Tent campsites near Mutual Dell, Utah range from primitive backcountry spots to more developed campgrounds with basic amenities. The area sits within the Wasatch-Cache National Forest at elevations between 7,000-10,000 feet, creating a climate that's significantly cooler than nearby valleys. Summer temperatures typically range from 40-75°F, with overnight temperatures often dropping below 50°F even in July and August.
What to do
Paddleboarding at nearby lakes: Silver Lake Reservoir offers water recreation opportunities just a short distance from camping areas. "We spent our afternoons paddleboarding on Silver Lake Reservoir," notes a reviewer from Silver Lake Backcountry.
Hiking to multiple alpine destinations: The Red Pine drainage provides access to several lakes and peaks. A reviewer at Red Pine Lake mentions: "Nearby are the upper and lower red pine lakes in addition to a couple smaller ponds in the red pine drainage. If you make your way through the talus field to the south you can gain the ridge and summit white baldy which gives one of the best views in the entire Wasatch!"
Mountain biking on canyon trails: Millcreek Canyon features numerous trails accessible to bikes. "Millcreek Canyon is home to some wonderful trails that can be accessed by foot or bike. Although the canyon offers many hiking trails, the main use of the trails seems to be for trail running," according to a review of Millcreek Canyon.
Fishing in alpine lakes: Many lakes in the area are stocked with trout. "The lakes were loaded with large trout," reports one camper about their experience near Red Pine Lake.
What campers like
High elevation coolness: The higher elevation campsites provide relief from valley heat. "Great escape from the SLC Valley heat…a short 1.5 hour drive and temp drops 20 degrees from the valley," notes a reviewer at Dispersed Camping--Mill Hollow/Utah FR054.
Off-road accessibility: Many camping areas are accessible via unpaved roads. "The roads are really rough don't think you'll be able to do it without 4x4 or awd my Honda CR-V did great!" shares a camper at Kimball Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Limited light pollution makes for excellent night sky viewing. "Hardly any light pollution, so the stars were amazing," explains a reviewer at Hobble Right Fork.
Wildlife encounters: The area's natural habitat supports diverse animal sightings. "I've seen plenty of chipmunks and even had two elk run past my campsite," notes a camper from Mill Hollow.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Some camping areas require high-clearance vehicles. "You do have to drive through a small river and must camp half a mile from the lake," explains a reviewer at Silver Lake Backcountry.
Seasonal access limitations: Many roads remain closed or snow-covered until early summer. "Couldn't get much higher than the reservoir due to snow on the road," notes a camper at Mill Hollow.
Watershed regulations: Camping restrictions exist to protect water sources. "You can't drive to the coordinates, you have to park at the uppermost parking lot for Silver Flat and hike up to a camping spot. Camping anywhere along that road will give you gorgeous views, though! Saw lots of people camping super close to the lake and even along the shores, which is not allowed. You need to stay at least 1/2 mile away from the lake to camp," warns a reviewer at Silver Lake.
Variable camping permit requirements: Different areas have different permit systems. "You can backpack in and camp anywhere a 1/2 mile from any road like the other nearby canyons," explains a reviewer at Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts.
Tips for camping with families
Select areas with water features: Look for campgrounds near small streams or lakes. "This park allows for camping and accommodates small or large groups. Several fire pits, large covered lighted pavilion with three rows of picnic tables. Large grassy field, two wooded areas, borders a residential neighborhood, flushing toilets. Irrigation ditches run throughout the park with bridges for crossing," according to a review of Anderson Park.
Plan for cooler nights: Pack extra layers even for summer camping. "It is at a fairly high elevation so nights will be cold," advises a camper at Hobble Right Fork.
Consider weekday visits: Weekends bring significantly more visitors to popular areas. "When I went there was only another couple up there so it was pretty secluded," notes a camper who visited Mill Hollow on a weekday.
Choose camping spots away from main roads: More privacy can be found farther from access points. "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," shares a Kimball Campground visitor.
Tips for RVers
Limited RV-friendly options: Most camping in this area is tent-focused with few amenities for RVs. "Warning - road is closed 3.5 miles into the park before where camping spots were indicated. No notice on when it would reopen. Also to highlight this is WALK IN camping only. No car camping or RVs as it requires you to be 1/2 mile off the road," explains a reviewer at Millcreek Canyon.
Consider trailer-accessible clearings: Some dispersed areas can accommodate small trailers. "All along the road there are open fields that can accommodate trailers and bigger parties then just a single tent," notes a visitor to Mill Hollow.
Research road conditions before arrival: Roads to many camping areas may be impassable for larger vehicles. "The dirt road gets rough and rocky, but is driveable," explains a reviewer describing the access to Kimball Campground.
Look for developed campgrounds instead: For those with larger RVs, established campgrounds in nearby valleys may be more suitable than the tent campsites near Mutual Dell, Utah.
