Best Tent Camping near Salt Lake City, UT

The Wasatch Mountains surrounding Salt Lake City, Utah offer diverse tent camping opportunities ranging from alpine lakes to forested canyons. Red Pine Lake, accessible via a 3-4 mile hike up Little Cottonwood Canyon, provides backcountry tent sites with stunning mountain views and nearby fishing opportunities. Millcreek Canyon Backcountry offers walk-in tent camping with a requirement to camp at least half a mile from any road. Silver Lake Backcountry provides primitive tent sites with views of Timpanogos Massif and Box Elder Peak, while Lake Blanche Trail offers secluded hike-in tent camping in a pristine alpine setting.

Many tent-only sites in the region require permits and have specific regulations regarding campfires and waste disposal. Campsites at higher elevations often remain snow-covered until early summer, with late May visitors reporting snow drifts blocking some access roads. Tent pads vary from established dirt areas to natural forest floor depending on location. Most backcountry sites lack amenities, with campers required to pack in water and pack out all trash. Four-wheel drive vehicles with high clearance are recommended for accessing dispersed camping areas like Mill Hollow, where rough, rutted roads can challenge standard passenger vehicles.

During weekdays, tent campers often find greater solitude at backcountry sites. One visitor to Red Pine Lake noted, "The weekend can get very busy so during the week is the best time to camp as it's likely you'll be the only overnight camper." According to reviews, Mill Hollow provides "a great escape from the SLC Valley heat with a short 1.5 hour drive and temperature drops 20 degrees from the valley." Wildlife sightings are common, with campers at Millcreek Canyon frequently reporting moose and deer encounters. Tent campers should maintain the required distance from water sources, as many alpine lakes serve as drinking water reservoirs for the Salt Lake City area and require campsites to be at least 200 feet from shorelines.

Best Tent Sites Near Salt Lake City, Utah (23)

    1. Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts

    8 Reviews
    Mounthaven, UT
    13 miles
    Website

    "You can backpack in and camp anywhere a 1/2 mile from any road like the other nearby canyons. Good trails to approach from are Church fork and Lambs Canyon Trailhead."

    "Millcreek Canyon is home to some wonderful trails that can be accessed by foot or bike. Although the canyon offers many hiking trails, the main use of the trails seems to be for trail running."

    2. Red Pine Lake

    7 Reviews
    Alta, UT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 733-2660

    "Red Pine Lake is located up Little Cottonwood Canyon, on the south side of the road."

    "wonderful place to backpack up to during the week. can access 3 different beautiful lakes from this drainage and 2 beautiful peaks!"

    3. Silver Lake Backcountry

    8 Reviews
    Alta, UT
    22 miles

    "An amazing spot to drive to and spend the day or backpack in and spend a night or two.  Be warned you will need a 4wd vehicle if trying to go up the road after a rain storm. "

    "You can’t drive to the coordinates, you have to park at the uppermost parking lot for Silver Flat and hike up to a camping spot. Camping anywhere along that road will give you gorgeous views, though!"

    4. Lake Blanche Trail - Backcountry Camp

    1 Review
    Mounthaven, UT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 733-2660

    "great hike to the lake!"

    5. Cook Campsite

    1 Review
    Fruit Heights, UT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 544-1788

    "Aside from the excessive litter in a few places, This was a great place to give my 5 year old a taste of backpacking."

    6. Kimball Campground

    3 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 999-2103

    "It was just off the road and basically no privacy but I was just looking for a safe place to sleep and that’s what I got!"

    "These campground spots are hidden within trees up the dirt road just past Silver Lake flats on the dirt road. The dirt road gets rough and rocky, but is driveable."

    7. Split Rock Bay Backcountry Campsites — Antelope Island State Park

    3 Reviews
    Syracuse, UT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 773-2941

    $20 / night

    "Good hiking trails with great views and lots if animals to see."

    8. Aspen Forest Campsite

    1 Review
    Wanship, UT
    23 miles
    +1 (801) 513-1583

    $59 - $64 / night

    10. Anderson Park

    2 Reviews
    Pleasant Grove, UT
    30 miles

    "Several fire pits, large covered lighted pavillion with three rows of picnic tables.  Large grassy field, two wooded areas, boarders a residential neighborhood, flushing toilets."

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Showing results 1-10 of 23 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Salt Lake City, UT

1140 Reviews of 23 Salt Lake City Campgrounds



Guide to Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City, Utah, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for beautiful landscapes and recreational activities.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Silver Lake Backcountry provides a free camping experience with the option to have fires, making it a great choice for those who enjoy cooking outdoors.
  • Red Pine Lake allows for tent camping and requires a permit, ensuring a more controlled environment for campers.
  • Big Rock Campground — East Canyon State Park features reservable sites and picnic tables, perfect for families looking to enjoy meals together in nature.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Salt Lake City, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Salt Lake City, UT is Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts with a 3.8-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Salt Lake City, UT?

TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Salt Lake City, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.