Simpson Springs Campground
Federal campground in Salt Lake Field Office
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, UT
Price: From $15 per night
Price range: $15–$65 per night
Rating: 3.8 out of 5 (49 reviews)
Season: May through October
The campground is situated on the eastern edge of Utah’s West Desert near the historic Simpson Springs station on the Pony Express National Historic Trail. Simpson Springs was the site of a significant Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in the late 1930s and early 1940s, just prior to the establishment of the US Army Dugway Proving Grounds during World War II. Historic Pony Express National Historic Trail site and visitor interpretation.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/simpson-springs-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Simpson Springs Campground offers 23 sites near the historic Pony Express National Historic Trail with basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water. Google reviews rate it 4.6/5 stars, with campers praising the Forest Service upgrades and nice campsites.
Wildlife alert: American Bison, Mule Deer, Coyote, American White Pelican, Song Sparrow, and Barn Swallow have been documented in the area.
Insider tips for Simpson Springs Campground: Book early as this is a popular federal campground Prepare for 18-25 miles of unpaved road access; high-clearance vehicles recommended Confirm reservation status before arrival due to reported management issues with first-come-first-serve signage
Skip Simpson Springs Campground if: You require RV hookups—no hookups available at most sites. You need year-round camping—seasonal operations May through October only. You have a large RV and prefer paved road access.
Best time to visit Simpson Springs Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only. June — Verified camper report from June 2025 noted pleasant conditions and recent Forest Service upgrades.
Nearby campgrounds: Bountiful Peak Campground (Pleasant Grove, UT), Mueller Park Group Picnic (Pleasant Grove, UT), Cottonwood Campground - Slrd (Pleasant Grove, UT), Intake Campground (Pleasant Grove, UT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Simpson Springs Campground
Cell signal at Simpson Springs Campground (Salt Lake City, UT): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
The campground is situated on the eastern edge of Utah’s West Desert near the historic Simpson Springs station on the Pony Express National Historic Trail. Simpson Springs was the site of a significant Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in the late 1930s and early 1940s, just prior to the establishment of the US Army Dugway Proving Grounds during World War II. Historic Pony Express National Historic Trail site and visitor interpretation.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a popular federal campground
Prepare for 18-25 miles of unpaved road access; high-clearance vehicles recommended
Confirm reservation status before arrival due to reported management issues with first-come-first-serve signage
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Verified camper report from June 2025 noted pleasant conditions and recent Forest Service upgrades
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From I-80, take exit 199 (Tooele) and travel south on Highway 36 for approximately 40 miles. Turn right onto the Pony Express Road and travel for approximately 25 miles. The campground is approximately 12 miles south of Dugway, Utah, on the Pony Express Road.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Salt Lake Field Office fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Salt Lake Field Office before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Simpson Springs Campground cost per night?+
What season is Simpson Springs Campground open?+
Does Simpson Springs Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Simpson Springs Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Simpson Springs Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Simpson Springs Campground?+
What season is Simpson Springs Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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