Want to go dispersed camping near Santaquin? The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Utah camping adventure.
Salamander Flat trail connects the Timpooneke trail head with the Salamander Flat dispersed camping area and the Pine hollow trail. The trail starts by crossing a stream, then travels through large stands of fir trees, and crosses the road approximately 1 mile from the trailhead. The Salamander Flat dispersed camping sites and Junction with the Willow Hollow trail is .5 miles farther up the trail. From the dispersed sites, it is another .6 miles to the junction with the Pine Hollow trail #047.
Trail users should be aware of the high level of use that this trail receives, and should expect to see each type of user group on any given day. This trail is subject to a wet trail closure order during the spring and early summer. These closures help to protect and sustain the trail during wet periods. The trail will be signed as closed to all uses except hiking when these closures are in effect.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest outside of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no toilets, no treated water, and no fire grates are provided.
Camping in dispersed areas on the Forest is allowed for fourteen (14) days in any thirty (30) day consecutive period. Campers must move off Forest after reaching the 14-day limit. The stay limit also applies to all camping equipment (tents, chairs, ATVs, ATV trailers, etc.), even if used by a different person or group. Camping equipment must be removed by the end of the fourteen (14) day stay limit or the equipment may be impounded. Stay limits are implemented to reduce impacts to vegetation and wildlife habitat, as well as provide access to popular campsite areas for other visitors.
$10 / night
Legend
Over Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I got away for a night and dispersed camp in the Unita National forest near the Mill Creek campground. We were planning to stay at the campground but it was closed, so we took advantage of free dispersed camping right outside. This is LNT(leave no trace) camping so be sure to pack out what you pack in. There are no amenities but you are along a water source so if you have a filter, you have water. All along the road there are open fields that can accommodate trailers and bigger parties then just a single tent. Near the campground (and the site we chose) is an outdoor education center which would be fun to go back and visit later in the summer. We really enjoyed camping here as it was peaceful and private (at least when we visited). Later in the summer that may not be the case, especially close to the road. The biggest issue may be the road. My Mazda3 was able to make it up, but the road was quite rutted and rough and you had to go through a small runoff stream. If you have a lowered vehicle, you may have a tough time but anything with a higher clearance will do just fine. Overall, I loved exploring a new area that I will definitely return to.
Legend
Campground Review: In my attempt to explore as many areas in Utah as I can, I came across this wonderful dispersed camping off Highway 40, south of Heber City toward Main Canyon. I had the intention of staying in a nearby campground. But when I felt the price was a bit too high for just one night, I sought adventure elsewhere. I randomly turned off toward Main Canyon and followed the dirt road until I found a spot I liked. I knew I was in dispersed national forest camping when there are signs indicating a 14 day limit. So all along this dirt road, which got pretty rocky at times, are spots to pull off and camp for the night. It can accommodate single tents, multiple tents, RVs (obviously no hookups) and trailers. There are man-made fire pits so if you start a fire, be sure to put it out completely and observe LNT (leave no trace) camping principles. Whatever you bring in with you is what you have as there are no amenities to speak of. The ground was soft and there were lots of trees from which to hang a hammock. I did forget to fill my water jug before I left my house so I had to search out a small run off stream from which I could filter water. But be sure to have a good water filter if you are going to go this route. The only real negative I have for this site (or area of sites) is that there was a lot of AVT/Side-by-side/dirtbike traffic. If that type of activity was on my list, this area would be first on my list. However, since I chose not to stay in a campground because I wanted the seclusion, the traffic was a little bit of a bummer. But, because the camping was free and everyone who passed waved and was really nice, I didn’t have too much of a problem with it. Also, the site I chose was right off the road (as majority of them are). If I wanted to hike with my stuff a little more, I found a very pretty meadow away from the road that would have been very peaceful. I guess that will have to be my next spot. OI verall, I have a love for free, dispersed camping and this area is large enough to explore for a wide variety of adventures.
Gear Review: Snapbuds
As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I get the opportunity to test out gear every so often from our amazing partners. I was given the opportunity to test out a new product called Snapbuds. The premise of this product is to help keep your earbud cords organized or untangled by use of magnets. They come in three different colors—grey, black, and white, so you can make them coordinate with your cords or stand out. The instructions are easy to follow and have a few options for how to set these little magnets into different configurations. It also has a really handy measuring tape/picture to make sure you can get the snapbuds in the right spot. I decided to try the standard configuration on my first pair of earbuds. These are designed to be permanent additions to your cords so be sure to pay attention to what direction you snap the magnets on. Once I got them on, I wrapped them up and threw them around in my bag. The magnets held and when I went to use them, all I had to do was pull the magnets apart and the cord was untangled. It was pretty sweet. I also used them while hiking around with my dog.
