Best Campgrounds near Cottonwood Heights, UT
Camping opportunities surround Cottonwood Heights, Utah with established campgrounds in both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Tanners Flat in Little Cottonwood Canyon provides developed sites for tents and RVs from May through October, while Spruces Campground offers similar accommodations in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The Wasatch Mountains contain several backcountry camping areas like Red Pine Lake and Twin Peaks Wilderness, where primitive tent camping is permitted. Salt Lake City KOA offers full-hookup RV sites year-round for those seeking developed facilities, while dispersed camping can be found in nearby canyons including Neffs Canyon.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping access in the Cottonwood Heights region. Most canyon campgrounds operate from late spring through early fall, typically May through October, with higher elevation sites opening later due to snowpack. Winter conditions close most mountain access roads, while summer weekends see high demand requiring advance reservations. Many backcountry areas like Lone Peak Cirque require permits and careful water planning, as one visitor noted, "Be warned to bring a lot of water (at least 3 L each) and a filter if you plan on staying overnight in the cirque. All water is runoff so also make sure there is still snow up there as that is your only water supply."
Developed campgrounds in the canyons provide amenities like flush toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water, though several reviews mention sites filling quickly during summer months. Backcountry camping areas offer more solitude but require significant hiking effort. The proximity to Salt Lake City makes these camping areas particularly popular for weekend trips. A camper at Tanners Flat commented, "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." Watershed restrictions prohibit dogs in some canyon areas, particularly Little Cottonwood, and swimming is restricted in certain water sources. Campers particularly value sites near creeks or streams for the natural sound barrier they create from other campsites, with one visitor noting, "Our site was next to the river, which really helped drown out all other sounds!"
