Best Dispersed Camping near Tooele, UT

Campers looking for dispersed camping around Tooele, Utah will find several primitive options with no facilities. The areas near Tooele City Park Campground and Tooele Recreation Area include undeveloped public lands where you'll need to bring everything and take all trash with you when you leave. Local rules require camping at least 200 feet from water sources and roads, and most spots need vehicles with good clearance to reach, particularly when roads get muddy after storms. Following Leave No Trace practices helps keep these areas in good shape for everyone. Before setting up a campfire, always check current fire restrictions as they change throughout the year. The standard 14-day limit applies to most sites in the area, after which you'll need to move to a different location. Cell service is spotty in most places, so download maps before heading out, and the nearest supplies are back in Tooele, often 30-45 minutes from camping areas.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Tooele, Utah (33)

    1. Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping

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

    "Good dispersed campsite, especially if you’re on a road trip along I-80 (which we were, evacuating from a wildfire in CA). There are no hookups or services."

    "The coordinates have been updated (originally wrong when I tried to find it)- the map is correct now.

    I arrived after dark on Jan 10th."

    2. Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Grantsville, UT
    21 miles

    "All the breeze from the salt flats comes right your way. This location is also right in an outdoor shooting range with multiple spots so that’s a plus if you’re looking for entertainment."

    "First of all there is no pull out at the coordinates."

    3. Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    21 Reviews
    Saratoga Springs, UT
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "Very easy access public land right on Utah Lake. Packed gravel and dirt road going in is lumpy from use but smooths out a bit farther in. Side roads to sites are anyones guess."

    "Great option just south of salt lake. The lake and Mountain View are beautiful! Pretty flat, the road in is fairly easy."

    5. Miners Canyon BLM

    11 Reviews
    Saratoga Springs, UT
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "Tents, pillows, sleeping bags, glass, etc."

    "I arrived in the evening and was greeted with an incredible view: a vast lake backed by snowcapped mountains glowing in the light from the setting sun; the lights from Provo, the city across the lake,"

    6. Seven Mile Pass

    3 Reviews
    Eagle Mountain, UT
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "This is a large area in the west desert available for disperse camping. No services and no water, and not particularly scenic. It's fun to ride ATVs and go shooting. There is no shade so be prepared."

    7. Squaw Peak Road Dispersed

    15 Reviews
    Provo, UT
    41 miles

    "Getting here can be challenging, very steep incline , tight corners , and some spots have bumpy dirt roads."

    "This site is deep past the meadows near square peak. You continue to follow the dirt road in and on your left is a small depression in the land with a fire pit and ample space for tents or hammocks."

    8. Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts

    8 Reviews
    Mounthaven, UT
    34 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."

    "All the camping is backcountry so you can pick any trail and just make sure that you are 1/2 mile off the road and at least 200 ft from developed ares and water."

    9. Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry

    6 Reviews
    Eagle Mountain, UT
    32 miles

    "Set up was easy, drove past the BLM sign about half a mile and stayed on a flat open area. Mosquitos were terrible, bring bug spray! Happy camping!"

    10. Eagle Mountain Dispersed

    1 Review
    Eagle Mountain, UT
    27 miles

    "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)."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Tooele, UT

132 Reviews of 33 Tooele Campgrounds


  • Bethany W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2025

    Miners Canyon BLM

    A lot of trash

    As beautiful as the view was, I felt it was ruined with all of the trash that people have left behind in the dispersed camping area as well as along the lakeshore. Tents, pillows, sleeping bags, glass, etc. There also seems to be majority long term campers who have a lot of stuff everywhere around their campsites, as well as 2-3 permanent residents living on the private property that backs up against the public lands. While there are 10-12 spots that are easily accessible, they’re being utilized by the long-term campers. Our first night here we arrived around 8 pm, right before sunset so we didn’t have a lot of time to explore so we just parked in the larger area near the public access area to the lake by 3 other campers. Luckily the next morning a camper van left so we were able to move without being on top of so many people since the people we were around all had dogs barking almost every time we let ours out to go to the bathroom. Overall, I felt like this campsite left more to be desired and took away from the beauty of the area.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    Many Sites of Varying Sizes

    Very easy access public land right on Utah Lake. Packed gravel and dirt road going in is lumpy from use but smooths out a bit farther in. Side roads to sites are anyones guess. Some are pretty reasonable, others are like mine fields. Suggest you park on the road and walk in. Many sites are “pull-throughs” so one entrance can be better than the other. Some great spots up the hill but you’ll need high clearance and 4wd. Bugs weren’t bad on this warm mid-September day. Some trash but I’ve been to more formal places with more trash than this. Access to the lake and lots of space to hike. Nice view of lights from the Provo side of the lake at night.

