Best Tent Camping near Pleasant Grove, UT
Tent campsites near Pleasant Grove, Utah include both established campgrounds and dispersed backcountry options. Within driving distance, Silver Lake Backcountry offers primitive tent sites with stunning alpine views of the Timpanogos Massif, while Red Pine Lake provides tent-only backcountry camping accessible via a 3-4 mile hike up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest contains numerous walk-in tent sites throughout the region, with many requiring permits for overnight stays.
Most primitive tent areas require campers to pack in their own water or filter from nearby streams and lakes. Fire rings are present at some established walk-in tent locations, though fire bans are common during dry summer months. Terrain varies considerably, with higher elevation sites often inaccessible until late spring due to snowpack. Several backcountry tent sites mandate visitors to camp at least half a mile from roadways, particularly in watershed areas like Millcreek Canyon. Vault toilets can be found at trailheads but are generally absent at remote tent camping areas, requiring proper disposal of waste following Leave No Trace principles.
Tent campers seeking solitude should consider weekday visits, as popular backcountry sites can become crowded during summer weekends. Many locations offer access to fishing opportunities, with Red Pine Lake and Pyramid Lake both containing visible trout populations. Areas farther from trailheads provide deeper seclusion, though they require more substantial hiking with camping gear. The nearby Hobble Right Fork dispersed area offers tent sites with mountain views and minimal light pollution. A visitor commented, "The dirt road in was pretty rough, but manageable. Make sure you have a spare tire just in case. Plenty of dispersed camp sites with flat spots to pitch a tent."
