Looking for the best tent campgrounds near American Fork? Find the best information on tent camping near American Fork, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of American Fork's most popular destinations.
Salamander Flat trail connects the Timpooneke trail head with the Salamander Flat dispersed camping area and the Pine hollow trail. The trail starts by crossing a stream, then travels through large stands of fir trees, and crosses the road approximately 1 mile from the trailhead. The Salamander Flat dispersed camping sites and Junction with the Willow Hollow trail is .5 miles farther up the trail. From the dispersed sites, it is another .6 miles to the junction with the Pine Hollow trail #047.
Trail users should be aware of the high level of use that this trail receives, and should expect to see each type of user group on any given day. This trail is subject to a wet trail closure order during the spring and early summer. These closures help to protect and sustain the trail during wet periods. The trail will be signed as closed to all uses except hiking when these closures are in effect.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest outside of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no toilets, no treated water, and no fire grates are provided.
Camping in dispersed areas on the Forest is allowed for fourteen (14) days in any thirty (30) day consecutive period. Campers must move off Forest after reaching the 14-day limit. The stay limit also applies to all camping equipment (tents, chairs, ATVs, ATV trailers, etc.), even if used by a different person or group. Camping equipment must be removed by the end of the fourteen (14) day stay limit or the equipment may be impounded. Stay limits are implemented to reduce impacts to vegetation and wildlife habitat, as well as provide access to popular campsite areas for other visitors.
$10 / night
Primitive, backpacking/hiking accessible only
Salt Lake City Watershed Restrictions apply and are strictly enforced. Backcountry camping is not permitted within 200 ft of any open water (lakes, streams, etc). Pets are not allowed at all (not even in your car!). Swimming is not allowed in lakes or streams. Visitors must carry out everything they bring in, including food scraps and fruit peels. Follow general ""Leave No Trace"" guidelines for disposal of human waste. Pollution of any kind will not be accepted. Watershed regulations are enforced by the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, the Salt Lake City Water Department, the Salt Lake City - County Health Department, the US Forest Service, and the Alta Marshal's Office. Violations constitute a Class ""B"" misdemeanor and in most cases a citation is issued to violators. Wilderness: This trail enters a designated wilderness area, special regulations apply including limiting group sizes to 10 or less, no mechanized use (including Mountain Bikes), and using Leave No Trace techniques are recommended. Campfires: Campfires are prohibited within Mill B South Fork Drainage in the Twin peaks Wilderness.
Traveler
Quiet and affordable. Really well maintained with a playground and reservoir for the kids. Perfect stop near SLC...definitely coming back!
Guide
Clean facilities, but no water or power. The camp hosts were friendly and helpful. Our site was right near the creek, well shaded, and reasonably separated from neighbors. There are hiking trails that lead to climbing walls; we watched one climber struggle for 20 minutes to get past an obstacle. The downside here is the road noise, which could be overwhelming sometimes when motorcyclists, ATVs, or overwound street racers sped by. Access to some amazing scenery in the Wasatch Mountains makes it worth a visit.
Ranger
Stayed in spot 28 which was good and had view of lake until neighbor pulled in with a giant 5th wheel. Spot 19 is in the middle and seems to have a good view regardless of who is parked in adjacent spots, and spot 32 also seems to have a good view and the advantage of being on the outer edge so no backdoor neighbors. Park has a general store but we did not go inside. Bathrooms/showers are decent with sufficient hot water, but are not as nice as those at Wasatch Mtn.
Food aside: Had freeze-dried coconut curry chicken with extra packet of ready-to-eat Wal Mart chicken added and it was good. Also had chicken teriyaki with chicken packet added. Spiced both up with garlic powder.
RangerStayed in spot 28 which was good and had view of lake until neighbor pulled in with a giant 5th wheel. Spot 19 is in the middle and seems to have a good view regardless of who is parked in adjacent spots, and spot 32 also seems to have a good view and the advantage of being on the outer edge so no backdoor neighbors. Park has a general store but we did not go inside.
