Best Campgrounds near Brighton, UT

Camping near Brighton, Utah encompasses a range of mountain settings within the Wasatch Range, primarily in Big Cottonwood Canyon and surrounding areas. The region features several established campgrounds including Redman Campground, Spruces Campground, and Tanners Flat, all managed by the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. These sites sit at high elevations (8,000-9,000 feet) and provide access to alpine lakes, hiking trails, and ski resorts. Nearby Jordanelle State Park and Wasatch Mountain State Park offer additional camping options with more amenities, located approximately 20-30 minutes from Brighton in the Heber Valley area.

Most campgrounds in the Brighton area operate seasonally from late May or June through September or mid-October, depending on snow conditions and elevation. Winter weather arrives early and stays late at these high-elevation sites, with nighttime temperatures frequently dropping below freezing even in summer months. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer periods. Campgrounds near Brighton fill quickly on weekends, with reservations recommended through Recreation.gov for most Forest Service sites. Cell service is variable throughout the canyons, with better coverage at higher points and limited or no service in some canyon bottoms.

The camping experience varies significantly between locations. Forest Service campgrounds like Redman offer a more rustic experience with basic amenities. According to campers, "Redman has clean sites, exceptionally clean bathrooms with flushing toilets, and you are a walk or hike away from Brighton." Sites along streams are particularly popular for the natural sound barrier they provide. For those seeking more amenities, nearby Heber City hosts Mountain Valley RV Resort with full hookups, while dispersed camping options exist in areas like Mineral Basin for those with appropriate vehicles and willing to camp without facilities. Some dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles and may have seasonal access limitations due to snow or mud conditions.

Best Camping Sites Near Brighton, Utah (284)

    1. Spruces - Big Cottonwood

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

    $29 - $346 / night

    "Bathrooms always close by, no showers. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit. If you’re lucky, you can get a site close to the creek. Nice, cool nights in the summer."

    "Right up Big Cottonwood Canyon, this campground has the advantage of being up the canyon so you feel far away from the city, but close enough that you could go on a work night and still make it to the"

    2. Hailstone - Upper Fisher Campground — Jordanelle State Park

    38 Reviews
    Park City, UT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 649-9540

    $35 - $50 / night

    "This isn't the prettiest lake. It is nice and big, but since it is one of the closest to Utah Valley and Salt Lake Valley, it gets a lot of traffic."

    "We stayed at the "McHenry" campground in a spot right next to a creek. The traffic noise was a bit prevalent during the day because it's close to the highway. Great tent pad."

    3. Granite Flat (utah)

    38 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    9 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."

    4. Tanners Flat

    19 Reviews
    Snowbird, UT
    6 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."

    5. Redman Campground

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

    $29 - $217 / night

    "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."

    "It is close to Brighton and Silver Lake.  The campground is GORGEOUS and so quiet.  The hosts are so kind.  My nieces and nephews look forward to this trip every year, and you will too!"

    6. Pine Creek Campground — Wasatch Mountain State Park

    14 Reviews
    Midway, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 654-3961

    $45 - $90 / night

    "Close to fishing pond, play area for kids, beautiful golf courses, hikes, Midway/Heber cities, fishing rivers and beautiful drives up the mountains for more exploring."

    "Eventually was able to get the camphost to y’all to the folks next to us. Otherwise beautiful and super convenient. Would return again"

    7. Little Mill

    21 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 785-3563

    $28 - $229 / night

    "We got a site with access to the river which my kids really enjoyed. There was a fun giant "sliding rock" in the area to climb on. Lots of trees for hammocks."

    "The site we stayed at had many trees around to hang hammocks and also eat and picnic in the shade. There are brand new camp fires in all sites."

    8. Mountain Valley RV Resort

    21 Reviews
    Heber, UT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 657-6100

    $30 - $129 / night

    "Located in beautiful Heber City, Utah. We felt at home as soon as we arrived and were greeted by a nice man on a golf cart who lead us to where we’d be staying."