Overall, these are a pretty cool solution to a long standing annoyance of earbud cords.
Legend
How to get there: From Springville, Utah, go about 10-12 miles up East Canyon Road, and keep to the right up Hobble Creek Road. We passed a golf course, a couple paid forest service campgrounds, and a shooting range. The road will narrow and as you go over a bridge, the road turns to gravel and that’s where the dispersed camping starts. We went about 2-3 miles up Hobble Road from the bridge to find our spot.
Pros: Free camping! The view is amazing and we found a few sites toward the top with fire pits. Road was in good condition all the way. Lots of great hiking.
Cons: No cell service with Verizon, lots of dirt bikers and campsites are close to the road. Very crowded on weekends. Also the road is very narrow and people don’t take the road slowly. Proceed with caution.
Overall, beautiful view and very peaceful at night.
TravelerGreat dispersed camping area with plenty of room! If going all the way to the marked location on the map, only attempt with a high clearance 4x4 or you will not make it! We have a TRX and overland camper and bottomed out on a culvert that dropped off sharply. We went to the marked location only to find a single camping spot on a moderate slope. Recommend stopping two miles earlier in the “Big Glade” meadow, flat and plenty of camping spots. We ended up a mile before that at a cross roads at 8900’. Concur with the ATv traffic from previous reviews, but overall relatively quiet
Ranger
stunning views of the surrounding mountains. hardly any light pollution, so the stars were amazing. the dirt road in was pretty rough, but manageable. make sure you have a spare tire on you just in case. lots of free ranges cows along the roads so be cautious. plenty of dispersed camp sites with flat spots to pitch a tent. There was a burn ban when I was there 10/10/20, but there were fire pits at each site.
Legend
Clyde Creek is about 5 miles up a dirt and graveled road about 1 mile south of US 40 on Strawberry Rd, at Strawberry Reservoir. The nearest town is Heber City 21.8 miles. The road is maintained by the forest service and is subject to closure when it becomes too wet.
This is a fantastic FREE camp site. It was very well kept and clean. There is quite a bit of shade because of the tree line the campsites are backed up to. The view is amazing. There is a nice little trail you can follow into the woods.
Area activities: OHV, fishing, hiking, and hunting.
Traveler
Easy to get to dispersed camping site.
TravelerOur family really likes dispersed camping near Mill hollow reservoir. It’s very peaceful and scenic! The main road in is fairly easy to navigate but if you venture off the main path you’ll want a vehicle with clearance and possibly 4X4. We cherish the ability to camp like this so we always take out everything we brought in “leave no trace” unfortunately not everyone has the same respect so we typically end up taking out any trash we find from the previous campers. Overall a great place to camp if you’re equipped for dispersed camping!
GuideOpen dispersed camping with lots of places to camp. Can get pretty crowded and noisy at times but worth not having to pay for. Can accommodate larger groups and single families. No amenities except for porta potties.
Guide
The road leading here is very bumpy. There are two specific spots that are really bad. 4x4 is almost a requirement. I did however see some people make it up in a van so it is possible. The coordinates lead to an open field with a lot of campsites. I would suggest parking in the lot a little further ahead on the left. This road is a popular destination so people ride up and down it a lot. The views are well worth it and there is also some hiking trails around here as well. There are more dispersed camping sites further along this road. I was able to get a very spotty one bar signal of Verizon while near the coordinates.
LegendWe are full-timers and have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow. We stayed here for 3 days in early June over the weekend. The dispersed camping area pretty much fills up overnight, with 7 or 8 of us staying longer. There were a few day users as well. The entire area was clean and free of trash. The sites are a little wonky, but we were able to get level. While the CG is far enough from US 6 to not be bothered with road noise, Sheep Creek Rd sees a lot of traffic and hence a fair bit of road noise. AT&T coverage was quite good, with 3 bars of 5G and speeds up to 16 MB/s.
GuideI went through Wallsburg and entered the canyon on the west side and couldn't actually go too far up the path, it's definitely 4x4 required for the entirety of the path, but the first bit can be handled by most vehicles, but have loads of pull offs for dispersed camping pretty much as soon as you enter the canyon.
