Best Tent Camping near Lewiston, UT
Public lands surrounding Lewiston, Utah offer several tent camping options within a short drive. Smithfield Dispersed Campsite, located in the canyon east of town, provides free primitive tent camping with small sites suitable for one or two tents. Bear Lake State Park Campground, about 45 minutes northeast of Lewiston, offers designated tent campsites with beach access. North Fork Campground in St. Charles Canyon features a dedicated tent camping section with more spacious sites than the RV area, making it suitable for tent-only camping groups.
Most tent campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through September, with limited winter access due to snow. Smithfield Dispersed sites require campers to bring their own water and pack out all trash, as no services are provided. Sites typically feature ungraded dirt or forest floor surfaces with some having user-built fire rings. Bear Lake State Park provides more amenities for tent campers, including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though water access points are limited. A permit is required for Smithfield Dispersed camping, and standard 14-day stay limits apply to most public land camping in the area.
Tent campers visiting the area frequently comment on the natural surroundings. One visitor to Smithfield Dispersed noted it was "a very pretty canyon with a creek running through it," ideal for small tent setups. At North Fork Campground, reviewers appreciated that "tent sites had ample room along with metal fire rings and picnic tables." Late summer and early fall offer the best conditions for backcountry tent camping, with fewer crowds and moderate temperatures. Bear Lake tent sites provide direct lake access, with campers reporting they could "hear the sound of the waves from our tent." Walk-in tent sites are available at several locations but require planning as they fill quickly during summer weekends.