Best Campgrounds near Tooele, UT

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Campgrounds surrounding Tooele, Utah range from established facilities with amenities to primitive dispersed sites on public lands. Settlement Canyon/Legion Park Campground offers both tent and RV camping with fire pits and picnic tables, while Ophir Canyon Campground provides a more rustic experience in a canyon setting. Grantsville Reservoir accommodates RVs with concrete pads arranged in a cloverleaf pattern. The area includes a mix of county, state park, and Forest Service managed camping areas with varying levels of development and accessibility.

Road conditions and facility availability fluctuate significantly with the seasons, particularly at higher elevations in the nearby canyons and mountains. Most campgrounds in the canyon areas lack potable water, so campers need to bring their own supplies. "It's a lovely forested area and the fall colors are just turning," noted one visitor to Settlement Canyon. Winter weather typically limits access to many sites, while summer brings higher visitation rates to reservoirs and stream-side camping areas. Cell service varies considerably, with coverage generally better at campgrounds closer to town and limited or nonexistent in canyon areas. Some campgrounds like Settlement Canyon require fees ($15-20 per night) while others like certain dispersed areas on BLM land may be free.

The camping experience near Tooele offers diverse terrain and settings within a relatively compact area. Campers at Settlement Canyon frequently mention wildlife sightings, with one noting, "We woke up to see cows in the morning which the kids loved." Sites near Grantsville Reservoir provide fishing opportunities with monthly trout stocking during spring through fall, though the exposed nature of the landscape means limited shade and potential for windy conditions. Ophir Canyon features a small creek running through the campground, making it popular with anglers. Visitors seeking more solitude might prefer the smaller, less-developed sites like Cottonwood Campground, which has only two campsites but offers creek access and a more secluded forest setting. Proximity to Salt Lake City makes these camping areas convenient weekend destinations for urban residents seeking outdoor recreation.

Best Camping Sites Near Tooele, Utah (139)

    1. Settlement Canyon/Legion Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Tooele, UT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 882-9041

    $15 - $40 / night

    "You’ll love sitting around your campfire watching the deer scamper in the mountains. RV camping is a must for me and full hookups are available."

    "We stayed here for one night didn't go past the gate we just camped pretty much on the side of the dirt road next to the reservoir."

    2. Salt Lake City KOA

    45 Reviews
    Salt Lake City, UT
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 328-0224

    $50 - $189 / night

    "I had the wonderful opportunity to stay the night at Salt Lake City KOA!"

    "We wanted to explore Salt Lake City so decided to stay at this downtown KOA. It is a large and crowded RV park but right on a Transit line (UTA light rail Trax) and biking distance to downtown."

    3. Great Salt Lake State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Magna, UT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 828-0787

    $20 - $60 / night

    "We really enjoyed our one night stay on the beach at the Great Salt Lake State Park. Beach sites are primitive, however, the park also offers 5 RV sites with hook-ups. Free showers. Helpful staff."

    "Nice campground next to the great salt lake. Only complaint was sand gets just about everywhere so be prepared."

    4. Grantsville Reservoir

    5 Reviews
    Grantsville, UT
    10 miles
    +1 (435) 843-4020

    5. Oquirrh Mountain Inn & RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Magna, UT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 250-0118

    $27 - $40 / night

    "The management that runs the hotel side of it is extremely nice and reasonable I couldn't be happier with this place close to two gas stations the flying j and the TA."

    6. Ophir Canyon Campground

    3 Reviews
    Stockton, UT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 843-3150

    $15 / night

    "A bit crowded when we arrived around 7:30pm but we managed to find a site without issue."

    "I didn't get a place but the location seemed nice with a little creek. A bit colder here due to the mountains. There is benches and a bonfire place at each spot. Price is 15 Dollar per night!"

    7. Vorwaller Homestead RV park

    1 Review
    Tooele, UT
    1 mile

    "Beautiful surroundings but one side is out towards to busy road. There are quite a few of food, gas, and shopping options in the area."

    8. Cottonwood Campground Slrd — Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest

    3 Reviews
    Grantsville, UT
    13 miles
    +1 (385) 273-1100

    $20 - $34 / night

    "There was an interesting little dam on the east side of the campground and I scared a bunch of trout out from under it as I walked across so bring your fishing pole or fly rod if you want to!"

