Salt Lake City Tent Camping

Millcreek Canyon Dispersed Camping

Image from The Dyrt camper Derek E.

To camp for free in this area, youll have to hike up Millcreek Canyon. The hike has an average difficulty level and the trail is quite popular with runners, so youll likely meet other people on the path. In this area, youll be able to enjoy quiet and peaceful camping in the middle of a beautiful canyon. Millcreek Canyon dispersed camping is one of the free camping options close to Salt Lake City.

I would recommend setting up at Mt. Aire, and then camping to the summit for sunset or sunrise, both are beautiful. CK M.

Albion Basin Dispersed Camping

Image from The Dyrt camper Alan B.

This dispersed camping location sits right at the base of Mt. Wolverine, next to the Albion Basin Campground and the Albion Basin road. You can camp anywhere you like as long as it is a half-mile from the road. The area offers breathtaking views of the rocky, mountainous landscape and you can take a short hike to three small lakes that offer great fishing. Overall, Albion Basin dispersed camping is a remote and beautiful area for camping off the beaten path.

Beautiful area with access to many lakes. Alan B.

Guide To Camping Near Salt Lake City Utah

If you are ever driving around the neighborhoods of Salt Lake City on a Friday afternoon, you are bound to see many of the local residents loading their cars and trailers to the brim with camping equipment. They are getting ready to spend the weekend at their favorite spot to enjoy the plentiful wildflowers and alpine lakes that Utah summers offer in the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. There are dozens of developed campgrounds where you can enjoy a night in the woods with your friends or family, and they don’t require a road trip to reach them. Let’s take a look at some of your best options within an hour of Salt Lake City and the nearby adventures you’ll want to enjoy once camp is set up.

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What People Are Saying About Pony Express Rv Resort & Campground

Friendly staff. Easy hook up. Good prices. The showers are really nice too. It also has a pool, some soccer fields, and a giant chess board. The view of the mountains was also beautiful. Amber, Google Review

Location

• Pony Express RV Resort & Campground
• 1012 West Recreation Way
• North Salt Lake, UT 84054
• 355-1550

• Cable TV: Yes

Non Primative Tent Camping

Antelope Island would be a good spot.

I love the campgrounds up Little or Big Cottonwood canyons. They are popular however and do fill up.. You can make reservations at : Search for Utah, then select campgrounds and zoom in to the SLC area.

Antelope Island is your only option on the Great Salt Lake. There are three campgrounds on the island and they have restrooms with running water. It is quite a desert and there’s not much shade so be prepared. Another option is going up the Cottonwood Canyons as suggested by Kbecjeans and enjoying more of an alpine camping experience. If I had my choice I’d go up to the mountains to camp and visit the lake during the day, if you want.

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Twin Peaks Wilderness Area Dispersed Camping

Image from The Dyrt camper Alan B.

Any dispersed camping at Twin Peaks Wilderness Area must be done at least a half-mile from any road. When driving through the park looking for a place to camp, beware of moose since they are often seen in the region. To keep this immaculate slice of wilderness intact, ensure you practice no-trace camping techniques.

Twin Peak Wilderness Area has three peaks you can hike that provide excellent views: Broads Fork Twin Peaks, Sunrise Peak, and Dromedary Peak. Theres plenty of hiking trails and amazing rock climbing spots, as well.

Beautiful backcountry camping close to the city! Alan B.

Little Valley Country Store And Campground

Some people just arent cut out for primitive backcountry camping and the Little Valley Country Store has your back if youre one of them. It might not be glamping in a cushy yurt, but their cabins are homey and have all the comforts of home. They also have RV sites with full hookups and regular tent sites.

Theres wifi on site as well as drinking water, flush toilets, and hot water. Campers can re-up on supplies at the country store and the 12-mile driving tour of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is less than 15 minutes away.

Pros:

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Salt Lake City Koa Holiday

• 1400 West North Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84116

• Info: 801-328-0224

Individual Tent Site, Water & Electric, Grass Tent Pad

Rustic TentTent sites nestled among the trees-each grassy site fits one 6-person tent. A short walk to bathrooms, fire experience & other great amenities. Sleep under the stars, then be spoiled with morning coffee & pancakes in the camp store. You may hear city noises due to our great location to downtown amusement.

Description

• Pets Allowed

KOA Holiday

Whether youre exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. Theres plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, youll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group theres plenty of ways to stay and explore.

Up to 8 people.

• Pets Allowed

Save 10% at check out with KOA Rewards.

