The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App
Map showing campground location near Oakley, Utah
Camper submitted image from Uinta Dispersed CampsitesView 12 Photos
CampingMap showing campground location near Oakley, Utah

Uinta Dispersed Campsites

5 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Wildlife viewing, fishing, and open-terrain camping draw visitors to this free dispersed area within Wasatch National Forest, accessed via dirt roads off the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. Sites are spread across meadows and forested stretches, with a small stream within walking distance of some spots near the Sulphur Creek area. No cell service anywhere along the corridor, so download maps before heading up.

Crowd levels vary significantly by elevation. OHV traffic runs heavy in the lower sections, but campers who push higher, past mile marker 23 or so, tend to find more isolated spots. Moose sightings are well-documented throughout the area, with multiple visitors reporting encounters both at dawn and during setup. Arriving by Friday afternoon is worth planning for, as popular meadow sites fill by early evening.

Mosquitoes can be severe. Gentry B. warns of "swarms unlike anything I've seen in my life" near Trial Lake, so pack heavy-duty repellent regardless of when you visit. Some sites farther from the main road require ground clearance to reach, and temperatures drop considerably at night even in summer. Sulphur Campground sits less than a mile south and serves as a useful reference point for locating the dispersed meadow sites just north of it. Campers exploring the region can also browse camping near Wasatch National Forest for developed alternatives along the same corridor.

Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

The Loneliest Road Road Trip

The Loneliest Road Trip

The Loneliest Road Road Trip Segment: Pueblo to Delta

Pueblo to Delta: 3 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Map & DirectionsUinta Dispersed Campsites is located in Utah near Oakley

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

40.80207454 N
110.880659 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Firewood Available
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

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 Uinta Dispersed Campsites needs a permit.

Try PRO for Free

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Utah Contest

Enter to Win

Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Uinta Dispersed Campsites

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

60%
40%
0%
0%
0%

4.5

out of 5

5 Reviews

Campers regularly cited abundant dispersed camping options with clean, scenic sites along Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. Wildlife viewing opportunities including moose are common. Lower areas can be crowded with OHV activity, but higher elevations offer more solitude.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2023

Really great but beware the mosquitos

I’ve been up here several times this summer. So here’s the deal: there are HELLA OHV users in the lower altitudes so brace yourself for that. I always go higher since it seems like they disappear once you reach mile marker 23 or so. There’s soooo much disbursement camping around here, my dudes. If you’re looking for solitude trust me you can find it if you look! Last time I went up, I was up around mile marker 26 or so and it was fairly isolated. A moose rolled up on me as I was making camp which was both terrifying and awesome. BEWARE THE MOSQUITOS. Wear so much bug repellant or at least bring it. Idk what the deal was but the last time I was up there just a bit after Trial Lake, there were swarms unlike anything I’ve seen in my life. So be forewarned!

Sitedisbursed around MM 26
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Uinta Dispersed Campsites by Gentry B., August 19, 2023
  • Review photo of Uinta Dispersed Campsites by Gentry B., August 19, 2023
  • Review photo of Uinta Dispersed Campsites by Gentry B., August 19, 2023
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 23, 2022

Nice pit sop if you're exploring the area

This is a nice area if you're traveling through and need a place to stop and spend the night. It's definitely a popular spot with RVs and trailers, didn't see many tents. There were some bugs/mosquitos but it wasn't too bad. No cell service anywhere around

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2020

Sulphur Campground dispersed camping

Based on the review above, we stayed at the dispersed camping site just past sulphur campground and we were not disappointed. There was a little stream in walking distance across the meadow and we even saw a moose go through the campground in the morning!

  • Review photo of Uinta Dispersed Campsites by Madison M., August 12, 2020
Reviewed Jun. 26, 2019

Lots of Dispersed Spots

Lots and lots of dispersed spots off this highway. Clearance needed to reach some of them, but are great clean gorgeous spots. Highly recommended.

Reviewed Sep. 13, 2018

Nice designated dispersed sites

Dirt road access off of the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway just past Sulpher Creek campground. Got pretty cold at night and there was a number of other tents and RVs taking up most of the spots – we got there around 6:30 on a Friday evening and were one of the last ones to get a spot. There's plenty of dispersed sites along that highway though. Camped in the meadow and watched a mom and baby moose grazing while we set up camp.

SiteDispersed tent
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Uinta Dispersed Campsites by Jessica N., September 13, 2018
  • Review photo of Uinta Dispersed Campsites by Jessica N., September 13, 2018
  • Review photo of Uinta Dispersed Campsites by Jessica N., September 13, 2018
  • (6) View All
Showing results 1-5 of 5 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best dispersed camping spots along Mirror Lake Highway in Utah?

Some of the best dispersed camping spots along Mirror Lake Highway can be found just past Sulphur Creek campground, where a dirt road provides access to multiple sites. These areas fill up quickly, especially on Friday evenings during peak season. For those seeking more solitude, spots at higher elevations beyond mile marker 23 tend to have fewer OHV users and more peaceful surroundings. Vehicle clearance is needed to access some of the more remote spots, but these offer clean, gorgeous settings with beautiful views. The area features meadows, streams, and occasional wildlife sightings including moose.

Are there any free dispersed camping options in the Uintas near Mirror Lake?

Yes, there are numerous free dispersed camping options in the Uintas near Mirror Lake. The dispersed sites off Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, particularly the area just past Sulphur Creek campground, offer free camping opportunities. These sites accommodate both tents and RVs, though they're especially popular with RV campers. Additional free dispersed camping can be found throughout the area, with many spots available at higher elevations. While these sites don't have amenities, some are located near small streams, providing a natural water source (though this water should be treated before use).

What are the best seasons for dispersed camping near Mirror Lake in Utah?

Summer is the prime season for dispersed camping near Mirror Lake, with comfortable daytime temperatures and access to the full range of dispersed sites. Be prepared for cool to cold nights even in summer. Early fall offers fewer crowds while maintaining reasonable temperatures. Spring camping is possible but may be limited by snowmelt and muddy conditions. Winter camping is not recommended due to heavy snowfall and road closures. The area experiences significant temperature drops at night regardless of season, so always pack appropriate cold-weather gear.

Is a permit required for dispersed camping in the Uinta Mountains near Mirror Lake?

No specific permit is required for dispersed camping in the Uinta Mountains near Mirror Lake. However, the area operates under standard U.S. Forest Service dispersed camping regulations, which typically limit stays to 14 days within a 30-day period. Always practice Leave No Trace principles when camping in these areas. Be aware that while permits aren't needed for general dispersed camping, special regulations may apply during fire restriction periods. For the most current information on regulations, check with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest office before your trip.

Keep Exploring