Farmington sits in Davis County between the Great Salt Lake and the Wasatch Mountains, with Farmington Canyon rising steeply to the east and national forest land accessible within a few miles of town. Campground options include developed canyon sites and dispersed spots on forest land at higher elevations. Farmington's dispersed camping covers the no-fee options on Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest land for campers who want primitive setups without a reservation.
Developed sites in Farmington Canyon have vault toilets and defined spots, with most filling on summer weekends. Some canyon roads have low-clearance hazards that limit RV access, so check current conditions before bringing a larger rig. Cabin rentals in the area are worth checking if you want a structure. The canyon is accessible year-round at lower elevations but closes with snow above 7,000 feet, usually from November through April. Ogden-area campgrounds give a comparable range of options further north along the Wasatch Front if Farmington sites are full.
The canyon sees a lot of use from Davis County and Salt Lake Valley residents, especially on summer weekends. Weekday visits are consistently quieter. Cell service cuts out past the lower canyon, so download maps before heading in.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$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."
$20 - $200 / night
"One of our favorite state parks in Utah is only~45 minutes away from Salt Lake City! There are bison, antelope, deer, and many other animals that call this island home."
"By far one of my favorite stops through Utah ❤️ absolutely breathtaking views, along with scenic routes to see wildlife such as the bison."
$15 - $98 / night
"If you've never driven up Farmington Canyon it is a steep road with no shoulder, I'd recommend a 4X4 or all wheel drive vehicle."
"The sites have plenty of room, tons of shade and easy access to bathrooms."
"Convenient location right off the highway with full hook ups and nice paved sites. Dog areas, playground, games, and a pool."
"These sites a so close to each other. We only stop here to stay the night. WiFi is ok-phone hotspot is better.
Staff is great."
$59 - $74 / night
"River and walking trail just steps away from all sites. Would be nice if the dog park was finished. There are other amenities that are planned to be available, but are not available yet."
"There is a dog park area and access to a trail which runs along the river. There is a lot of noise from the interstate and the nearby Air Force base."
"This was great for my bf and I because we were driving so late and couldn’t find an open camp ground. This place was open and it was easy to find a spot with no light and quiet."
$20 - $35 / night
"It’s a little exposed but love the easy in easy out and access to the bike path and nearby splash pad"
"Located just inside east gate. Visitors are required to get a pass prior to entry. Camp is adjacent to a park and a busy road. Bathrooms were adequate. We dry camped on a gravel lot."
"We stayed during the Halloween Fright weekend and from Wednesday to Friday at around 2pm, we were about the only ones there. Then the place exploded with campers and by 7pm the place was full."
$26 - $313 / night
"Tucked away from SLC, it's a perfect little oasis."
"We enjoyed the camp site and the short walk to the lake. Facilities were clean and staff was great."
$650 - $700 / night
"I can't say enough about Jami McGrath (Manager) and the staff here at the Layton, Utah Circle L Mobile Home Community and RV Park."
GuideEasy check in process. Fire pit is awesome with plenty of room for wood. All spots were flat enough for the rooftop tent. My spot was 59 and had the most slope. Showers/bathrooms are a short walk away. Showers do take a minute to warm up. Play ground and lake access for all visitors
TravelerI am comparing this campground to Valley View RV park in Layton since we were there for a week before we stayed here- there is a stark difference for the exact same price. The sites at Sun Outdoors are extremely tight, the grounds themselves are not nearly as well maintained- dog park while bigger is just stone and not well maintained- smaller dog park mostly weeds.
TravelerThe coordinates on the map are not exactly right for this campsite, at least in early may. If you drive up the road there are a lot of pull off spots that specifically say no overnight camping, but there is one probably about halfway up the canyon where you can pull in (on the right side when heading up) on a dirt road into a spot that looks like a classic dispersed camping spot with a fire pit good space and a river at the back. It is bordering next to a fence line, but of course not within it. At first we were worried we were wrong in it being a legal dispersed site but we stayed for two nights and never had any issues, including with police officers and natural resource officers coming up and down the canyon as there was an incident at the top. The space does go off into a decently secluded space if you pull all the way to the back but it is right on a decently busy canyon road as people go up to an offroading trail at the top. though it is a bit noisy with the traffic the site is absolutely beautiful with a rushing river right in the back. We personally could not find any other clear dispersed camping sites in the canyon but we can in approaching darkness and were unable to really tell, we were recommended this canyon by an REI worker though so I believe there very well could be more than one site.
