Best Campgrounds near Draper, UT

The Wasatch Front surrounding Draper, Utah features a range of camping environments from mountain retreats to urban RV parks. Mountain Shadows RV Park in Draper provides year-round accommodations with full hookups, though reviews note its primarily residential character and proximity to freeway noise. Within 30 minutes, campers can access canyon campgrounds like Tanners Flat in Little Cottonwood Canyon and Spruces in Big Cottonwood Canyon, both offering seasonal tent and RV camping among aspen groves. Granite Flat near Provo receives high ratings for its shaded sites and stream access. For those seeking more amenities, Salt Lake City KOA operates year-round with full hookups, while Lakeside RV Campground in Provo offers tree-covered sites near Utah Lake.

Camping seasons vary significantly with elevation in the Draper area. Most mountain campgrounds operate from May through mid-October, closing during winter months due to snow. Reservations are essential during summer weekends, particularly for sites with water access. As one camper at Granite Flat noted, "Quite area, lot of room... tucked in very back with water spout next to car area." Urban RV parks typically remain open year-round but fill quickly during special events and holidays. Fire restrictions commonly affect the region during dry summer months. Higher elevation sites in the canyons can experience temperature drops of 20-30 degrees compared to the valley, requiring appropriate gear even in summer. Cell service remains reliable at most developed sites but can be spotty in canyon locations.

Mountain views dominate the camping experience throughout the region, with many sites offering panoramic vistas of the Wasatch Range. Noise levels vary dramatically between locations, with canyon campgrounds like Tanners Flat earning praise for tranquility. One visitor remarked, "It was quiet, tucked away from anyone. Our site was next to the river, which really helped drown out all other sounds!" Conversely, urban RV parks often contend with traffic and aircraft noise. Wildlife sightings are common at higher elevations, with deer frequently visiting campsites. Insect activity peaks in early summer, particularly near water sources. Fishing opportunities abound at nearby reservoirs and streams, with Utah Lake providing catfish and white bass fishing according to reviewers. Most developed campgrounds offer basic amenities like vault toilets and drinking water, while RV parks provide full hookups and additional facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near Draper, Utah (246)

    1. Granite Flat (utah)

    38 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    11 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."

    2. Little Mill

    21 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    10 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."

    3. Spruces - Big Cottonwood

    33 Reviews
    Mounthaven, UT
    15 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"

    4. Tanners Flat

    19 Reviews
    Snowbird, UT
    10 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. Willow Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Lehi, UT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (385) 201-1000

    $25 - $175 / night

    "This campground was nestled in the middle of Lehi Utah and it was a great place for us to swing in for one night."

    "We were able to get a spot next to the Jordan River under a beautiful tree. We brought our 16ft camper and didn’t need to back it in or anything."

    6. Salt Lake City KOA

    43 Reviews
    Salt Lake City, UT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 328-0224

    $50 - $189 / night

    "I had the wonderful opportunity to stay the night at Salt Lake City KOA!"

    "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."

    7. Nunns Park

    27 Reviews
    Aspen Grove, UT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 851-8640

    "The only bad part about this camp site is all the highway noise. It is close to the Provo river and there is lots of shade so that is nice. Great place to have a camp fire and cook some S'mores. "

    "Close in to town, very pretty with Provo river next to it. Bike path and highway noise can be distracting."

    8. 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."

    9. Mountain Shadows RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Draper, UT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 571-4024

    10. Lakeside RV Campground

    27 Reviews
    Orem, UT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 373-5267

    $31 - $48 / night

    "Lakeside was our home for 3 nights while we were in town for Provo’s annual Colonial Festival."

    "You're super close to amenities and anything you could want to see in town, as well as Utah Lake."

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Recent Reviews near Draper, UT

1377 Reviews of 246 Draper Campgrounds


  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    Beautiful Area, But

    Close to civilization but far enough to get a healthy dose of quiet darkness. The campsites are drive-in and a decent size, far apart from each other, but keep your eyes peeled for deep potholes and broken glass. The few times we’ve stayed here we’ve enjoyed ourselves, but this seems to be a very popular spot; on several occasions we’ve made the 1+ hour drive out here, only to find every single spot taken. It appears that the same campers are out here frequently, and for long periods of time. Would be nice if people would limit their own stays for the consideration of others to enjoy this area as well, instead of treating it like their own personal property.

  • 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.

  • 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 Draper

Dispersed camping options near Draper, Utah range from high-elevation mountain sites to lower valley locations with river access. Most mountain camping in the area sits between 6,400-7,400 feet elevation, contributing to temperature variations of 20-30°F between day and night even during summer months. Canyon campgrounds typically open from late May through mid-October, with lower-elevation sites offering extended seasons from April through October.

