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Best Campgrounds near Salt Lake City, UT

1,286 Reviews

The Wasatch Mountains surrounding Salt Lake City, Utah create a dramatic backdrop for camping experiences ranging from urban-adjacent sites to remote alpine settings. Within an hour's drive of downtown, campers will find options spanning from full-service RV resorts like the Salt Lake City KOA and Pony Express RV Resort to primitive backcountry sites in the nearby canyons. The mountain canyons east of the city, particularly Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, host popular established campgrounds such as Spruces and Tanners Flat, which provide access to hiking trails and scenic mountain views. Antelope Island State Park, located on the Great Salt Lake, offers a unique camping experience with opportunities to observe wildlife including bison and antelope against the backdrop of the lake.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the region. Most mountain campgrounds operate from late May through September or early October due to snow conditions at higher elevations. As one camper noted about Antelope Island State Park, "We are partial to winter due to the absolute lack of bugs and stunning contrast of the bison on fresh snow. Our 2nd favorite season is early spring before the bugs come out in full swarm." Watershed protection regulations affect some campgrounds in the canyons, with restrictions on pets and water activities. A visitor to Tanners Flat mentioned, "No dogs are allowed because this campground is in the Salt Lake City watershed." Reservations are essential for weekend camping during summer months, with many popular sites booking months in advance, especially at scenic locations like Albion Basin at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Campers report varying experiences depending on location and season. The mountain campgrounds receive consistently high ratings for their scenic beauty and proximity to outdoor recreation. One visitor to Spruces Campground described it as "a wonderful local campground close to Salt Lake City up Big Cottonwood Canyon." For those seeking convenience, the urban campgrounds provide easy access to city amenities. A KOA visitor noted it has "lots of activities from swimming to basketball to a game room with free games." Insect activity, particularly mosquitoes, can be problematic at some locations during summer months, with one camper at Jordanelle State Park reporting "by far the worst mosquito situation we had." Cell service is generally reliable near the city but becomes spotty in more remote canyon locations.

Map showing campgrounds near Salt Lake City, UtahExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Salt Lake City, Utah (207)

    1. Salt Lake City KOA

    42 Reviews
    Salt Lake City, UT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (801) 328-0224

    $50 - $189 / night

    "Great location when visiting Salt Lake City. Very large campground but well maintained. WiFi keeps on throwing us out or is slow."

    "I had the wonderful opportunity to stay the night at Salt Lake City KOA!"

    2. Pony Express RV Resort

    15 Reviews
    North Salt Lake, UT
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 355-1550

    "Coming from Las Vegas to go to Montana to visit family, Salt Lake City is a great middle stop.  We (3 kids, 3 adults, 3 dogs, and a cat) found Pony Express and were extremely pleased. "

    "Convenient location right off the highway with full hook ups and nice paved sites. Dog areas, playground, games, and a pool."

    3. Spruces - Big Cottonwood

    33 Reviews
    Mounthaven, UT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 733-2660

    $29 - $346 / night

    "A wonderful local campground close to Salt Lake City up big Cottonwood Canyon. Best for self contained camping. Clean flush toilets with good showers."

    "Winding road to get here from Park City but appears to be a shorter straight shot into Salt Lake City."

    4. Bridger Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park

    50 Reviews
    Hooper, UT
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 773-2941

    $20 - $200 / night

    "One of our favorite state parks in Utah is only~45 minutes away from Salt Lake City! There are bison, antelope, deer, and many other animals that call this island home."

    "By far one of my favorite stops through Utah ❤️ absolutely breathtaking views, along with scenic routes to see wildlife such as the bison."

    5. Tanners Flat

    19 Reviews
    Snowbird, UT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 733-2660

    $29 - $217 / night

    "It was quiet, tucked away from anyone.  Didn't really see anyone for the three days we are there.  Our site was next to the river, which really helped drown out all other sounds! "

    "We had site 11 close to the bathroom and in a flat, sunny clearing surrounded by trees. You could hear the nearby road a bit and see the mountains a little bit."

    6. Bountiful Peak Campground

    12 Reviews
    Centerville, UT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 733-2660

    $15 - $98 / night

    "The sites have plenty of room, tons of shade and easy access to bathrooms."

    "They are a little close to each other but nice and clean."

    7. Granite Flat (utah)

    38 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 785-3563

    $28 - $358 / night

    "Tucked in very back. Long ways to walk from car. Water spout next to car area. Will be sharing parking with 2 other sites. 2 lakes nearby. Fire pit with grill gate. Shaded area."

    "Utah is such an amazing place to visit for the outdoors. My family and I come here once a year because we love hiking and being in the outdoors."

    8. Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts

    8 Reviews
    Mounthaven, UT
    13 miles
    Website

    "You can backpack in and camp anywhere a 1/2 mile from any road like the other nearby canyons. Good trails to approach from are Church fork and Lambs Canyon Trailhead."

