Primitive camping near Midway, Utah encompasses multiple terrain types including alpine meadows, forested hillsides, and canyon lands. Elevations range from 6,500 feet in lower areas to over 9,000 feet at higher dispersed sites. Most areas require high-clearance vehicles, with many access roads featuring water crossings, washed-out sections, or seasonal closures due to snow accumulation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Sites near Mill Hollow provide access to small alpine lakes for fishing. "I've camped all over Mill Hollow dispersed sites and they're great! Nothing too close to one another and easy to get to," notes a camper at Dispersed Camping--Mill Hollow/Utah FR054.
Sunset viewing: Higher elevation sites offer spectacular sunset views over the Wasatch Range. "From what I've seen and experienced, most if not all spots are accessible by truck/suv/towing a trailer. My favorite part of this spot is the beautiful views and the breathtaking sunsets," explains a Mill Hollow visitor.
Paddleboarding: Some alpine lakes permit small watercraft like paddleboards and kayaks. A visitor to Pittsburgh Lake Dispersed reported: "It was worth carrying the paddle board up to the lake as I was able to relax and float and tool around. You can't go very far but being on the water is always a good time."
What campers like
Temperature escape: Higher elevation sites provide relief from summer valley heat. "Great escape from the SLC Valley heat...a short 1.5 hour drive and temp drops 20 degrees from the valley," writes a Mill Hollow camper.
Wildlife viewing: Deer, elk, and smaller mammals frequently visit campsites. At Salamander Flat, one visitor noted: "A couple of deer wandered right through our campsite."
Night sky visibility: Clear mountain air creates excellent stargazing conditions. "If weather permits, leaving off the rain fly provides an exquisite view of the milky way as you drift off to sleep," reports a camper at Albion Basin - Dispersed.
What you should know
Road condition challenges: Access routes to most sites deteriorate rapidly with weather events. A visitor to Cascade Springs Dispersed Site cautioned: "The views are great but the road is definitely washed out. You will need 4WD and high clearance to pass through the washouts and rocks which start near the entrance and go all the way to the top."
Seasonal limitations: Many roads remain closed until late May or early June. "We couldn't access early June road still closed past the ski resort," noted a Mineral Basin visitor.
Insect activity: Early summer brings significant mosquito populations. A Cascade Springs camper remarked: "We ended up bailing out and headed back down the mountain because of the mosquitos. I've never seen anything like it! We arrived around dusk and the mosquitoes were on us like starving piranhas."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection timing: Arrive early for better site options, particularly on weekends. "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. If you drive further up, you'll find a nice variety of camping spots," advises a Mill Hollow visitor.
Shade availability: Many primitive sites lack natural shade coverage. A visitor to Cascade Springs warned: "The campsite had zero shade — so make sure to bring a canopy of some sort; there are no trees around the site."
Child-friendly locations: Certain sites offer better terrain for children. At Squaw Peak Road Dispersed, a camper found: "It had plenty of room for tents amongst the trees and in the field. There were fire pits but at this point in time, there was a ban so we didn't start one."
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs and trailers only. A visitor to Squaw Peak Road noted: "The road turns into pavement to dirt, and once on the dirt road, it's rocky, has potholes and the road thins out."
Towing challenges: Stream crossings and washouts create difficulties for trailers. "Pulling our small off road camper up was challenging in spots due to the heavy rutting and runoff," reported a Cascade Springs camper.
Leveling requirements: Many sites feature uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. "Don't come with a trailer. Just don't do it. Sure is pretty but we never made it to the top," warned another Cascade Springs visitor.
