Best Campgrounds near Midvale, UT
Camping near Midvale, Utah sits at a strategic crossroads between urban convenience and mountain wilderness, with options ranging from full-service RV resorts to primitive backcountry sites. The Salt Lake City metropolitan area provides several developed campgrounds, including the Salt Lake City KOA with 180 sites open year-round. For those seeking more natural settings, the nearby Wasatch Mountains offer established campgrounds like Spruces in Big Cottonwood Canyon and Tanners Flat in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Utah Lake State Park, approximately 20 miles south, provides water-based recreation with camping facilities along its shores. Campers frequently note the stark contrast between the urban and mountain experiences available within a short drive.
Most mountain campgrounds in the Wasatch Range operate seasonally from late May through mid-October due to heavy winter snowfall at higher elevations. Summer temperatures in the valley can exceed 95°F, while mountain campgrounds typically remain 10-15 degrees cooler. Fire restrictions are common throughout the region during dry summer months, particularly in dispersed camping areas. Cell service is generally reliable at urban campgrounds and spotty in canyon locations. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend camping at popular sites like Tanners Flat and Spruces, which typically fill months in advance during peak summer season. Many canyon campgrounds require a Mirror Lake Highway recreation pass in addition to camping fees.
The camping experience varies dramatically based on location. Urban RV parks like Mountain Shadows in Draper and Pony Express in North Salt Lake offer full hookups, WiFi, and proximity to city amenities but may experience traffic noise. According to reviews, "the interstate is 20 yards from the first row of sites" at some urban locations. Canyon campgrounds provide natural settings with basic amenities like vault toilets and picnic tables. One visitor described Tanners Flat as "quiet, tucked away from anyone" with sites "next to the river, which really helped drown out all other sounds." Larger RVs may find limited options in canyon campgrounds, where narrow roads and small sites can make maneuvering difficult. Most mountain campgrounds accommodate tents and smaller RVs, with some offering yurt rentals for those without camping equipment.