  • Jenny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2018

    Pittsburg Lake Dispersed

    Ranger Review: Matador Camera Base Layer at Pittsburg Lake UT

    Campground Review: Dispersed camping at Pittsburg Lake, Utah

    Because I am into hiking and exploring national forest camping this summer, I found a fun adventure at Pittsburg Lake in the Uinta National Forest in the Wasatch Mountains. Getting there—the hike is a 1.5 mile hike up to the lake. Getting to the trail head is a dusty, dirt road behind Midway, UT. You are driving on dirt road for approximately 6-7 miles and will encounter at least two stream crossings. One crossing is cobblestoned, the other is driving up the stream for 50 feet right before the trail head. Therefore, a high clearance vehicle is highly recommended, if not necessary. There are a lot of off roading trails back in this area so you will encounter lots of RZRs, dirtbikes, 4-wheelers, jeeps, etc on your way to the trailhead but a non-lowered car can handle the road if the driver is comfortable. The really rocky section is past the trail head. Anyway, long dusty road to the trailhead then then hike is 1.5 miles all uphill with 1500 ft of elevation gain. You are hiking on a very rocky old mining road. My husband and I decided we wanted to really punish ourselves and we hiked up with an inflatable paddle board in addition to my stuff for camping. The hike is totally doable even with a lot of gear, just go slow and be careful of your footing. To be honest, I felt sorer after the hike down then after the hike up. So you make it up the trail and you come to a beautiful, small alpine lake. The lake is approximately .33 miles around and has trout for fishing. There is even an old homestead cabin to explore. The lake has many human-made fire pits scattered all around depending if you want to be right on the lake or if you want to tuck back farther into the woods. I found a spot close to the lake for easy paddle board access where I could hang my hammock. This was my first adventure in hammock camping and I actually enjoyed it. The views are so pretty and you are on the backside of Snowbird Ski Area. The area was beautiful and I wish I saw more wildlife (I have heard rumors of elk and moose sightings).

    I am giving this camping area 4 stars not because of the area itself (it is free, beautiful, relaxing, etc.) but because of the other people who were staying up there made it not the best night for a female solo camper with her dog. There was another group camping about 200 meters away but I don’t think they knew I was there and they were up late making a lot of noise. Every time I was about to fall asleep, I would hear them chop wood or yell for an echo or make some other non-natural noise that would keep me awake (plus my imagination would start to run away from me). There was also another couple who decided to camp up there and needed to borrow a lighter but ended up leaving around 2AM. So whenever they came close to my camp, my wonderful protective dog would growl and raise the alarm, again, inhibiting my ability to fall asleep. The other annoyance was the flies. I am not sure if it is just the spot that I chose that had a lot of flies or they would have followed me wherever I set up camp. They didn’t bite and were more annoying than anything. I think my dog ate a few dozen as they buzzed around her head. So due to those negatives, the spot gets dinged a star.

    Overall, it was worth carrying the paddle board up to the lake as I was able to relax and float and tool around. You can’t go very far but being on the water is always a good time. I could read my book in the hammock and go for exploratory hikes in the area. Final thought, it is National Forest camping so please, please, please follow leave no trace principles to keep the area nice for future visitors.

    Gear Review: Matador Camera Base Layer

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt I get the opportunity to test out gear from our awesome partners once in a while. While I was camping at Pittsburg Lake, I had the opportunity to try out the Matador Camera Base Layer. Because I am a glutton for punishment, I decided to haul a bunch of gear up to Pittsburg Lake and it included by nice DSLR camera. Photography is a fun hobby I have been playing around with for a few years, but I come across the problem of how to safely get my camera places without carrying either an additional camera bag that takes up a lot of space or wrapping my camera up in a sweatshirt or other piece of clothing to protect it with a smaller profile. Well, the Matador camera base layer has officially solved my problem. Hooray! The base layer is basically a padded, contoured, dry sack for my camera. Place the camera lens down, then roll and clip the top like a dry sack. It has holes to allow your camera neck or wrist straps to come through so you can wear your camera while it is being protected. Because it is from Matador, it is super lightweight but it does not feel flimsy, thin, or not durable. I was able to stuff my camera in the top of my paddle board bag while hiking up and down and I felt comfortable that nothing would be broken when I got to the top. It protected it from the dirt and dust that gets on everything when you are camping so it helped to keep things cleaner. I also took my camera for a hike with no additional backpacks and I clipped the base layer around my wrist so it wouldn’t get in the way. Besides being a bit hot, it was a great way to keep track of the base layer. I cannot convey how happy I am to have this piece of equipment in my gear box. While I am no Ansel Adams, being able to take more pictures with my camera and not just my phone while I am out on adventures will add another dimension to my activities and help me develop a new skill. The only thing I might want to improve is a small piece of Velcro on the bottom to help keep the waterproof cover inside its little pocket. But this is so minor in the grand scheme of things. If you are into photography at all, I highly recommend looking into this product.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Cascade Springs Dispersed Site

    Great Camping and Off-Roading

    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.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2022

    Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping

    Remote and spacious

    The GPS coordinates appear to be a bit further north from the accessible camping and it seems like a solar farm was built there recently. We kept driving south on the 196 for a few miles and took some washed out roads in closer to the mountains to find some campsites. Probably don’t need 4WD but low clearance vehicles might have trouble. Not the flatest pullouts but workable and you’ll have the area to yourselves. Lots of biting bugs and moths. Not much shade to be found.

