3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Vernon works as a base for west desert camping in the Tooele County area, with BLM land on multiple sides and access roads that stay passable for standard vehicles in dry conditions. Camping near Vernon draws those who want dispersed sites without the crowds that come with the Wasatch canyon corridors. No developed campgrounds in Vernon itself. BLM dispersed sites outside Vernon cover the no-fee options with no reservation requirements.
Water is not available at any dispersed site in this area. Bring everything for the full stay. The terrain is open high desert with limited shade and significant temperature swings between day and night even in summer. Fire restrictions apply during dry periods. Check with the Salt Lake BLM field office before going. Cell coverage is spotty past the main highway junction.
"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."
"This was a stop on the pony express and there are ruins nearby. A band of mustangs sometimes frequents the spring across the road. Be aware there are rattle snakes."
"You can occasionally see the Army practicing out in the distance which is pretty cool as well. We use Xfinity Mobile which is on the Verizon network and had no cell service at the campground. "
Available next weekend
from $15 - $65 / night
"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!"
"A 20 minute drive from camp and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see some of the last wild horses in the country. Free dispersed area, flat, 2wd safe, plenty of space for every size rig."
"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."
from $12 - $45 / night
"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."
"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"
"Spots have picnic tables, are a good distance from each other, close to the creek, and there’s a pit toilet. Lots of cow pies, woke up up surrounded by 12 cows."
"A bit crowded when we arrived around 7:30pm but we managed to find a site without issue."
from $15 / night
"Can be a bit windy some days but nice spread out area with beautiful views of mountains and Utah lake."
"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."
LegendHad a good experience here. No one bothered us at all during our stay. There are a lot of RVs using the dispersed camps along the road here but this one was open and empty. Not many big rig friendly sites, but there are a couple. I love the the NP pass covers cost. No issue with bugs. There are a few hiking trails close by as well! No trash services so remember to pack it out with you!
GuideCool spot with lots of different options. However it wasn’t as peaceful as you’d expect. There were people driving around all hours of the night shooting, dumping trash, and walking around. Overall decent spot to stay for the night outside of town. Just be cautious.
LegendNice little campground with several pull through spots and several back ins Showers and bathrooms were clean and nice. Outside of the major town on Utah Lake so fairly quiet, although it is next to a smaller airport which has planes coming and going most of the time. At least they are all small planes so they don’t make too much noise. Nice playground.
ScoutThe rock formations are cool and fun to explore, but unfortunately the flies completely ruined this spot for us. I’ve camped in plenty of places with bugs, but I’ve never experienced flies this bad. If you stood still for more than a few seconds, you would literally be swarmed by them. There are cattle and bison in the surrounding area, so I’m guessing that contributes to the fly problem. Whatever the cause, they were relentless. It was so bad that after about 20 minutes, we gave up, packed everything back up, and left. Based on our experience, I would never camp here again.
Traveler10/1/26 no one is here? What great park. Washrooms are clean nice trails, layed back spot. Most all sites are level with great tent platform.
GuideI started at site 24 which was extremely shaded and had a cute little beach area along the creek. Then I stayed in site 10 which was more secluded from other sites but parking is just parallel to the main campground road. Site 10 was also a lot sunnier and had a more open view of the rock cliffs. After that I moved to site 7 for 2 nights and I did like the walk down stairs to my table and fire area, it made it feel more secluded from the other sites. I also liked the creek access. I stayed my last night in 24 which was a good balance of shade and openness. Also the cell service was a lot better at 22 and 24 as opposed to site 10 and 7.
ScoutVery clean and well kept property. Every space has a well groomed lawn with a ton of space between the sites. There is a nice trail that goes up the hill that is perfect for walking the dogs and gettin a panoramic view of the valley.
I highly recommend this park.
ScoutStopped here for a couple of nights heading to Montana and was happy with the stay. The only complaint was the sites are close together, besides that it's quiet and peaceful with a bunch of shaded trees. The airport next door is kind of active, but nothing to bitch about. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Pretty Cool Campground.
