Best Dispersed Camping near Wendover, UT

Dispersed camping dominates the landscape around Wendover, Utah, with numerous free BLM sites scattered along the edges of the Bonneville Salt Flats and throughout the Silver Island Mountains. Volcano Peak Campground offers primitive camping with stunning panoramic views of the salt flats, while sites like Pilot Peak Lookout and Rishel Mountain provide elevated perspectives from surrounding hillsides. These areas primarily support tent and RV camping without hookups or facilities, creating an authentic desert camping experience. The town of Wendover sits approximately 15-20 minutes from most camping areas, providing convenient access to supplies, fuel, and services for campers exploring this stark desert environment.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with most access routes featuring washboard dirt roads that become increasingly rough at higher elevations. As one camper noted, "The road is washboarded but totally doable. That leads you to the BLM parking lot with tons of spots all around." Weather presents notable challenges, particularly wind that can impact tent camping. Several visitors mention strong gusts, especially in exposed areas near the salt flats. Cell service remains surprisingly reliable at many sites, with Verizon users reporting fair to good coverage. Important regulations include the prohibition against camping directly on the Bonneville Salt Flats, though camping is permitted on adjacent BLM land.

Campers consistently praise the area for its exceptional stargazing opportunities and dramatic sunrise views over the salt flats. The landscape offers remarkable solitude despite proximity to Interstate 80, with one visitor describing it as "surprisingly quiet given the proximity to the freeway, gas station, and touristy area on salt flats." Wildlife sightings include pronghorn sheep in the mountain areas. Insect activity can be problematic, particularly flies before sundown. Most sites feature existing fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. The spacing between campsites provides privacy, with one camper noting, "There are many campsites and all are far away from each other. Very beautiful and calm. There are plenty of spots and you will barely see your neighbors."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Wendover, Utah (12)

    1. Volcano Peak Campground (Dispersed)

    40 Reviews
    Wendover, UT
    5 miles
    Website

    "You can’t camp on the salt flats but this is the next best thing. Unpaved road but very reasonable for even 2WD."

    "Private and quiet spot off the highway to camp near the Salt Flats. If you get a spot that can prevent some of the major winds in this area it will be best for you if you’re camping in a tent."

    2. Silver Island Mountains by Bonneville Salt Flats

    12 Reviews
    Wendover, UT
    4 miles

    "Set up camp near Bonneville salt flats above the Silver Island Mountains backcountry byway. There are many campsites and all are far away from each other. As well as far away from highway."

    "This is right next to the highway near Bonneville Flats. You can see the highway, but I can’t hear it right now, probably tonight I will be hearing it more. Couple of other campers just spread out."

    3. BLM by Salt Flats - Dispersed Site

    8 Reviews
    Wendover, UT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "Exit Bonneville Speedway. Head N past Sinclair (on right)."

    "This particular spot is at the base of the mountains and had a large flat area perfect for our Sprinter, a fire pit, and large rock formation great for climbing."

    4. BLM Site next to Salt Flats

    6 Reviews
    Wendover, UT
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 320-8300

    "Easy to find, very few people and beautiful views of the surrounding landscape! There weren’t any actual “sites” but you can set up most anywhere."

    "Easy access and close to Wendover. Large space with plenty of room to spread out."

    5. Rishel Mountain Dispersed Sites

    4 Reviews
    Wendover, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "We were able to drive in fairly easily despite long stretches of washboard roads and minor ruts. The surrounding area is beautiful and the night sky was stunning."

    "Just off the I-80 on your way to Wendover. The main things here are the views. I would recommend getting here close to sunset and leaving shortly after sunrise."

    6. Pilot Peak Lookout

    3 Reviews
    Wendover, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "Bonneville Speedway Access Rd > Left on Leppy Pass Rd till you reach a strange mysterious government building > Right on Silver Island Loop Rd > veer right on Volcano West Rd

    Dope spot on"

    "The wind on top of the hill was brutal around 8pm so I went back down the road a little ways to set up camp.
    Not many people here in late June and it is pretty warm, in the mid 80's."

    7. Bonneville Salt Flats BLM

    4 Reviews
    Wendover, UT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "You cannot camp on the salt flats but you can camp on the BLM property right north of the flats. The road will Y branch to the left of going to the parking spot of the flats."

    "I’ve loved visiting and driving across the Bonneville salt flats for decades."

    8. Lost Boys Peak Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Wendover, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "The road in here was a bit bumpy, a washboard type dirt road. But other than that it was a great place to camp. The weather was nice, a bit windy at times but tolerable."

    "We were able to find plenty of camp spots for our off road trailer but I bet any trailer could make it as the road was not crazy bumpy or anything. I remember it was super windy!"

    9. Dispersed Site at the Base of A Hill - BLM

    2 Reviews
    Wendover, UT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "The dispersed site that I camped at is about 100 yards north of this particular site on an unnamed dead end track. Both sites are located off of Lower Rishel Peak Rd."