GuideThere is the dispersed camping right when you turn in, however if you keep going up the mountain there is a super small turn off to the right then brings you up a little hill and there’s a few more sites I would have missed if I want so nosey. The view is amazing but the sites up here have so much trash. It’s not hard to clean up after yourself!
Ranger
So this campsite we ended up finding last minute in a desperate attempt to find somewhere close as night fell. And let me just say, we couldn’t have asked for a better campsite. The area was very easy to find, although the directions don’t exactly lead you to the right spot. It’s actually a turn farther up the road where you take a right instead of a left, the left leads you to an area where camping is forbidden and is used as a horse trail. Luckily as we had arrived so late and it was dark, a couple of horseback riders just pointed us farther down the road and we quickly found a spot. However, you have to make sure to self-pay at the little turnout before the campsite for a US pass, I think the fee was about $6 but our annual pass was an acceptable form of payment. The campsite was well maintained (as much as you can expect from dispersed camping) with a little fire pit and a flat space clear of rocks. We woke up to the noises of the wildlife around us, and the beautiful sunrise over the mountains. A very enjoyable stay, and would recommend to anyone!
TravelerFirst time disperse camping, originally from Illinois so very impressed with the view. Easy to get to. I have a Ford Fusion and was able To easily access lot.
Legend
Campground Review: Dispersed camping at Pittsburg Lake, Utah
Because I am into hiking and exploring national forest camping this summer, I found a fun adventure at Pittsburg Lake in the Uinta National Forest in the Wasatch Mountains. Getting there—the hike is a 1.5 mile hike up to the lake. Getting to the trail head is a dusty, dirt road behind Midway, UT. You are driving on dirt road for approximately 6-7 miles and will encounter at least two stream crossings. One crossing is cobblestoned, the other is driving up the stream for 50 feet right before the trail head. Therefore, a high clearance vehicle is highly recommended, if not necessary. There are a lot of off roading trails back in this area so you will encounter lots of RZRs, dirtbikes, 4-wheelers, jeeps, etc on your way to the trailhead but a non-lowered car can handle the road if the driver is comfortable. The really rocky section is past the trail head. Anyway, long dusty road to the trailhead then then hike is 1.5 miles all uphill with 1500 ft of elevation gain. You are hiking on a very rocky old mining road. My husband and I decided we wanted to really punish ourselves and we hiked up with an inflatable paddle board in addition to my stuff for camping. The hike is totally doable even with a lot of gear, just go slow and be careful of your footing. To be honest, I felt sorer after the hike down then after the hike up. So you make it up the trail and you come to a beautiful, small alpine lake. The lake is approximately .33 miles around and has trout for fishing. There is even an old homestead cabin to explore. The lake has many human-made fire pits scattered all around depending if you want to be right on the lake or if you want to tuck back farther into the woods. I found a spot close to the lake for easy paddle board access where I could hang my hammock. This was my first adventure in hammock camping and I actually enjoyed it. The views are so pretty and you are on the backside of Snowbird Ski Area. The area was beautiful and I wish I saw more wildlife (I have heard rumors of elk and moose sightings).
I am giving this camping area 4 stars not because of the area itself (it is free, beautiful, relaxing, etc.) but because of the other people who were staying up there made it not the best night for a female solo camper with her dog. There was another group camping about 200 meters away but I don’t think they knew I was there and they were up late making a lot of noise. Every time I was about to fall asleep, I would hear them chop wood or yell for an echo or make some other non-natural noise that would keep me awake (plus my imagination would start to run away from me). There was also another couple who decided to camp up there and needed to borrow a lighter but ended up leaving around 2AM. So whenever they came close to my camp, my wonderful protective dog would growl and raise the alarm, again, inhibiting my ability to fall asleep. The other annoyance was the flies. I am not sure if it is just the spot that I chose that had a lot of flies or they would have followed me wherever I set up camp. They didn’t bite and were more annoying than anything. I think my dog ate a few dozen as they buzzed around her head. So due to those negatives, the spot gets dinged a star.
Overall, it was worth carrying the paddle board up to the lake as I was able to relax and float and tool around. You can’t go very far but being on the water is always a good time. I could read my book in the hammock and go for exploratory hikes in the area. Final thought, it is National Forest camping so please, please, please follow leave no trace principles to keep the area nice for future visitors.