ScoutHost: Justin was great. When we arrived he was walking around and checking the sites for any fallen trees because there’s a storm that brought in 50mph winds. He also gave us an update on the weather and what t expect. Campground: Cottonwood was great. The best part was the vault toilets. They were clean and did not smell AT ALL. Shout out to the camp host. There are two toilets and one of them the door does not lock. Hopefully that’s fixed by the time you arrive. Sites are spaced out nicely. Camp site C016: Was perfect, with more than enough room for our 9x14 10 person tent. There was a trail that led straight to the river about 30 yards away. The site is close to the entrance of the park so you will hear vehicles coming in and out. It wasn’t bad at all just the occasional diesel trucks and loud exhaust. The flagpole that’s located by the guard station did make a loud metal on metal tapping sound but didn’t bother us much. Overall experience: It was great experience, aside from the storm that rolled through(not the parks fault) if tent camping is your jam, stop worrying and book this place. Blessed travels my friend.
TravelerRaw land at the foot of the mountain, bring water. No tables, no amenities, quarry down the road. The road changes from old asphalt to rough gravel just past this site. There's lake nearby, but not here. Watch out for ants!
TravelerCleanest vault toilets. Nice trees area right by the water and a short walk to bridal veil falls. Tactic noise in the morning was louder than I’d expected. If you are in a tent site 6 has a little path down to the creek, otherwise it’s just a couple feet of plants and then you are there.
ScoutFree to camp wherever but it’s out in a range area, trash is everywhere and the roads are quite rough. Wind is present and highway is nearby.
GuideBeautiful view of the great salt lake. Very few camp sites for RVs. Looks like there are some long termers. It is a marina. But as for a beautiful sunset... awesome. You can walk down to the waters edge. Was a walk in site for this stay. 20 mins to any restaurants.
ScoutWe pulled in and were a bit nervous because it’s off the freeway and we thought it be would be loud BUT it was actually surprisingly not. The grounds are very well kept & the staff was amazing! We stayed for 2 nights & would stay again if we were in the area.
Camping options near Farmington, Utah range from high-elevation mountain sites to valley locations with varying amenities. Farmington sits at 4,300 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 85-95°F while nearby mountain camping areas can be 10-15 degrees cooler. Most Farmington area campgrounds operate seasonally with mountain access roads typically closed from November through May due to snow.
Fishing at nearby reservoirs: Pineview Reservoir near Anderson Cove Campground offers shore fishing opportunities within a short drive from Farmington. "From chilling on the beach to fishing from shore or swimming. There are many options for easy, cheap recreation direct from camp," notes Alan B. The campground includes a boat launch for easier water access.
Wildlife viewing on Antelope Island: Bridger Bay Campground provides excellent wildlife observation opportunities with multiple species visible from camp. "The bison are free grazing all around and a few came right up to our campground in the early morning! There are plenty of hiking trails to choose from with varying skill levels," reports Steven M. Visitors can also spot pronghorn, badgers, and numerous bird species.
Mountain biking from camp: Riverside RV Resort offers direct access to nearby trail systems along the Weber River. "There is a trailhead right down the road that is along the Weber River. Mountain bike or hike, you will have a good time," mentions Patrick J. The paved 80-mile Jordan River Trail is accessible from other nearby campgrounds.
Waterfront camping: Anderson Cove Campground provides direct beach and water access. "There was a lot of space to be spread out from others. The beach is so large and it's easy to camp out. The sand is soft and fun for the kids to build sand castles," says Whitney K. The campground features both standard and tent-only sites near the water.
Winter camping options: Salt Lake City KOA remains open year-round, making it a reliable option during colder months. "Good place to plug in at night between ski days," notes Terry G. The campground's hot showers and bathhouses provide comfort during winter camping trips.
Privacy in established campgrounds: Some campgrounds near Farmington offer more separation between sites. "The truck/tent stalls have nice tall shrubs dividing them for extra privacy," reports North Idaho N. about Salt Lake City KOA. This feature provides a sense of seclusion despite being in a developed camping area.
Highway noise impacts: Several campgrounds near Farmington are situated close to transportation corridors. "There are multiple trains/sirens/large semis blowing by all night," notes a Salt Lake City KOA reviewer. Similarly, Riverside RV Resort visitors mention: "The interstate is 20 yards from the first row of sites. It was constant traffic noise 24/7."
No-see-um insects at Antelope Island: Antelope Island State Park has periods with significant biting insect activity. "Lovely scenery, water is currently off so no showers but has a clean pit toilet. Only downside was the no see um flys you can't for a walk without getting swarmed by them and bitten," reports Georgia L. These conditions vary seasonally, with fall typically having fewer insects.
Fire restrictions: Several campgrounds have fire limitations. Cherry Hill Campground permits fires in designated rings, while other facilities may prohibit wood fires entirely. Salt Lake City KOA allows fires but requires purchasing firewood on-site rather than bringing outside wood.
Water recreation options: Cherry Hill Campground offers extensive water features beyond natural settings. "Family noises from sunup to sundown. Water park is priced separately, but access is seamless. More pools, huge splash pad, mini golf, water slides, laser tag, maze, kiddie boats all in Water Park," explains Kathy S. These amenities provide entertainment for children during hot summer days.
Shade availability: Bountiful Peak Campground offers significant tree cover, providing natural cooling during summer months. "The sites have plenty of room, tons of shade and easy access to bathrooms," notes Wyatt S. This mountain location typically runs 10-15 degrees cooler than valley campgrounds.
Amusement park access: Families staying at Lagoon RV Park & Campground can easily access the adjacent amusement park. "There is a walking path to the amusement park and another just back around the park," mentions one camper. The campground provides direct pedestrian access to the park during operating hours.
Hookup configuration challenges: Some campgrounds have unusual utility layouts requiring additional equipment. Cherry Hill Campground has shared electrical boxes at some sites, requiring extension cords. "The shorter sites are dirt and have shared electrical boxes, which meant that we had to grab out the extension cord and plugin on the other side of the RV," reports G.F.
Long-term stay options: Circle L Mobile Home and RV Community provides extended-stay capabilities with full hookups and spacious sites. "Great place to call home. Spacious lots for the perfect RV living," notes one reviewer. The community offers monthly rates for those needing longer accommodations near Farmington.
Pull-through availability: Riverside RV Resort features well-designed pull-through sites with full hookups. "The sites, streets, and pads, all in excellent condition. Everything looks new," reports Patrick J. These sites accommodate larger rigs with easier access than back-in only facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in Farmington Canyon?
Farmington Canyon offers beautiful camping opportunities in a lush, forested setting. Bountiful Peak Campground stands out with good-sized campsites, standard bathrooms, and excellent fire pits. The campground is accessible via Farmington Canyon Road, which is steep with no shoulder—a 4x4 or all-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. Previously, Sunset Campground was a popular option about 20 minutes from Farmington with plenty of trees and access to hiking trails leading to waterfalls, but it has since closed. Despite the closure, the area still offers access to the Farmington Canyon Trail and waterfall for day use.
Is there good forest camping available near Farmington?
Yes, the Farmington area offers excellent forest camping options. Cascade Springs Dispersed Site provides spectacular panoramic views of Mt. Timpanogos and surrounding wilderness, though access requires vehicles capable of off-road driving. For a more developed forest experience, Pine Creek Campground in Wasatch Mountain State Park offers traditional camping among mature trees, though sites can be narrow and somewhat unlevel. The surrounding mountains contain numerous dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking more secluded forest settings. These forest campgrounds typically open in late spring and remain accessible through early fall, depending on weather conditions and elevation.
What campgrounds are available near Farmington, Utah?
Farmington offers several nearby camping options. Lagoon RV Park & Campground is conveniently located in Farmington itself, providing easy access to Lagoon Amusement Park with full hookup sites. Just north in Kaysville, Cherry Hill Campground offers family-friendly camping with water and toilet facilities. Additional options include Hill AFB FamCamp near Layton for those with military access, and Anderson Cove along Pineview Reservoir. For those willing to drive a bit further, Brigham City-Perry South KOA provides a clean, well-maintained option with friendly staff, making it ideal for overnight stays when traveling through the area.
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