Ogden Valley opens up behind Snowbasin and Powder Mountain, and the dispersed camping on forest service roads in the hills around Eden is what most people come here for when they want no-fee nights in the Wasatch. No water, no restrooms, no fees. Eden's horse campgrounds and developed RV sites are the alternative if you want hookups or defined sites with infrastructure. Roads off the valley floor can be rough, and some require high clearance after rain or snowmelt.
What to expect for dispersed camping near Ogden covers the broader Wasatch range options if forest roads out of Eden are closed or full.
"My family and I were driving through and needed a place to stay for the night. We camped the first night that lot camping was allowed (9/10) so it was quiet and peaceful."
"About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs."
"Two nice boondocking spots just a short drive on a tight dirt road off the highway. The campsite on the right is bigger, the one on the left is very small."
"Picked a pull-off spot about 10 min up the highway and was really surprised. It went pretty deep and and truly felt like I was away."
"About 15 mins outside of Logan up a beautiful canyon. Headed up around 4pm on a Saturday during Memorial Day weekend so didn’t have high hopes but found a spot with a fire ring almost immediately!"
"Easy to find by putting the coordinates provided in Google Maps. Came in after dark and easily found a site about 1/4 mile or so up the road. Road is a bit bumpy but nothing major."
"We found a spot that was more of a hill, which made it neat to get around, but the site was LITTERED with spent ammo, broken glass and broken pieces of clay pigeons."
"Camp is about 25 minutes from town via a dirt road 4x4 not required in certain areas just be cautious when selecting certain sites if you don't have 4x4."
"We stayed here for the night on our rooftop tent. It’s very quiet, barely any people. There’s man made firepits made out of rocks of people who have stayed here. It’s chilly and very pretty around."
"The coordinates on the map are not exactly right for this campsite, at least in early may."
"Google maps took us up a dirt road, must have a high clearance vehicle way. We still arrived, but at 5-10 mph. If Google maps asks you to leave a nice gravel road on your way here, dont do it lol."
"Very private boondocking area about 10 miles off the highway. Wide open area; fairly level in the campsites we saw."
TravelerYes the road in is rough but while I was there they graded the first half. I made it with a 20ft bus. Just go slow. The views are beautiful and it was very quiet. Loved walking out to the waters edge.
TravelerGoogle maps took us up a dirt road, must have a high clearance vehicle way. We still arrived, but at 5-10 mph. If Google maps asks you to leave a nice gravel road on your way here, dont do it lol. Campground very nice with newer pit toliets (bring your own TP). View is amazing of the reservoir and surrounding mountains.
GuideThis had amazing views, including a cool cave. However, the road is very bumpy and the spots are smaller. It would not be good for a larger RV. The spots fill up very quickly.
GuideCamp is about 25 minutes from town via a dirt road 4x4 not required in certain areas just be cautious when selecting certain sites if you don't have 4x4. Also worth noting lots of dirt bikes and side by sides and folks shooting guns, so if you're a light sleeper you may not enjoy this site. Otherwise, it's totally fine.
RangerVery easy access off 89. Very large sites with fire rings start about 1/4 off the main road. Only one other site being used that I saw. Pit toilet available at the large parking area. Clean and well kept. No cell service. Free range cows.
TravelerPretty far but worth a visit. We got here midnight and IT WAS WINDY!! Was afraid our car gonna tip over (yes, it’s that bad)
To our surprise it snowed in the morning and we had such a long walk around the site, very inspiring, very introspective. Would recommend!!!
GuideWe had a wonderful view of the city with few bugs and a visitor in the morning! Roads were tough so we didn’t get up too far but had a wonderful stay.
ScoutWhile there are a lot of disbursed sites along the corridor, they were all completely filled due to a bike race happening at nearby Beaver Mountain. We continued up and finally found a nice camp site just on the south side of Utah border but it turned out to be on private property. There’s a small stretch of a private property near the state line marked by a sign posted cattle grate. The property owner stopped by, he was super polite, but explained the boundaries and asked us to move along.
In many spots on the road on the way up there were wide open areas where a single camper had claimed a large area, even sites that could comfortably accommodate several rigs, so just a few things to watch out for.
GuideI stayed here for one night, the higher you go, the better the views. The lower you go it is a little bit louder with people dirt biking, four wheeling, shooting guns, recreationally, etc. I was towards the top of the mountain and I did not have any issues with sound the whole night. I felt very safe camping by myself.
Dispersed camping areas near Eden, Utah offer free primitive camping opportunities at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 8,900 feet in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Temperature variations can be significant with summer days reaching the 80s while nighttime temperatures frequently drop into the 40s, even in July and August. Most free camping sites around Eden require self-sufficiency with minimal or no facilities.
Hiking from camp sites: Several dispersed camping areas provide direct access to hiking trails. At Monte Cristo Pull-off, campers can find "lots of potential sites" with one reviewer noting they "picked a pull-off spot about 10 min up the highway and was really surprised. It went pretty deep and truly felt like I was away."
