Best Tent Camping near North Salt Lake, UT
The Wasatch Mountains east of North Salt Lake, Utah provide numerous backcountry tent camping opportunities within a short drive from the city. Millcreek Canyon Backcountry offers walk-in tent sites requiring campers to hike at least half a mile from any road, with permits required for overnight stays. Red Pine Lake, located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, provides highly-rated primitive tent campsites accessible via a 3-4 mile hike with an elevation gain that becomes steeper in the final mile. Silver Lake Backcountry and Lake Blanche Trail also offer established tent-only sites for those seeking alpine camping experiences within 30 minutes of North Salt Lake.
Most primitive tent campgrounds in the region require campers to be self-sufficient. Sites typically feature ungraded dirt or forest floor surfaces with minimal infrastructure. Water is rarely available at backcountry tent sites, requiring visitors to either filter from streams or pack in their own supply. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with many watershed areas prohibiting open flames year-round. Vault toilets exist at some trailheads but not at remote tent camping locations. Standard regulations require campers to maintain at least 200 feet distance from water sources and pack out all waste, with 14-day stay limits enforced at most locations.
Weekday tent camping provides the greatest solitude at these backcountry sites. According to reviews, Red Pine Lake offers "peaceful camping even on Saturday nights" despite being busy with day hikers. One visitor noted that Millcreek Canyon provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, with moose and deer commonly spotted near tent sites, particularly during fall months. The terrain at higher elevations can experience significant weather changes, with one camper reporting strong overnight storms at Red Pine Lake requiring careful campsite selection. Silver Lake Backcountry campers should be prepared for limited shade, as one review mentioned "not a lot of shade, bring your own," though the alpine views compensate for the exposure.