Best Dispersed Camping near Vernon, UT

Recent Dispersed Reviews near Vernon, Utah

89 Reviews of 24 Vernon Campgrounds

• 

  Sara R.

  Ranger

  

  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.

• 

  allison W.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 23, 2022

  White Rocks Dispersed Camping

  Underdeveloped and underrated

  This is such a cool spot and one of the many reasons I can’t get Utah out of my outdoorsy heart. On BLM land, so it’s pretty much up to you where you camp and how you set yourself up, provided you follow basic courtesy and common sense. The rock formations out here are magnificent and so much fun for all ages. The camping area down below has soft soil to make for easy staking and is protected and shaded by leafy trees. Definitely worth a visit and costs nothing.

• 

  Ben H.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 17, 2024

  Squaw Peak Road Dispersed

  Bumpy road

  The road leading here is very bumpy. There are two specific spots that are really bad. 4x4 is almost a requirement. I did however see some people make it up in a van so it is possible. The coordinates lead to an open field with a lot of campsites. I would suggest parking in the lot a little further ahead on the left. This road is a popular destination so people ride up and down it a lot. The views are well worth it and there is also some hiking trails around here as well. There are more dispersed camping sites further along this road. I was able to get a very spotty one bar signal of Verizon while near the coordinates.

• 

  Rebecca W.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 5, 2021

  Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping

  Great camping if you’ve got ATVs

  Tons of dispersed camping areas along the 196. We stayed about 12 miles off of the I-80, on the east side of the 196. Beautiful views, wide open spaces and super quiet. LOTS of mosquitoes and flies. We brought a 30’ RV with a lifted Ram 2500 and had no problem driving over the washouts. Lots of ATV traffic during the day, but we rarely heard anything.

• 

  Connor O.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 21, 2022

  Seven Mile Pass

  Tons of dispersed camping

  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.

• D

  Dexter V.

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 5, 2021

  Miner's Canyon Dispersed

  There's a lake

  Simple primitive camping, a few spots for rv and trailers to pull through, good amount of area to pitch a tent. Rock fire rings, not too far from town. Pretty quiet, some road noise. Fantastic lake and mountain views.

• 

  Devin B.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 11, 2024

  Salamander Flat

  It’s a campsite

  After a long day of travel we just wanted to get to any site and camp. This is a national forest so there is technically a park permit required. However, we have an annual park pass and they accept that as well. It is an honor system kind of park permit. They ask you to scan the QR code or pay at the self pay station. $10 for a 3day pass, $20 for a 7 day pass.

  The drive up to this site is winding and the cars seem to be used to driving it because they come around the corners pretty fast. Drive carefully and stay on your side of the road. It site is just after mile marker 17.

  The site is huge! Lots of space for people, cars, RVs and trailers. The road is paved until you turn in and then it’s a regular dirt road.

  The major con in this park in general is the bathrooms are yucky especially at this site.

  This seems to be a local hangout for the youngsters as well. They were not a bother to us however, they were letting loose, having a good time at their site. They left around 11 or so.

  No service with AT&T

• D

  Dievs

  Scout

  

  Oct. 10, 2022

  Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping

  Private feel

  You can see other campers but they are so far away from you, and if you park facing away from them, it's nice and feels pretty private. Easy to find camping spots, even big enough for our 32' no problem. Could easily see much larger RV's fitting in and getting out easy. We took a spot in the beginning I think about the 4th one you pass.

• 

  Rebecca L.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 7, 2024

  Goshen Road Dispersed Camping

  Goshen Rd free campsites

  There is one campsite with a sign that says 3 day public camping. It is a huge dirt lot with a few shade trees and creek. About 1/4 mile after this location are 5 more Creekside campsites on the left side of the road ( if coming from Goshen ) they are unmarked. All campsites in this area are on BLM or state land. Please do not overstay your welcome. They have discussed blocking them off due to people staying for way to long and leaving trash.

• J

  Justin T.

