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Best Tent Camping near Salt Lake City, UT

1,163 Reviews

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.

Map showing campgrounds near Salt Lake City, UtahExplore the Map

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. closed

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

    $59 - $64 / night

    9. Dutchman Mine Flats

    1 Review
    Alta, UT
    24 miles

    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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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Salt Lake City, UT

27 Photos of 23 Salt Lake City Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Salt Lake City, UT

1163 Reviews of 23 Salt Lake City Campgrounds

  • Derek E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2019

    Hailstone - Upper Fisher Campground — Jordanelle State Park

    Great fishing!!!

    This is a simple site to get to. It’s only an hour from Salt Lake City and provides awesome picnic areas! Fun for the whole family; kids, seniors, pets, etc!

    The fishing is really good too. We catch something every time we go.

    Fully paved area, so no need to worry about clearance or bad conditions.

    Be ready to pay the state park fee tho! $

  • Amber A.
    Jul. 31, 2016

    Weber Memorial Park

    Nice Salt Lake City getaway

    Cute park, just an hour from Salt Lake City. The main attraction is a reservoir but I think there’s hiking nearby too. We went with friends who have been going to this same place for years and they showed us the best places for swimming and diving. Seems popular for family reunions (and being in Utah family reunions are BIG). Campsite is State Park so it’s clean, basic facilities, and the usual not-super-private sites. Some are more wooded and private. No reservations so get there early in summer. The accessible sites looked very nice.

  • L
    May. 23, 2018

    Smith-Morehouse Campground

    Beautiful place with lots to do!

    You can get to this beautiful campground in under an hour from Salt Lake City and it's my favorite place to go when I want to camp and kayak! The campground and surrounding mountains are very scenic-it doesn't get much prettier! Plus if you like to have things to do while you're camping, this is a good area. You can kayak and paddle board at the lake, four wheel, etc. We always bring our dog and she loves it as well. Can't go wrong here if you want to mountain camp!

  • Mary S.
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Tanners Flat

    Good location for exploring Wasatch Mountains and Salt Lake City

    You really need to know this: No dogs are allowed because this campground is in the Salt Lake City watershed.

    And this: As inviting as the water running through the campground may look, you are not allowed to swim, wade or wash in it.

    One more thing: Gate closes at 10 pm although that didn't stop some partiers at the next site in from us. They partied and left around 11 or so. There was no payment tag on the post. The exit is open but has tire shredders if you enter over them.

    A pleasant surprise at a Forest Service campground: 10 lbs of ice for $2! (There was also the usual bundle of firewood for $6.)

    An unpleasant surprise: Old, dirty bathrooms. I've seen cleaner vault toilets elsewhere than these flush toilets.

    There is no water for now (July 2018) in bathroom sinks or at spigots. The host said something about a pipe issue and water needing to be tested. That covers the amenities other than dumpsters.

    What about the sites? We arrived on a Sunday morning when the host was putting up signs indictating which sites were reserved. We had 3 possible sites among 1 through 19 and grabbed #9, a pull through site with a buffer between the road in the parking/small RV area.

    Sites in the other area (higher numbers) were becoming available, but that area's host said many of the sites were only appropriate for tents.

    Our site #9: There are a few steps down to the picnic table, fire ring and grill plus a separate area to the left for a tent. See photos.

    General site info:

    • Some sites have a concrete pad for the picnic table, etc.

    • Many sites have an area for the tent that is away from the picnic table and concealed from the road.

  • Tom J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Spruces - Big Cottonwood

    Beautiful location

    Beautiful area and lots of first come first serve spots. Here late in the season so it was chilly but it is in the mountains! Winding road to get here from Park City but appears to be a shorter straight shot into Salt Lake City. Picnic tables and fire rings at each site right next to the parking site which works out well for a rooftop tent.

  • Amanda D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2017

    Bridger Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park

    Land of the swarming mosquitoes and rats

    I attempted to camp at Bridger Bay Campground after driving from Yellowstone NP to Salt Lake City in mid August. It is located on Antelope Island within Antelope Island State Park. Antelope Island is an island located on the Great Salt Lake a few miles from Salt Lake City. I chose this campground because it seemed close to the major routes I was taking back towards California. I arrived after sunset and was happy to make it onto the causeway before they shut the gates. Arriving at the campground I noted that most of the sites were taken by trailers and RVs, which should have been a sign. After finding an open site, I got out of the car to one of the most horribly infested campsites I had ever seen. The air was thick with flies and mosquitoes making it miserable to try and unload and set up. The camp site also had several rats scurry around as I flashed my headlight around. At this point I decided to leave, so I did. I had never left a campsite before due to unsavory conditions, nor have I left one since. I got back in my car and drove back over the causeway. The gate was shut, but thankfully opened to let me out. While I’ve heard pleasant things about the island it may be best visited in a different season or time of day. I thoroughly enjoyed the motel I found. Here is more information about the campground and about the park. I hope to make it back someday to watch the Pronghorns, but will not plan on camping.