    "He was helpful and provided wonderful advice for the rest of our trip in Utah (Moab). The sites are a bit close, but the campground was quiet and clean. Our girls enjoyed the pool and hot tub."

    9. Timpooneke

    15 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 785-3563

    $28 - $205 / night

    "I love how it is near a river. You can hear it at night. It's so nice to get to a cool area out of the hot valley and into the cool scenic back country of Utah county."

    "While there are many campgrounds in Utah that rival it, this one is special because it's such a short drive after work."

    10. Albion Basin

    8 Reviews
    Alta, UT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 999-2103

    $28 - $80 / night

    "Campground Review: An absolutely amazing campground that sits at the very top of Little Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City. "

    "This campground located at the top of little cottonwood canyon is a great relief from the city. But the city is close by, and so are the crowds."

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Recent Reviews near Brighton, UT

1472 Reviews of 284 Brighton Campgrounds


  • Elise A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Soapstone Basin Dispersed Camping

    Soapstone Basin, Uinta Mountains – A Wild, Beautiful Reminder of Respect for the Land

    We escaped the chaos of a music festival and ran straight into the mountains—landing at Soapstone Basin for one unforgettable night. We didn’t realize a storm was closing in until the clouds surrounded us. You can reach the area without four-wheel drive if roads are dry, but if weather’s coming, trust me—bring it.

    The views are unreal, and the quiet is almost otherworldly. This is hunting land, so you’ll occasionally hear distant gunfire, but safety rules are well respected. We had a storm roll through—trees cracked all night, rain turned to snow, and we woke up under 3–4 inches of it. Freezing, beautiful, and absolutely still.

    There is absolutely no service out here, so plan ahead—know the weather, download maps, and bring a way to communicate in an emergency. We were likely the only tent campers in sight—everyone else had trailers or ATVs—but with experience and good gear, tent camping here is magic. A tree-clearing crew passed through the next morning, another reminder of how well this land is cared for.

    Places like Soapstone are a privilege. They feel sacred, untouched, and peaceful. If you come, honor it—keep it clean, quiet, and respectful. That’s exactly how we found it, and that’s exactly how it should stay.

  • Bill B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Century RV Park

    Friendly and helpful staff

    Convenient and reasonable. They closed the swimming pool and spa for the winter. The shower was clean.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Springville / Provo KOA Holiday

    KOA

    Well it's your topical RV resort. It doesn't have a fire ring and it's by train tracks and a freeway. Also, your packed in like sardines. However, it will do for overnight. I have to say it is clean and kept up well. But if you're into private camping with space, this isn't for you.

  • Kim G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Fox Den Campground — Deer Creek State Park

    Beautiful uncrowded campground

    We stopped here after leaving Salt Lake City. It is mid October so the campground is mostly empty. We were able to get our pick of sites. Beautiful views of water and the mountains. Super nice bathrooms that look brand new. Not much hiking right here but close enough to the Alpine Loop to Sundance with hiking along the way. Not far from a bike path along the Provo River. Only a few minutes into Midway with many restaurants to choose from.

  • Kim G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Salt Lake City KOA

    Urban campground convenient to SLC

    We wanted to explore Salt Lake City so decided to stay at this downtown KOA. It is a large and crowded RV park but right on a Transit line (UTA light rail Trax) and biking distance to downtown. The facilities are older but clean. Standard Holiday amenities like pool, dog park, dog wash, basketball court. We’d stay again if I wanted to be close to downtown.

  • Kim G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Valley View RV Resort

    Newer place with some nice ammenities

    Nice RV Resort with many amenities including pool, hot tub, outdoor fire pit, pickleball courts. Friendly staff. Laundry machines are limited given the size of the park. Also showers are inexplicably small. Bathrooms with toilet, sink, shower are adequate size but the showers are quite small (and I am not a large person). Paved sites but not level. I’d stay again but perhaps do my laundry somewhere else on the way in.

