Camping near Bingham Canyon sits at elevations between 4,500-7,400 feet with distinct seasonal temperature variations. Summer daytime temperatures reach 85-95°F while dropping to 45-55°F overnight, making proper sleeping gear essential. Most campgrounds in this area operate from late May through mid-October, with several offering alternatives to traditional tent camping.
What to do
Hike to Scout Falls: Access this waterfall via Timpooneke Campground, located about 30 miles southeast of Bingham Canyon. "We were able to wake up and get on the trail and hike up to the glacier and camp we then hiked to the end the next day and hiked out," notes one Timpooneke visitor about the multi-day hiking options.
Fish in nearby streams: Little Mill Campground provides access to American Fork Creek. "We woke up to see cows in the morning which the kids loved. Had some great areas for hiking and is really close to the reservoir for some awesome fishing," shares a camper who appreciated the diverse activities.
Mountain bike the Wasatch Crest Trail: Redman Campground offers proximity to premier mountain biking. "This is super close to my favorite mountain bike ride in Northern Utah - The Wasatch Crest Trail. There's nothing like riding a bike through deep dark forests, soaring mountains, and stretching meadows riddled with flowers," reports an enthusiastic rider.
Wildlife viewing: The cottonwood canyons host abundant wildlife. "Very nice campground with water running in multiple places, clean multiple bathrooms and incredible wildlife coming right into your site. In addition to numerous deer, we had two moose munching away at the willow at the adjacent site," describes a Redman Campground visitor.
What campers like
High elevation escapes: Granite Flat Campground sits at 6,400 feet elevation, providing cooler temperatures. "Granite Flat is a very pretty - and popular campground. High up American Fork Canyon tucked in the forest. The elevation is about 6400 ft- so no spring camping," explains a reviewer who appreciated the mountainous setting.
Water features: Many campers value sites near water. At Nunns Park Campground, "The river is right there and makes some beautiful yet subtle white noise. It is in provo canyon and the cliffs on either side are very impressive," notes a visitor who enjoyed the natural sound barrier.
Proximity to Salt Lake City: Settlement Canyon provides accessibility while maintaining a wilderness feel. "Great location to camp for touring Salt Lake City. Full hook-ups at a reasonable price. Sites are tight and busy on the weekends. Limited cell service," reports a camper who used it as a base for exploring the metro area.
Clean facilities: Spruces Campground maintains high standards. "I just recently stayed at the Spruces. Loved it. Very peaceful. I stayed in campground #47. Right near the end of the loop before it's goes into the peaceful forest section. Great one. Right by water but gets a heck of a lot of sun in the morning," writes a satisfied visitor.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites fill quickly. At Granite Flat Campground, "Book EARLY! This campsite reservations for the weekend fill up quick. I checked in late may and every weekend until September was already booked," warns one camper.
Canyon restrictions: Watershed regulations impact activities. "NO Dogs allowed in the canyon- it is a watershed," explains a Tanners Flat reviewer, noting a restriction that applies to several canyon campgrounds near Bingham Canyon.
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location. At Settlement Canyon, one visitor notes, "There is no cell service at all unless you're up near the gate," while others mention complete disconnection at higher elevation sites.
Weather considerations: Mountain conditions can change rapidly. "It can get extremely windy at night, but that was to be expected," reports a camper at Flight Park, highlighting the need for secure tent setups in some locations.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Pony Express RV Resort offers numerous family features. "Nice bathhouses with private shower/toilets. Wifi and cable. Great play area. Bikes available including kid sized. Paved 80 mile bike trail along Jordan River. Giant chessboard. Nice pool area," notes a visitor who appreciated the child-friendly facilities.
Choose locations with multiple activity options: Little Mill Campground provides varied experiences. "Great relaxing family time, fishing on river close, close to tribble fork and silver lakes," shares a family who appreciated having multiple destinations within reach.
Consider accessibility needs: Some campgrounds better accommodate families with young children. "This is a really easy-access campground so it's great for little kids. beautiful canyon, lots of spots, and just a great time!" explains a visitor to Little Mill.
Reserve group sites for larger family gatherings: Redman Campground accommodates larger family groups. "We've used one of the group sites and a double site, and they are very roomy. The camp hosts have always been attentive, too. There are all sorts of activities around that make it a perfect central spot- hiking Donut Falls and around Silver Lake are two kid-friendly ones we do," shares a family camper.
Tips from RVers
Know your site dimensions: At Tanners Flat Campground, "The campground is pretty, but it is not for family camping with a tent. This campground has pull-through areas for people towing camping trailers, but not much for those that want to set up a full-size tent and lounge around outside," explains one RVer who found the site layout better for trailers than tents.
Check hookup availability: Settlement Canyon offers full utilities. "You'll love sitting out by your fire pit watching the deer scamper all over the mountains that surround you. Camp management is wonderful they go above and beyond to reserve you the best campsite available. Full hookups are available and you'll love your mini vacay!" reports a regular camper.
Consider space limitations: Some RV parks trade space for convenience. At Pony Express RV Resort, "Like others have said…if you want space to spread out this is not the place for you. If you're looking for a place that is convenient, full hook up, level concrete pads, this is the place to be!" explains a recent visitor.
Look for level parking: Granite Flat Campground presents some challenges. "The one downside was that the tent spot was not flat, and had quite a few large rocks. Otherwise, it was great," notes a camper, highlighting terrain considerations important for both tent and RV campers.