    10. Cave Hill Dispersed Site

    1 Review
    Wendover, UT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "If you have 4x4 and some ground clearance you can make it to the top. Great secluded spot."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Wendover, UT

81 Reviews of 12 Wendover Campgrounds


  • Connor N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2021

    Rishel Mountain Dispersed Sites

    Beautiful views, extremely quiet, great access to Bonneville Salt Flats

    Spent an entire week and enjoyed every bit of it. We were able to drive in fairly easily despite long stretches of washboard roads and minor ruts. The surrounding area is beautiful and the night sky was stunning. No facilities, but that's to be expected. Verizon coverage was fair. Very easy access to the Bonneville Salt Flats and 20 minutes from Wendover and the NV line. Would absolutely stay again!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2024

    Silver Island Mountains by Bonneville Salt Flats

    Salt Flat camping

    Set up camp near Bonneville salt flats above the Silver Island Mountains backcountry byway. There are many campsites and all are far away from each other. As well as far away from highway. Site is very quiet but the flies before sundown are crazy. No bug spray works at all. They lick it off your skin and bite you regardless. Once sun goes down it's calm and peaceful. Great place to camp.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2021

    Volcano Peak Campground (Dispersed)

    Easy access close to salt flats

    You can’t camp on the salt flats but this is the next best thing. Unpaved road but very reasonable for even 2WD. There are plenty of sites along the road here and more private ones further in if you have 4WD and high clearance. Easy to get to West Wendover for supplies (and casinos!)

  • Nimit P.
    May. 15, 2021

    Volcano Peak Campground (Dispersed)

    Fantastic camping near Salt Flats

    Private and quiet spot off the highway to camp near the Salt Flats. If you get a spot that can prevent some of the major winds in this area it will be best for you if you’re camping in a tent. If you’re sleeping in a camper or vehicle it won’t matter.

  • Joshua D.
    Sep. 16, 2020

    Volcano Peak Campground (Dispersed)

    A thing of beauty

    This is a pristine area elevated a bit off the salt flats but with views for miles. With the mountains as the backdrop, they make for a great day hike. Wendover is nearby for supplies, and you’ll need them here as there are no hookups. This is a great wide open boon-docking stop over on our way west. Close to Hwy 80, and only slightly off the beaten path, but well worth the detour. BLM land.

  • Bentz E.
    Oct. 25, 2021

    Rishel Mountain Dispersed Sites

    Nothing to camp here for but the views

    Just off the I-80 on your way to Wendover. The main things here are the views. I would recommend getting here close to sunset and leaving shortly after sunrise. Awesome spot for some photography and you can get some good shots of the stars if you can get behind the mountains enough to block out the city lights from Wendover. There are bathrooms off the exit of the I-80

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2022

    Rishel Mountain Dispersed Sites

    mountain on bonneville salt flats

    north of the exit of the bonneville speedway gas station is public land on the mountains near the salt flats. many sites to choose and trails to ride. peaceful with a clear view of the stars, salt, and interstate.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Volcano Peak Campground (Dispersed)

    Stunning view and very dispersed

    This is an absolutely breathtaking spot. Right in the middle of nowhere. Quite far away from the highway and very dispersed camp sites.

    You have the mountains in the back and the salt flats in front of you. Very beautiful and calm. There are plenty of spots and you will barely see your neighbors.

    You have the occassional biker, hammering through the plains and the access road is a pain for any motor home or any vehicle for that matter. It got that wash board feeling and I was afraid it might rip appart my RV when I was going over pedestrian speeds. And its not serviced, so no hook ups or any other amenities.

    Other than that its a beautiful place to stay if you enjoy the deserted landscape and prefer to have a very private spot for the night.

  • Diane The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2022

    BLM by Salt Flats - Dispersed Site

    Wide open free BLM

    Exit Bonneville Speedway. Head N past Sinclair (on right). Veer to left, which is Leepy (if you stay right youre on the Peninsula easy turn around at end) about a mile in Leppy veer to the right on the dirt road. It is wash boarded but totally doable. That leads you to the BLM parking lot. There are tons of spots all around there. To the left will lead you back to Leepy. To the right there are tons more spots. Some level, some not. You will be able to find a turn around spot (I'm towing 33' TT) if you don't want to go the, what I was told 40 mile loop. It is wash boarded. Only potable water I found was KOA in West Wendover. They also have a dump. Has a tendency to get VERY windy.


Guide to Wendover

Dispersed camping sites around Wendover, Utah offer primitive accommodations on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Most sites sit at elevations between 4,200-5,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night even in summer months. The region receives less than 7 inches of annual rainfall, contributing to the stark desert ecosystem where juniper trees provide the only natural shade at higher elevations.

What to do

Explore cave formations: Near Cave Hill Dispersed Site, visitors can discover small caves in the surrounding hillsides. One camper notes, "If you have 4x4 and some ground clearance you can make it to the top. Great secluded spot."

Search for desert wildlife: The Silver Island Mountains house pronghorn sheep populations. At Lost Boys Peak Campsite, a visitor shared, "The surrounding hills have trails for days if you have a dirtbike or atv/utv and want to explore. It is parallel to the famous Bonneville Salt Flats."