  • Alan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Bridger Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park

    Amazing in the Right Season!

    One of our favorite state parks in Utah is only~45 minutes away from Salt Lake City! There are bison, antelope, deer, and many other animals that call this island home. On the west side of the island are extensive muds flats that give you one of the best sunset views in Utah. One of our favorite things to do on the island is hike Frary Peak which is the high point of the island. The top portion of the hike is a rocky scramble, but there are plenty of side trails to beautiful viewpoints during the hike. 

    As for the best season to visit the island, we are partial to winter due to the absolute lack of bugs and stunning contrast of the bison on fresh snow. Our 2nd favorite season is early spring before the bugs come out in full swarm! I wouldn't recommend visiting in late spring or summer as there are swarms of all kinds of biting bugs and the temps can be unbearable.

  • Tommy C.
    Aug. 29, 2020

    South Fork (UT)

    AWESOME spot

    Absolutely awesome spot. Hosts were really friendly. Stayed in my pop up camper for a night and there was tons of space for pop up and our site (A1) was the best in the campground, I think. It was secluded with tons of trees. Not all sites had a lot of tree cover. It wasn’t right off the river but it was still only a 30 second walk to the river. There were fire bans in Utah but because of the type of fire set up on concrete and built in fire places, we were able to have a fire all night which was awesome. Also my buddy is a professional singer and brought his guitar so I’m impartial. We had such a great time!!

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

Explore these local attractions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best tent camping sites near Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City offers excellent tent camping in its surrounding mountains and canyons. Red Pine Lake is a stunning backcountry option in Little Cottonwood Canyon, accessible via a 3-4 mile hike that rewards campers with beautiful alpine lakes and peak access. For those seeking established campgrounds, Loop Campground in South Willow Canyon provides wonderful tent sites with views of 11,000-foot Deseret Peak. The campground serves as an excellent basecamp for hiking the surrounding high peaks. Both locations are particularly popular during summer weekends, so mid-week camping is recommended for a more secluded experience.

When is the best season for tent camping in Salt Lake City?

The prime tent camping season around Salt Lake City runs from late May through September, with July and August offering the most reliable weather. Higher elevation sites like Lake Blanche Trail - Backcountry Camp may not be snow-free until June or even July in heavy snow years. Lower elevation camping can begin in April, but be prepared for variable conditions. Fall camping (September-October) brings cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and beautiful foliage, making it an excellent choice for experienced campers. Winter camping is possible at lower elevations but requires specialized cold-weather gear. For the best balance of accessibility and comfortable temperatures, aim for June or September when campgrounds are open but less crowded than during the peak summer months.

What amenities can I expect at Salt Lake City tent campgrounds?

Amenities at Salt Lake City area tent campgrounds vary widely by location and type. Lower Narrows Campground offers basic developed facilities, though specifics are limited in the reviews. At Silver Lake Backcountry, you'll find a large bathroom at the trailhead along with lake access and fishing opportunities. Most established campgrounds in the area typically provide picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. However, amenities like potable water, showers, and electrical hookups are less common. Dispersed camping areas offer no facilities whatsoever, requiring complete self-sufficiency. Always check specific campground information before your trip, as services may change seasonally, and come prepared with your own water if reliability is uncertain.

Are there any free or cheap tent camping options around Salt Lake City?

Free dispersed camping is readily available near Salt Lake City for budget-conscious tent campers. Dispersed Camping--Mill Hollow/Utah FR054 offers peaceful, scenic free camping in the Uinta National Forest. This area follows Leave No Trace principles and requires a vehicle with good clearance if venturing off the main road. Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts provides another free option for backpackers willing to hike at least half a mile from any road. Good approach trails include Church Fork and Lambs Canyon Trailhead, with the latter offering more shade and valley views. Remember that dispersed camping typically means no facilities, so come prepared with water and waste disposal plans.

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