Wildlife viewing: The surrounding mountains offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. Near Curtis Creek / Arbs Basin, campers might spot deer, moose, and various bird species. The area is "very quiet, barely any people" with "nice view of the sunset" according to visitors.
Seasonal color changes: Fall brings spectacular foliage displays to the mountains surrounding Eden. One camper at Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo described it as "the end of September and all the leaves were changing" with "immaculate" views.
Solitude and spacing: Unlike developed campgrounds, dispersed sites offer more privacy. A camper at Monte Cristo noted: "We came during a week day and the whole site was empty! Very quiet, very pretty, and very colorful. There were only two or maybe three spots total, so get here early."
Budget-friendly options: Free camping near Eden, Utah appeals to cost-conscious outdoor enthusiasts. The Bountiful B Dispersed area offers "awesome flat areas with a creek if you go in spring. Nice and quiet. Nearby shooting range."
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. One visitor to Curtis Creek / Arbs Basin mentioned: "It's chilly and very pretty around. Nice view of the sunset. There's no cell service."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. At Green Canyon Dispersed Campground, one camper reported: "Camped with friends we had cell service via t-mobile, att&t, and visible with varying strengths. No cost, first come first serve."
Popular site competition: Free sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. At Monte Cristo, a camper warned: "There are tons of free site all up and down the main road. The only problem is it is busy if you leave on Friday plan to get there by 3 at the latest. Spots fill quick."
Site conditions: Many free sites show evidence of heavy use. At Bountiful B, campers found sites "LITTERED with spent ammo, broken glass and broken pieces of clay pigeons. Another group camping near us told us they found the same at their site so be weary of where you step up here."
Land management restrictions: Some areas that historically allowed dispersed camping have changed status. At East Fork Little Bear River, a camper discovered: "From googling, it looks like you used to be allowed to camp anywhere along La Plata road on the way up to Porcupine Reservoir, but they stopped allowing people to camp 2 years ago because it was getting trashed."
Safety considerations: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. At Bountiful B, campers were advised: "watch out for bears and mountain lions as well and make sure you follow the food rules and lock your cars."
Access to water play: Some free camping sites near Eden offer creek access for children. One reviewer at Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts shared: "We take tubes and float in areas of the river. The kids play in the river. Just a fun time."
Timing considerations: Summer weekends see highest use and noise levels. A Green Canyon visitor reported: "Very loud, with folks driving around until the AM. Definitely a local party spot."
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly even in summer. A camper at Curtis Creek noted: "We stayed here for the night on our rooftop tent. It's very quiet, barely any people... It's chilly and very pretty around."
Site access challenges: Many dispersed sites have limited turnaround space for larger vehicles. One camper with modest equipment explained their Monte Cristo experience: "Not for large RVs. Our 17 ft trailer with 4x4 was tricky to get into the spot because the loop was so small."
Road conditions: Unpaved access roads vary seasonally. At Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area, an RV owner noted: "Very private boondocking area about 10 miles off the highway. Wide open area; fairly level in the campsites we saw. The road is okay if you go slowly; we came in with our 31' class A pulling a 12' box trailer."
Winter road closures: Some camping areas restrict winter access. A camper reported about Green Canyon: "Road to dispersed camping is closed Dec 1 - April 15. Permit fee is $10 for 3 days."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find free dispersed camping in Eden?
Free dispersed camping is available in several areas near Eden. Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo offers spots about 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Highway 39, with fantastic valley views. There are two boondocking spots just off the highway, though the spots are limited in size. Another option is Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping, which features 2WD-friendly roads with nice-sized dispersed spots spread out along the route. This area is popular due to its proximity to Bear Lake and offers beautiful river meadow mountain views as you drive further in.
What amenities are available at Eden dispersed camping sites?
Amenities at Eden area dispersed camping sites are minimal, as is typical with dispersed camping. Most sites offer basic fire rings where permitted. Woodruff Narrows Bear Riverside provides pit toilets near the lake. Similarly, Green Canyon Dispersed Campground has two restrooms—one at the trailhead and another further into the canyon. Most sites are primitive with no hookups, potable water, or garbage service. Cell reception varies by location, with good Verizon service reported at some sites like Woodruff Narrows. Some areas have established pull-offs and modest leveling, but expect to be self-sufficient with your own water, sanitation solutions, and power.
What are the regulations for dispersed camping in Eden?
Dispersed camping regulations in the Eden area typically include fire restrictions during dry seasons, so check current conditions before planning to have a campfire. At Green Canyon Dispersed Campground, camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis with approximately 15-25 sites during summer months. Most dispersed areas follow the standard 14-day stay limit. At Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area, regulations prohibit fires in some conditions, and you should stay in established sites to minimize impact. Always pack out all trash and practice Leave No Trace principles when dispersed camping.
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