    "Millcreek Canyon is home to some wonderful trails that can be accessed by foot or bike. Although the canyon offers many hiking trails, the main use of the trails seems to be for trail running."

    9. Sun Outdoors North Salt Lake

    2 Reviews
    North Salt Lake, UT
    4 miles

    "Friendly staff great location Offer daily, weekly and monthly rates."

    10. Redman Campground

    15 Reviews
    Brighton, UT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 733-2660

    $29 - $217 / night

    "This is super close to my favorite mountain bike ride in Northern Utah - The Wasatch Crest Trail. As you can tell in the pictures, this area is very lush and rich with pine trees."

    "The campsites are clean, the bathrooms are exceptionally clean with flushing toilets, you are a walk or hike away from Brighton and immersed in some of the most beautiful mountains around."

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Recent Camping Photos near Salt Lake City, UT

291 Photos of 207 Salt Lake City Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Salt Lake City, UT

1286 Reviews of 207 Salt Lake City Campgrounds

  • Cyrena P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Horseshoe Knoll - Dispersed Camping

    Bugs & More Bugs

    So many bugs it was awful, the mosquitoes ate us and our dogs even with bug repellents. The area was pretty flat it looked like on the left, but we had to go to the right as the left was full when we arrived. It was fairly quiet though at night since you’re very spread out from each other which is nice. My young son loved the nearby spring, it was very mushy but not horrible in some spots!

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Squaw Peak Road Dispersed

    A hard way to the Top

    We fought hard to get to the spot. Up to Hood Campground, the road was a normal, winding road. Really great. After that, however, a stretch began that was really only suitable for 4WDs. Rocks, deep ruts, etc. We managed it with the 2WD, but we had to give it our all. There aren't many spots. The spot we found was right on the mountain in the forest, but it wasn't worth the effort. We still enjoyed the night very much. We didn't have an internet connection with T-Online. Apparently, the spot serves the locals as a picnic destination, love nest, or even wedding photo spot until sunset. We had a bit of everything that evening ;)

  • Jeff R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    Beautiful spot but trash everywhere

    Great views of the lake and surrounding mountains, but has trash, broken glass and junk everywhere.

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Heber Ranger Station

    Parking Lot Camping

    You can stay at this ranger station up to 14 days. Heber city has a lot to offer. There was a large trash can available but the ranger station was closed due to electrical problems so I don’t know if they allow you to use the bathrooms inside.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Bountiful B Dispersed

    Popular re recreation area with good camping

    There's 4 fire rings around the coords, probably only 3 actual camp sites. The one fire has trails going all around it. If you continue up the mountain, there's more sites at the top. This whole area seems to be a local atv, dirt bike, mountain bike, and shooting area. Definitely lots of people shooting guns into gulleys during the day. Everybody seemed friendly though. The road up takes about 25 or 30 minutes to get to the coords. Its a bit rough but if you have awd or 4wd its no problem. Great views on the way up and down. I have Verizon and had coverage off and on, its enough to send texts but not much more.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    Many Sites of Varying Sizes

    Very easy access public land right on Utah Lake. Packed gravel and dirt road going in is lumpy from use but smooths out a bit farther in. Side roads to sites are anyones guess. Some are pretty reasonable, others are like mine fields. Suggest you park on the road and walk in. Many sites are “pull-throughs” so one entrance can be better than the other. Some great spots up the hill but you’ll need high clearance and 4wd. Bugs weren’t bad on this warm mid-September day. Some trash but I’ve been to more formal places with more trash than this. Access to the lake and lots of space to hike. Nice view of lights from the Provo side of the lake at night.

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Fivemile Pass OHV

    Amazing Night Sky

    This place is pretty amazing with beautiful views of the sunrise, sunset and stars. Lots of ORV trails for the off road enthusiasts. Problem…SO MANY FLIES. They don’t bite or sting but you could not be outside for very long before they were in everyone’s drinks and personal space! By sunset they were gone so watching the stars was enjoyable. I just wished we could have spent more time outside during our time at camp. We did discover someone had dumped all their garbage close by so that might have been part of the problem🤷‍♀️.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Echo Island RV Resort

    Great Nite Stay

    Clean, paved shady sites with full hookups. Lots of fun things for kids to do. Friendly staff. Pristine property. The only reason I couldn’t give 5 stars is due to the highway noise, but that made it convenient.

  • a
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Willow Park Campground

    Easy to get to, next to River

    We were able to get a spot next to the Jordan River under a beautiful tree. We brought our 16ft camper and didn’t need to back it in or anything. Spot was decently clean except for a leftover watermelon (which the kids gave to a family of ducks that visited the next morning.)

    Nighttime was quiet after about 10pm. Crickets and some frogs serenaded most of the night. No neighbors on a Thursday night.

    Stunning sunrise—perfect views of Mt. Timp.