Rustic TentTent sites nestled among the trees-each grassy site fits one 6-person tent. A short walk to bathrooms, fire experience & other great amenities. Sleep under the stars, then be spoiled with morning coffee & pancakes in the camp store. You may hear city noises due to our great location to downtown amusement.

*The picture shown is an example of a site type category and may not be the actual site reserved.

Hot Deals

Snow Canyon State Park

Peace and quiet are prevalent while camping in southern Utahs Snow Canyon State Park.

The desert campground is surrounded by ancient lava flows and red sandstone. Miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback trails are close at hand. Venture slightly further to access breathtaking sand dunes. The campground at Snow Canyon is modern with flush toilets, hot showers, and electric hookups for RV campers.

Learn more about camping at Snow Canyon State Park.

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Valley Of The Mortally Inspired

Valley of the Mortally Inspired used to be something of an Utah camping secret but its become very popular in the last couple of years.

Located just minutes from Monument Valley as well as the famous Mexican Hat geologic structure in the San Juan Canyon, the views at this dispersed camping area just cant be beat. Beautiful red rock surrounds the entire camping area. But be prepared the road in is very rough. 4×4 isnt necessarily required, but is probably a good idea.

The Dyrts Guide To Free Camping Near Salt Lake City

This article about free camping near Salt Lake City is brought to you by Midland. Their radios and long distance walkie talkies will keep you connected as you explore dispersed camping in Utah.

Utah is one of the U.S. states with the largest amount of public land. Around 65% of Utahs land is public and the Bureau of Land Management manages roughly 42% of land in the state, making for plenty of free camping opportunities.

Dispersed camping is an excellent option if you want to camp for free. It means camping on federal lands right outside a designated campground managed by the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Forest Service. The areas are usually quiet, isolated, and surrounded by pristine nature.

You can do dispersed camping with an RV, but you wont have electrical, water, or sewer hookups. Also, you can only access many dispersed camping areas near Salt Lake City from hiking trails. If you are looking for free camping near Salt Lake City, check out these great dispersed camping spots.

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Rivers Edge Rv Resort

Image Source:http://riversedgeatdeerpark.c…

One of the better RV parks near Salt Lake City is Rivers Edge RV Resort. Located north of Heber City and under the Jordanelle Reservoirs dam, this campground is perfect for those who want to visit Wasatch Mountain State Park. You can also try boating at nearby Jordanelle State Park.

Wasatch Mountain State Park

Not everyone prefers camping in Utah to be a rustic experience. Wasatch Mountain State Park is perfect for those that want closer access to shopping, dining, golfing, and more.

The state park is located in the Heber Valley. In addition to the beautiful outdoor scenery, the valley is also home to the Historic Tate Barn and Huber Grove. The campground has plenty of tent sites along with RV sites with full hookups. Though camping is limited during the winter months, visitors still flock to the area to partake in winter activities at the famous Solider Hollow.

Learn more about camping at Wasatch Mountain State Park.

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Lagoon Rv Park & Campground

Lagoon RV Park & Campground has direct access to an amusement park and is an all-around fun place to bring the family. While a bit noisy, its a neat spot with sites for tents too. Stay over on the way somewhere or take a break and head to the beach or any of the numerous local amenities.

• Closest town: Farmington, UT
• Specs: 123 tent/RV sites, full hookups, dogs welcome, short-term stays available, heavy usage, easy, open April 29th-October 30th
• Amenities: Group events, potable water, showers, flush toilets, camp store, dumpsters, pet walk, amusement park access, catering for groups 25+
• Reservations: Yes, at Lagoonpark.com

Little Grand Canyon Campground Green River Utah

Distance From Salt Lake City: Approximately 3 hours

Ok, we know we said within two hours, but this campsite is too good to leave off the list. Its definitely worth the extra hour if you can spare it. Little Grand Canyon Campground is just as youd expect. There are only 10 campsites to shack up at for the night but they are all free. We recommend going to the Wedge Overlook where you can camp right at the edge of towering cliffs with endless views. There are countless mountain biking trails here and if youre a photographer, youll be in heaven. If youre an overlander, there are tons of off road trails around the campsite to test out your new lift and how it works with your Roofnest

With the convenience and comfort of your Roofnest and these amazing campsites within 2 hours of Salt Lake, next summer will be full of adventure. But one part of camping that isnt always the most comfortable is figuring out how to take care of business, especially if youre out in the bush.