  • Kim G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Bridger Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park

    Beautiful remote campground

    The positives: a beautiful remote spot with huge spaces between campsites. Gorgeous views of the Great Salt Lake. Right now there is no water on the island due to construction at the visitors center. The visitors center is closed though there is a temporary one. One other detractor is the mosquitoes here. We were out at dusk locking our bikes and were swarmed by them!! It has been very windy here. Don’t know if that is usual or a temporary weather thing due to remnants of a Pacific hurricane. If you are looking for solitude without backpacking into the mountains the primitive loop at Bridger Bay campground could be your thing. Nice place to bike also if it weren’t for the wind.

  • Claire L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Little Mill

    Our favorite place

    Our family adores this location. Great staff, clean toilets, stunning camping areas near the river, some directly on it! Spot 10 was great for our 33ft rig. We will be back Little Mill! Love you

  • Claire L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Valley View RV Resort

    Stunning views and the sound of freedom

    We’ve stayed here several times and have to say the vibes are patriotic and welcoming. The Air Force base and surrounding mountains feel like you’re in a Top Gun movie. Clean bathrooms, clean pool and spa, super cool staff, and my kids had a blast making memories. Thanks Valley View - Claire


Guide to Brighton

Camping spots near Brighton, Utah provide outdoor access at elevations between 7,000-9,500 feet where temperatures drop significantly after sunset even during summer months. Forest Service campgrounds near Brighton typically operate from June through mid-September, with road access dependent on snow conditions. Campgrounds at these elevations often have vault toilets rather than flush facilities, particularly at more remote locations.

What to do

Hiking to alpine lakes: From Albion Basin Campground, trails lead to multiple scenic destinations. "There is a great hike leaving from the campground to Cecret lake. But again it is very popular, so lots of people," notes Brian N. The area offers more challenging options too: "If you want to make a summit and take in the view from above then Sunset Peak or Sugarloaf Peak are good half day hiking options."

Mountain biking access: Camping at Timpooneke Campground puts you near extensive trail systems. "OHV riders will love the scenery and trails it provides just above the campground spot," says Shad G. The campground provides strategic positioning for early starts: "It's a nice site right at the base of the timpooneke trail that leads to summit of my timp. Not free, but a great way to be there for a head start on the sunrise hike."

Winter activities: Some campgrounds offer off-season use. "Wonderful winter wonder land you can snowshoe into in the winter and camp at!" writes Shilah M. about Spruces Campground. For summer visitors wanting cooler temperatures, Albion Basin offers relief: "The site is at 9400 ft so the temps are usually 20 degrees cooler than the city."

What campers like

River sound barriers: Sites along waterways at Little Mill Campground provide natural noise isolation. "We loved it. You could hear the river and we had a great time," says Melody F. Another camper adds, "We had a great tent site that was on the side near the mountain and across from us were campsites next to the road and the river. We did not hear any road noise at all, just the sound of wind in the trees and the water flowing."

Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer animal sighting opportunities. At Redman Campground, "This campground is quiet and has abundant wildlife. In addition to numerous deer, we had two moose munching away at the willow at the adjacent site." Campers consistently report moose, deer, and small mammals throughout the area.

Cleanliness of facilities: Despite high usage, campers frequently mention well-maintained facilities. "Redman has always been one of our favorite campgrounds in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The campsites are clean, the bathrooms are exceptionally clean with flushing toilets," notes Kristin H. Similarly, at Timpooneke, "The campground is well maintained but gets a lot of traffic in and out because of the hikers driving to the parking lot."

What you should know

Reservation timing: Sites book extremely quickly at most Brighton-area campgrounds. "Book EARLY! This campsite is always full," advises one camper about Timpooneke. At Albion Basin, "This site books out almost instantly at the beginning of the season, so sites generally only come available when there is a cancellation."

Weather variations: High elevation means unpredictable conditions. "It can get cold at night - high elevation. Not really a bad site in the campground. However it fills up fast and is about impossible to get a site on the weekend without a reservation," reports Angee D. about Timpooneke.

