Murdock Basin Road
Region: Wasatch Front & Uinta Mountains | Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service (Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest) | Cost: Free
Alpine terrain representative of the Murdock Basin area. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
For anyone based near Salt Lake City who doesn't want to drive five hours to the desert for a night under the stars, Murdock Basin Road is the answer. It sits right off the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, less than two hours from the city, with sites ranging from small walk-in tent spots to lots big enough for a fifth-wheel.
Quick Facts
| Distance from Salt Lake City | About 1.5-2 hours via I-80 E to Kamas, then Mirror Lake Highway (UT-150) |
| Road & Clearance | Turn onto Murdock Basin Rd, cross a bridge over the Provo River, then dirt/washboard road, passable in most vehicles without 4x4 |
| Rig Suitability | Tents through fifth-wheels; pick your spot based on how far you want to go in |
| Amenities | None, pack in everything |
| Cell Signal | Little to none in the Uintas; plan to be offline |
| Best Season | Summer through early fall (elevation makes this a snow-season closure) |
| Stay Limit | 14 days, standard Forest Service rule |
Map
Getting There
From Kamas, drive the Mirror Lake Highway (UT-150) toward the Uintas. Turn onto Murdock Basin Road, cross the bridge over the Provo River, and continue onto the dirt road. Sites are scattered on both sides, the left side tends to have the better options.
What to Expect
High-elevation forest camping with easy access to dozens of hiking trails, lakes, and the rest of the Uinta Mountains recreation corridor. Because you're close to a popular scenic byway, expect some company, especially on weekends, but there's enough spread along the road to find a quieter pull-off if you keep driving.
Good to Know
The Mirror Lake Highway corridor is a U.S. Forest Service fee area, but that fee applies to developed recreation sites (picnic areas, trailheads, developed campgrounds), not to dispersed camping off the pavement at unposted pull-offs. If a spot has no sign, pavement, or facilities, it's free. When in doubt, check with the Kamas Ranger Station (435-783-4338).
A quick weekend trip is a great time to test your rig's power setup before a longer trip. See what Momentum Upfitters can build for your off-grid power needs →