Best Tent Camping near Mona, UT
Tent campsites near Mona, Utah include primitive options alongside established camping areas in the surrounding canyons and mountains. Cottonwood Campground in the Stansbury Mountains provides tent camping with basic amenities, while free dispersed camping can be found along the access road leading to it. Little Sahara Recreation Area's White Sands Campground offers a unique tent camping experience on soft sand dunes approximately 30 miles west of Mona. Camp Maple Dell, located about 5 miles up Payson Canyon, provides shaded tent sites under leafy trees.
Most tent camping areas have vault toilets but lack potable water, requiring campers to pack in their own supplies. Campers should note that Cottonwood Campground has a daily fee of $14, while dispersed camping along its access road is free but offers no amenities. Sites typically feature fire rings and some have picnic tables, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Camping surfaces vary from soft sand at White Sands to packed dirt at Cottonwood. The Hobble Right Fork dispersed area provides free primitive tent camping but requires a permit. Seasonal availability varies, with Cottonwood Campground generally open from April to October when weather permits.
Tent campers at these sites enjoy varied natural surroundings, from desert landscapes to forested mountain settings. The White Sands area provides an unusual camping experience with soft sand that's "fun to walk in" and excellent stargazing opportunities. Free dispersed camping areas near Cottonwood tend to become crowded on summer weekends with campers and off-road vehicles. For those seeking more solitude, Hobble Right Fork dispersed camping area offers impressive views of Spanish Fork and Provo peaks, though a camper noted that "it is at a fairly high elevation so nights will be cold." Most primitive tent camping areas are positioned to provide access to nearby hiking trails and outdoor recreation opportunities.
