Dispersed camping close to Salt Lake City sits primarily on Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest land, with access roads heading east and northeast into the Wasatch Range. Salt Lake City's tent camping options cover the developed campgrounds with designated sites and vault toilets for those who want established infrastructure instead. Forest dispersed sites require camping at least 200 feet from water sources, 100 feet from roads, and at least the same distance from any developed recreation site.
No water, no restrooms, no trash service. Everything comes in with you and leaves with you. A 14-day stay limit applies across national forest land. Higher-elevation sites above 8,000 feet close from late October through May, sometimes into early June depending on snowpack. The roads that serve those sites are often the last to clear. Park City's forest camping sits about 30 miles east and gives another access corridor into the same forest system when closer sites are packed on summer weekends.
Fire restrictions operate seasonally across this forest. Check current restriction status before heading out. Cell service drops off quickly once you leave the main canyon corridors, so download maps before departure.
"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."
"You can backpack in and camp anywhere a 1/2 mile from any road like the other nearby canyons. Good trails to approach from are Church fork and Lambs Canyon Trailhead."
"All the camping is backcountry so you can pick any trail and just make sure that you are 1/2 mile off the road and at least 200 ft from developed ares and water."
"We frequently come up here just to sleep outside some nights and head back home in the early morning to get food and shower."
"These are all backcountry sites and you have to be at least a 1/2 mile from any road before camping. The best spots are more than a mile in at the meadows anyway!"
"Aire trail there are a few premade dispersed camping spots. 1 is good for groups of 3 tents with a nice big fire pit and the others are smaller for 1 or 2 people sharing a tent."
"The hike is moderately difficult, especially carrying overnight gear, but it’s super worth it. There are dozens of locations along the trail you can just venture off into to camp."
"Campground Review: Mineral Basin is located in the Wasatch Mountains to the East of Salt Lake City."
"The ride up to mineral basin was dirt roads with amazing views. The campsite we settled on was absolutely beautiful."
from $6 / night
"The views are great but the road is definitely washed out. You will need 4WD and high clearance to pass through the washouts and rocks which start near the entrance and go all the way to the top."
"There was a weird spot when Google maps told us to go right (staying on the paved road) while there was an "alternate" route up a dirt road to the coordinates on the dyrt."
"The best part about living in Salt Lake City is that you can have brunch at Ruth's Diner at 8am, pack up your car around 10am, leave for the trail by 11am, and be on the trail by 11:30am."
"I've been wanting to summit Lone Peak since I first moved to Utah in 2012. "
"Area is not illuminated, as is expected, so I prepared a headlamp and a backup lantern for the hike."
"Another beautiful dispersed campground site that sits in a beautiful meadow at the top of one of the busiest canyons in the country!"
TravelerRight up the road from where the campsite marker is we found this private little circular site with fire pit. Ground was at a slope, good to keep in mind, for this specific spot.
TravelerGreat place if you want to be secluded. There are so many spots. Beautiful views of the Leaves changing mixed with the pines.
ScoutThis road will test your skills it you don’t have 4x4 and high-clearance, but it still drivable even further uphill. Wasn’t able to make it to where the pin is, just kept going up the main road and found gorgeous spot! Quite popular place
ScoutCalled to make sure ok to stay a night in parking lot at 1513 pm. Told no by staff at desk.
GuideOne of the most beautiful sites I've been to in utah. The drive up in autumn is absolutely stunning. Pit toilets are located about 4mi down the mountain, road up will require AWD or 4x4.
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.
TravelerSuch amazing views throughout the whole drive and onto the trail. I’ve never been to a dispersed spot as busy as this. Every spot was filled and people drove up until about 7pm still looking for spots. It’s definitely a rich daddy money playground area. Incredible views still.
TravelerWent camping up Cascade springs for our first time in the new Camper, Their are a lot! Of good sites, so hard to choose.. these ended up staying up more toward the top… It had gorgeous views, it seemed more of a tent area but we pulled our teardrop right up in there.. it has 2 fire pits are 3 decent areas to pitch your sleeping area at.. I would give this camp area a 9/10… its to beautiful and peaceful to not go back..
I seen 32 foot rvs at the camp ground below us.. so that should tell you that it’s mostly drivable up,
ScoutFor you dog adventurists: This is a great place for wide open views to let them play (with excellent recall or a long lead). Wildlife was seen at dusk and dawn. Plan to keep them nearby then. Horses and ATVs use is heavy on trails so keep them close then as well. Ground was safe for their paws (no foxtails, goat heads, or stickers). Potential for ticks. Bring an orange vest for them if you’ve got one, it’s almost that time of year. Lots of mud puddles if it rains, great for dogs, hard on the camper.
Rustic camping near Salt Lake City, Utah offers seasonal accessibility with many sites closed during winter months and early spring. Salt Lake's geography creates a unique camping environment where elevation varies from 4,200 feet in the valley to over 11,000 feet at higher peaks. Access roads typically open between May and June, with most dispersed sites requiring at least half-mile hikes from designated parking areas.
Hike to alpine lakes: At Pittsburg Lake Dispersed, campers can take a challenging 1.5-mile uphill hike with 1,500 ft elevation gain to reach a small alpine lake with trout fishing. "The hike is totally doable even with a lot of gear, just go slow and be careful of your footing," notes one reviewer who packed in a paddle board.
Trail running: The varied terrain provides excellent options for trail running throughout the canyons. Near Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts, one camper observed, "Millcreek Canyon is home to some wonderful trails that can be accessed by foot or bike. Although the canyon offers many hiking trails, the main use of the trails seems to be for trail running."
