incredible!" shares an enthusiastic Mill Hollow camper who visited multiple times.
Proximity to town supplies: Despite wilderness feel, necessities remain accessible. One visitor noted, "If you need food/supplies on the way or during your trip, Kamas is just a short drive out of camp and everything you need is in town."
What you should know
Road conditions require preparation: Many access roads deteriorate significantly after rainfall. According to a reviewer at Pyramid Lake Dispersed Camping: "The road up was interesting. I would not attempt without a 4wheel drive with high clearance. Our 4runner did great even with the camper. I'm not an experienced off road driver, but we took our time and were careful picking our line. Was a little over an hour to make the last 4 miles."
Site availability patterns: Weekends fill quickly, especially at established areas. "Make sure to get here early on summer weekends because this place fills up," advises a Kimball Campground visitor.
Weather preparedness essential: Mountain storms develop rapidly with little warning. A camper at Red Pine Lake shared practical advice: "It stormed pretty hard in the middle of the night, and since the lake is up near the top of the mountain, it got pretty windy. Be prepared for significant foul weather and choose your campsite appropriately."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible fishing spots: Sites near water provide entertainment for children. A camper at Shingle Creek ATV Campground shared, "Nice campsites near a creek. It is a little close to the highway but there wasn't much traffic. The shingle creek trailhead was close and the hiking is beautiful. We saw a moose about 30 feet from our campsite drinking from the creek."
Short hiking options: Multiple short trails suitable for various ages. "I've hiked and it's been great," mentions a Mill Hollow visitor, while another at Pyramid Lake notes, "There's a trail head that leads off to about 3 or 4 different trails I did trail 173 it was 2.5miles and it took you up so you have an amazing elevated view of the mountains and lake."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal sightings create memorable experiences for children. A camper at Kimball Campground reported seeing "a herd of deer run by our camp," offering natural educational moments for young campers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: Specific areas accommodate larger vehicles better than others. At Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Dispersed Camping, a reviewer observed, "You can take some dispersed sites that are fairly grouped together which makes noise from other sites an issue but has lots of visual privacy. The farther you go up the road past squaw peak, the more open fields and meadows you'll find that provide amazing views."
Road clearance requirements: Specific measurements help determine vehicle suitability. A reviewer noted, "There is a decent sized dip after the first few sites, which we were able to make with a 4WD high clearance car, with a small trailer. But I wouldn't have attempted it in my sedan."
Site navigation timing: Allow extra time for access road challenges. A Pyramid Lake camper reported, "I would not attempt without a 4wheel drive with high clearance. Our 4runner did great even with the camper. I'm not an experienced off road driver, but we took our time and were careful picking our line. Was a little over an hour to make the last 4 miles (both up and down)."