    9. Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping

    12 Reviews
    Grantsville, UT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "You can see other campers but they are so far away from you, and if you park facing away from them, it's nice and feels pretty private."

    "A lot of sites in an open field next to mountains. Sites are pretty spaced out. LOTS of gnats and other bugs, but quite and pretty view of the sunset."

    10. Foothill Clearing with a View

    1 Review
    Grantsville, UT
    10 miles

    $15 / night

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Recent Reviews near Tooele, UT

961 Reviews of 139 Tooele Campgrounds


  • Adam O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2025

    Split Rock Bay Backcountry Campsites — Antelope Island State Park

    Incredible, with some caveats

    Disclaimer, this was my first backpacking trip, and my first solo camping experience.

    The first thing I’ll note is that I could not find a map that showed exactly where on the split rock loop trail the sites were. The maps you get at the gate do not show it. You just have to start hiking and hope you see it. That eventually led to the main issue I had with the campsite, more on that later.

    I have 37lbs on my back, partly because it’s November and I want to make sure I’m warm, and partly because I’m toting in 5.5L of water since there is no water source.

    I begin hiking and eventually I see another backpacker coming the other way. I say “did you camp?” He says no, he was going to stay the night, but there’s a herd of Bison that are currently crossing the trail and he didn’t want to wait. As I’m coming up on the spot he’s talking about, I catch the end of the herd moving south and I’m able to pass them with minimal wait time.

    I continue hiking, up to the split rock bay loop, where conveniently there is a sign that points toward the campground. Yay! By this time I’ve seen a huge herd of Bison (50 or more individuals), a big buck, 20 or so other deer, and with the fog and haziness, some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. Quite incredible.

    I find the tent site #3 (my watch says exactly 4.5 miles from the car) and set up my tent. During this time, I’m hearing some weird grunting sounds in the distance, I pop my head out of the tent and look west toward the lake shore. And there’s the herd of Bison I encountered before who crossed the trail. They went west around elephant rock, and I went east. I beat them by about 20 to 30 minutes. At this time I record a video with my phone and state “hope they aren’t coming over here”.

    I’m filling my sleeping pad with a mini pump and when I’m done I pop my head out of the tent. They had, in fact, started coming over here. They were quite close. In sort of a panic, I grab some essentials, zip up the tent, and head for the rocks on the hills and wait them out.

    Unfortunately I didn’t grab my Garmin or my warm clothes, and it is taking them forever to get past the tent site. The sun starts getting low and I’m getting cold. The Bison sometimes get curious about my tent and approach it, but never do anything. I have my Apple watch and it has an SOS feature, I thought about using it, but eventually they pass and I can get back to set up.

    So, this is where knowing exactly where the campsite was in relation to everything else would have been useful. I would have seen the direction they were going and possibly known that they would be crossing right into the camp area, and I probably would have made some slightly different choices.

    They (the Bison) stopped for the night in split rock canyon, so I could hear them all night while in my tent. It was always difficult to tell if they were getting closer or farther away, so the night was a bit sleepless.

    Also, though the weather says the temperature is 40F, the higher humidity and breeze from the lake can make it feel a lot colder. I did have some chilly moments with a 20F comfort rated bag and a 5.4R value pad. In the morning, condensation was everywhere.

    The next morning had a “dense fog” warning in effect, which made for some more awesome scenery.

    I broke camp and started back to the car at around 8AM. I decided to take a detour out to Elephant Rock to see if I could see the camp site from up there. This added another 3 miles to the track back, so 7.5 miles total. As I’m coming around the corner at the top to the spot where I’d be able to see the sites, I encounter a lone Bison bull just chilling up there on the trail, no other animals in sight. So, I couldn’t actually get to the spot to see over, but the view was amazing and it was fun to see a Bison in a spot it felt like he shouldn’t be able to get to.

    As I turn around, the “dense fog” warning becomes a reality, and it suddenly gets much much colder. Makes for some amazing visuals way up there.

    Overall, it was a very awe inspiring and fun trip, with some interesting bits. I do think they should better mark the spots on the map just so people can plan better, especially if there’s going to be massive herds of Bison cruising through camp at any point.

    tl;dr: pack warmer than you think (if you’re going to go in the later months) and watch out for Bison. Incredible views and wildlife encounters make it all worth it.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2025

    Ken's Lake Campground

    Great campground!

