Cabin accommodations near American Fork, Utah range from rustic to fully-appointed options within an hour's drive. Located in the Wasatch Mountains at elevations between 4,500-7,000 feet, the area experiences dramatic temperature shifts between day and night, even in summer months. Most cabin rentals in the American Fork vicinity require advance booking through state park or private resort reservation systems.
What to Do
Fishing at Jordanelle: Multiple fishing spots accessible near the cabins at Jordanelle State Park, with good year-round fishing opportunities. "Great campsite. Clean and nice amenities for a State Park. Be careful hooking up your RV to water. Very high pressure," notes Trevor S. about the Hailstone - Wasatch Campground.
Hiking nearby trails: Cabin rentals at Tanners Flat provide convenient access to several trail systems leading to alpine lakes and viewpoints. "September/early October gives cooler temperatures and less crowds, and we got to see some lovely fall colors. The camp hosts were excellent as well," shares Sara M. about her experience at Tanners Flat.
Water activities: Echo Island RV Resort offers cabins with easy reservoir access for kayaking and paddleboarding. "My family and I have been coming here for years. It has a lot of trailer spots that are almost all pull throughs and have hook ups. It's fun to bring kayaks and float the river," reports Jake V. at Echo Island RV Resort.
What Campers Like
Private bathroom facilities: Many campers appreciate the individual bathroom setups at Mountain Valley RV Resort cabins. "The facilities are very new and always clean, nice big private restrooms with showers, two laundry facilities, two hot tubs and two pools, basketball and other gaming courts, BBQs and fire pits," notes Zoe M. at Mountain Valley RV Resort.
Off-season advantages: Several cabins remain open year-round with fewer crowds in spring and fall. "Given how close it is to the city, Tanners Flat has always been a little too busy for our family during the full swing of summer. After finally staying here, we realized the views and proximity to hikes makes it well worth it!" explains Sara M.
Convenient location: Many cabin sites provide quick access to both outdoor recreation and nearby towns. "Jordanelle reservoir is a destination of its own but is a 10 minute drive from Park City. Clean bathrooms and showers make this a great place to camp if you are doing water or mountain sports," shares Stefanie I.
What You Should Know
Reservation timing: For summer cabin stays, book 4-6 months in advance at popular sites like Pine Creek Campground. "This campground has 3 loops. 1 for tents, 1 for medium size trailers. 1 for large trailers. Check the website or call the guard station before booking to double check," advises David T. at Pine Creek Campground.
Pet restrictions: Policies vary significantly between cabin rentals. "Tanners flat is a close trip up Little Cottonwood Canyon. NO Dogs allowed in the canyon- it is a watershed. Very popular spot for locals to day trip or weekend trip," warns Andrea P.
Noise considerations: Some cabin sites experience traffic noise or activity from nearby recreational users. "This weekend was absolute hell of hearing those things ripping up and down the road. Starting at around 8-9am, going till 1-2pm (for lunch I'm assuming) then going right back to it," reports Austin T. about motorized vehicles at Pine Creek.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several cabin locations feature dedicated play areas for children. "The grounds are pretty with grass and trees between each parking pad. There are three pools, three shower houses, and three laundry rooms. This is a great place for kids because there's plenty of space for them to ride bikes, play basketball, swim, and also a playground," explains Sheila B.
Fishing for kids: Look for cabin sites with stocked fishing ponds or easy shore access. "I think this is good camp ground," mentions Melanie H. about Jordanelle State Park. Another camper notes the park "provides awesome picnic areas! Fun for the whole family; kids, seniors, pets, etc! The fishing is really good too. We catch something every time we go."
Cabin size considerations: Check maximum occupancy limits when booking for families. "I booked a double site here for the first time, and they are beautiful. I enjoyed the location, the space, and my whole family did as well!" shares Heather K. about her experience at Tanners Flat.
Tips from RVers
Laundry facilities: Some cabin sites provide convenient laundry options that tent campers appreciate. "The laundry facilities were nice and even had a designated machine for pet laundry. The restrooms and showers were private and clean," notes Chris G. about Pony Express RV Resort.
Dump station locations: For RVers using cabins temporarily, note dump station positions. "Besides the terrible interaction with the camp host, the site smelled like sewer all night as it's about 300 ft away from the dump station. If you're in a tent or a small camper trailer there's no getting away from the smell," warns Kirk A. about a specific site at Hailstone.
Leveling challenges: Some cabin and RV sites require careful setup. "My 30' TT was perched with some effort on top of a pull-through that was a mound rather than flat. Unlevel and narrow asphalt sites," James J. explains about his Pine Creek Campground experience.