Gear Review: Matador Camera Base Layer
As a Ranger for The Dyrt I get the opportunity to test out gear from our awesome partners once in a while. While I was camping at Pittsburg Lake, I had the opportunity to try out the Matador Camera Base Layer. Because I am a glutton for punishment, I decided to haul a bunch of gear up to Pittsburg Lake and it included by nice DSLR camera. Photography is a fun hobby I have been playing around with for a few years, but I come across the problem of how to safely get my camera places without carrying either an additional camera bag that takes up a lot of space or wrapping my camera up in a sweatshirt or other piece of clothing to protect it with a smaller profile. Well, the Matador camera base layer has officially solved my problem. Hooray! The base layer is basically a padded, contoured, dry sack for my camera. Place the camera lens down, then roll and clip the top like a dry sack. It has holes to allow your camera neck or wrist straps to come through so you can wear your camera while it is being protected. Because it is from Matador, it is super lightweight but it does not feel flimsy, thin, or not durable. I was able to stuff my camera in the top of my paddle board bag while hiking up and down and I felt comfortable that nothing would be broken when I got to the top. It protected it from the dirt and dust that gets on everything when you are camping so it helped to keep things cleaner. I also took my camera for a hike with no additional backpacks and I clipped the base layer around my wrist so it wouldn’t get in the way. Besides being a bit hot, it was a great way to keep track of the base layer. I cannot convey how happy I am to have this piece of equipment in my gear box. While I am no Ansel Adams, being able to take more pictures with my camera and not just my phone while I am out on adventures will add another dimension to my activities and help me develop a new skill. The only thing I might want to improve is a small piece of Velcro on the bottom to help keep the waterproof cover inside its little pocket. But this is so minor in the grand scheme of things. If you are into photography at all, I highly recommend looking into this product.
RangerNumerous options for dispersed camping most in large open fields that would fit a number of RVs or trailers. Biggest drawback for us was that the fields were mostly a steep incline (requiring a delicate balance of additional materials to get level). Also, even on a quiet Wednesday late in the season, the area was packed with off road vehicles, which is not really our scene. If it is your scene, this would be a great place for staging with 30 of your closest friends (which seemed to be how this is used!).
Ranger
This is a large area in the west desert available for disperse camping. No services and no water, and not particularly scenic. It's fun to ride ATVs and go shooting. There is no shade so be prepared.
Guide
We set up at the first site on the left as you enter and it is a nice one for a short term visit. The only draw-back is that it is close to a dirt parking lot that OHV owners use. It is the fourth of July weekend though, so probably heavier than usual traffic. We drove our towed vehicle further down the road and discovered that you enter the Manti-Lasal National Forest in about a mile. If you continue for another 3 or 4 miles you will climb up into some absolutely gorgeous groves of Aspen trees. Although we did not see any Motorhomes up there, there were multiple campsites and several were taken by folks that had towed their 35-45 foot fifth wheels up there. I believe my 29 foot Four Winds could have made the drive without issues, although we did not try it.
Legend
We camped at this trailhead while attempting to hike to the Fifth Water Hot Springs. Due to fire activity, the original trailhead was closed so we camped at the "back way" trailhead. There were signs indicating that dispersed camping was allowed in areas designated by a fire ring. Found one near the trailhead parking. Not many flat places for a tent and there was cow manure all over the ground, so not many options for places to put our tent. The "fire-pit" was also filled in with rocks, thinking this may have been related to the nearby forest fires. May have better luck at the other trailhead in the future.
Traveler
Honestly, the only saving thing about this campsite is how beautiful it is. It truly feels like you are on top of the world. But, there were many downsides and we will not be returning. First, the road to get there was horrible. Don’t go up there unless you’re ready to do some off-roading. Second, the campsite had zero shade — so make sure to bring a canopy of some sort; there are no trees around the site. Third, the campsite is all gravel, so if you have a dog, be careful they don’t burn their paws (it was hot! We had to keep our dog in our man-made shade)! Lastly, at least 20 cars drove through the campsite per day, and this seems to be a spot a lot of people stop and get out and walk around. Then, someone set up camp right next to us! So, if you truly want to primitive camp, where it’s just you and nature, and have privacy, this is not the place to go.
GuideI drove all the way through the National Forest. I found a great spot, tucked in with plenty of shade and privacy.
N 39 54.3055’ W111 14.5213
Once you get to the top there are plenty of great options with outstanding views. July day temps in the low 80s. Night were refreshing.
The road from the Fair View side was much better, with a trailer that’s how I would tackle it. Beautiful sites pop out almost immediately and continue at almost every turn.
