Map showing campground location near Mapleton, Utah

Dry Canyon

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Sitting within the Diamond Fork drainage of Uinta National Forest, Dry Canyon campground in Mapleton, Utah gives campers direct access to the Fifth Water river corridor without requiring a long hike to reach it. The sites are walk-in from a parking area, meaning gear has to be carried across a footbridge over the stream, but the tradeoff is that tents go up just steps from the water. The stream runs close enough to hear from camp, but the sites sit at enough elevation above the banks that flooding is not a concern.

Sites are spacious, each with a picnic table and fire ring, and the tree cover provides consistent shade throughout the day. Wildlife sightings in the area include elk, deer, moose, and black bear, so proper food storage matters. The campground sits close to Fifth Water Hot Springs Backpacking Site, making it a practical base for hikers heading to the hot springs, and anglers have noted good fishing in both the Fifth Water river and the nearby Diamond Fork drainage.

No potable water is available on-site. The single pit toilet is located across the river from the sites, and the campground operates on a pack-in, pack-out basis for trash despite having some basic infrastructure. Brad B. notes "really good fishing in both the fifth water river and Diamond Fork," which gives anglers a concrete reason to plan an extra day here.

Campers who want to explore places to camp near Uinta National Forest will find this corridor has several options worth comparing before committing to a site. Dry Canyon works best for self-contained campers comfortable with a short carry-in and no running water.

Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

The Loneliest Road Trip

The Loneliest Road Road Trip Segment: Pueblo to Delta

Pueblo to Delta: 3 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Map & DirectionsDry Canyon is located in Utah near Mapleton

Public Campground

Coordinates

40.07903752 N
111.36497055 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 5/25/26
AT&T
No Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 4/8/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 5/25/26
AT&T
No Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 4/8/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Reservable
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Drive Time

47 min from Provo, UT
1 hr 18 min from Salt Lake City, UT
1 hr 46 min from Ogden, UT
2 hrs 30 min from Logan, UT

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Dry Canyon

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted the spacious, riverside sites with good privacy and basic amenities like picnic tables and fire pits. Many mentioned the convenient location near hot springs and fishing spots, though campers should prepare for pack-in camping with no water hookups.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Natalie G.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2022

Beautiful riverfront camping

This is a great spot for self-contained campers, van campers, or tent campers who don’t need water. There’s one pit toilet but for this small camp area, it does the trick. The sites are spacious and private and right by the river. It is pack in and pack out!

Month of VisitJune

Ash S.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 27, 2021

Nice, free, shady

Beautiful scenery. Lots of shade and dappled sunlight. River steps away. River not too cold. Do have to carry everything from the parking lot, across the bridge, to your campsite.

Month of VisitJune

(5) View All

Ethan H.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 17, 2020

Dry Canyon

free parking and overnight camping. each site has a table, fire pit, and plenty of flat spots to pitch a tent. from the parking lot you cross a bridge over the stream to the camp sites. you’re a perfect distance from the river so you can listen to it as you fall asleep, but you don’t have to worry about floating away.

(7) View All

Becky J.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2020

Nice spot

Nice spot, not my favorite but still a good weekend getaway!

Jamie M.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 22, 2020

Free camping near the hot springs

My roommates and I camped here in late-September and loved it. It’s a good location and pretty close to the hot springs but not so close that you can smell the sulfur. The river ran right by our site and it was lovely.

Brad B.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 4, 2019

Primitive camping with lots of hikes.

This is a nice place to camp. Only about a mile from the fifth water parking lot and a few miles hike from the hot pots. Really good fishing in both the fifth water river and Diamond Fork. The camp sites are first come first serve. They are big sites and can hold a few tents each. Their are nice picnic tables and fire rings a pit style bathroom is available across the river.

Lots of amazing scenery around. Great hikes, great fishing, amazing places to ride horses, or just amazing views.

There are lots of trees around for shade and oak brush. I have seen elk, deer, moose, and black bear in this area so bring a camera and don't leave food in your tent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Dry Canyon Campground located in Utah?

Dry Canyon Campground is located in Diamond Fork area of Utah, approximately one mile from the Fifth Water parking lot. The campground sits along a river and provides access to nearby hiking trails, including a trail to the popular Fifth Water Hot Springs (often called Diamond Fork Hot Pots), which is a few miles hike from the campground. The campground's riverside location offers beautiful mountain scenery while remaining accessible.

What amenities are available at Dry Canyon Campground?

Dry Canyon Campground offers basic amenities including picnic tables and fire pits at each site. There is one pit toilet available that serves the small camping area. The campground is situated right next to a river, providing ambient sounds and water access. Sites are spacious with plenty of flat spots for tent setup. This is a pack-in, pack-out facility with no trash service. There's no running water available, so campers need to bring their own water supply.

When is the best season to visit Dry Canyon Campground in Utah?

The best season to visit Dry Canyon Campground is late spring through early fall. Summer offers full access to the river, which is not too cold for wading or swimming. Late September provides lovely conditions with comfortable temperatures and beautiful surroundings. The campground's shaded sites with dappled sunlight make it comfortable even during warmer months. For those interested in fishing, both the Fifth Water River and Diamond Fork offer good opportunities throughout the camping season.

Is Dry Canyon Campground suitable for RVs and trailers?

Dry Canyon Campground is not well-suited for RVs or trailers. The campground requires carrying equipment from the parking lot across a bridge to reach the campsites. It's best for self-contained campers, van campers, or tent campers who can easily transport their gear by foot. The sites themselves are spacious, but vehicle access directly to the sites is not available, making this location impractical for traditional RV or trailer camping.

Keep Exploring