Stansbury Island Dispersed Camping

This place was incredibly disappointing because it has so much potential. However, if you stay here be prepared for gunfire from sunrise to sunset. Also be prepared for mice in your vehicle as well as relentless “no-see-um” bugs that make being outside unbearable.

The guns:
On the weekend this place sounds like someone is filming the sequel to Saving Private Ryan. There’s no designated area for shooting firearms so you have people shooting every caliber imaginable with or without a proper backstop. Some shoot targets, others shoot random garbage and leave it behind afterwards. If you have animals that don’t like the sound of fireworks I would reconsider your stay here.

The mice:
This is something to be aware of and take preventative measures if you can. We stayed 4 nights only because we were waiting on a package but in that time we caught 5 mice in the engine bay of our motorhome as well as our tow vehicle. Be aware, they chew on things and towing an RV can be expensive.

The BUGS:
Now, this may be a seasonal thing (We stayed in late April) but during our stay the island was overrun with “no-see-um” bugs. They’re basically 1-3mm sized mosquitos that swarm like gnats. They made it impossible to sit outside and they fit through the window screen so opening windows wasn’t an option either. Just opening your door for a few seconds would let in 50 or more of these things. Our dog was outside for 5 minutes and came back in with dozens of bites on her ears, we got them too despite our best efforts to avoid/kill them. You essentially need a bee keeping suit to take an evening walk.

Service with Verizon was decent, we averaged 8-10Mbps down but I think where you park on the island has a big impact.

The road is pretty good for a dirt one, some wash boarding but no big potholes or dips. Our 29’ class A handled it fine, just go slow or you’ll rattle your teeth out. The first turn in for the trailhead is the best road to take for a larger/lower rig, the second turn in by the cattle guard leads to the same places but it’s a much more uneven road.

We would not stay here again.

You'll need to drive at least for 4 miles on hard packed gravel road through private lands before reaching BLM lands -- and there are several possible spots to boondock. For me, I went all the way to 6th mile before the land turns to private and turned right, going up to the hill -- just past their Stansbury Island trailhead. There are also possible sites -- and I have seen RVs on them on the dry lake bed to the left (westward side of the gravel road).

Not so level lands, but I found one that was fairly level.

I would come back -- the only reservation is the long drive on gravel road. Good signal on T-Mobile and Verizon. The dirt roads are rutted and bumpy, even rocky at times. Be cautious.