Bathrooms/showers are decent with sufficient hot water.
Food aside: Had freeze-dried coconut curry chicken with extra Wal Mart packet of chicken added and it was good and low FQ (fart quotient). Also had chicken teriyaki with chicken packet added. Always add garlic powder, perhaps smoked paprika.
Ranger
Stayed in 33B first night and 23C second night. C loop seems a little more sparse and spaced out. Outer loop seems better. Bathrooms very clean and well stocked. Sites mostly level. Pine and aspen, some spots more shaded than others. Easy walk to lake and there is a nice paved trail around it. Spotty cell service at road, none in campground.
Food aside: Freeze-dried Pad thai with chicken, supplemented chicken (packet from Wal Mart) and it was very good with a bit of heat. Also added garlic powder (always).
Traveler
This is BLM. A couple of different camping sites. Most have fire rings but no water or bathrooms. You will need a 4x4 with high clearance to get up the mountain (the road is rough). There are sites at the bottom of the mountain that you can get an RV or car in but those are crowded and around the shooting range. We had a great time at the top with beautiful views and quiet. Nobody else around. oHV area too.
Traveler
The camp ground itself is not bad. You have all the amenities that you could wish for when you are on the road. Including sites with full hook up and showers plus toilets that are in good condition. The camp store has food and drinks available. Very positive were the ladies at the reception. Very helpful and very sweet.
But the location is rather disappointing. Its located at the end of an old street and right in front of a dam, enclosed by some hills. You can hear the nearby highway. Not very pretty.
It feels a little cramped, the individual spots are very close to each other, so there is not much privacy. Plus, it is very expensive. I paid 78$ for a full hook up spot.
Probably better to check out the camp site Hailstone Camp Ground right up the hill, in the Jordanelle state park. It looked so much more beautiful when I passed by there the next morning.
Traveler
We Spent one night while we were on our way to the west coast. Spot was nice with a big grassy area. Bathrooms were adequate and the staff was very friendly!
Scout
They work with u nice and helpful we changed our check out date 3 times and they got it all figured it out.
Guide
It’s very quiet and pretty here. You have the water on the river at the bottom of the dam Spaces aren’t to close. It’s beautiful
TravelerLoud music coming from the bar next to the campground. Hard to get any sleep for the drive.
Traveler
We tent camped on the beach and loved it all from the oolitic sand to the absolutely insane sunrise view from the window of the tent! On the north side you see the lake and the south side you see the Rio Tinto smelter it’s a really cool dynamic. We have enjoyed our stay
Guide
We had one night connected to power and one without and enjoyed both nights. It’s a lovely forested area and the fall colors are just turning. Very friendly gate staff. Highly recommend
Scout
For only 25min from downtown provo, this is a wonderful place to go for a night. Super kind camp host and well maintained roads.
Scout
Beware the pretty pics don’t show how bad this place really is.. Ok they can’t help being situated right beside the freeway and the constant noise from it that makes it very unpleasant to sit outside and even the staff wear industrial earplugs at night. It’s the rest of it that’s really bad, from first meeting the arrogant manager he made it pretty clear that he wasn’t here to help or be nice. The laundry required quarters which they couldn’t provide, was told to download an app which he then told us rarely works on an iPhone. I’m not here to help too bad you don’t have quarters Ladies bathroom out of order Gardeners with industrial gas blowers and mowers started at 8am in the morning.. why couldn’t they schedule them for 11. But the rude manager said that’s just the way it is. Have stayed in many RV parks, usually with friendly people, this place is the worst. Also the other items that others have bought up, like parking right next to each other, the list goes on but our recommendation is don’t come here!!!
Traveler
The views are great but the road is definitely washed out. You will need 4WD and high clearance to pass through the washouts and rocks which start near the entrance and go all the way to the top.
