Best Campgrounds near Vernon, UT

Camping options near Vernon, Utah include both established campgrounds and dispersed sites across public lands. Vernon Reservoir Campground, located in Tooele County, provides tent and RV sites with basic amenities including picnic tables, toilets, and trash facilities. The area also features several dispersed camping opportunities like Cherry Creek Campsites and Miner's Canyon Dispersed, where visitors can find more primitive camping experiences. Little Valley Campground stands out as one of the few locations offering cabin accommodations alongside traditional tent and RV sites, with amenities including electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities.

Road conditions and seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this region. Most campgrounds operate from spring through fall, with Vernon Reservoir Campground typically open from April to December. "Vernon Res. is a quaint little lake with a handful of campsites on its western shore. Most of the campgrounds are very open with little to no shade cover at all. The wind picks up a bit too, and will blow you away," noted one camper. Weather patterns can create challenging conditions, with several reviews mentioning strong winds and dust, particularly in exposed areas. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near developed campgrounds and potentially limited or non-existent service in more remote dispersed camping areas.

The landscape around Vernon offers diverse camping experiences centered around natural features. Lakeside camping at Vernon Reservoir provides fishing opportunities and scenic views, though campers should be prepared for open, exposed sites with minimal shade except for one particularly desirable spot. A visitor described, "The lake is good fishing. My son caught his first fish at this lake." Dispersed camping areas like Cherry Creek and Miner's Canyon offer more seclusion but fewer amenities. Several campgrounds in the region are popular with off-road vehicle enthusiasts, with nearby trails accessible from camping areas. Campers seeking more developed facilities might prefer established campgrounds like Little Valley, which offers amenities including electric hookups, showers, and drinking water, though these conveniences come with less privacy and potential for more neighbor noise.

Best Camping Sites Near Vernon, Utah (99)

    1. Ken's Lake Campground

    27 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    $20 / night

    "I loved the location because it wasn't far off the main highway, had decent road access and offered great views, a simple hike to a nice promontory and near running water (unpotable)."

    "This campsite is beautiful, and fairly close to Moab and the Arches entrance. There are gorgeous views of the mountains and cliffs and the lake is nice to hike around."

    2. Vernon Reservoir Campground

    4 Reviews
    Vernon, UT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 466-6411

    "Very busy with RVs but there is dispersed camping behind the resivoir. Good views. Good vibes."

    "I like that this locations feels primitive, but isn’t far from civilization. We went in March and it was a little cold, but we setup the trailer and the heater worked great."

    3. Fivemile Pass OHV

    8 Reviews
    Eagle Mountain, UT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "This is our go to campground if we don’t want to drive too far from our house."

    "One can hear the cars from the highway, but they are far enough. When I arrived around 8, there was one Atv crusing for another 15 minutes, but then silence for the whole night. Good spot and free!"

    4. Clover Springs Campground — Salt Lake Field Office

    6 Reviews
    Rush Valley, UT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 320-8300

    $12 - $45 / night

    "Minus a star for no running water and proximity to a busier road."

    "If you park on the south side you get close access to the springs. $12 for a single car and it was self serve."

    5. Little Valley Campground

    1 Review
    Vernon, UT
    12 miles
    +1 (801) 798-3571

    6. Seven Mile Pass

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

    7. Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    20 Reviews
    Saratoga Springs, UT
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "Directions brought us right to the location. Road was rough into the sites and were hard to determine specific sites. Ended up pulling into edge of field. Definitely a good quiet night's sleep"

    "Spent a few nights there, easy access to Saratoga Springs for water, dump, and groceries."

    8. Cherry creek

    1 Review
    Vernon, UT
    20 miles
    +1 (385) 335-7347

    "Nice thing to is its right next to the sand dunes as well. Just make sure to bring lots of water and possibly shade if you decide to go in the middle of the summer."

    9. Ophir Canyon Campground

    3 Reviews
    Stockton, UT
    24 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!"

    10. Settlement Canyon/Legion Park Campground

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

    $15 - $30 / night

    "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."

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Vernon, UT

495 Reviews of 99 Vernon Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    Easy drive and beautiful view

    EDIT: Okay I lied. The bugs have infiltrated my tent. I don’t even know how but they have. I can hear the rest of them outside trying to find a way in. I didn’t even have any lights on. I’m scared and itchy and I hate bugs. Come here to watch the sunset and leave.

    The sites are trashed. I think people live here full time. You can hear generators running at night and occasional gunshots in the distance (shooting range). There’s giant fly swarms all over that you hear buzzing all night. There’s little to no privacy. I should really give it two or three stars but DAMN is it beautiful. Great sunrise and sunset spot right on the water with the mountains in front and behind you. Plenty of spots you can get to with 2WD. I didn’t venture up the hill because it seems a little more unlikely I’d make it, but like I said, plenty of other spots.

