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.
