Tent camping in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest ranges from 4,500 to over 11,000 feet in elevation across northern Utah, creating significant temperature variations between campsites. Lower elevation areas near Green Canyon maintain accessibility through early spring, while high alpine camping near Bridger Campground regularly experiences overnight temperatures below freezing until late June. Seasonal closures affect numerous dispersed camping zones, with Millcreek Canyon backcountry sites officially opening July 1st.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Antelope Island backcountry sites offer exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. "Beautiful, with lots of animals," says Ryan, who camps at Split Rock Bay Backcountry Campsites. "Good hiking trails with great views and lots of animals to see." For more extreme wildlife encounters, Adam notes: "I encounter a lone Bison bull just chilling up there on the trail, no other animals in sight. So, I couldn't actually get to the spot to see over, but the view was amazing."
Winter recreation: Green Canyon transforms during winter months with groomed cross-country ski trails. "During the winter months, Powder Ridge manages the Green Canyon Road and grooms it on an almost daily basis. It is groomed for cross-country skiing with the designated track on one side," explains Steven about Green Canyon Yurt. "You can also Snowshoe, or ride your bike with fat tires up if you're adventurous! The trail is approximately 3.8 miles long with a steady incline most of the way."
Lake activities: Pineview Reservoir provides swimming opportunities with seasonal beach access. "Beautiful lake, nice beaches, but only if you go in the late summer or fall. Spring runoff makes this lake rise significantly, which completely submerged the beach we were playing on," advises Brendan about Port Ramp Marina. "If you hit the season right, it won't be too busy and you'll have very long extended beaches to play on!"
What campers like
Seasonal color changes: Fall brings spectacular foliage displays throughout the forest. "We came during a week day and the whole site was empty! Very quiet, very pretty, and very colorful," shares Karson about dispersed camping near Monte Cristo. "It was the end of September and all the leaves were changing," notes another camper, highlighting the visual appeal of autumn camping.
Weather variation: Winter camping provides completely different experiences of familiar areas. "This is a fantastic spot to go in the winter. Not only is it more beautiful (IMO) in the winter, but it gets loads of snow for snow sports," says Brendan about Port Ramp Marina. "Huntsville, which is a ten minute drive away also has an awesome field that they turn into a skating rink, which is really fun for ice hockey and normal ice skating."
Proximity to Salt Lake City: Quick escapes from urban areas attract weekend visitors. "Millcreek is a great escape from the city. All the camping is backcountry so you can pick any trail and just make sure that you are 1/2 mile off the road and at least 200 ft from developed areas and water," explains Dan about Millcreek Canyon. Another camper adds: "We love Millcreek Canyon for camping, hiking, or even just going up for dinner at their day use spots."
What you should know
Entrance fees: Some canyons require payment even for dispersed camping. "Be careful there is a $5 per car fee sneaking at the entrance," warns Conner about Millcreek Canyon. Other reviewers note that while most dispersed camping is free, established campgrounds typically charge fees.
Limited facilities: Most tent sites lack basic amenities. "We stayed here on a cross country adventure. We rolled in past dark, right before the bridge closed for the evening. The air smelt like poo, and there were bugs everywhere," reports Maribeth about Split Rock Bay Backcountry Campsites. Come prepared with everything you need.
Seasonal closures: Official camping seasons vary significantly by location. "The drive up is beautiful but there is actually no drive in camping. Camping doesn't open until July 1st so take that into account," advises Ryan about Millcreek Canyon. Another camper notes: "Warning - road is closed 3.5 miles into the park before where camping spots were indicated. No notice on when it would reopen."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly backpacking: Start children with shorter backpacking experiences. "Aside from the excessive litter in a few places, This was a great place to give my 5 year old a taste of backpacking," shares Adam about Cook Campsite, which offers walk-in tent sites close to town but still providing a wilderness experience.
Water play spots: Children enjoy riverside camping locations. "We take tubes and float in areas of the river. The kids play in the river. Just a fun time," explains Kelli about Millcreek Canyon. Stream access provides natural entertainment for families with younger children.
Wildlife viewing safety: Prepare children for wildlife encounters. Adam describes his experience at Split Rock Bay: "As I'm coming up on the spot he's talking about, I catch the end of the herd moving south and I'm able to pass them with minimal wait time." Teach children proper wildlife viewing distances and protocols.
Tips from RVers
Limited turnaround space: Small RVs work better in dispersed areas. "About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs. Our 17 ft trailer with 4x4 was tricky to get into the spot because the loop was so small," notes Brian about Curtis Creek / Arbs Basin. Smaller trailers and truck campers access more locations.
Specific RV-friendly spots: Curtis Creek accommodates larger vehicles in select areas. "We stayed here for the night on our rooftop tent. It's very quiet, barely any people. There's man made firepits made out of rocks of people who have stayed here," shares Hannah about Curtis Creek / Arbs Basin. "Awesome time love the dirt road love love the trees the nature, everything about it basically the hills and country," adds another camper about the same area.
Early arrival necessary: Popular dispersed sites fill quickly during peak season. "Vyery surprised by this dispersed camping. Good Spread, amazing views and the road up ain't bad at all," notes Locoty about dispersed camping near Monte Cristo. These areas typically lack reservations systems, making weekday arrival preferable.