Peak summits: Many dispersed campsites serve as basecamps for peak bagging. From campsites near Desolation Lake, hikers can access multiple peaks. "We set out before dawn the next morning to catch the sunrise from Square Top Peak. If you continue along the Lake Desolation trail to the northeast, it joins the Wasatch Crest which leads to stunning views of the Wasatch Range."
Dog-friendly options: Unlike many wilderness areas, some canyons allow dogs on trails. "This is one of the only canyons that allows dogs!" notes a visitor to Millcreek Canyon. Another reviewer appreciates that "pets are allowed too, so bring the dog!" when hiking to dispersed sites.
Stargazing: The lack of light pollution at higher elevations creates excellent night sky viewing. At Albion Basin - Dispersed, "If weather permits, leaving off the rain fly provides an exquisite view of the milky way as you drift off to sleep."
Proximity to city: Many campers value how quickly they can access wilderness from downtown. At Mineral Basin Dispersed, one camper noted, "This is our go to camping spot when we want to get outside, but not drive too far from the city. You can still feel secluded, even though it fills up quickly on the weekends."
Road conditions: Access roads to many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. At Bountiful B Dispersed, a reviewer warned, "We dealt with rain and even snow on the last morning... the site was LITTERED with spent ammo, broken glass and broken pieces of clay pigeons."
Seasonal closures: Many areas have limited windows for camping. One reviewer attempting to camp at Neffs Canyon discovered "This open 7/1-11/1 only," while another noted that Millcreek Canyon "doesn't open until July 1st so take that into account."
Permit requirements: Most watershed areas require permits for overnight stays. For Lone Peak Cirque Dispersed camping, prepare for challenging conditions: "Be warned however to bring a lot of water (at least 3L each) and a filter if you plan on staying overnight in the cirque. All water is runoff so also make sure there is still snow up there as that is your only water supply."
Noise considerations: Despite remote locations, some areas experience significant noise. At Mineral Basin, a camper reported, "Beware, you will be awakened by ATVs fairly early" and another mentioned it "gets noisy and dusty" from off-road vehicle traffic.
Choose accessible sites: For family camping near Salt Lake City, select areas with shorter approaches. "We frequently come up here just to sleep outside some nights and head back home in the early morning to get food and shower," says one visitor about Neffs Canyon.
Water play options: Some sites offer creek access for children. At Millcreek Canyon Dispersed Camping, "there is a creek and it's cool in the canyon," providing natural water play areas. Another family mentioned, "We take tubes and float in areas of the river. The kids play in the river."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many areas offer chances to see wildlife safely. In Millcreek Canyon, "Everytime we come here we also see moose and deer. Best time is definitely fall," making it an educational experience for children.
High clearance requirements: Most dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles. For areas like Bountiful B, campers report that "rough roads" make access challenging but possible for properly equipped RVs. One reviewer mentioned they were "towing a small trailer, which had some difficulty handling terrain en route to parking lot."
Limited amenities: Most primitive camping near Salt Lake City lacks facilities. The majority of sites have no water, toilets, or trash service, requiring full self-sufficiency. "As with other primitive camping, there is nothing here with regards to amenities with the exception of an established fire ring," notes one camper at Pittsburgh Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping near Salt Lake City?
The Wasatch Mountains east of Salt Lake City offer excellent dispersed camping opportunities. Dispersed Camping--Mill Hollow/Utah FR054 provides peaceful, scenic sites with some areas accessible to standard vehicles, though off-main paths may require clearance and 4x4. For a different experience, check out Mineral Basin Dispersed in the Wasatch Mountains near Snowbird ski resort. Other options include Millcreek Canyon for backcountry camping, Neffs Canyon for walk-in sites, and the Uinta National Forest. Most dispersed sites follow Leave No Trace principles, have no facilities, and typically allow 14-day stays. Always check current Forest Service or BLM regulations before heading out.
What are the best spots for boondocking near Salt Lake City?
Cascade Springs Dispersed Site offers spectacular views, though the road is washed out and requires 4WD and high clearance vehicles to navigate. Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping provides good boondocking options along I-80 with some level sites, making it convenient for road trippers. Some sites may require 4WD to access. The area around Utah Lake offers boondocking opportunities with stunning lake and mountain views, particularly on the west side. For those willing to venture further from the city, BLM lands west of Salt Lake City provide wide-open spaces ideal for boondocking. Be prepared with sufficient water, supplies, and waste management as these areas have no services or hookups.
Is free camping available near Salt Lake City and what are the options?
Free camping is readily available around Salt Lake City on public lands. Dispersed Camping Willow Spring (Wasatch) offers free sites off Highway 40 south of Heber City toward Main Canyon, providing a budget-friendly alternative to paid campgrounds. Pittsburg Lake Dispersed in the Uinta National Forest offers beautiful free camping after a 1.5-mile hike. Most dispersed sites in Uinta National Forest and surrounding BLM lands are free, though some like Duchesne Tunnel charge minimal fees ($10 for 3 days or $20 per week). Free camping typically comes without amenities, so bring water, pack out waste, and prepare for primitive conditions. Most areas limit stays to 14 days in a 28-day period.
Where is BLM land for camping located near Salt Lake City?
Miners Canyon BLM offers dispersed camping with magnificent views of a vast lake backed by snowcapped mountains and twinkling city lights from Provo across the water. Unfortunately, some visitors report issues with trash left behind by previous campers and long-term occupants. The west desert region, particularly around Eagle Mountain Dispersed, provides more BLM camping options within reasonable driving distance from Salt Lake City. Most BLM sites around Salt Lake City follow standard 14-day stay limits and require self-sufficiency as they lack facilities. Always practice Leave No Trace principles and check current fire restrictions before visiting, especially during summer months when wildfire danger can be high.
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