Green Canyon Dispersed Campground offers free camping options approximately 15 miles from Mendon in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The area sits at the base of the Bear River Range at roughly 4,900 feet elevation, providing access to mountain biking trails and hiking routes. Summer daytime temperatures typically range from 75-95°F, with significantly cooler nights dropping to 45-60°F.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Green Canyon features a popular trail network that attracts cyclists from throughout Cache Valley. "Popular trail with bikers. Lots of traffic even late at night," notes one camper at Green Canyon Dispersed Campground.
Explore caves: The canyon walls contain interesting geological formations. "Birds in caves in side of valley. Well loved trail starts a short distance up the road," reports a winter visitor to Green Canyon.
Lake recreation: The reservoir at Hyrum State Park Campground provides water activities from swimming to boating. "It's right on a small lake with a boat ramp and a small beach. Locals seem to love it but it's not crowded at all," explains a reviewer.
Soak in hot springs: Natural hot springs near Tremonton offer relaxation after outdoor activities. "Love hot springs, love all the open space. We went in the winter and we were able to jump into the hot springs and my family loved," shares a visitor to Belmont Hot Springs.
What campers like
Shade coverage: Trees throughout the camping areas provide relief from summer heat. "There are some pretty good spots with shade for dispersed camping up green canyon," mentions a camper from Green Canyon.
Natural water features: Many sites offer the calming sound of running water. "This site was perfect for a quick overnight stop... Lots of trees for shade," reports a visitor to Box Elder Campground, which has sites along a creek.
Easy access to nature: Several camping areas combine convenient access with natural settings. A camper at Smithfield Campground reports: "Great campground. Secluded. Next to a beautiful creek. No cell service."
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse bird and animal populations. At Cottonwood Campground, a visitor observed: "Walking around at dusk we saw deer and a large barn owl. Sounds of the crickets made for a very magical feel just after sunset."
What you should know
Cell service varies: Coverage depends on location and carrier. At Green Canyon, a camper notes: "We had cell service via t-mobile, att&t, and visible with varying strengths."
Permits and fees: Some areas require permits or have usage fees. "Permit fee is $10 for 3 days," reports a winter visitor to Green Canyon Dispersed Campground.
Gate closure times: Some established campgrounds restrict late entry. A Hyrum camper warns: "They lock the front gate at 10PM so if you are out after that time, you have to park your car on the street and walk to your campsite."
Seasonal considerations: Access changes with seasons. "Road to dispersed camping is closed Dec 1 - April 15," notes a Green Canyon camper testing their teardrop camper in winter conditions.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially near water. A camper at Willard Bay reported: "As sun went down the mosquitos started to swarm and chased us inside. Haven't experienced that level of bugginess outside of several of the swamps we camped at in the southeast."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water play: Shallow streams provide safe recreation for children. At Box Elder Campground, a visitor shares: "We stayed in the group A site with a bunch of families and 15 kids ages 2-10... The kids had a blast playing in the creek. It's not too deep, and it runs fast enough to not be gross or slippery."
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Cottonwood Campground, a camper noted: "There's a nature trail through the grounds, a nice playground, and a 5 min walk to the beach."
Pet-accessible shorelines: Families with dogs can enjoy lake areas during quieter periods. Hyrum State Park offers "lake access where many campers exercise their dogs along the shoreline during less crowded periods."
Group camping options: Several areas accommodate larger family gatherings. Green Canyon has "close spots for small couples and large groups and also more private spacious spots for people with pets like me," according to a recent visitor.
RV tips
Level sites: Several campgrounds provide flat parking for easy setup. A reviewer at Traveland RV Park noted: "The sites are super nice and level, and have great grass area to relax in."
Sewer location awareness: At some parks, hookup placement requires planning. A Willard Bay camper advises: "Hookups were in good shape, note the sewer is toward the back, not the middle so bring lots of sewer hose."
Limited size accommodation: Canyon campgrounds often have restricted turning space. A Box Elder visitor warns: "If you have an RV it needs to be a small one as the turns are tight!"
Noise considerations: Highway-adjacent campgrounds trade convenience for sound. At Cottonwood Campground, a reviewer noted: "This campground is literally right off the NB/SB freeway... but keep in mind, your day and night will be filled with freeway noises."