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
Traveler
this place has lots of spots to park, river, trails, and amazing scenery.
Traveler
This is BLM. A couple of different camping sites. Most have fire rings but no water or bathrooms. You will need a 4x4 with high clearance to get up the mountain (the road is rough). There are sites at the bottom of the mountain that you can get an RV or car in but those are crowded and around the shooting range. We had a great time at the top with beautiful views and quiet. Nobody else around. oHV area too.
Scout
Arrived very late. Very easy to find. Directions brought us right to the location. Road was rough into the sites and were hard to determine specific sites. Ended up pulling into edge of field. Definitely a good quiet night's sleep
Traveler
The views are great but the road is definitely washed out. You will need 4WD and high clearance to pass through the washouts and rocks which start near the entrance and go all the way to the top.
Guide
Rough roads. The main one isn’t so bad but the side roads are awful. Tons of flies. Like actually so many. Campsites are far away from each other which was nice. Fire ring was filled with trash. Lake is disgusting, dead fish on shore and trash, don’t swim in it. An obviously “long term” resident said he wouldn’t swim in it, one of the factories on the other side of the lake dump into it.
Traveler
It was essentially a bunch of RVs and cars parked in a field, so minimal privacy, but feels very safe! Cows come out at night and wander about, so look out for cow patties!
Guide
After a long day of travel we just wanted to get to any site and camp. This is a national forest so there is technically a park permit required. However, we have an annual park pass and they accept that as well. It is an honor system kind of park permit. They ask you to scan the QR code or pay at the self pay station. $10 for a 3day pass, $20 for a 7 day pass.
The drive up to this site is winding and the cars seem to be used to driving it because they come around the corners pretty fast. Drive carefully and stay on your side of the road. It site is just after mile marker 17.
The site is huge! Lots of space for people, cars, RVs and trailers. The road is paved until you turn in and then it’s a regular dirt road.
The major con in this park in general is the bathrooms are yucky especially at this site.
This seems to be a local hangout for the youngsters as well. They were not a bother to us however, they were letting loose, having a good time at their site. They left around 11 or so.
No service with AT&T
TravelerI want to start positive and say that the views are some of the best! Mt Tiponogous is in full view and the panoramic views are all great as well. It was only my group that camped up there the night we camped, but a couple people did drive by for some off road action. Speaking of off road action, the road is atrocious. Dont come unless you have some serious high clearance 4wd vehicle or you will bottom out and destroy your vehicle. I’m saying this as someone from Lake City CO who grew up driving the Alpine Loop, the road is BAD!
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.
Traveler
Great 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
TravelerIt was very easy to find, since we could see RV since a long way down the road. We turned in and took one of the first sites though there were a lot of RVs further down.
A lot of the RVs looked like they were laughing the 14 day limit, almost to the point we were convinced they were living at this site. There was also several people with lose dogs, which made us not wanting to go closer to the water.
Otherwise the site itself is OK, it’s a little uneven, but we managed fine with our RV.
Guide
Plenty of dispersed spots along the ridge road. Most have easy pull in access and fire rings. Beautiful views from multiple spots along the ridge but comes with the expected exposure to wind/sun. More privacy for the spots further along the road some nestled in beautiful aspen groves. It is a great area. We camped overnight and fly fished the currant the next day. It was July 4 weekend but still not crowded.
ScoutAll the sites said no reservation, first come first served, but they were all reserved with no campers. Camp host, as usual, nowhere in sight. I've camped in 43 states for decades and Utah is easily the worst state to camp at due to this system of theirs.
Also the drive up there is about 6 miles of winding hell with idiot children driving so fast I'm surprised there's not a death every day.
Guide
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. Road was very accessible lower down with some more adventurous offshoots requiring higher clearance and likely 4x4. We went up an offshoot and navigated through and around some deeper ruts and snow drifts but found an amazing spot on the rim. Fewer people the more altitude we gained. Lots of spots here. Keep driving until you find one, closer in spots are usually taken up with trailers and small rvs. Highly recommend.
Guide
Plenty of spots on an easy dirt road, campfire rings and lots of space. There's so many birds and critters so you get the nature sounds but it's close to the road so there's road noise all night. Beautiful space. I think I heard a moose in the night-possibly not, but possibly?
TravelerThis spot was great. We arrived at dusk and it was still easy to find, although there was a long dirt road (about 2 miles) to get to spots marked with a campfire pit. Two or three cars drove by, but it was still secluded enough that we had no worries. We found a spot by a beautiful stream with cool water. Great stargazing. Safe!
TravelerHonestly, 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.
GuideEasy drive into the area, paved road up until you turn down toward the lake. Nice gravel road for the next half mile. 6 other RVs here when I stopped on June 20th.
A little loud from the generators but sound of waves from the lake help drown it out.
Some established fire pits. Overall the place was clean and felt safe.
GuideAs described, it's a big field with a bunch of RVs. That being said, if you don't have an off-road capable vehicle (like me) - it's a solid option and there are some pretty mountain views. You can buy the permit online. No one checked the permit for the three days I was there.
Traveler
We couldn’t access early June road still closed past the ski resort.
ScoutDon't come with a trailer. Just don't do it. Sure is pretty but we never made it to the top
GuideI spent a night there in April 2024 during a couple days of rain. It was pretty muddy, but that was to be expected. There is space for many campers and it's an easy, paved road up to the park. Cellular was pretty strong as well.
GuideLots of spots to camp. 3 bars verizon. Very quiet. There were about 30 other campers and it was very quiet.
TravelerEasy to get to and got to camp next to a stream. Was just passing through so this was a great spot for the night.
GuideI actually stayed a bit earlier on (at a trailhead parking lot; didn’t see any signs that said I couldn’t) down the road because this section of the road was closed and I just have to say what a fantastic view! The mountains up here are truly breathtaking and I would highly recommend staying anywhere in this area if you can. The weather was quite cold and crisp but worth every second of it. The night was quiet as I spent most of it in my car but the sunrise was like no other. Highly recommend
ScoutThe road gets graveled but dirt bikes and ATVs come through and mess it up some. Some of the spots have seen better days. If you get a good spot it's great. The view is pretty. Beware of coyotes if you have animals.
Scout
Many places to camp. For best selection arrive in the middle of the week. Good UTV trails nearby.
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.
