Camping near Heber, Utah offers options ranging from 5,600-7,400 feet elevation, providing natural relief from summer heat with 20-30°F cooler temperatures than nearby urban areas. The camping season in this mountain region varies significantly by location, with many higher elevation sites closed until late May or early June due to snowpack that can persist into spring.
What to do
Trout fishing access: The Provo River runs alongside River's Edge at Heber Valley, creating excellent fishing opportunities. A camper noted, "The river is right across the street as well as a nice little walking path. Park City and Heber are just a short drive away."
Off-roading trails: Pine Creek Campground provides direct access to extensive OHV networks. "Very popular so the place is full but everyone had great etiquette," a visitor commented about the maintained trails accessible from camp.
Winter recreation: Higher elevation sites like Spruces Campground can be accessed during winter months with proper equipment. "Wonderful winter wonder land you can snowshoe into in the winter and camp at! You can also stay here during the summer just be prepared to book a couple months in advance," advised one winter visitor.
Fishing at multiple lakes: The area surrounding Granite Flat offers access to small fishing lakes. A camper shared, "It's clean. Has access to many fishing lakes and hiking trails!"
What campers like
Mountain wildlife viewing: Redman Campground provides frequent wildlife encounters. "Very nice campground with water running in multiple places, clean multiple bathrooms and incredible wildlife coming right into your site. In addition to numerous deer, we had two moose munching away at the willow at the adjacent site," one camper reported.
Private sites with shade: Many campgrounds offer natural barriers between sites. At Pine Creek Campground, "This campground has 3 loops. 1 for tents, 1 for medium size trailers, 1 for large trailers. The sites are pretty private...separated by giant bushes."
River sounds: Nunns Park campground features riverside camping that creates natural white noise. A visitor noted, "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."
Proximity to reservoirs: Jordanelle State Park provides water recreation options. "Great campsite. Clean and nice amenities for a State Park. Be careful hooking up your RV to water. Very high pressure," advised one visitor.
What you should know
Weather shifts: Mountain elevations create variable conditions. At Timpooneke Campground (7,400 ft), "We camp here often as it is so beautiful here. It can get cold at night - high elevation."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "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," warned a visitor to Granite Flat.
Site selection considerations: Granite Flat has variable site quality. "The tent spot was not flat, and had quite a few large rocks. Otherwise, it was great. We will be back," noted one camper, highlighting terrain challenges at specific sites.
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. A Little Mill camper reported, "My only reason this campground didn't get 5 stars is due to the horrible road noise. I seriously thought I was at a truck stop off the interstate. Honking and racing cars until 3am just ruined it."
Water pressure warnings: Multiple campgrounds have unusually high water pressure. At Jordanelle, campers advised: "Be careful hooking up your RV to water. Very high pressure."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly play spaces: Mountain Valley RV Resort features designated recreation areas. "This is a great place for kids because there's plenty of space for them to ride bikes, play basketball, swim, and also a playground," according to a visitor.
Fishing access for children: River's Edge provides catch-and-release fishing opportunities. "We don't have children but there's a very nice playground and small pond where they can fish - catch and release."
Short hikes from camp: Timpooneke offers accessible trails. "We were able to wake up and get on the trail and hike up to the glacier and camp we then hiked to the end the next day and hiked out," shared a family that used the campground as a staging area.
Bug preparation: Higher mosquito populations affect some locations seasonally. At Granite Flat, "The only downside was that this year there were an obscene amount of mosquitoes."
Tips from RVers
Adult-only sections: Mountain Valley RV Resort provides age-separated camping areas. "They have opened a new section for adults only, with its own separate 21 and over facilities," noted a reviewer, which offers a quieter option for RVers without children.
Leveling challenges: Some state park sites require extra work. At Pine Creek, "My 30' TT was perched with some effort on top of a pull-through that was a mound rather than flat. Unlevel and narrow asphalt sites."
Seasonal facility changes: Facilities may change seasonally or unexpectedly. A visitor to River's Edge reported, "They have closed the restrooms as a COVID precaution and are requiring everyone to have a self contained bathroom/shower."
Site size verification: Research specific loops for your RV size. At Redman Campground, "This campground is quiet and has abundant wildlife. It's better for small campers or tent campers as the driveways were not designed for big rigs."
