Tooele County’s picturesque mountains, canyons, and Great Salt Lake Desert offer camping spots for memorable weekend escapes or longer.
There are a variety of campsites available, from nearby to distant canyons that offer organized campgrounds, to primitive camping in the Deseret Peak or Cedar Mountain Wilderness Areas or in the Great Salt Lake Desert overlooking the Pony Express Trail.
You can drive up a canyon with your gear and camp next to your car—not too far away from town, just in case you forgot something. Or there’s also the desert, where you can unroll a sleeping bag under the same clear, star-filled sky that Pony Express riders saw.
Wherever you go, you will enjoy clean, fresh air, the peace of the outdoors, and spectacular views of the land. However, before you go, here are a few things to remember to make your trip more pleasant for you and other urban escapees you may encounter.
“Leave No Trace” guidelines call for using a camp stove instead of a fire pit in most cases. If you want to roast marshmallows over a wood fire, check on fire restrictions at your destination ahead of time.
In wilderness areas, such as Deseret Peak or the Cedar Mountains, camping groups are limited to 10 or fewer. Remember to camp 200 feet from streams, lakes, or trails and at least 100 feet from other camping parties.
Also, remember the adage, “Pack it in, pack it out.” With more and more people heading outdoors to find a short getaway, leaving your campsite as natural as possible for the next group is essential.
Campgrounds