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 27, 2020

  Dugway Pass Dispersed Camping

  Serene views of the Great Basin

  Many dispersed campsites surrounding the Pony Express Road over Dugway pass. The geode beds are nearby, as is Topaz Mountain, both excellent rockhounding experiences.

  Each campsite has a pull off and a rock fire pit.

  Expect to see antelope, herds of sheep and wild horses!

• 

  kiloalpha 2.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 4, 2023

  Miner's Canyon Dispersed

  Don't Look the Gift Horse in the Mouth

  This is a beautiful lakeside camp site ruined by people who dump their trash on the side of camp and throw glass bottles everywhere. It might not be bad if you're secluded inside a plush RV, but it's definitely not a place you walk around with kids.

  There are plenty of camp sites here so it's best to have an off-road capable vehicle that will take you away from most of the mess. The trails look like hard and rocky, but it's soft dirt so be careful of getting stuck in places with deep muddy ruts.

  On a Tuesday night in October, it was nice and quiet. No bugs or high winds, although I'd recommend checking the weather forecast beforehand. There's nothing to protect you from the wind here.

• 

  Megan H.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 26, 2021

  Salamander Flat

  Up busy AF canyon

  Free campground near the top of American Fork canyon (which unfortunately is getting over-crowded). Minimal privacy, but if you need a place to crash for the night to start an early morning hike or ride, this place will do the job. The trails do go right through the campsite.

• 

  Bill M.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 4, 2021

  Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry

  Easy and quiet

  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!

• r

  rachel

  Traveler

  

  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.

• 

  Michelle B.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 20, 2019

  Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry

  Near Utah Lake Backcountry

  FREE! No amenities! Must carry in all water.  Shooting Range nearby. Great for ATVs and off road vehicles. Hiking is easy to moderate in abilty. Fire ring established in most common camp areas. Animals allowed. Close to Utah Lake.

• M

  Malcolm C.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 18, 2023

  Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry

  Good in a pinch, but shouldn't be your first option

  It's not great. Next to a shooting range and orv trails, so you'll hear that. Shrubs and a few small trees dominate the landscape, so there isn't much privacy. Roads were bumpy, but manageable. Access depends on where you go, Several paths to take w other sites. Lots of trash. Rock fire pits. Amazing views of the mountains behind Provo and Utah Lake. Full cell service w At&t. Free!

• S

  Sean K.

  Scout

  

  May. 21, 2023

  Cherry Creek Campsites

  Nice spot

  Came out here because the road washed out at Paul Bunyan's log pile. Wide open, easy to find a secluded spot. No hiking, no services, decent cell reception. It would be a great spot if you have ATVs, dirt bikes, etc. I just needed a place to try out some new gear so this place worked out.

• 

  Connor O.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 21, 2022

  Lone Peak Cirque Dispersed

  Really rough hike, but lots of options at the end.

  Be prepared, there is no easy way up lone peak to any suitable camping. It's a lot of elevation, with little shade until you get to the top. And no promise of water. If you do it, you are rewarded with amazing views and a secluded experience. I've camped at the outlaw cabin before and it was hard but serene.

• 

  toni C.

  Traveler

  

  Feb. 15, 2023

  Miner's Canyon Dispersed

  Possible private property

  We arrived at a campsite and there are posted no tresspassing signs

  Be warned

• 

  Ash S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 18, 2021

  Salamander Flat

  Nice area but loud traffic

  Nice area and large camping sites. Toilet available. There's a river to play in at a pull off just a few minutes down the road. Tons of trails. A couple of deer wandered right through our campsite.

  Downside- the campsites are really close to the main Alpine Loop road and there are cars constantly driving past. There were also several cars that drove by from midnight-3am that we were so loud (inviduals screaming, hooting, while blasting music at full volume with windows down) they woke us up.

• 

  Caroline E.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 17, 2022

  Squaw Peak Road Dispersed

  Quick Camping

  I needed a place to car camp for the night and this place was easy enough. Keep following the road until it becomes dirt, and there are plenty of pull offs. I saw several cars making it up the road just fine, but I wouldn’t have wanted to take a car up there. Road gets rough the further up you get. Pretty busy in June but I arrived late and had no problem finding a secluded spot to pull off.