  • Allisson G.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Uinta National Forest Hope Campground

    Great views, lots of Yellowjacket’s

    The yellowjackets were pretty annoying to deal with until after dusk and they’re right back out as soon as it’s light. My husband and I camped at an overlook spot about a mile north of this campground and it was an amazing view, little car activity but lots of yellowjackets. I’d recommend bringing a trap and wear peppermint essential oil to deter

  • Taylor K.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Tinney Flat

    Great spot!

    There is a sign on the way up that says no dispersed camping, but that’s just for a specific area. A little ways past that it switches back to free dispersed. Nice quiet spot with hardly anyone else! Cute stream and mountain bike track on the way up too.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Lakeside RV Campground

    Nice quiet park

    Friendly staff nice level sites pull through FHU grassy spot between sites.

  • Doug B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Spanish Oaks Campground

    Great views

    Great campground with nice views. Fun mbt trails..and easy access to paved Spanish Fork river trail.

  • Dan R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Ken's Lake Campground

    Great spot in Moab

    Spent two nights here over Labor Day weekend. 10 minutes to the heart of Moab and 20 minutes to Arches.

    Despite the reports of others, I had decent 5G Verizon service and occasionally 5G UW.

  • Adam  B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Mount Timpanogos Campground

    It’s like a little Switzerland

    Very quiet, sites are pretty level. Currently the vault toilets are closed but they have portable toilets available that appear to be cleaned every 3 days. Host Sara is very nice. Cell service Verizon and att is decent. Road up is steep but smooth. Lots of cars parked on the road near the campsite makes for difficult driving around on tight roads in our 26.5 foot RV but we were able to do it. Mountains are very beautiful up here. As always people don’t seem to understand the concept of pack it in pack it out so there is some trash but much better than most other sites. We always end up having to pick up after others because most people just don’t seem to care and figure someone else will do it for them. Keep it Better than you found it.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Squaw Peak Road Dispersed

    Great spot near the cities

    Getting here can be challenging, very steep incline , tight corners , and some spots have bumpy dirt roads. Perfect for tent camping and small trailers , spots are not big enough for bigger RVs and and trailers

  • j
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Settlement Canyon/Legion Park Campground

    4/5 stars, nothing special

    $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


Guide to Vernon

Camping near Vernon, Utah, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do:

  • Fishing: The Vernon Reservoir Campground is a great spot for fishing. One reviewer mentioned, "The reservoir had good fishing; we caught a couple tiger trout."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Settlement Canyon/Legion Park Campground. A camper shared, "Great areas for hiking and is really close to the reservoir for some awesome fishing."
  • Stargazing: Many campers enjoy the clear night skies. One visitor at Ken's Lake Campground noted, "Beautiful stars at night."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning scenery. A review for Miners Canyon BLM said, "The view is pretty. Beware of coyotes if you have animals."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peacefulness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Miner's Canyon Dispersed mentioned, "There were about 30 other campers and it was very quiet."
  • Spacious Campsites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. One review for Willow Park Campground stated, "Each site had fire pit and picnic table."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Many campgrounds, like Grantsville Reservoir, lack amenities. A camper warned, "There are absolutely NO TREES anywhere! So it can get super windy and uncomfortable in a tent if a storm blows through."
  • Busy on Weekends: Expect crowds during weekends. A visitor at Fivemile Pass OHV noted, "Lots of places to do dispersed camping, but you might get annoyed with the noise of the ATVs."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. One camper at Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry mentioned, "Mosquitos were terrible, bring bug spray!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby lakes or parks. A review for Ken's Lake Campground highlighted, "The kids loved being able to play in the park."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids, especially near water. One camper at Miner's Canyon Dispersed advised, "It's definitely not a place you walk around with kids."
  • Plan for Comfort: Bring extra gear for shade and wind protection. A visitor at Willow Park Campground noted, "No much shade here."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Road Conditions: Some campgrounds have rough access roads. A reviewer at Miners Canyon BLM mentioned, "The road gets graveled but dirt bikes and ATVs come through and mess it up some."
  • Space for Big Rigs: Look for campgrounds that accommodate larger vehicles. A camper at Fivemile Pass OHV said, "This spot is right off the highway and it’s huge! Ample camping for tons of people."
  • Stay Hydrated: Many campgrounds lack water hookups. A visitor at Vernon Reservoir Campground reminded, "Must carry in all water."

Camping near Vernon, Utah, has its perks and challenges. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a memorable outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Vernon, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Vernon, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 99 campgrounds and RV parks near Vernon, UT and 29 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Vernon, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Vernon, UT is Ken's Lake Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 27 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Vernon, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Vernon, UT.