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Best Tent Camping near Salina, UT

403 Reviews

Tent campgrounds near Salina, Utah span from high-elevation national forest sites to lower desert dispersed areas. Fish Lake National Forest offers several primitive tent camping locations, including dispersed sites that provide easy access from Interstate 70. Whiskey Creek Road USFS Dispersed area and Willow Creek Road Dispersed Site both cater specifically to tent campers seeking more remote experiences. Maple Hollow campground, located in Millard County, provides established sites with some basic amenities.

Road conditions to tent sites vary significantly, with some areas requiring high-clearance vehicles while others remain accessible to standard passenger cars during dry conditions. Most dispersed camping areas lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service, requiring campers to bring all necessary supplies. While fires are permitted at many locations, fire rings are limited, and seasonal fire restrictions may apply. Visitors should be prepared for minimal facilities—reviews consistently mention the need to be self-sufficient. Sites at Fish Lake National Forest Campsite feature uneven terrain with some established fire pits, but otherwise offer a true primitive camping experience.

Tent campers at higher elevations enjoy cooler temperatures even during summer months, making these areas particularly valuable during hot weather. The dispersed areas provide varying levels of privacy, with some offering secluded spots tucked among juniper trees while others sit in more open terrain. Camping at elevations around 8,000 feet, such as at Willow Creek Road sites, offers escape from summer heat but may not be suitable for winter camping. Sites further from highways provide greater solitude, though even areas relatively close to Interstate 70 can feel surprisingly remote. A visitor commented, "We passed one other camper on the way in. It had a pull through and trees and was a bit more private, although no privacy needed as we didn't see a soul."

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Best Tent Sites Near Salina, Utah (21)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Salina, UT

4 Photos of 21 Salina Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Salina, UT

403 Reviews of 21 Salina Campgrounds

  • R
    Jul. 18, 2018

    Cathedral Valley Campground — Capitol Reef National Park

    A small scenic campground at the north end of the Park

    This campground is situated at the north end of the Park at a high elevation. It's free and has picnic tables, fire rings and a vault toilet but no water. If you want to make a fire, you must bring your own firewood. There are excellent views of the valley below only a short walk from the campsites.

  • Bubble G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 22, 2024

    Castle Rock Campground — Fremont Indian State Park

    Great location, quiet, semi private

    The site we camped had a private walk to the little creek, fire ring and picnic table. Well built bathrooms and a garbage dump available for use. $5 for all you can carry in your arms in fire wood… felt private without anyone parked on either side but later people came and the noise went up a little, but overall cute camp. Got one of the first come first serve sites, payment in cash only $20 for the night (established site, no water, no electric, no sewer) Pets allowed-leashed.

  • Sam D.
    Oct. 15, 2017

    Fishlake National Forest Oak Creek Rec Site

    Oak Creek campground

    Awesome campground at about 8,600’ elevation, has a couple small creeks running through, water and toilets on site as well. Each site has a metal fire ring (crucial for a campfire during burn bans), picnic table, grill, some sites had an extra fire ring and bench seats. It’s nestled on the mountainside surrounded by aspen forests and farm land. Plenty of wildlife in the area, watch for deer and cattle in the road. We had temps dip down into the teens overnight with a dusting of snow in late September, be sure to pack layers. Overall a perfect spot for tent camping, small campers max, no RV parking or hookups. Not too far from Capitol Reef National Park and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Highly recommend staying here and going to Grand Staircase for a hike in the slot canyons.

  • B
    Sep. 18, 2020

    Sand Creek RV, Cabins, Tents

    Might be adequate, if you are not picky

    We spent a single night in one of the tent sites, which are immediately behind the office/owner's residence. Sites have a parking space, fire ring with grill attachment, a picnic table and a gravel tent pad. They are small, and not separated from one another, so if you're looking for any level of privacy you won't find it here. On the other hand, if you like sharing space with other campers you may enjoy it. You also may experience those staying in the RV section walking through your site in order to get to the restrooms/showers.

    The campground has both firewood and ice available for purchase. The remainder of the campground store is currently closed due to Covid regulations.

