Best Tent Camping near Park City, UT
Backcountry tent camping areas surround Park City, Utah, with multiple dispersed camping options in the nearby canyons. Millcreek Canyon Backcountry offers tent campsites requiring campers to be at least half a mile from any road and 200 feet from developed areas and water sources. Silver Lake Backcountry provides another tent camping destination with beautiful alpine views, located approximately 40 minutes from Provo. Most sites require permits, which can be obtained from local ranger stations or land management offices. Kimball Campground offers reservable tent sites closer to trailheads, though these fill quickly during summer weekends.
Road conditions for accessing these tent campgrounds vary significantly by season. Silver Lake Backcountry requires four-wheel drive vehicles with high clearance to navigate rutted dirt roads with water crossings. During spring runoff or after rainfall, these roads become significantly more challenging. Many primitive tent sites remain inaccessible until July due to snow at higher elevations. Most areas provide minimal facilities, with only a few locations offering vault toilets. Campers must pack out all trash and come prepared with water filtration systems. Free dispersed camping is available at several locations, including Mill Hollow, though a 14-day stay limit is typically enforced.
The higher elevation tent sites offer cooler temperatures during summer months, making for comfortable sleeping conditions even without air conditioning. Many backcountry areas provide exceptional access to hiking trails, with Red Pine Lake requiring a challenging hike in but rewarding campers with pristine alpine surroundings. Wildlife sightings are common near tent sites throughout the region. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, the area around Silver Lake offers particularly scenic camping: "The views make the drive there worth it. The fall colors during the day and the stars during the night were spectacular." Tent campers should be prepared for limited privacy at popular sites, particularly during peak summer weekends when areas like Kimball Campground can fill completely by early Friday evening.