These are things weve taken a lot of time to think about, so you dont have to. Check out your options for going to the bathroom on your next camp trip >

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Jordan Pines Group Campground

Jordan Pines Group Campground is so named because it consists of four overnight group campgrounds and one day use group campgroundthats it. There is a vault toilet, drinking water, and some other convenient amenities to make a large gathering of family, friends, or colleagues relatively comfortable, and its only a thirty-minute, scenic drive to downtown Salt Lake City.

• Closest town: Cottonwood Heights, UT
• Specs: 5 tent/RV group sites, group sites, no hookups, no pets, no swimming, short-term stays available, heavy usage, open May-September
• Amenities: Potable water, vault toilets, dumpsters, campfire ring, picnic tables, grills, volleyball court, horseshoes, bike trails, hiking trails
• Reservations: Yes, at fs.usda.gov or 1-877-444-6777
• Address: S Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84121

Best Free Camping In Utah

Dispersed camping and boondocking are two popular options for free camping in Utah. Although these campsites are free, remember that they are also very primitive most dont even have bathroom facilities, so plan ahead.

Our guide to free camping breaks down the ins and outs of free camping in more detail.

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Campgrounds In Salt Lake

If you really want to camp within the city, Pony Express RV Resort & Campground is just minutes from the Great Salt Lake and downtown. The campsites rest at the edge of civilization with easy access to biking and hiking trails. Meanwhile the pet-friendly, Salt Lake City KOA offers high-speed WiFi at campsites with fire rings and nearby showers just two miles from Temple Square.

Use the search tool below to find additional camping options for your next visit to Salt Lake.

Standard Full Hookup Back

Back your RV into our spacious sites offering full hookups with 20-, 30-, or 50-amp electric, and concrete pads that can accommodate up to 25 feet with room for slide-outs. Other amenities include cable TV, WiFi service, and a picnic table.

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Top 5 Campgrounds 2 Hours From Salt Lake City

inCamping/by Corey Mercer

With a Roofnest, you can leave straight from the office on a Friday afternoon and set up camp in under 1 minute once you park at your campsite. But we know that a 4-5 hour trek to an epic campsite can take away from the sense of peace and tranquility youre chasing.

Thats why weve put together a series of campsites that are within 2 hours of major cities around the country. Cut back on traffic and drive time while still taking in incredible views and getting your hiking boots dirty.

Below are our 5 favorite campsites within 2 hours of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Camping Near You Find A Free Campsite

Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we’ve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phone’s GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.

Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.

This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, we’ll all have more places to go camping.

Please come back and let us know what you find!

We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.

Please come back and let us know what you find!

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Spruces Campground Big Cottonwood Canyon

Distance From Salt Lake City: Approximately 35 minutes

For a quick weekend getaway close to home, Spruces campground is the perfect spot for the whole family. This campsite is in a beautiful big cottonwood canyon that has endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and fishing.

You can hike to beautiful alpine lakes, catch trout in gorgeous rivers, or speed down the mountain on your favorite trail.

And when you come back to camp youll have everything you need. From drinkable water, flushable toilets, fire rings, electric hookups, and everything in between, youre set at Spruces Campground.

Its $26 a night, but with all the amenities you get, we think its well worth it for a quick getaway.

Amazing Camping Spots Near Salt Lake City

Escape the city and find some peace and quiet.

By:The Outbound Collective+ Save to a List

Salt Lake City’s proximity to amazing outdoor recreation almost eliminates the need to own a tent. Then again, theres something pure and recalibrating about rolling out a mat and sleeping on the lumpy ground. And with so many amazing camping spots hiding around the Salt Lake Valley, the decision to get out and rough it gets a little less rough. Take a quick drive up the canyon, head out to the Great Salt Lake or make it a full weekend trip down to southern Utah you really can’t go wrong with any of these epic homes-away-from-home.

Photo: Colton Marsala

A short drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon will lead you to great camping at Albion Basin Campground. From there it’s an easy but absolutely beautiful hike up to Cecret Lake .Learn More.

Photo: Eric Bennett

Stansbury Island isn’t exactly an island its only mostly surrounded by the waters of the Great Salt Lake but it offers pretty incredible views at the sunrise or sunset. Because most of it is BLM land, you won’t need much planning or notice just pack up and go!Learn More.

Photo: Prajit Ravindran

Photo: Lindsay Daniels

Willow Lake is a gorgeous mountain lake up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It’s a short hike from the parking lot, so not strictly car camping, but it’s close enough to bring an arm full of gear without too much trouble. Call it luxury backpacking.Learn More.

Photo: Derrick Lytle

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