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

    9 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

    7 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

    22 Reviews
    Saratoga Springs, UT
    31 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."

    "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"

    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

502 Reviews of 99 Vernon Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Squaw Peak Road Dispersed

    A hard way to the Top

    We fought hard to get to the spot. Up to Hood Campground, the road was a normal, winding road. Really great. After that, however, a stretch began that was really only suitable for 4WDs. Rocks, deep ruts, etc. We managed it with the 2WD, but we had to give it our all. There aren't many spots. The spot we found was right on the mountain in the forest, but it wasn't worth the effort. We still enjoyed the night very much. We didn't have an internet connection with T-Online. Apparently, the spot serves the locals as a picnic destination, love nest, or even wedding photo spot until sunset. We had a bit of everything that evening ;)

  • Jeff R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    Beautiful spot but trash everywhere

    Great views of the lake and surrounding mountains, but has trash, broken glass and junk everywhere.

  • 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.

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Fivemile Pass OHV

    Amazing Night Sky

    This place is pretty amazing with beautiful views of the sunrise, sunset and stars. Lots of ORV trails for the off road enthusiasts. Problem…SO MANY FLIES. They don’t bite or sting but you could not be outside for very long before they were in everyone’s drinks and personal space! By sunset they were gone so watching the stars was enjoyable. I just wished we could have spent more time outside during our time at camp. We did discover someone had dumped all their garbage close by so that might have been part of the problem🤷‍♀️.

  • a
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Willow Park Campground

    Easy to get to, next to River

    We were able to get a spot next to the Jordan River under a beautiful tree. We brought our 16ft camper and didn’t need to back it in or anything. Spot was decently clean except for a leftover watermelon (which the kids gave to a family of ducks that visited the next morning.)

    Nighttime was quiet after about 10pm. Crickets and some frogs serenaded most of the night. No neighbors on a Thursday night.

    Stunning sunrise—perfect views of Mt. Timp.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Spanish Oaks Campground

    Spanish Fork campsite with view

    Up in the hills, Spanish Oaks campground is not a typical campground. It’s close to a suburban area and there is active development of homes in the immediate area. It’s a very convenient location if you are passing through the area..

  • 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


Guide to Vernon

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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 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.