Top Places to Car Camp in Utah

Utah is a state known for being a mixture of nearly every preference. Higher altitudes offer cool days and chilly nights for those who dislike heat, while lower altitudes can be egg-roasting-on-the-sidewalk hot for those who like sunburn weather. The northern part of the state offers dense trees and flowing rivers, while the farther south you travel, the drier, sparser, and more desert-like the landscape becomes. Hikers can climb mountains, hike under arches, over rocks, and across barren landscapes. Few places on earth offer such a variety of camping experiences in one location, and that makes Utah an ideal destination for car camping.

Below are some of the best places to car camp in Utah that span across the entire state and every side of the border.

Ogden Valley

Ogden Valley is home to the South and North forks, where many people park their cars for a night of camping in the middle of nowhere. With the Monte Crisco Mountains surrounding the landscape and numerous lakes and rivers scattered throughout, visitors have the opportunity to fish, boat, ski, snowboard, follow snowmobile paths, hike, climb, and backpack. Private campgrounds are available for a modest fee, and allow users to enjoy modern amenities, such as water, bathrooms, and electricity.

Uinta Mountains

A beautiful sub-range of the Rocky Mountains, the Uinta Mountains are located just under the northern Utah border, and stretch into Colorado. Home to the highest boy scout camp in the United States, as well as the only mountains that run east to west, the Uinta Mountains are usual, breathtaking, and an excellent spot to park your car and hunker down for a night of sleeping under the stars.

San Rafael Swell

The San Rafael Swell is the perfect location for car campers that like to go canyoneering and no-bolt climbing, which means climbing over technical-grade slopes without any cables or bolts. The land is composed of an incredible swirl of stone, some smooth, some jagged, that gives away to outstanding day hikes, ATV trails, and overnight backpacking. Cars can be parked in an area out of the way and used as a base for camp.