    If you have any concerns about Covid (this is being written in September 2020), SC is not a site I would recommend. While the owners have placed signs suggesting social distancing guidelines, including masks while in the restrooms/shower area, compliance among the campers in a nearly full campground was minimal. One unmasked female camper was loudly discussing all the airports she had passed through on her way to the area, including Chicago and Denver. 

    Even little details were missed, like the soap in the restrooms being organic and not antibacterial.

    Sand Creek is located on Hwy 24, and the road noise didn't quiet down until around 11 PM. Probably not a good choice any time for a light sleeper.

    If you have a self-contained RV and are just looking for a place to park for the night, Sand Creek is likely to fit your needs. For a tent camper, its main recommendation is the ability to reserve a site in advance, as most of the other campgrounds in the area are first come, first serve.

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Forsyth Reservoir

    Quiet place to camp along Hwy 72

    We were there 10/11/2020 during hunting season It was around 20° the night we stayed. This is a free campground for hunters or for the few people traveling on highway 72. There was a clean vault toilet and rock fire rings but no water, garbage, or picnic table. There could be fishing there as we saw lots of fish jump.

    It is a scenic quiet place and the night skies are phenomenal. There is mouse infestation there as the first site we stopped at had dead mice everywhere. One got in our camper but we soon chased it out, The USFS person who cleaned the vault toilet confirmed this.

    I rated it 3 stars due to mouse problem otherwise it would be 4 stars.

    It opens in May but their website didn’t say which date. I am assuming this depends on the snow level at 8000’. It was still open when we camped in October.

  • Russell W.
    Jul. 6, 2022

    Maple Hollow

    Beautiful spot

    Camped overnight. We had the whole place to ourselves. There are several fire ring/picnic table spots in the campground. Maple trees, evergreens and oak trees throughout. Beautiful fresh air. Plenty of shade. Two vault toilets for the whole camp area.

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2019

    Sam Stowe Campground — Fremont Indian State Park

    Ranger Review: Travelers Autobarn Campervan at Fremont Indian State Park

    We spent a fun day exploring Cedar Breaks National Monument. However, we lost track of time, the sun was setting and we had not chosen a place to camp. 

    Campground Review of Fremont Indian State Park:

    We searched on TheDyrt app for nearby campgrounds and found Fremont Indian State Park. We drove down the mountain and around another mountain and found the campground. It was totally dark by the time that we arrived and so we quickly parked and set up our campervan to sleep. 

    A gentleman emerged from the shadows and approached our site. It seemed a little sketchy at first. However, he ended up being friendly and inquired if we’d like to join him and his friends around their campfire. After we prepared our campervan and cleaned up a bit, we dropped by the campfire. It turns out the party included some park staff and researchers. One lady was researching dark skies and one gentleman was researching astral alignment with ancient rock art. They shared about their research and showed us some of their amazing photos of the night sky. A warm way to end the day.

    The next morning, we woke up to snow on the ground and the nearby mountaintops. Having learned from our new friends that the park contained some pretty significant rock art, we decided that we should check it out. We hiked on a couple of the trails and discovered quite a few of the rock art pieces created by the Fremont Indians. There's an easy trail that is located adjacent to the park office. There are other trails that run along the river. It is amazing that so much of the rock art was in such good condition.

    The campsites provide the basics like a parking space, picnic table, electrical & water hookup and firepit/grill. The restrooms were conveniently located close to our campsite and were clean. There are showers behind the restrooms. During the winter the showers may be closed. The campground is somewhat small, but is surrounded by beautiful mountains and bluffs. The staff were super friendly and helpful.

    For more info: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/fremont-indian/

    Product Review of Travelers Autobarn Campervans:

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, from time to time I am provided products to test. For this outing I was provided a Travelers Autobarn Kuga Campervan. 

    For more info: https://www.travellers-autobarnrv.com

    The best thing about traveling in a campervan is the ease, flexibility, and ability to make detours if needed. 