Guide to Salt Lake City

Camping near Salt Lake City offers a fantastic mix of stunning views, outdoor activities, and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore Antelope Island State Park: This park is home to the Bridger Bay Campground. Campers rave about the "beautiful views of the lake" and the chance to see bison lounging on the beach. It's a great spot for hiking and wildlife watching.
  • Visit Jordanelle State Park: The Hailstone - Upper Fisher Campground is perfect for water sports. Reviewers mention it’s "clean" and has "great access to Park City," making it a great base for both relaxation and adventure.
  • Check out the Provo River Trail: Nunns Park is right by the river and offers scenic views. Campers enjoy the "great little secluded access points into the river" for cooling off on hot days.

What campers like:

  • Scenic views: Campers at Granite Flat appreciate the "beautiful campground in the pine trees" and the feeling of privacy despite the number of sites.
  • Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the cleanliness of bathrooms and showers. For instance, at Mountain Valley RV Resort, one reviewer noted it was "the cleanest campground" they had visited.
  • Wildlife encounters: Campers at Bridger Bay Campground enjoy seeing pronghorns and bison, adding a unique touch to their camping experience.

What you should know:

  • Bugs can be a nuisance: Campers at Bridger Bay Campground warned about "literal swarms of no-see-ums and mosquitoes," especially near the water's edge.
  • Noise from nearby roads: Some campgrounds, like Little Mill, are close to busy highways. One camper mentioned, "the road noise was a lot more than I expected," so be prepared for some background sounds.
  • Limited amenities: Campgrounds like Nunns Park lack showers and have small sites. Reviewers noted that while the location is nice, the facilities could be better.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose campgrounds with activities: The Salt Lake City KOA has a pool and game room, making it a hit with families. One reviewer said it was "perfect for a quick stop over" with kids.
  • Look for shaded sites: Campers at Spruces - Big Cottonwood appreciated the "lots of shade," which is great for keeping kids cool during hot summer days.
  • Plan for nearby attractions: Campers at Mountain Valley RV Resort enjoyed the proximity to Park City and other attractions, making it easy to explore the area.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check for full hookups: Campgrounds like Echo Island RV Resort offer full hookups, which many RVers find convenient. One reviewer mentioned, "full hookups and decent space between RVs" made for a comfortable stay.
  • Be aware of site sizes: At Salt Lake City KOA, some sites are close together. A reviewer noted, "sites are close," so if you prefer more space, check the layout before booking.
  • Look for amenities: Campgrounds like Mountain Valley RV Resort have great amenities like pools and hot tubs, which can enhance your stay. One camper said, "the pools are heated so they aren't freezing," making it a fun spot for families.

Camping near Salt Lake City has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, or family fun. Just remember to check the specific campground details to find the perfect fit for your trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping near downtown Salt Lake City?

For camping close to downtown Salt Lake City, Settlement Canyon/Legion Park Campground offers full hook-ups at reasonable rates and is specifically positioned as a great base for touring the city. Another convenient option is the Salt Lake City KOA, which provides typical KOA amenities with easy city access. If you're willing to drive 30-45 minutes, Spruces - Big Cottonwood is a wonderful local campground up Big Cottonwood Canyon with clean flush toilets and good showers, perfect for self-contained camping. Most campgrounds within the immediate Salt Lake City area fill quickly during summer weekends, so reservations are highly recommended.

What are the best times of year to go camping in Salt Lake City?

Late spring through early fall offers the best camping weather in the Salt Lake City area. May-June brings mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers, particularly at higher elevation sites like Albion Basin, which features moose, chipmunks, squirrels, and amazing wildflowers. July-August is peak season with warm, sunny days perfect for water activities at Weber Memorial Park, which has a reservoir popular for swimming and diving. September-October offers cooler temperatures and beautiful fall colors with fewer crowds. Winter camping is possible at lower elevations, but many mountain campgrounds close due to snow. Always check seasonal opening dates, as higher elevation campgrounds like those in the Cottonwood Canyons typically open later in the season after snow melts.

Are there free camping spots around Salt Lake City?

Miners Canyon BLM offers free dispersed camping with magnificent views of a lake backed by snowcapped mountains and twinkling city lights from Provo across the water. For backcountry enthusiasts, Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts provides free primitive camping options in a beautiful canyon setting close to the city. When using free camping areas, remember to follow Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and be prepared with your own water supply. Most free camping opportunities are found on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or National Forest land surrounding the Salt Lake City area, typically requiring at least a 30-45 minute drive from downtown.

What are the best campgrounds near Salt Lake City?

The most highly-rated campgrounds near Salt Lake City include Bridger Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park, located about 45 minutes from the city. This unique destination offers wildlife viewing opportunities including bison and antelope, plus stunning sunset views across the Great Salt Lake's mud flats. For water recreation enthusiasts, Smith-Morehouse Campground is a scenic option under an hour from Salt Lake City, perfect for camping and kayaking amid beautiful mountain surroundings. Other excellent options include Albion Basin for wildflowers and wildlife, and Jordanelle State Park for fishing and family-friendly amenities. The best campgrounds combine scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and reasonable proximity to the city.

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