Dispersed camping areas near South Weber offer primitive options in the Wasatch Mountains at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. Temperatures can drop significantly after sunset, with summer highs averaging 75-85°F during the day and 45-55°F at night. Many campsites require high-clearance vehicles to access, especially after rain when forest roads become muddy.
What to do
Hike mountain trails: Green Canyon features multiple hiking paths for various skill levels. According to a visitor, "Green Canyon is better known and more happily known for its trail that runs alongside the road. Local residents love this Trail for trail runs, or mountain biking. There are Vault toilets in the parking lot at the bottom, as well as at the very top where Green Canyon meets water shed Canyon."
Wildlife watching: Middle Fork Conservation Area provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. One camper noted, "It is down a dirt road in a valley surrounded by cattle and deer and elk. Beautiful sunset and moonrise." Early morning and dusk offer the best viewing times.
Rock climbing: Various bouldering options exist throughout the canyons. A camper at Green Canyon Dispersed Campground mentioned, "Met some climbers working on a sketch little project on one of the many many boulders. Sounds like there's some legit stuff farther down the canyon."
Winter recreation: Several areas transform into winter recreation destinations. A review states, "In the winter months the road is closed, and is groomed by a local group named Nordic United. They groom it for cross country skiing several times a week and after every good storm."
What campers like
Solitude and views: Mineral Basin Dispersed offers secluded camping experiences. A camper shared, "The ride up to mineral basin was dirt roads with amazing views. The campsite we settled on was absolutely beautiful. Very quiet and peaceful, great place to get back to nature and forget about day to day things."
Accessibility: Many primitive camping spots near South Weber remain accessible even for standard vehicles. At Monte Cristo, a camper was "Very surprised by this dispersed camping. Good Spread, amazing views and the road up ain't bad at all."
Varied terrain: The area provides diverse landscapes from forests to mountain views. A visitor to Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo mentioned, "We came during a week day and the whole site was empty! Very quiet, very pretty, and very colorful. There were only two or maybe three spots total, so get here early."
Creek access: Several sites feature nearby water sources. A visitor to Bountiful B noted, "Some awesome flat areas with a creek if you go in spring. Nice and quiet. Nearby shooting range."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Several primitive camping areas have restricted seasons. A visitor to Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts warned, "The drive up is beautiful but there is actually no drive in camping. Camping doesn't open until July 1st so take that into account."
Road conditions: Access roads can present challenges for certain vehicles. One visitor reported about Mineral Basin, "The ride up to mineral basin was dirt roads with amazing views." Another camper mentioned about Bountiful B, "The road up takes about 25 or 30 minutes to get to the coords. Its a bit rough but if you have awd or 4wd its no problem."
Wildlife precautions: Bears and mountain lions inhabit the area. A visitor to Bountiful B noted, "Great for dispersed camping, but watch out for bears and mountain lions as well and make sure you follow the food rules and lock your cars. We didn't see or hear anything, but the Sheriff that stopped by warned us."
Campsite conditions: Site cleanliness varies. A Green Canyon visitor mentioned, "The sites has a bit of leftover trash and the occasional shard of broken beer bottles. Nothing horrible, but certainly a place where people like to party."
Tips for camping with families
Select weekdays: For quieter family experiences, avoid weekends. One visitor to Monte Cristo shared, "We came during a week day and the whole site was empty! Very quiet, very pretty, and very colorful."
River play opportunities: Several sites offer water features for kids. A visitor to Monte Cristo Pull-off shared, "Picked a pull-off spot about 10 min up the highway and was really surprised. It went pretty deep and and truly felt like I was away."
Plan for temperature swings: Mountain camping means significant day/night temperature differences. A camper at Mineral Basin noted, "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!"
Site selection strategy: Arrive early for the best family-friendly spots. According to a camper at Monte Cristo, "About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs. Our 17 ft trailer with 4x4 was tricky to get into the spot because the loop was so small."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most primitive camping sites near South Weber accommodate smaller rigs only. A visitor to Monte Cristo reported, "About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs. Our 17 ft trailer with 4x4 was tricky to get into the spot because the loop was so small."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies by location and carrier. A camper at Bountiful B Dispersed shared, "Cell service is also spotty here. I have Xfinity Mobile and I had decent coverage here and there.... everyone else had T-Mobile and they were also spotty, but more so compared to mine, so AT&T (who I think XM uses) is slightly better."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require work to level an RV. A Green Canyon visitor stated, "My Honda Civic was able to navigate the gravel road far back into the canyon. There are two restrooms - one at the trailhead and one down into the canyon a bit."