What to do

Hike to mountain lakes: From Granite Flat, campers can easily reach Tibble Fork and Silver Lake Flat reservoirs. "The area and scenery were gorgeous! The water was cool and there were tons of people there with paddle boards, canoos, tents, and dogs," notes one camper. Non-motorized water activities available at both reservoirs.

Access Timpanogos Cave: Little Mill Campground provides convenient access to Timpanogos Cave National Monument. "We LOVED Little Mill! It's the perfect campground. It has the smell of pine trees, a babbling brook, and it is just down the road from Timpanogos Cave National Monument," reports one visitor. Cave tours require advance reservations during peak summer season.

Explore rock climbing routes: American Fork Canyon contains historic sport climbing routes established in the late 80s and early 90s. One camper at Little Mill notes, "Within about 5-10 minutes are over 50 beginner, moderate, and intermediate routes with a few tough ones mixed in!" Popular walls include Serenity Wall, easily accessible from camping areas.

What campers like

River sounds: Many campgrounds feature creek access that creates natural white noise. A Nunns Park visitor shared, "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."

Early fall camping: The Tanners Flat area offers excellent September and early October camping with fewer crowds. "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," reports one camper. Fall colors typically peak late September to early October.

Winter options: Some campgrounds remain accessible during winter months. One Spruces visitor noted, "Wonderful winter wonder land you can snowshoe into in the winter and camp at!" Snowshoe access available when roads close seasonally.

What you should know

Reservation timing: Camping sites near Draper, Utah fill quickly, especially for weekend stays. A Granite Flat reviewer warned, "Be aware that this campsite reservations for the weekend fill up quick. I checked in late may and every weekend until September was already booked."

Road closure impacts: Forest road closures can affect campground access. "The surrounding area is full of closed roads making this spot inaccessible," noted one Granite Flat visitor in May. Check Forest Service websites for current road status before departing.

Noise considerations: Urban camping spots experience traffic and aircraft noise. A Lakeside RV Campground camper mentioned, "The campground is located right off the main road that takes you to Utah Lake so there can be a lot of traffic going down the road." Canyon locations generally offer more quiet.

Elevation affects temperatures: High-elevation campgrounds like Timpooneke sit at approximately 7,400 feet. "It can get cold at night - high elevation," warns one camper. Pack additional warm layers even for summer camping.

Tips for camping with families

Scout trails: Multiple short hikes accessible from canyon campgrounds. "The walk from the campsite to bridal falls is also lovely!" notes a Nunns Park visitor. Hiking distance to falls is approximately 1 mile on maintained trail.

Extended season options: Willow Park Campground in Lehi offers camping early and late in season. "This is just down the street from our house but it's a fun place for family, neighborhood and scout camp outs any time of year. Great trails, playground, river access, and lots of room to spread out!" states one visitor.

Recreation spaces: Some campgrounds include large open areas for activities. One camper at Timpooneke notes, "There is a huge spot of grass that you can play sports or baseball on." This provides additional recreation space beyond individual campsites.

Bug awareness: Mosquitoes can be problematic at some locations, particularly early summer. "The only downside was that this year there were an obscene amount of mosquitoes," warns a Granite Flat camper. Bring insect repellent, especially for sites near water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the closest campgrounds to Draper, Utah?

Draper has several nearby camping options within a short drive. Mountain Shadows RV Park is located directly in Draper, making it the closest option, though it's primarily a residential park. For those seeking a more natural experience, Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry offers free dispersed camping not far from the city, with established fire rings and easy to moderate hiking trails. Other excellent options within a 45-minute drive include Spruces in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Willow Park Campground near Lehi, and Little Mill near Provo. These developed campgrounds provide amenities like restrooms and water access, with most requiring reservations, especially during peak season.

Are there any RV parks in Draper, Utah?

Mountain Shadows RV Park is located directly in Draper, though it's primarily a residential park. It offers basic amenities similar to a KOA and is conveniently situated near the freeway, though this does mean there's traffic noise. For a more premium RV experience near Draper, Mountain Valley RV Resort in Heber City (about 30 minutes away) is highly rated with concrete pads, full hookups, and an adult-only section for those seeking a quieter experience. The newly renovated Rock Cliff Area at Jordanelle State Park is another option with full hookups for RVs, having been converted from a tent-only area to an RV campground with stunning views.

What camping options with lake access are available near Draper?

Several excellent lake camping options exist within driving distance of Draper. Payson Lakes is about 45 minutes from southern Utah County, offering fishing, swimming, and kayaking in a non-motorized environment that's perfect for families. Bridger Bay Campground at Antelope Island State Park is approximately 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, featuring unique wildlife viewing opportunities alongside Great Salt Lake access. For those willing to travel a bit further, Jordanelle State Park offers lakeside camping with boat access, while Miner's Canyon provides dispersed lakeside camping (though be aware of potential trash issues). Lilly Lake Campground in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is another option with beautiful lake access and scenic surroundings.