  • Sara R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2020

    Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping

    Good primitive stop for an I-80 trip

    Good dispersed campsite, especially if you’re on a road trip along I-80 (which we were, evacuating from a wildfire in CA). There are no hookups or services. This is really just a spot of BLM land that has some fairly level sites cleared. Some sites probably required 4WD. Looks like it would be really fun for OHV’s. We were car camping, so didn’t have to worry to much about space. From what we could tell there were probably only a couple good spots for an RV or tow-behind. There are no reservations, just find a place where your car fits and park it.

    Rumor has it there’s a neat stream nearby, but we didn’t get a chance to check it out.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Goshen Road Dispersed Camping

    Pretty location

    Site is pretty dirty, some have never heard of leave no trace . It is 7 pm and still extremely hot not much shade up here at this location

  • Jon J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 30, 2023

    Cascade Springs Dispersed Site

    Amazing looking spot and very isolated

    There was a weird spot when Google maps told us to go right (staying on the paved road) while there was an "alternate" route up a dirt road to the coordinates on the dyrt. The dirt road is the correct way to get up there, don't follow the paved road.

    Pulling our small off road camper up was challenging in spots due to the heavy rutting and runoff but when we made it up it was a spectacular area!

    I'm sure this is a seasonal thing but we ended up bailing out and headed back down the mountain because of the mosquitos. I've never seen anything like it! We arrived around dusk and the mosquitoes were on us like starving piranhas as soon as we stepped out of the vehicle. Seriously, 40+ swarming each tire, all over the doors and windows, and us even after drenching ourselves with bug spray.

    We hope to try the spot again later in the season when all this moisture lets up a bit because it really looked lovely

  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2024

    Eagle Mountain Dispersed

    Remote but hard to get to

    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.


Guide to Tooele

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Tooele, Utah, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.

Dispersed campers should check out Horseshoe Knoll

  • Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping is a great option for those looking for a mix of accessibility and adventure, with some sites being easily reachable by vehicle while others require a 4x4.
  • This area allows pets and is free of charge, making it an excellent choice for families and pet owners who want to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank.
  • Be prepared for some bugs during the warmer months, as reviews mention swarms of mosquitoes and horse flies, so bringing bug spray is advisable.

Top activities while free camping near Tooele

  • Enjoy off-roading and mountain biking at Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping, where the rugged terrain offers endless trails for adventure seekers.
  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the scenic views and potential catches at Pittsburg Lake Dispersed, which is surrounded by stunning alpine scenery and provides a peaceful atmosphere for relaxation.
  • For those who enjoy hiking, Twin Peaks Wilderness Area - Dispersed offers backcountry sites that require a short hike, leading to breathtaking views and opportunities to spot wildlife like moose.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Tooele, Utah

  • When visiting Miner's Canyon Dispersed, be aware that the roads can be rough, so a vehicle with good clearance is recommended for a smoother experience.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles to keep the natural beauty intact, especially in areas like Eagle Mountain Dispersed, where the lack of amenities means you'll need to pack out all your trash.
  • If you're looking for a quieter experience, consider camping during the weekdays, as many spots like Seven Mile Pass can get crowded on weekends and holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free dispersed camping in Tooele County?

Tooele County offers several free dispersed camping options on BLM land. Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping provides level sites with easy access from I-80, making it convenient for road trips, though some sites may require 4WD. The area has no hookups or services. Another option is Miners Canyon BLM, which features scenic views of the surrounding landscape. When choosing a site, look for established clearings with existing fire rings, and be prepared to pack in all necessary supplies including water. Most dispersed sites in the area are primitive with no facilities, so bring everything you need and practice Leave No Trace principles.

Are there public lands available for free camping around Tooele?

Yes, several public land areas offer free camping around Tooele. Goshen Road Dispersed Camping provides free sites but has limited shade and can get very hot during summer months. For those seeking mountain landscapes, Cascade Springs Dispersed Site offers panoramic views of Mt. Timpanogos, though the access road requires 4WD and high clearance vehicles to navigate washouts and rocky terrain. Both locations are on public land with no fees or reservations required. BLM and National Forest lands throughout Tooele County provide numerous free camping opportunities, though these primitive sites lack amenities like water and restrooms, so come prepared with all necessary supplies.

What are the rules and permits required for dispersed camping in Tooele?

Dispersed camping in Tooele follows standard BLM regulations with no permits required for stays under 14 days. At Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry, you'll need to bring all supplies including water, as there are no amenities. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash - a significant issue at many sites. At Eagle Mountain Dispersed, fire rings are available at most sites, but campfires may be restricted during dry seasons and fire bans. Keep vehicles on established roads and camp in previously used sites. The 14-day limit is strictly enforced across BLM lands, after which you must relocate at least 25 miles away. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip.