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Best Campgrounds near Draper, UT

1,383 Reviews

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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Draper, Utah (246)

    1. Granite Flat (utah)

    38 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 785-3563

    $27 - $355 / 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

    $27 - $227 / 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 - $215 / 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

    45 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 - $142 / 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 Camping Photos near Draper, UT

326 Photos of 246 Draper Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Draper, UT

1383 Reviews of 246 Draper Campgrounds

  • Adam O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2025

    Split Rock Bay Backcountry Campsites — Antelope Island State Park

    Incredible, with some caveats

    Disclaimer, this was my first backpacking trip, and my first solo camping experience.

    The first thing I’ll note is that I could not find a map that showed exactly where on the split rock loop trail the sites were. The maps you get at the gate do not show it. You just have to start hiking and hope you see it. That eventually led to the main issue I had with the campsite, more on that later.

    I have 37lbs on my back, partly because it’s November and I want to make sure I’m warm, and partly because I’m toting in 5.5L of water since there is no water source.

    I begin hiking and eventually I see another backpacker coming the other way. I say “did you camp?” He says no, he was going to stay the night, but there’s a herd of Bison that are currently crossing the trail and he didn’t want to wait. As I’m coming up on the spot he’s talking about, I catch the end of the herd moving south and I’m able to pass them with minimal wait time.

    I continue hiking, up to the split rock bay loop, where conveniently there is a sign that points toward the campground. Yay! By this time I’ve seen a huge herd of Bison (50 or more individuals), a big buck, 20 or so other deer, and with the fog and haziness, some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. Quite incredible.

    I find the tent site #3 (my watch says exactly 4.5 miles from the car) and set up my tent. During this time, I’m hearing some weird grunting sounds in the distance, I pop my head out of the tent and look west toward the lake shore. And there’s the herd of Bison I encountered before who crossed the trail. They went west around elephant rock, and I went east. I beat them by about 20 to 30 minutes. At this time I record a video with my phone and state “hope they aren’t coming over here”.

    I’m filling my sleeping pad with a mini pump and when I’m done I pop my head out of the tent. They had, in fact, started coming over here. They were quite close. In sort of a panic, I grab some essentials, zip up the tent, and head for the rocks on the hills and wait them out.

    Unfortunately I didn’t grab my Garmin or my warm clothes, and it is taking them forever to get past the tent site. The sun starts getting low and I’m getting cold. The Bison sometimes get curious about my tent and approach it, but never do anything. I have my Apple watch and it has an SOS feature, I thought about using it, but eventually they pass and I can get back to set up.

    So, this is where knowing exactly where the campsite was in relation to everything else would have been useful. I would have seen the direction they were going and possibly known that they would be crossing right into the camp area, and I probably would have made some slightly different choices.

    They (the Bison) stopped for the night in split rock canyon, so I could hear them all night while in my tent. It was always difficult to tell if they were getting closer or farther away, so the night was a bit sleepless.

    Also, though the weather says the temperature is 40F, the higher humidity and breeze from the lake can make it feel a lot colder. I did have some chilly moments with a 20F comfort rated bag and a 5.4R value pad. In the morning, condensation was everywhere.

    The next morning had a “dense fog” warning in effect, which made for some more awesome scenery.

    I broke camp and started back to the car at around 8AM. I decided to take a detour out to Elephant Rock to see if I could see the camp site from up there. This added another 3 miles to the track back, so 7.5 miles total. As I’m coming around the corner at the top to the spot where I’d be able to see the sites, I encounter a lone Bison bull just chilling up there on the trail, no other animals in sight. So, I couldn’t actually get to the spot to see over, but the view was amazing and it was fun to see a Bison in a spot it felt like he shouldn’t be able to get to.

    As I turn around, the “dense fog” warning becomes a reality, and it suddenly gets much much colder. Makes for some amazing visuals way up there.

    Overall, it was a very awe inspiring and fun trip, with some interesting bits. I do think they should better mark the spots on the map just so people can plan better, especially if there’s going to be massive herds of Bison cruising through camp at any point.

    tl;dr: pack warmer than you think (if you’re going to go in the later months) and watch out for Bison. Incredible views and wildlife encounters make it all worth it.

  • Tamie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2025

    Great Horned Owl Campground — Deer Creek State Park

    Quiet and secluded

    We took a wrong turn in the campground and ended up in an area with no hookups. But it was quiet and secluded and close to the water. The campsite was fairly level and there were clean restrooms.

  • Tamie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2025

    Strawberry Bay

    Fishing and Hiking

    The campsite was clean, the restrooms nice, and the hosts great. We didn’t have any hookups, but they weren’t needed. Great fishing and hiking opportunities.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2025

    Foothill Clearing with a View

    Nice views

    They have camp rings for fires and also grills! One or 2 was missing the garage to the grill but other than that it was good.

  • J
    Nov. 7, 2025

    Salt Lake City KOA

    Great Campground, Weird Area

    The campground itself was really great, surprisingly nice! It was just surprisingly to see the location of the campground itself, with views of the mountains all around, the campground is located in the city, and kind of a slightly shady area as well. We felt safe once we were on the campground, but the drive in was a little sketchy at best.

  • C
    Nov. 3, 2025

    Heber Ranger Station

    Just a quick stop

    A great place to just spend a night. This is a parking lot of a ranger station ( and because the federal government is shut down, now staff is here) but parking lot is clean and even big enough to turn around our 40’ motorhome and tow vehicle. No hook ups, and road noise is pretty bad.

  • 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.

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.

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