Is Simpson Springs Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Simpson Springs Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Are there showers at Simpson Springs Campground?

Simpson Springs Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Simpson Springs Campground have?

Simpson Springs Campground has 20 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Simpson Springs Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Simpson Springs Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Simpson Springs Campground?

Simpson Springs Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Simpson Springs Campground?

Popular activities at Simpson Springs Campground include Hiking, Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Simpson Springs Campground

4.28

80 reviews

Top 19% in UTFall

Seasonal ranking by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Stargazing

Quick Facts

5,100 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Quick Facts

5,100 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Simpson Springs Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$15.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(801) 977-4300

I manage this campground

Ask Camp Sage about Simpson Springs Campground

Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.

Campground Map

Simpson Springs Campground

40.0360, -112.7830

Nearby places

Dugway (Approx. 10 miles south), Eagle Mountain (Approx. 15 miles), Salt Lake City (Approx. 2 hours drive)

Weather at Simpson Springs Campground

Current alert: will be closed for construction from Aug.

Best Time to Camp at Simpson Springs Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable daytime temperatures (typically 60–80°F) and crisp, clear nights (often dropping to the 25–40°F range), making hiking and wildlife viewing especially pleasant. Vegetation tones mellow and wild horses and other wildlife are very active while crowds thin after summer, so trails and viewpoints feel remote. Cooler weather also reduces heat-related hazards and extends daylight comfort for exploring the Pony Express-era tuff formations and stargazing. Peak months: October, September, May, April Avoid: July, August

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 19% in UT

Fall cited as best season: comfortable days (60–80°F) and clear, crisp nights.

Planning Tips

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

About Simpson Springs Campground

Simpson Springs Campground sits in mid-elevation forest along Utah's historic Pony Express Trail, a small BLM site known for wild horse sightings and dark night skies. The campground offers tent and RV sites with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Visitors hike and bike nearby trails, often spotting wildlife in the quiet landscape where crowds thin after summer.

Simpson Springs Campground offers both reservable and first-come, first-served campsites. It accommodates tent and RV campers but does not provide group camping or luxury camping options.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable daytime temperatures (typically 60–80°F) and crisp, clear nights (often dropping to the 25–40°F range), making hiking and wildlife viewing especially pleasant. Vegetation tones mellow and wild horses and other wildlife are very active while crowds thin after summer, so trails and viewpoints feel remote. Cooler weather also reduces heat-related hazards and extends daylight comfort for exploring the Pony Express-era tuff formations and stargazing. Peak months: October, September, May, April Avoid: July, August

Elevation5100 ft above sea level

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Natural Features and SceneryAncient volcanic tuff formations, compressed ash from eruptions millions of years ago, rise above the sprawling sagebrush steppe. The pale, sculpted rock contrasts with dusty vegetation across open desert that stretches to distant mountain ranges. Wild horses roam freely here, sometimes visible from camp. The landscape sits in classic Great Basin terrain: high desert vistas with junipers scattered among the sage. Stargazing is exceptional. The campground sits at 5,100 feet, where the geology tells a violent story and the space feels infinite.

Lodging & AccommodationsLodging options such as cabins or lodges are not available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesThe campground is located on the historic Pony Express Trail, providing a cultural and historical experience. Jeff Christensen describes it as an "awesome site from the Pony Express days of the old west."

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 days

Guests Allowed Per Site

8persons per site

Groups

Group camping is not available at this campground.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov (for sites 1-11)

Site SizeCampground sites can accommodate equipment up to 30 feet in size.

PrivacyThe privacy level varies. Some reviews highlight that first-come, first-served sites are more private, while others note close proximity between sites.

Total Campsites20 campsites

Recommended SitesBring sturdy tent stakes for hard gravel, plenty of water, and firewood. Ideal sites for privacy are in the unreserved section.

Best CampsitesSite 1 offers the best shade, surrounded by the only large trees in the campground. Site 2 catches some coverage from those same trees. The reservable sites (1-11) tend to offer better privacy than the first-come options, though spacing varies throughout the loop.

Amenities available

Potable water (seasonally) and accessible vault toilets.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Simpson Springs Campground

Simpson Springs Campground offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and stargazing. Its location on the historic Pony Express Trail adds cultural and historical significance. Visitors often mention the presence of wild horses and opportunities for geode hunting as highlights.

Hiking4.0/5

Biking3.0/5

Some mention of biking nearby, but no dedicated trail network documented.

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Stargazing4.5/5Dark night skies and starry nights are highlighted as a key attraction.

Photography4.0/5Tuff formations, wide desert vistas, wild horses and stars provide varied photo subjects.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsThere are no flush toilets at Simpson Springs Campground. Reviewers consistently mention vault toilets as the only restroom option.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Good to know

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.

Reviews

Rate Simpson Springs Campground

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

4.3

80 reviews

Satisfactory

Simpson Springs Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Users frequently praise the campground for its stunning views, tranquility, and access to historical and natural features. Concerns include issues with reservations and lack of staff presence.

Review Summaries

Based on 80 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean vault toilets, potable water availability, peaceful and scenic environment, wildlife sightings, starry night skies, and historical significance.

Based on 80 reviews

Common Concerns

Reservation issues, lack of enforcement leading to occupied reserved sites, no camp host, no cell service, gravel or rocky tent areas, and occasional overcrowding.

Based on 80 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #1 is highly recommended for its shade and spaciousness, as noted by Chad Schilleman. First-come, first-served sites are described as more private by Steve Chisham.

Based on 80 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring cash or checks for the $15 fee, arrive early to secure first-come, first-served sites, carry proof of reservation, and bring sturdy tent stakes and a hammer for rocky ground. Firewood should be...

Based on 80 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall are preferred for comfortable temperatures and wildlife sightings. Summer is noted to be extremely hot, as observed by Melissa Burrup, while fall visitors like Parker enjoy cooler...

Based on 80 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "The bathrooms were very clean and fully stocked, and they had water you can get from spigots." - Hannah Morgan 2. "Night is very beautiful with lots of stars blanketing the sky." - Sal...

Based on 80 reviews