Watershed restrictions: Little Cottonwood Canyon has strict regulations due to being a watershed. At Tanners Flat Campground, "The nearby creek is pretty, but you cannot so much as wade in it without facing prosecution and a $1500 fine." Similarly, many campgrounds in the watershed prohibit pets: "NO Dogs allowed in the canyon - it is a watershed."

Tips for camping with families

Accessible facilities: Some campgrounds are better equipped for families with young children. "Each camping area is nice, however, it is very very busy and pretty tight quarters. If you're looking for a little more privacy from neighbors this may not be your best bet," notes Sydney Z. about Granite Flat.

Activity options: Parents appreciate campgrounds with multiple recreation choices nearby. "There is a huge spot of grass that you can play sports or baseball on. Really nice spots with lots of trees and shade. This is really close to some really good hikes like Stewart Falls, and tibble fork reservoir just minutes for your camp site," writes Brad B.

Noise considerations: Some locations experience significant traffic noise. At Little Mill, one camper noted: "My only reason this campground didn't get 5 stars is due to the horrible road noise. I seriously thought I was at a truck stop off the interstate. Honking and racing cars until 3am just ruined it."

Tips from RVers

Site angles: At Pine Creek Campground in Wasatch State Park, RVers should prepare for uneven sites. "Very few sites built to accommodate larger rigs. Narrow loop roads with mature trees at that time not well-trimmed. 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."

Hookup options: For those seeking full services, look beyond Forest Service campgrounds. "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. about Pine Creek.

Water pressure concerns: Some campgrounds have utility quirks. "Great campsite. Clean and nice amenities for a State Park. Be careful hooking up your RV to water. Very high pressure," warns Trevor S. about Jordanelle State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Brighton Campground located and how do I access it?

Brighton Campground is located in Big Cottonwood Canyon in Utah, nestled among beautiful mountain scenery. Redman Campground is one of the primary camping options in the Brighton area, situated within walking distance of Brighton Resort. The campground is accessible via the main canyon road and offers a convenient base for exploring the surrounding mountains. Another option nearby is Miner's Canyon Dispersed, which is about an hour's drive from Brighton but provides access to both Brighton and Snowbird ski resorts during winter months. Access roads to campgrounds in the area are generally well-maintained but may have seasonal closures due to snow conditions.

What amenities and facilities are available at Brighton camping sites?

Amenities at Brighton area camping sites vary significantly by location. Pine Creek Campground offers traditional camping facilities with asphalt sites, though some may be narrow and unlevel. For those seeking more developed facilities, Rock Cliff Area Campground provides full hook-ups for RVs in a clean, well-maintained environment with scenic views. Facilities typically include established fire rings, picnic tables, and parking areas. Many campgrounds in the Brighton region feature flush toilets, though dispersed camping areas like Soldier's Pass require you to pack in all water and offer no amenities. The more developed sites often provide trash service, while dispersed areas operate on a pack-it-in, pack-it-out basis.

Are there RV accommodations at Brighton campgrounds?

Mountain Valley RV Resort in nearby Heber City is one of the best options for RV camping near Brighton, offering full-service accommodations with a welcoming atmosphere and staff that guides you to your site upon arrival. For those looking to stay closer to Brighton, Jordanelle State Park provides big-rig-friendly sites with hookups. Many campgrounds in the area were designed decades ago with smaller rigs in mind, so larger modern RVs may find limited suitable sites. When planning an RV trip to Brighton, it's advisable to research site dimensions carefully, as some campgrounds have narrow roads, low-hanging branches, and unlevel parking areas that can challenge larger vehicles.

What are the options for family-friendly camping near Brighton?

The Brighton area offers several family-friendly camping options. Payson Lakes is excellent for families, featuring safe swimming and kayaking areas, plus a fishery perfect for children and youth. Motorized boats aren't allowed, making it safer for families with young children. Another great family option is Spruces - Big Cottonwood, which provides reservable sites, water access, and proper toilet facilities. Many sites in the Brighton area offer hiking trails suitable for various ability levels, with some campgrounds providing educational programs during summer months. When camping with children, look for sites with established fire rings, accessible water sources, and proximity to gentle hiking trails.