Payson Canyon and the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest land above Santaquin give this Utah County town access to some of the more accessible developed and dispersed camping in the Wasatch Front area. The main campgrounds sit on forest roads that climb quickly above the valley floor, putting sites at 6,000 to 8,000 feet within a reasonable drive of the I-15 corridor. Reservations through recreation.gov fill spring dates fast, particularly on weekends from May through September.
Dispersed options on forest land above the canyon require high clearance on side roads and are typically accessible from late May through October. Santaquin's dispersed options cover the no-fee sites for those willing to go without infrastructure.
$27 - $270 / night
"Being that we already live in southern Utah county, this place has become a go to for our family. Only about 45 mins away from Payson Ut. "
"There is a lake close by within walking distance with a paved trail all around it. The water was low and pretty gross when we went at the end of the summer. I stayed at B23."
"Very easy access public land right on Utah Lake. Packed gravel and dirt road going in is lumpy from use but smooths out a bit farther in. Side roads to sites are anyones guess."
"Directions brought us right to the location. Road was rough into the sites and were hard to determine specific sites. Ended up pulling into edge of field. Definitely a good quiet night's sleep"
$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."
$50 - $300 / night
"We stayed at the Springville/ Provo Utah KOA in September 2021. This is a full service KOA with nice FHU 50 amp pull-thru sites which were long, wide and level."
"Near the hwy but not next to. It’s a good place to stay and the monthly rates are fair."
$26 / night
"Unreal location, and the lake is beautiful."
$50 - $100 / night
"Gorgeous view across the lake. Quiet. Electricity worked well. Extremely clean. Camp hosts were nowhere to be found and another rig had claimed the end lake-adjacent site I paid for."
"There are mountain views on every side, lake to one side, and wetlands and fields with cows on the other. Very clean, nice campground host. Only 2 showers but they were clean."
$40 / night
"We don’t need all the frills, we are looking for surrounding beauty and this sure hit the mark! We don’t know if we’ll ever find another one as beautiful as we thought this one was. "
"Can be a bit windy some days but nice spread out area with beautiful views of mountains and Utah lake."
"As beautiful as the view was, I felt it was ruined with all of the trash that people have left behind in the dispersed camping area as well as along the lakeshore."
$26 - $40 / night
"Activities aren't available, it's just a campground outside of Scout weeks."
"We enjoyed seeing deer walk through our camp daily. About 15-20 minutes from Payson City."
"This is a great spot just a about 2 miles off the main highway. It’s paved until you get to the campground turn off which is a good dirt road. Wide open space with tons of options to tent or RV."
"That being said, if you don't have an off-road capable vehicle (like me) - it's a solid option and there are some pretty mountain views. You can buy the permit online."
ScoutBeautiful, quiet for the most part. I parked at one of many, large, open spaces on the East main Canyon Road, A little traffic people going I and down, but nothing bothersome. The main highway is close, but I can barely hear it. From what I can tell, there are many options along the highway as well, including one pay to use campground. There’s also several ways to access this main road.
ScoutThis place has it all. Clean bathrooms, hot showers, washers n dryers, basketball court, playground, fenced in dog park, a clubhouse building that has arcade games, pool tables, full kitchen, skee ball, dart boards, recliners so comfy you won't wanna get up, all set up around a huge tv screen similar to being at a movie theater, BOWLING, yes bowling, an outdoor swimming pool, awesome friendly happy helpful staff and matience, green sites with power water sewer, pull thru and back in sites, picnic tables, BBQ grills, very family friendly there! And they seem to do cute things throughout the week inviting everyone to join, like free hotdogs and hangout at main pavilion, movie nights, game nights, like they actually care about you as people and not just a payment! Its a nice park for sure!
TravelerFun campground with a discovery walking nature trail. Dry camping with easy river/creek access. Stayed in loop A - lots of trees, birds and insects. Clean and close to the Salt Lake Valley. Fun place to camp with family. Limited cell service, clean vault toilets, great fire rings, picnic tables.
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
ScoutThis was my backyard all growing up. Absolutely beautiful! When you go up the main road, there is a park and you can stay overnight there and there are actual bathrooms there.
GuideIt rained a bit, then cleared up so you get some extra mud boots in that case with the unique utah red soil. Temperature in april was in the high 30Fs at night, and the sound of coyotes can be heard. Amazing views and very quiet. You'll see the wildlife is shy, and I think they have some burrows in the landscape nearby
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.
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.
ScoutI haven’t ridden the trails yet, but they look great! Dirt, not rocky.
Dispersed camping opportunities surround Santaquin, Utah at elevations ranging from 4,600 feet in the valley to over 9,000 feet in the nearby Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The region typically experiences temperatures between 75-90°F during summer days, dropping to 45-60°F at night in higher elevations. The Santaquin area receives most precipitation during spring and late summer monsoon seasons, often causing flash flooding in canyon areas.
Kayaking at Payson Lakes: Explore non-motorized boating at Payson Lakes, where the smaller lake size provides safer recreation for families. "The lake isn't too big so if your teen blows across the lake on his kayak or raft he can easily walk it back around the lake," notes camper James B.
Hiking the Grotto Trail: Located near Payson Lakes, this short trail offers accessibility for all skill levels. "Highly suggest coming here and hike the grotto because it's a short hike and so close to the campground," recommends Veronica S.
Fishing for beginners: Maple Lake Campground offers productive fishing in a scenic setting. "Lots of fish in the lake, great bike trails and amazing views all around. With it being a 15 minute drive from Payson makes for a great time," writes Brad B. about the area.
