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Dispersed Camping

Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping, near Salt Lake City, Utah, is a rugged spot for those who appreciate the great outdoors without the frills. This area is perfect for tent camping, offering a chance to escape into wide-open spaces where you can enjoy the beauty of the desert landscape.

Visitors have noted the lack of amenities, which means you’ll need to come prepared. There’s no drinking water or toilets, but you can have a campfire and soak in the stunning sunsets. One camper mentioned, “Nice place for when you're driving and need a last minute spot,” highlighting its convenience for travelers.

The location is also popular for outdoor activities, especially if you’re into shooting sports, as it’s near an outdoor shooting range. If you’re up for a little adventure, there are trails nearby that lead up into the mountains, offering breathtaking views. Just be ready for some wind and dust, as a few campers pointed out.

While the dirt roads can be rough, they’re manageable for larger vehicles, making it a decent spot for those with ATVs or RVs. Just keep in mind that the area can get buggy, so bring some repellent. Whether you’re looking for a quick stop or a place to unwind under the stars, Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping has a lot to offer for those willing to embrace its simplicity.

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Location

Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping is located in Utah

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

40.72556972 N
112.64415018 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
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    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Drive Time

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping needs a permit.


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Reviews

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8 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2024

(Along 196) Endless off road fun and private dispersed

First of all there is no pull out at the coordinates. In fact it represents just as a reference for the highway road off the 80 highway you go along 196 and there are pull off roads leading to either straight up the side of a mountain or along the valley.

I parked at lone rock which is basically just a shooting range. You name it they obliterated it with ammo. Oh well I climbed to the top of the lone rock which was pretty epic. Fucking windy night and dusty I hate dust so much. Maybe if I parked down road inside the sagebrush it would have broke the wind. Also lone rock was full of trash :(

Glad I live in lush Colorado away from these deserts. Except alamoda area I guess.

Sitedispersed
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Conner , June 17, 2024
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  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Conner , June 17, 2024
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2024

Really good with little bad

Especially if you get here before sunset, you can hike a little ways up the mountain and watch the sun go down, but once it does start to go down it gets real windy. All the breeze from the salt flats comes right your way. This location is also right in an outdoor shooting range with multiple spots so that’s a plus if you’re looking for entertainment. As a bonus for me at least, it’s close enough to the road that getting back to it won’t be a problem, and I don’t think the noise will be a factor because the wind takes the cake. Dirt road is also real rough, probably not for sedans.

Month of VisitJune
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Reviewed Apr. 28, 2024

Silver mountain byway

My favorite place to camp. Other campers are respectful at night and friendly during the day. Nights are quiet and the moon is usually super bright.

Siteseveral places available.
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Kim J., April 28, 2024
  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Kim J., April 28, 2024
  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Kim J., April 28, 2024
  • (9) View All
Reviewed May. 21, 2022

Alright

Nice place for when you're driving and need a last minute spot. Sites are well spaced out. LOTS of bugs but amazing view of the sunset. Other than that there's not much around. Only 2 other campers were there when we showed up.

Site3rd site down the dirt road to the left
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Elizabeth , May 21, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2021

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.

Site40.586664 -112.707144
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Rara B., September 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Rara B., September 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Rara B., September 5, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Apr. 30, 2019

Good spot for when the sun sets and you're still driving

Theres nothing fancy at all about this place. It has pretty much no shade or amenities and some of the spots are withing spitting distance of I-80. It's one of those last option and theres nothing around because there isn't! 50 miles outside of salt lake and even further to Wendover. This spot does offer some decent limestone single and multipitch sport climbing routes. The Valley of Zion contains numerous crags that are mostly moderate with a very rare 11 sprinkled in. If just coming back from Wendover to SLC it's a good spot to climb till sunset

  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Alan B., April 30, 2019
  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Alan B., April 30, 2019
  • Review photo of Skull Valley Rd Dispersed Camping by Alan B., April 30, 2019
  • (6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Skull Valley Off-Road Camping Area located near Dugway, Utah?

Skull Valley Off-Road Camping Area is located along Highway 196, approximately 50 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. The dispersed camping area extends along both sides of the 196 highway, with camping spots available about 12 miles off Interstate 80. The camping area sits in a wide-open valley with mountain views, offering numerous pull-off roads leading either up the mountainside or along the valley floor. Lone Rock serves as a notable landmark in the area. The location provides beautiful sunset views across the expansive landscape.

Do I need a 4WD vehicle to access the Skull Valley Off-Road Camping Area?

While 4WD isn't strictly necessary for all areas of Skull Valley, it can be helpful. The main access is via Highway 196, which is paved, but the pull-off roads and camping areas may have washouts and rougher terrain. Larger RVs (up to 30') have successfully navigated the area with appropriate tow vehicles. If you plan to explore farther from the main road or head up the mountainside trails, higher clearance and 4WD would be beneficial. During wet conditions, the unpaved areas could become more challenging to navigate.

What type of dispersed camping is available in Skull Valley, Utah?

Skull Valley offers primitive dispersed camping with wide-open spaces and well-spaced sites along Highway 196. This is true boondocking with no amenities or facilities—no water, toilets, or trash service. The area features beautiful mountain views and spectacular sunsets, with enough space between sites to maintain privacy. Camping spots can be found on both sides of the highway, with numerous pull-off roads leading to potential camping areas. The terrain is mostly open with minimal shade, making it ideal for self-sufficient campers who bring everything they need.

Is camping free at Skull Valley Off-Road Camping Area?

Yes, camping at Skull Valley Off-Road Camping Area is free. This is public land with dispersed camping that doesn't require payment or permits. There are no entrance fees, camping fees, or reservation systems in place. This makes it a good budget-friendly option for travelers, though remember that free camping means no amenities or services are provided. Be prepared to pack out all trash and bring everything you need, including water and sanitation supplies.