TravelerWe decided to try this out and turned out to be pretty awesome, no service to help kids connect with nature and get away from the mundane. Never had any problems with animals saw a bunch of cows, lots of squirrels but not much else. Was really safe
Camping near Vernon, Utah provides access to remote desert landscapes at elevations around 4,500 feet. The region experiences temperature swings of 30-40°F between day and night, particularly in spring and fall. Most roads to dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles due to rutted conditions, with local campgrounds offering limited cell service outside major carriers.
Fishing opportunities: Vernon Reservoir Campground offers fishing for tiger trout and other species. "The reservoir had good fishing; we caught a couple tiger trout. We camped in early October and the algae was extreme," notes one visitor to Vernon Reservoir Campground.
Stream exploration: Clover Springs Campground features a small natural waterway perfect for children. "It has a nice little creek. Great for kids and dogs to play in. Very few deep spots. Not really a fishing spot and if you were to catch it would be small," reports a camper at Clover Springs Campground.
OHV riding: Seven Mile Pass area offers extensive trails for off-highway vehicles. "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," states one reviewer who frequented the area.
Mountain views: Miner's Canyon Dispersed camping provides panoramic vistas. "Easy drive into the area, paved road up until you turn down toward the lake. Nice gravel road for the next half mile... Overall the place was clean and felt safe," says a camper at Miner's Canyon Dispersed.
Paraglider watching: From certain dispersed sites, you can watch paragliders on weekends. "The view is gorgeous in the mornings and evenings. Watching the paragliders on the weekends is cool as well," mentions a visitor to Miner's Canyon.
Solitude during weekdays: Campgrounds near Vernon are significantly less crowded midweek. "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," reports a visitor to Ophir Canyon Campground.
Wind conditions: Many camping areas experience significant wind, particularly in exposed sites. "There's no shade so be prepared. It's not spectacular and heavily used by the ATV crowd but you can easily find a decent place for an overnight," advises a camper about Seven Mile Pass.
Water availability: No potable water exists at most dispersed sites. "No bathrooms anywhere, it's as roughing it as it can get. And the wind sometimes is fierce and relentless," states a visitor to Miner's Canyon Dispersed.
Seasonal temperature variations: Nights can drop below freezing even when days are warm. "We went in March and it was a little cold, but we setup the trailer and the heater worked great. There are several dispersed areas around for the weekends when this place is probably crowded," notes a camper at Vernon Reservoir Campground.
Creek access for kids: Clover Springs offers a shallow creek ideal for children. "We stayed here last summer and will probably go back again in a couple weeks. It's a nice little campground if you have a water filter," recommends a visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Settlement Canyon provides chances to see deer and other wildlife. "We woke up to see cows in the morning which the kids loved. Had some great areas for hiking and is really close to the reservoir for some awesome fishing," shares a camper at Settlement Canyon.
Mine exploration nearby: Cherry Creek area features old mines that can be explored with proper vehicles. "My friends and I go here every year to go camping! It's a fantastic place to go and explore old mines and great views! Just bring your side by sides and/or four wheelers," suggests a visitor to Cherry Creek.
Campground levels: Many sites require leveling blocks for trailers. "Sites are fairly level. However you will definitely need blocks if you bring a trailer/pull behind. Got the last site. Definitely get near the water and trees if you can," advises an RVer at Clover Springs.
Generator noise considerations: Running generators can disturb neighbors in quieter campgrounds. "Fun little place. Well known judging by the number of people camping there. Overall fairly quiet and enjoyable evening," notes a camper at Miner's Canyon Dispersed.
Limited hookups: Most sites are dry camping with no services. "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," shares an RV camper about Vernon Reservoir.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Vernon, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Vernon, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 107 campgrounds and RV parks near Vernon, UT and 33 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 Vernon Reservoir Campground with a 3.3-star rating from 4 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Vernon, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 free dispersed camping spots near Vernon, UT.
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