2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Vernon Reservoir Campground permits pets throughout its primitive campsites spread along the western shore. This quaint reservoir location offers a mix of open camping areas with minimal shade and one completely shaded site nestled against a cliff on the southern shore. Several dispersed camping areas surround the reservoir for overflow during busy weekends. Pets must remain on leash at all campsites, and owners should bring waste bags as no pet waste stations are provided. The campground features picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets but lacks drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies for both themselves and their animals. The wind picks up considerably across the open areas of the reservoir, which can affect pets sensitive to weather changes.
Seven Mile Pass and Fivemile Pass OHV areas provide extensive free dispersed camping options for pet owners seeking more remote experiences with their animals. Both areas permit dogs with standard leash requirements when outside vehicles or tents. These locations feature minimal facilities, with Fivemile Pass offering vault toilets spread throughout its extensive camping zone while Seven Mile Pass has no toilet facilities available. The terrain is largely exposed desert with little to no shade, requiring pet owners to plan accordingly during hot months. Water access for dogs remains limited across all these camping areas, so bringing ample supplies is essential. Deeper sections of these dispersed areas typically offer more solitude away from the noise of ATVs and the nearby highway, which some pets may find distressing. The sandy ground remains stable enough for most camping setups despite the desert environment.
"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!"
"The last time I camped there some folks buried their dead cat down by the water access. This seems to be somewhat common as there are two other pet graves located nearby."
"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."
"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."
"15 a night Dogs allowed"
from $15 / night
"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."
"Can be a bit windy some days but nice spread out area with beautiful views of mountains and Utah lake."
"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."
"Nice canyon and lots of walking trails. They dont have potable water, so bring plenty of water"
"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."
from $15 - $40 / night
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 options near Vernon, Utah include primitive sites along Vernon Reservoir's western shore and more remote opportunities at Seven Mile Pass and Fivemile Pass. Located approximately 35 miles southwest of Tooele at 5,500 feet elevation, this high desert terrain experiences significant seasonal temperature fluctuations. Nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing even during summer months, requiring campers to pack extra layers regardless of season.
Fishing at the reservoir: Vernon Reservoir Campground offers good fishing opportunities for families. "The lake is good fishing. My son caught his first fish at this lake. Fun times!" notes Derek E. The reservoir is stocked with tiger trout according to campers who visited in fall 2022.
Off-roading adventures: Fivemile Pass OHV provides extensive trail systems for off-road enthusiasts. "Great for OHV. That's about it. Not the best place to camp. You can stay for 14 days for free. Outhouses are spread throughout," explains Chris J. The area attracts many ATV users, especially during weekends.
Hiking nearby trails: Access multiple hiking trails from Cherry Creek Campsites for day excursions. "Remote spot right next to a creek. Listening to the creek flow is great," reports Dylan B. Though primarily known for motorized recreation, the surrounding terrain offers opportunities for exploring on foot.
Mountain views: The panoramic vistas from camping areas around Vernon feature both desert landscapes and mountain backdrops. "With 5th wheel, took a couple sites before we were happy. Landed with large windows facing lake, lovely," shares Kevin H. about his experience at Miner's Canyon Dispersed.
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. "This place is pretty amazing with beautiful views of the sunrise, sunset and stars," reports Alisa P. about Fivemile Pass OHV. Clear desert air enhances visibility of celestial objects throughout most of the year.
Wildlife encounters: Morning and evening wildlife viewing adds to the camping experience. "You'll love sitting around your campfire watching the deer scamper in the mountains," notes Donna L. about her stay at Settlement Canyon/Legion Park Campground. Various small mammals and birds frequent camping areas throughout the region.
Weather considerations: Wind conditions affect camping comfort throughout the region. "It wasn't busy. The sites are mostly exposed and many don't have even ground to park and level a trailer," Tara explains about Vernon Reservoir Campground. Temperature swings between day and night can exceed 30 degrees.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping areas provide minimal or no services. "This is the desert and there is no water so come prepared. Please leave no trace and clean up after yourself," advises Jeremy H. about Fivemile Pass OHV. Campers should plan to pack out all trash and bring sufficient supplies.
Cell service variability: Connectivity changes dramatically depending on precise location. "The only two bad things that we noticed it was there was a lot of trash left over at the campground from the previous occupants. And there is no cell service at all unless you're up near the gate," Warren W. reports about Settlement Canyon/Legion Park Campground.
Plan for temperature changes: Pack extra layers for children as desert nights get cold even in summer. "We went in March and it was a little cold, but we setup the trailer and the heater worked great," shares Shad G. about Vernon Reservoir Campground. Morning temperature differentials can surprise unprepared campers.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer better facilities for families with young children. "We only stayed overnight but it was a blast! The campsites had good space between each other. Each one had a fire pit and picnic table. We woke up to see cows in the morning which the kids loved," explains Carlee G. about her experience at Settlement Canyon.
Insect protection: Flies and other insects can become problematic in certain areas. "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!" warns Alisa P. about Seven Mile Pass. Bringing insect repellent and screened shelters helps manage this issue.
Site selection for leveling: Finding flat spots requires advance planning or early arrival. "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 Marius about Ophir Canyon Campground.
Water conservation strategies: With no hookups at most sites, RVers must manage water carefully. "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," notes Connor O. about Seven Mile Pass. Dog friendly campgrounds near Vernon require bringing extra water supplies for pets.
Generator considerations: Plan generator usage around neighboring campers in dispersed areas. "Larger RVs occasionally run generators which can be noisy," Joshua E. explains about Miner's Canyon Dispersed camping area. Many campers in the Vernon area prefer these remote locations specifically for the quiet they provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Vernon, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Vernon, UT is Vernon Reservoir Campground with a 3.3-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Vernon, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 82 dog-friendly camping locations near Vernon, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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