    We picked up our Kuga Campervan in Las Vegas. The Travelers Autobarn office is just west of the the main strip and easy to find. We arrived early in the day to begin the registration process and campervan orientation. The process was quick and easy. The Kuga Campervan is a hightop van conversion with couches, a table, two beds, propane stove, sink, water, kitchen, interior lights, fan, window shades and solar power. We also had the free living package which included kitchen pots, pans, utensils, cups and accessories. It also included sleeping bags, sheets, pillows and towels. The package pretty much made it super easy to get in the van and go. 

    The Travelers Autobarn staff member was super friendly and provided an orientation of the basic operation of the campervan. The campervan drives like a normal van, but learning about the camper functions was helpful. 

    We had charted a route around Utah and Arizona visiting a number of towns, parks, roadside attractions and hot springs. The day that we started a weather system passed through which made the temperatures drop in the northern part of our route. We simply flipped our route to avoid the cold weather and traveled the southern route first. By the time that we circled north the weather had warmed up and it was perfect weather for exploring. Traveling in a campervan made it super easy to be flexible with our route and schedule. 

    On our seven day trip we visited Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Horseshoe Bend National Monument. Monument Valley National Park, Arches National Park, Mystic Hotsprings, Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Meadow Hotsprings, Valley of Fire State Park and Fremont Indian State Park. 

    If we were not traveling in a campervan it is unlikely that we would have had the flexibility to camp anytime and anywhere. We would have never found and stayed at Fremont Indian State Park. It ended up being a gem of a park and a great overall experience. This campervan camping adventure opened up my mind to new opportunities and travels. So much fun!

    For more info: https://www.travellers-autobarnrv.com

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Aug. 31, 2015

    Millsite State Park Campground

    Nice Campground located on reservoir and mouth of Ferron Canyon

    We stayed here twice this summer and really liked it both times. All the tenting campsites are on the Millsite Reservoir but if you go higher than site number 17 you are a bit further from the water. The campground is open, so not totally private, but it was so quiet it didn't really matter. We went for a couple of hikes in the Ferron Canyon which you can walk to, and they have paddle boarding on the reservoir which we didn't have time to do. They don't have typical fire rings on the ground - they are up off the ground. See photo.

  • Mary S.
    Jul. 13, 2018

    Joes Valley Reservoir

    The reservoir and OHV trails are the attractions ; don't expect quiet

    Joe's Valley Reservoir Campground is in the Manti-La Sal Forest about 22 miles off the main road (Route 10). The water and OHV trails outside the campground are what draw people here. 

    No campsites are close to the water, but you can find a path to the water from the campground and there are nice views from many sites. The marina and boat launch are past the campground entrance. This is not the type of place for a quiet camping experience, but I didn't expect that at a reservoir campground with nearby OHV trails. (Trail maps are on the back of the information board as you enter.)

    Sites 1 through 7 are the only non-reservation sites, but we had no problem on a Thursday afternoon choosing a site for one night among the reservable sites. Based on the reservation placards on the posts, the campground was filling up on Friday.

    Site notes:

    • Our site (23) was wide and deep and had lots of trees. We enjoyed the privacy as we couldn't see sites on either side, and we were far enough back that we couldn't see the site across the road.

    • As you enter, sites 7 up through the 20s have many tall trees. The other side of the campground is more open, and the trees are not as tall.

    • Double sites (D on the post, 17 out of 48 sites) cost $18 instead of $10. A double site has two picnic tables and a pad that is double in width. There are no discounts on double sites with a pass such as the America the Beautiful Senior Pass.

    • Tenters, this doesn't look like the best place for tents, but people were managing to find relatively flat spots.

    • Pads on single sites for back in or pullthrough easily accommodate large trailers and fifth wheel campers. That translates to many generators which can be run from 6 am to 10 pm.

    • ATVs and larger OHVs are popular. People were riding the smaller ones on the campground loops...fast.

    This is a no frills Forest Service campground with vault toilets and drinking water. Be prepared to take your trash home because there are no dumpsters.

Guide to Salina

Tent camping near Salina, Utah offers distinct terrain contrasts within a relatively small area. Sites range in elevation from 5,000 feet in desert areas to over 8,000 feet in alpine forest regions, creating significant temperature differences of 15-20°F between camping locations during summer months. Primitive dispersed sites make up the majority of camping opportunities, with established sites typically found in higher elevations.