Rock hounding opportunities: The mountains contain various mineral specimens including agate. As one camper mentioned at Volcano Peak, "If you want to rock hound there are better pieces of multicolored agate high up near the ridges of the range. There are still some lower on the slopes but are mostly clear to white from being thoroughly picked over."

What campers like

Level parking areas: Many sites feature naturally flat areas ideal for setting up camp. At BLM Site next to Salt Flats, one visitor noted, "Found a very level site, did not even need to unhook the trailer. I am definitely coming back when I have more time to explore."

Morning scenery: The interplay of light on the salt flats creates memorable morning views. A camper at Silver Island Mountains by Bonneville Salt Flats shared, "Camped here to go onto the salt flats for sunrise was a beautiful place. A few people parked here but were far enough away to have privacy, great free place to camp if visiting the salt flats."

Seasonal temperature variations: Spring and fall offer more moderate conditions. One visitor at Volcano Peak Campground noted, "Enjoyed easy access from the highway. Salt flats galore, tucked against beautiful mountains with gorgeous rocks to look at :-) It's quite a windy place, so dinner and breakfast were tough, but the wind settled at night and the stars were highly visible due to little light pollution."

What you should know

Road conditions vary by site: While main access roads remain passable for most vehicles, side routes may require higher clearance. At Rishel Mountain Dispersed Sites, a camper explained, "Spent an entire week and enjoyed every bit of it. We were able to drive in fairly easily despite long stretches of washboard roads and minor ruts."

Pest management essential: Rodents and insects can become problematic in warmer months. One camper at Volcano Peak warned, "Great spot and loved the view over the salt flats. Rodents chewed through our windshield fluid lines and god knows what else. Very unfortunate lol. 10/10 other than that so just be aware."

Tent staking challenges: The hard desert soil makes securing tents difficult. A visitor at Silver Island Mountains noted, "The ground is hard, so make sure to bring something soft to sleep on. The stacks were also a bit hard to get into place, even with a mallet."

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife watching opportunities: Children can observe desert wildlife from safe distances. A camper at Dispersed Site at the Base of A Hill - BLM mentioned, "No hiking trails, but it's easy to wander around in the desert and visit a nearby cave. Very peaceful. No one else around."

Cell service for emergencies: Despite remote locations, communication remains possible at most sites. A visitor at Lost Boys Peak reported, "We stayed here for a little over a week. The road in here was a bit bumpy, a washboard type dirt road. But other than that it was a great place to camp."

Spacing between campsites: Children have room to explore without disturbing neighbors. At Silver Island Mountains, a camper observed, "There's a lot of land, it can be confusing to know what is allowed, but just look for other overnighters, take a spot. Made a nice quick night stopover while roadtripping."

Tips from RVers

Trailer access considerations: Most areas accommodate smaller trailers with some navigation required. At Pilot Peak Lookout, a camper advised, "Watch the rocks on Volcano West rd as you approach the lookout - I made it with my 25 ft travel trailer, but be careful you don't bottom it out."

Alternative parking options: RVers can find various positioning options based on wind and views. One camper at BLM by Salt Flats explained, "This is a great spot. The road is washboarded but not bad at all in comparison to a lot of them we have been on at other sites. There are a lot of spots on this same road in both directions."

Limited protection from elements: RVs provide shelter in the often windy conditions. A visitor at Silver Island Mountains noted, "You can see for miles in every direction, but limited protection from wind. Wasn't too bad when I was there but I imagine it could be."

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is dispersed camping in Wendover from Salt Lake City?

Dispersed camping areas near Wendover are approximately 120-125 miles west of Salt Lake City, typically a 1.5 to 2-hour drive via I-80. Rishel Mountain Dispersed Sites is just off I-80 on the way to Wendover, making it convenient for travelers from Salt Lake City. The drive takes you across the vast Salt Lake Desert before reaching the camping areas. BLM by Salt Flats - Dispersed Site can be accessed by exiting at Bonneville Speedway and following directions north past the Sinclair station. Most sites are accessible within minutes of exiting the interstate, adding minimal additional travel time to the journey from Salt Lake City.

Where can I find dispersed camping near Bonneville Salt Flats?

Several excellent dispersed camping options exist near Bonneville Salt Flats. Volcano Peak Campground (Dispersed) offers pristine views elevated off the salt flats with mountain backdrops. It's accessible via unpaved but reasonable roads even for 2WD vehicles, with more secluded sites available for high-clearance 4WD vehicles. Another option is Silver Island Mountains by Bonneville Salt Flats, located above the Silver Island Mountains backcountry byway, featuring widely spaced campsites far from highway noise. While you cannot camp directly on the salt flats themselves, these nearby BLM areas provide stunning views and easy access to West Wendover for supplies.

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Wendover, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Wendover, UT is Volcano Peak Campground (Dispersed) with a 4.8-star rating from 40 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Wendover, UT?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 dispersed camping locations near Wendover, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.