Watch the sunrise: Early risers should head to lakeside camping spots to catch spectacular morning views. "Don't miss the sunrise over the tree line on the lake. It was pretty full when we got here(it was a holiday weekend) but we off roaded a little bit and found a beautiful little haven," shares Veronica S.
Mountain biking accessibility: The areas around Santaquin offer various trail systems for mountain biking enthusiasts of different skill levels. "Great bike trails and amazing views all around. With it being a 15 minute drive from Payson makes for a great time," notes a camper about the recreational opportunities.
Privacy between sites: Uinta National Forest Blackhawk Campground receives high marks for site spacing. "Very private and not crowded, even during the busiest weekends. Access to lots of pretty places to run around and explore. Great places for kids to play. Lots of tall pine trees," shares Sage H.
Non-traditional camping options: Horse-friendly sites at Blackhawk Campground can be booked by non-equestrian campers. "We booked equestrian sites up at the top - highest elevation. Good views, pavilions, fire pits and pit toilets. Don't have to have horses to book equestrian and they seem to be more available since I don't think people know this," advises Andrea P.
Free camping with lake views: Miner's Canyon Dispersed area provides no-cost camping with scenic vistas. "Easy drive into the area, paved road up until you turn down toward the lake. Nice gravel road for the next half mile... A little loud from the generators but sound of waves from the lake help drown it out," reports Clayton P.
Seasonal bug swarms: Camping spots near Santaquin, Utah often experience heavy insect activity, particularly during summer months. "There are giant fly swarms all over that you hear buzzing all night," warns Jordan W. about Miner's Canyon.
Road conditions to dispersed sites: Access to free camping areas requires careful navigation. "Packed gravel and dirt road going in is lumpy from use but smooths out a bit farther in. Side roads to sites are anyones guess. Some are pretty reasonable, others are like mine fields. Suggest you park on the road and walk in," advises Susan C.
Campsite availability challenges: Popular camping locations fill quickly during peak season. "This campground can be hard to find a spot on busy weekends because it is so close to town," notes Brad B. about Payson Lakes area camping.
Potential for overcrowding: Sheep Creek Dispersed Camping Area offers free camping but with limited privacy. "Crowded, no facilities or privacy. Basically a field that everyone is camping in. Be wary that when it rains, this field turns into a super slick and deep mud," cautions Isabelle K.
Choose shaded campgrounds: Summer heat affects many camping spots near Santaquin. "Lots of shade. Easy walk to the lake. Great fishing. Very fun for kids," shares Courtney S. about her experience at Payson Lakes.
Book equestrian sites for more space: Families needing extra room should consider horse-friendly sites. "Blackhawk is great if you can't find reservations elsewhere. We booked equestrian sites up at the top - highest elevation. Good views, pavilions, fire pits and pit toilets," suggests Andrea P.
Consider campground layout for kids: Lakeside RV Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "This place is very cute for established camping. It has lots of trees and a nice little walking trail. They are pet friendly. They have men's and women's restrooms with showers. They also have a pool for the warmer months," reports Erin A.
Know pet restrictions: Pet policies vary between campgrounds and camping types. "If you are tent camping they do not allow you to have pets," notes Erin A. about Lakeside RV Campground's tent camping area.
Site size considerations: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "The sites were super close together and there were neighboring dogs barking for most of our stay," cautions Paige J. about her experience at Payson Lakes.
Water pressure issues: Gladstan Golf Course & RV park requires preparation for high water pressure. "The spots are not level, and the water pressure is high. Make sure you have a water regulator," advises Kelly N.
Access route planning: RVers should research specific directions to avoid difficult turns. "Make sure to follow the instructions to get to the RV park or else you'll end up driving your rig through a tiny parking lot to turn around," warns Kelly N. about Gladstan Golf Course RV Park.
Dispersed camping clearance needs: High-clearance vehicles are needed for accessing certain free camping areas. "Some great spots up the hill but you'll need high clearance and 4wd," notes Susan C. about Miner's Canyon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Goshen Utah camping from Santaquin?
Goshen is approximately 10-15 miles southwest of Santaquin, making it a quick 15-20 minute drive. The closest camping option to both towns is Miner's Canyon Dispersed, which offers beautiful lakeside campsites. The area has plenty of camping spots available, though visitors should be prepared to pack out all trash. For those seeking more amenities, Yuba State Park's Oasis Campground is another option within reasonable driving distance, featuring simple campsites with nice bathrooms and a beautiful lake setting that provides a genuine 'middle of nowhere' experience.
What are the best campgrounds and campsites near Santaquin?
For camping near Santaquin, Payson Lakes is a top choice just 45 minutes away, offering excellent fishing, swimming, and kayaking in a non-motorized lake that's family-friendly. Another excellent option is Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry which offers free dispersed camping with established fire rings. While there are no amenities and you must pack in all water, it's accessible for most vehicles and provides easy to moderate hiking opportunities. The area is popular with ATV enthusiasts and is relatively close to Utah Lake.
Where can I find camping in Santaquin Canyon?
Santaquin Canyon offers several dispersed camping opportunities. Skyline Drive provides a peaceful camping experience down a dirt road near the Ghost town remnants of Tucker, Utah. The area features a small creek, multiple pull-in camping spots, and interesting rock formations to explore. For a more developed option, consider Maple Lake Campground near Payson, which is just a short drive from Santaquin Canyon and offers amenities like water and toilets with both drive-in and boat-in access.
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