• 

  Alan B.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 22, 2019

  Lone Peak Cirque Dispersed

  Best Cirque Camping in all of Utah!

  I've been wanting to summit Lone Peak since I first moved to Utah in 2012.  Since then I've become an avid climber/mountaineer and decided that the only way I'm gonna stand on top is if I climb the 500' cirque walls to the top!  These collection of primitive campgrounds is the base camp for any such climb and for people that can't do the standard hiking trail in a day or just want to spend some time in a glorious alpine cirque!  The trail up is steep, dusty and downright loose, but the payback at the top is unlike any other Wasatch hike I've done! When you arrive in the cirque you're greated by 270 degrees of granite wall towering up to 600' tall!

  The campsites are scattered along the trail with the first coming about a mile for the cirque proper on the right in a meadow.  More campsites pop up as you head up to the right off the standard hiking trail and up to the cirque.  Once in the cirque you can toss your tent up or simply lay on the ground with a bivy as it is soft and flat enough.  Be warned however to bring a lot of water (at least 3 L each) and a filter if you plan on staying overnight in the cirque.  All water is runoff so also make sure there is still snow up there as that is your only water supply.  Water typically runs dry in mid July but in fat snowpack years like this last one, the snow looks like it'll last into the first couple weeks of September!  Just remember to be safe and keep an eye on the weather to the west, this ain't your typical Wasatch outing!

• K

  Kyler N.

  Ranger

  

  Nov. 12, 2020

  Squaw Peak Road Dispersed

  Good campsites close to Provo

  Had to hike in because it was closed to vehicles when my wife and I went. It was a fun and beautiful hike. Plenty of campsites!

• 

  Tyler R.

  Ranger

  

  Nov. 14, 2021

  Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping

  Great for cooler weather

  Quick and easy camp site for an adventure in skull valley. We had the place to ourselves and had no issues finding it. Great views and a fun place to hang out alone in the desert.

• 

  Lauren R.

  Traveler

  

  May. 29, 2023

  White Rocks Dispersed Camping

  Cool Campground near Dugway

  Stayed there for Memorial Day weekend and had a really good time. Even though it was a holiday it wasn’t too busy, there were still a couple campsites available by the time I went to sleep. The campsites themselves were beautiful, there’s a massive rock you can climb with small caves for exploring. I’ve heard some people camp in the caves which sounds like my personal h*ll but if that’s your thing the caves are accesible for that. The view from the top of the rock is really pretty, you can see the whole valley with the mountains in the distance. Overall, the area is pretty wide open, not a lot of coverage since it’s the desert. Would recommend camping in spring or bringing shade. I saw families with ATVs and dirt bikes, lots of room for that stuff. There are campsites available for larger groups and RV’s.

  I would recommend driving a 4x4, it is a dirt road to get there and a little bumpy. I drove my VW Taos which is back wheel and was fine, but some areas were a little sketchy.

  One downside is that it was a little noisy camping here. There were people shooting not too far from camp. The site is also close to Dugway Proving Grounds so there was a loud explosion sound at one point as well.

  Overall great experience and I would recommend!

• 

  Maya G.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 17, 2024

  Miners Canyon BLM

  It was fine

  Rough roads. The main one isn’t so bad but the side roads are awful. Tons of flies. Like actually so many. Campsites are far away from each other which was nice. Fire ring was filled with trash. Lake is disgusting, dead fish on shore and trash, don’t swim in it. An obviously “long term” resident said he wouldn’t swim in it, one of the factories on the other side of the lake dump into it.

• 

  Spencer L.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 31, 2020

  Squaw Peak Road Dispersed

  Nice to be alone

  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. This site is 400-500 yards away from the next closest collection of camp sites. There is excellent privacy and a nice breeze that carries the smell of sage and mint through the area.