South Willow Canyon

1¼ hrs $/0

This is a canyon southwest of Grantsville with several good camp sites, some pay sites others free sites. I drove there 04/08/12 and the campground was still gated and closed for the winter. I walked up from the gate 3/4 mile to the first campground, Cottonwood. There was really on one campsite there, shown below.

Other sites further up are Intake, Upper Narrows, Boy Scout and Loop campgrounds.

To get to South Willow Canyon, head west on I-80 and take the Stansbury-Tooele exit 99 and head south on highway 35 for 3.7 miles and turn right on highway 138 and head southwest for 11 miles and then turn left on S West St in Grantsville heading south.

You will see a large brow sign pointing left at that last turn. The street changes in to Mormon Trail, but continue heading south for about 5 miles until you get to a sign pointing right to South Willow Canyon. There are earlier signs pointing to North Willow Canyon, but I haven't been there. In a couple miles you will pass some cabins and then U.S. Forest Service signs. A sign said the camping fee is $12. I did see a place to camp (but not great) for free just before the cabins on the left side of the road. I also understand the there are free areas further up. There are also trailheads into the Deseret Peak Wilderness Area up this canyon.

See http://www.exploretooele.com/camping.html for more information.