    We were lucky to snag the last first-come, first-served site—#43—and loved it so much we extended our stay to 10 days. Our 23' travel trailer fit (with room to spare) with minimal leveling required. 

    The scenery is absolutely stunning, with trailheads just a short walk away and Moab only 15 min. The campground was peaceful, with clean vault toilets and a relaxed atmosphere. The camp hosts were so friendly and full of great suggestions. 

    We had solid cell service with both Verizon and AT&T(Verizon had a slight edge). 

    Already looking forward to our next visit!

  • Tamie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2025

    Great Horned Owl Campground — Deer Creek State Park

    Quiet and secluded

    We took a wrong turn in the campground and ended up in an area with no hookups. But it was quiet and secluded and close to the water. The campsite was fairly level and there were clean restrooms.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2025

    Foothill Clearing with a View

    Nice views

    They have camp rings for fires and also grills! One or 2 was missing the garage to the grill but other than that it was good.

  • J
    Nov. 7, 2025

    Salt Lake City KOA

    Great Campground, Weird Area

    The campground itself was really great, surprisingly nice! It was just surprisingly to see the location of the campground itself, with views of the mountains all around, the campground is located in the city, and kind of a slightly shady area as well. We felt safe once we were on the campground, but the drive in was a little sketchy at best.

  • C
    Nov. 3, 2025

    Heber Ranger Station

    Just a quick stop

    A great place to just spend a night. This is a parking lot of a ranger station ( and because the federal government is shut down, now staff is here) but parking lot is clean and even big enough to turn around our 40’ motorhome and tow vehicle. No hook ups, and road noise is pretty bad.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    Beautiful Area, But

    Close to civilization but far enough to get a healthy dose of quiet darkness. The campsites are drive-in and a decent size, far apart from each other, but keep your eyes peeled for deep potholes and broken glass. The few times we’ve stayed here we’ve enjoyed ourselves, but this seems to be a very popular spot; on several occasions we’ve made the 1+ hour drive out here, only to find every single spot taken. It appears that the same campers are out here frequently, and for long periods of time. Would be nice if people would limit their own stays for the consideration of others to enjoy this area as well, instead of treating it like their own personal property.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Springville / Provo KOA Holiday

    KOA

    Well it's your topical RV resort. It doesn't have a fire ring and it's by train tracks and a freeway. Also, your packed in like sardines. However, it will do for overnight. I have to say it is clean and kept up well. But if you're into private camping with space, this isn't for you.


Guide to Tooele

Camping sites near Tooele, Utah range from creek-side forest locations to high-desert settings with mountain views. The area sits at elevations between 4,300 feet in town to over 6,000 feet in nearby canyons, creating distinct temperature variations between camping destinations. Winter lows frequently drop below freezing from November through March, while summer temperatures routinely exceed 90°F in July and August.

What to do

Creek exploration: Cottonwood Campground offers creek access with fishing opportunities. "Be warned that all of the campgrounds in the canyon do not supply water or trashcans so you'll need to bring all you need to drink as well as trash bags to haul out all of your garbage. There was an interesting little dam on the east side of the campground and I scared a bunch of trout out from under it as I walked across," notes one camper.

Desert hiking: Horseshoe Knoll provides access to high desert terrain with minimal development. "Great dispersed campsite, especially if you're on a road trip along I-80. Rumor has it there's a neat stream nearby, but we didn't get a chance to check it out," reports one visitor. The area connects to several unmaintained trails for day hikes.

Fishing: Clover Springs Campground features a small stream where children can wade. "Beautiful campground and nice small natural spring creek to play or fish in," writes one reviewer. Another adds, "It has a cold fresh water spring that runs through the campground." Fishing is primarily for smaller trout in limited sections of the creek.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: At Ophir Canyon Campground, campers appreciate the natural separation. "Nice and somewhat isolated campground. Lots of ATVs and bikes but not super crazy. Beautiful, clean, and lots of flying bugs," notes one camper. The campground charges $15 per night with first-come, first-served sites.

Accessible locations: Tooele camping areas offer relatively quick access from major highways. "We stayed here for one night. Very quiet and private. I imagine if during the busy season this place would not be a great place to stay but the last week of April was not busy," mentions a Horseshoe Knoll visitor.

Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. One camper at Cottonwood Campground shared, "It's unreal that this place is free. The sites are a little close together but there weren't many people there at the end of September and the changing leaves were spectacular!"

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most campgrounds lack running water. "Pretty spot that smells like juniper and has a nice creek. Minus a star for no running water and proximity to a busier road," reports a Clover Springs visitor.

Insect activity: Bug populations can be significant, particularly in spring and early summer. "The night we stayed there were a ton of nats until the sun went down. Other than that no issue," mentions a Horseshoe Knoll camper. Another adds, "So many bugs it was awful, the mosquitoes ate us and our dogs even with bug repellents."

Weather extremes: Temperature swings can be dramatic between day and night. "It was COLD - when I woke up, temp was 19, felt like 12. But in my car I was cozy," notes a winter visitor to Great Salt Lake State Park Campground. Prepare for both hot days and cold nights, particularly in spring and fall.

Tips for camping with families

Stream play areas: Clover Springs offers shallow water perfect for children. "Decent sized spot. Enclosed by desert mountains. The water is more like a babbling brook than a stream. Great for kids and dogs to play in. Very few deep spots," explains one visitor.

Diverse terrain exploration: Locations provide varied landscapes for family activities. "We really enjoyed our one night stay on the beach at the Great Salt Lake State Park. Beach sites are primitive, however, the park also offers 5 RV sites with hook-ups. Free showers. Helpful staff," writes a visitor.

Space for activities: Some sites offer room for group activities. A visitor to Settlement Canyon notes, "We did the dry camping and we were in the location all the way to the back. We brought a whole bunch of teenage girls for my daughter's birthday party and they were able to be loud and did not disturb anybody. The dry camping spots are very spacious lots of space for the walk around and play and run."

Tips from RVers

Site surfaces: Many RV sites have specific pad designs. "$20. The site itself had a bit of a steep access. No internet service which I prefer. Only noticible inconvenience was that it's quite dusty," reports a Settlement Canyon visitor.

Limited hookups: Most camping options provide minimal or no hookups. "My wife and I stayed here for about 2 weeks place is pretty nice for an RV hookup spot full hookups water sewer 30 amp power. The management that runs the hotel side of it is extremely nice and reasonable," reports a visitor to Oquirrh Mountain Inn & RV Park.

Location convenience: Some RV sites offer strategic positioning for services. "Great location to camp for touring Salt Lake City. Full hook-ups at a reasonable price. Sites are tight and busy on the weekends. Limited cell service," reports a Settlement Canyon visitor who appreciated the proximity to urban amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds near Tooele, Utah?

Tooele offers several excellent camping options within easy reach. Settlement Canyon/Legion Park Campground is a standout choice with a beautiful mountain setting where you can watch deer while enjoying your campfire. For those seeking amenities, Vorwaller Homestead RV park provides comfortable accommodations with friendly staff and convenient access to food, gas, and shopping. Other worthwhile options include Ophir Canyon Campground for a more secluded experience, Oquirrh Mountain Inn & RV Park for convenient facilities, and Grantsville Reservoir for lakeside camping. Within driving distance, you'll also find exceptional state parks like Antelope Island and Wasatch Mountain offering scenic camping experiences.

What amenities does Legion Park Campground offer?

Settlement Canyon/Legion Park Campground provides full hookups for RVs, which is ideal for campers who prefer having electrical, water, and sewer connections. The campground features established fire rings where you can enjoy evenings around a campfire while taking in the beautiful mountain views. The setting is particularly scenic, with opportunities to spot deer in the surrounding mountains. Pricing is reasonable, making it a good value. One of the biggest advantages is its proximity to Tooele, where you can easily access any additional supplies you might need. The campground's location balances a natural mountain experience with the convenience of being close to town amenities.

Is free camping available in Tooele County?

Yes, free camping is available in Tooele County at several dispersed camping locations. Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry offers free camping with established fire rings in most common camping areas. There are no amenities, so you must carry in all water. The area is popular for ATVs and off-road vehicles, with hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. Miner's Canyon Dispersed is another free option with lakeside sites, though visitors should be prepared for varying site conditions. Horseshoe Knoll also provides free dispersed camping opportunities. These sites typically have rock fire pits but limited privacy and no facilities, so pack out all trash and bring everything you need.