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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