Guide
Found this spot last minute. It's fancy. Way fancier than we usually pick, but the price was right. It was full when we arrived on a Saturday. But thinned out later in the week I really enjoyed the split between the folks with kids and those without. 3 pools and hot tubs...2 for the 21+ only crowd. There are tons of clean bathrooms woth showers and 3 clubhouses. 2 dog parks...one was HUGE!! Dogs loved it. Views are amazing. It was honestly kind if refreshing to stay in a resort.
Scout
Very popular campground. Sites nestled in the trees. Occasional road noise. It is shows as first come first served but somehow people can make reservations ahead of time. We looked for a sign which said OPEN and camped there. Hosts are great.
Guide
After a long day of travel we just wanted to get to any site and camp. This is a national forest so there is technically a park permit required. However, we have an annual park pass and they accept that as well. It is an honor system kind of park permit. They ask you to scan the QR code or pay at the self pay station. $10 for a 3day pass, $20 for a 7 day pass.
The drive up to this site is winding and the cars seem to be used to driving it because they come around the corners pretty fast. Drive carefully and stay on your side of the road. It site is just after mile marker 17.
The site is huge! Lots of space for people, cars, RVs and trailers. The road is paved until you turn in and then it’s a regular dirt road.
The major con in this park in general is the bathrooms are yucky especially at this site.
This seems to be a local hangout for the youngsters as well. They were not a bother to us however, they were letting loose, having a good time at their site. They left around 11 or so.
No service with AT&T
ScoutThere is one campsite with a sign that says 3 day public camping. It is a huge dirt lot with a few shade trees and creek. About 1/4 mile after this location are 5 more Creekside campsites on the left side of the road ( if coming from Goshen ) they are unmarked. All campsites in this area are on BLM or state land. Please do not overstay your welcome. They have discussed blocking them off due to people staying for way to long and leaving trash.
Traveler
We camped here at the end of August, and the weather was perfect, chilly at night but not horrible!
Scout
Stopped on a Sunday evening during a westbound cross country journey. Our 20’ van had no issues circling the road to find an open First-come-first-served spot, but would advise not much longer of a rig. We had to figure out the rules for finding and paying for an open spot, but it was all fine. This is a popular campground with many sites reserved far in advance, so last-minute FCFS openings on weekends may be rare.
Traveler
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Traveler
This is a hike in area of camping. Luckily the park provides free wagons so that you can pack up and hike to your area. The hike is about a quarter mile to the general area where there are lots. This area is tent camping only. The views are great and the water is great! It is dog friendly with a leash. Each lot has a paved area with a picnic bench and fire pit. Really enjoyed this place!
TravelerI want to start positive and say that the views are some of the best! Mt Tiponogous is in full view and the panoramic views are all great as well. It was only my group that camped up there the night we camped, but a couple people did drive by for some off road action. Speaking of off road action, the road is atrocious. Dont come unless you have some serious high clearance 4wd vehicle or you will bottom out and destroy your vehicle. I’m saying this as someone from Lake City CO who grew up driving the Alpine Loop, the road is BAD!
Guide
Campsites are well spaced, several loops available for rvs. Clean showers and bathrooms. Nice perimeter trail around the water. Boat’s available for rent. Very popular location so books up early.
Guide
The road leading here is very bumpy. There are two specific spots that are really bad. 4x4 is almost a requirement. I did however see some people make it up in a van so it is possible. The coordinates lead to an open field with a lot of campsites. I would suggest parking in the lot a little further ahead on the left. This road is a popular destination so people ride up and down it a lot. The views are well worth it and there is also some hiking trails around here as well. There are more dispersed camping sites further along this road. I was able to get a very spotty one bar signal of Verizon while near the coordinates.
Nestled near American Fork, Utah, tent camping offers a blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures, perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near American Fork, UT is Silver Lake Backcountry with a 4.8-star rating from 8 reviews.
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