The Midway area tent camping options extend beyond the forested Wasatch Range into the eastern Uinta mountains. Camping at elevations between 7,000 to 10,000 feet results in significant temperature variations during all seasons. Tent campsites near Midway, Utah require sturdy equipment even in summer when overnight temperatures can drop below 40°F.
What to do
Paddleboard on alpine lakes: Silver Lake Reservoir accommodates small watercraft for recreation. "We spent our afternoons paddleboarding on Silver Lake Reservoir," reports a visitor to Silver Lake Backcountry. The lake offers fishing opportunities with "large trout" visible to campers.
Explore interconnected lakes: Hike to multiple alpine lakes from a single basecamp. A camper at Red Pine Lake noted, "Nearby are the upper and lower red pine lakes in addition to a couple smaller ponds in the red pine drainage." These connected bodies of water create opportunities for day hikes from a central camp.
Watch wildlife: Early mornings and evenings provide wildlife viewing chances. "We even saw a herd of deer run by our camp," reported a visitor. Another camper mentioned, "I've seen plenty of chipmunks and even had two elk run past my campsite" at Mill Hollow.
What campers like
Alpine views: Tent campers appreciate the mountain vistas available from higher elevation sites. One camper at Hobble Right Fork Dispersed mentioned "stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Hardly any light pollution, so the stars were amazing." Many dispersed sites provide panoramic perspectives of multiple peaks.
Stream sounds: Campsites positioned near running water offer natural white noise for sleeping. A camper reported, "We secured a fantastic spot in the higher elevation" with a creek nearby that enhanced the camping experience.
Isolation options: Tent sites farther up forest roads provide increased privacy. "The further you drive, the more privacy you get," notes a camper at Hobble Right Fork. Another visitor at Dispersed Camping--Mill Hollow/Utah FR054 shared, "Fewer people the more altitude we gained. Lots of spots here. Keep driving until you find one."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many tent camping areas have challenging access roads. A camper at Kimball Campground warned, "The dirt road gets rough and rocky, but is driveable." Another visitor advised, "Don't think you'll be able to do it without 4x4 or awd."
Camping surfaces: Ground conditions vary by location. One camper noted, "Only complaint is the dirt is very chalky and dusty, and keeping your gear clean is not really an option here." At Dutchman Mine Flats, "the majority of the ground camping is relatively rocky and uneven, but there are some gems."
Seasonal access: Many tent sites near Midway are snowbound during winter. "We couldn't get much higher than the reservoir due to snow on the road," reported a May visitor. Another noted, "As of July 2nd, it was gated off, so come prepared to backpack up to a spot."
Weather preparation: Mountain camping demands appropriate equipment for rapid weather changes. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Hammock alternatives: For uneven terrain, bring hammocks instead of tents. At Dutchman Mine Flats, a camper noted it's "great for hammocks, a little rough on tents." This option works well for families with older children.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Camping near water increases animal sighting chances. A camper reported, "We saw a moose about 30 feet from our campsite drinking from the creek" at Shingle Creek.
Accessibility balancing: Find sites with reasonable vehicle access but adequate distance from roads. "The campsites are hidden but close together which I loved being a solo female traveler it made me feel so safe knowing people were on both sides of me."
Tips for RVers
Site timing strategy: Arrive early on weekends for best site selection. "Make sure to get here early on summer weekends because this place fills up," advised a camper at Kimball Campground.
Road assessments: Scout forest roads before committing larger vehicles. "My Honda CR-V did great" mentioned one camper, while another warned about "deeper ruts and snow drifts" requiring higher clearance.