What to do

Mountain biking access: Willow Creek Road Dispersed Site sits near mountain biking trails at nearly 8,000 feet elevation. "It is RIGHT next to a mountain bike trail, so expect some early-morning bikers to be coming down," notes Daniel S. This location combines camping with direct trail access.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Elkhorn Recreation Site accommodates both tent and glamping setups. "You are in the quackies and in the trees. It is higher elevation so make sure you bring your coat," writes Brad B., who mentions the area becomes popular during elk hunting season while remaining spacious.

Explore adjacent meadows: The open terrain at many sites allows for easy exploration with pets. At Dispersed Sandy Lot, one camper reports: "Let the dog roam free around meadow." Bruce J. mentions this site works well for those seeking "an easy place away from the interstate to split our drive."

What campers like

Quick interstate access: Fish Lake National Forest provides accessible dispersed camping minutes from major highways. "Close off I70, a little washboard on lower road. I passed several occupied sites but found a gorgeous pull through with beautiful views," writes Alisa H., who also notes having cell service with T-Mobile.

Elevation for summer comfort: Campsites at higher elevations provide natural cooling during hot months. At Willow Creek Road Dispersed Site, Tracey W. points out: "You are at almost 8000 ft so not a winter camping spot." The elevation creates comfortable summer conditions not found at lower sites.

Minimal weekend crowds: Weekdays offer significantly lower usage at most sites. Tracey W. adds regarding Willow Creek: "There is some ATV traffic but respectfully slow. Good roads in but we got there on a Sunday night and quite a bit of traffic heading out. I imagine the weekends are busy."

What you should know

Variable road conditions: Access to campgrounds requires different vehicle capabilities. "Road is fine. A few ruts. Super quiet," explains Jason C. about Fish Lake National Forest Campsite, while at Maple Hollow, Andrew M. warns: "Much bigger climb than expected, so if towing a heavier trailer be aware."

Limited fire facilities: Most dispersed sites have minimal fire management structures. At Fish Lake National Forest Campsite, Ean P. reports: "A couple fireplaces here and there too. A fair amount of fallen pine and juniper wood there to use for building fires. Just remember to drown out your fires with water."

Wildlife encounters possible: Solo campers should take precautions. Ean P. warns about Fish Lake National Forest Campsite: "I do not recommend tent camping here solo though. This wasn't my first time tent camping solo either. As I was laying in my sleeping bag inside my tent around 11pm, some creature started stalking me."

Tips for camping with families

Established sites for beginners: Maple Hollow offers more structure with designated camping spots. "The campsite we chosen was perfect for out big tent. The camp ground had place you could go hiking and do a lot of exploring as well," writes Judy M., who adds that "each campsite had running water."

Natural exploration options: Children can safely explore many of the camping areas. "Kids enjoyed exploring and climbing the small trees," reports Chula R. about Whiskey Creek Road USFS Dispersed, where they found "relatively flat, good trees for shade and elevated to allow for nice views and a breeze."

Consider bringing recreation equipment: Certain campgrounds accommodate recreational vehicles for children. Brad B. notes about Elkhorn Recreation Site: "There is still plenty of room for the kids to bring bikes and 4 wheelers."

Tips from RVers

Assess site access beforehand: Vehicle size limits camping options throughout the region. Regarding Dispersed Sandy Lot, Bruce J. notes: "Further up are more sites but gets sandier and tighter," indicating potential challenges for larger rigs.

Trailer compatibility varies: Many sites accommodate smaller campers but present challenges for larger trailers. Andrew M. states about Maple Hollow: "Limited space for small trailers/campers. Good for campervans or tent campers."

Alternative options when established sites fill: When primary locations are occupied, secondary sites often remain available. Megan W. describes Fish Lake National Forest Campsite: "The road was pretty doable in our truck, but it think it would be easy in a sedan too. There was a roundabout at the coordinates and another van was there, but there looked to be 3-4 more small spots for tents or vans."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Salina, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Salina, UT is Fish Lake National Forest with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Salina, UT?

TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Salina, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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