RangerThis is our go to camping spot when we want to get outside, but not drive too far from the city. You can still feel secluded, even though it fills up quickly on the weekends. Beware, you will be awakened by atvs fairly early.
Traveler
Simple primitive camping, a few spots for rv and trailers to pull through, good amount of area to pitch a tent. Rock fire rings, not too far from town. Pretty quiet, some road noise. Fantastic lake and mountain views.
GuideThis is a great spot just a about 2 miles off the main highway. It’s paved until you get to the campground turn off which is a good dirt road. Wide open space with tons of options to tent or RV. There’s a huge sign that says Sheep Creek Campground so you can’t miss it. Drove here with my front wheel drive sedan and tent camped. Train goes by occasionally but not loud enough to disturb. Access to hiking trails all around because it’s national forest land. You can stay 14 days. No permit required. No amenities.
RangerI love this canyon. There are so many places to disperse camp as a group or a an individual. One thing to know is that you will likely encounter cattle. They roam all over the hills. Download a map prior to entering Hobble Creek as you lose reception at the beginning.
You will have to drive a dirt road that is less than fair at times. You won't need high clearance but a good suspension or airing down will help.
LegendCampground Review: Mineral Basin is located in the Wasatch Mountains to the East of Salt Lake City. If you have ever skied Snowbird, this camping area is the same as the backside and keep going down. This area is beautiful and primitive camping. Resulting in two major points: It is free and in order to keep it nice, please pack out what you pack in!! We accessed this area via the east side and Wasatch State Park and Midway, UT. It is a long dirt road which is relatively maintained. There is a lot of side by side activity on these roads so some of the corners have been banked/rutted out but a non-lowered vehicle should be able to navigate the roads with only a few bottom scrapes.(If you want to drive a bit higher into Mineral Basin than our campsite, a high clearance or off-road vehicle is required). We have seen tents as well as trailers camping in this area(as long as you are comfortable pulling your trailer on unpaved mountain roads). The campsite we chose was off a small spur road which offered privacy and was along a small stream. The flowing water provided some great ambiance and white noise while we slept. As with other primitive camping, there is nothing here with regards to amenities with the exception of an established fire ring. Our site did have a nice flat spot dug out but that may not be the case for all the spots. We brought everything we needed for a one-night excursion and couldn't have had a better time. There are some hiking trails nearby (Pittsburgh Lakes trailhead was just a little farther up the road from us) and lots of open space for my husband to run the dog out by chasing his RC car. We visited in September before the leaves started to change, but fall would be a beautiful time to camp, but be prepared for cold once the sun goes down. Overall, this is my type of camping--primitive and isolated to enjoy being outside.
Gear Review: Banner & Oak Apparel and Hats
As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I get the awesome opportunity to test out gear once in a while. While I was in Mineral Basin, I had the chance to try out a shirt as well as a hat from Banner and Oak. Being a busty female, I am always hesitant to purchase female cut clothing online as sizing is so inconsistent I can never be sure of it fitting. However, I was very surprised (and pleased) to have the Coyote - Indigo shirt not only fit but was comfortable. The female cut with shorter sleeves and contoured sides made me feel like I was wearing a comfy tee without the boxy feel. The material is a soft jersey blend which didn't shrink when washed. I think this is going to be my go-to shirt for everyday summer wear as well as my outdoor adventures. I also purchased a few hats. Because I was not too excited about the ladies hats (the only design I liked was in pink and I am not a pink kinda gal), I purchased the men's Bighorn - Khaki for myself and the Switchback - Gray for my husband. The Bighorn has a curved brim which the Switchback is a flat brim. Both have adjustable mesh backs but if you tighten it too much it will look a little funny. These are definitely men's hats as they crown is taller but I didn't mind it. The construction of these hats is very sturdy--the crown is solid and won't become misshapen if it is caught in the rain (or left out for morning dew like mine was). I also liked the color scheme which as earthy and outdoorsy--definitely that go-to hat for outdoor adventures. The only negative I found is the brim inside will need to be worn in a little as the build it rigid and the fabric is a little scratchy as it is more of a canvas material. Overall, Banner and Oak has created a great line of products which are fashionable, comfortable, and most importantly durable to keep up with the outdoor enthusiast.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Santaquin, Utah, where nature meets tranquility. With a variety of options available, campers can enjoy stunning landscapes and a sense of freedom away from crowded sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Santaquin, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Santaquin, UT is Sheep Creek Dispersed Camping Area with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Santaquin, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 50 dispersed camping locations near Santaquin, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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