Camping areas near Alta, Utah span across the Wasatch Mountains in northern Utah, providing access to high-elevation forests, alpine meadows, and mountain lakes. Established campgrounds like Albion Basin, Redman, and Tanners Flat accommodate tent campers and smaller RVs, while offering convenient access to hiking trails and ski areas. The region includes several national forest developed campgrounds with varying amenities, from primitive tent sites to more developed facilities with drinking water and vault toilets. Mixed-use campgrounds like Spruces in Big Cottonwood Canyon and Silver Lake Backcountry provide alternatives for those seeking different camping experiences in the mountains surrounding Alta.
Seasonal limitations significantly impact camping availability in the Alta area, with most campgrounds operating from late May through mid-October due to heavy snowfall at higher elevations. Road access can be challenging, particularly to dispersed camping areas, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate rough terrain and stream crossings. Many sites require advance reservations through recreation.gov, especially during peak wildflower season in July and August when the area sees increased visitation. Camping at 9,000+ feet elevation means cooler temperatures even in summer months, requiring appropriate gear for comfort. As one visitor noted, "The campground is at 9400 ft so the temps are usually 20 degrees cooler than the city."
Campers consistently praise the natural beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities around Alta's camping areas. The Albion Basin area receives particular attention during wildflower season, with multiple reviews highlighting the spectacular alpine blooms. Several visitors mentioned moose, deer, and other wildlife sightings as highlights of their stays at Redman Campground. Proximity to hiking trails ranks as a major advantage, with easy access to destinations like Cecret Lake, Catherine Pass, and various alpine lakes. A visitor to Albion Basin shared that "several trailheads to alpine lakes are in or near the trailhead." While most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, campers should note that many areas prohibit dogs due to watershed protection regulations. Campgrounds in both Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons provide strategic basecamp locations for exploring the surrounding wilderness areas.
$28 - $358 / 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."
$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"
$35 - $50 / night
"This isn't the prettiest lake. It is nice and big, but since it is one of the closest to Utah Valley and Salt Lake Valley, it gets a lot of traffic."
"We stayed at the "McHenry" campground in a spot right next to a creek. The traffic noise was a bit prevalent during the day because it's close to the highway. Great tent pad."
$29 - $450 / night
"The single sites are $23 a night and be sure to make your reservation early as you are unlikely to get a walk in."
"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! "
$29 - $217 / night
"This is super close to my favorite mountain bike ride in Northern Utah - The Wasatch Crest Trail. As you can tell in the pictures, this area is very lush and rich with pine trees."
"The campsites are clean, the bathrooms are exceptionally clean with flushing toilets, you are a walk or hike away from Brighton and immersed in some of the most beautiful mountains around."
$28 - $229 / 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."
$45 - $90 / night
"There is access to potable water right outside the yurt. You do have to walk about 500 yards to the yurt from the parking space, but the privacy is worth it."
"Close to fishing pond, play area for kids, beautiful golf courses, hikes, Midway/Heber cities, fishing rivers and beautiful drives up the mountains for more exploring."
$30 - $129 / night
"Located in beautiful Heber City, Utah. We felt at home as soon as we arrived and were greeted by a nice man on a golf cart who lead us to where we’d be staying."
"He was helpful and provided wonderful advice for the rest of our trip in Utah (Moab). The sites are a bit close, but the campground was quiet and clean. Our girls enjoyed the pool and hot tub."
$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."
"You can’t drive to the coordinates, you have to park at the uppermost parking lot for Silver Flat and hike up to a camping spot. Camping anywhere along that road will give you gorgeous views, though!"
"There were a lot of off road vehicles and people fishing. More crowded then we were expecting, but the views were amazing! Not a lot of shade, as in bring your own. Perfect place for dogs to play!"
ScoutI stayed in the adult section and it was nice and quiet! The facilities were clean and well kept and the staff is friendly. The hot tub is so good I was oblivious to the hail and snow, too!
LegendThis was an easy and convenient place to pull over when exhausted from SLC traffic.
Full hook-ups, hot shower and no privacy between sites.
Served its purpose as a good place to rest before moving on.
RangerNice area on the way to Provo. There are some pullouts along the dirt road. I only drove about 3miles. There is a wonderful creek next to the road. I would stay longer but there's rain and snow in the forecast. Zero amenities, so come prepared. Don't be a loser and leave trash. Leave nothing but foot prints and take plenty of memories
ScoutThere was trash all over the place and people were ripping through the trails till 2 am blasting music. Some people came and camped right next to us and blasted music and refused to move. They proceded to leave beer cans all over their site and never put out their fire. Would not come back
TravelerCleaned bathrooms, only has 1 bar of Verizon coverage, with weBoost, no problem
ScoutAll grass has been torn up and dusty dirt. Hour are dusk to dawn, no camping.
ScoutThis place is a little trashy, but beautiful scenery night 🌙 skies great for viewing little to no light pollution if picked place on top of hill you would see more of the city's nearby and more of the lake. Roads are very ruff, SUV/trucks to 4 wheel drive recommend.
TravelerThis is a rest stop. It's great. There is a dog park. Water to hook up to for a fill. There are a ton of picnic tables and a paved walking path through an outdoor educational museum. bathroom too. Perfect for an in between salt lake and Moab.
ScoutIt’s a pretty rowdy spot you’re right in the middle of all the ohv that is happening. If you’re looking for something chill this ain’t it. Also the campsites were pretty littered with trash which is a big bummer.
Dispersed camping near Alta, Utah provides access to high-elevation environments, typically between 7,400-9,400 feet. The surrounding areas feature both developed campgrounds and backcountry sites within the Wasatch National Forest. During peak summer months, temperatures at these elevations average 10-15 degrees cooler than in Salt Lake City, with nighttime temperatures frequently dropping below 50°F even in July.
Mountain biking on Wasatch Crest Trail: Located near Redman Campground, this trail offers technical riding with significant elevation changes. "This is super close to my favorite mountain bike ride in Northern Utah - The Wasatch Crest Trail. As you can tell in the pictures, this area is very lush and rich with pine trees," notes Brendan A.
Fishing at multiple reservoirs: Several campgrounds provide access to fishing areas with stocked waters. At Silver Lake Backcountry, "Fishing, and light watercraft permissible in Silver Lake Reservoir. Not crowded at all," reports Michelle B.
Hike to Scout Falls: This 2-mile round-trip hike starts directly from Timpooneke Campground. "Scout Falls (while not overly impressive) is about 1 mile into the hike. Make sure you camp in designated spots as fires are prohibited everywhere else," advises John M.
Paddleboarding on alpine lakes: Several small lakes in the area allow non-motorized watercraft. "We were able to paddle board which was a blast! I loves being so close and having access to so many beautiful hikes and Rick climbing," shares Kaitlin R. about her experience at Granite Flat.
Year-round accessibility options: While most campgrounds close seasonally, Spruces Campground offers winter camping opportunities. "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!" explains Shilah M.
Close proximity to Salt Lake City: Campgrounds in Big Cottonwood Canyon provide quick wilderness access. "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 office the next day," shares Jenny W. about Spruces Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds report frequent animal sightings. "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," notes a camper at Redman Campground.
Hammocking options: Many sites feature mature trees ideal for hammock camping. "We had a blast at this campsite! There were lots of great trees for hammocking, fire pits, and bathrooms! Overall this place was beautiful and perfect for what we were doing!" explains Michael B. about his stay at Redman Campground.
Reservation requirements: During peak season, walk-up availability is extremely limited. "After failing to get a walk up at granite flats because everything was reserved, we tried Timpooneke. Online it indicates that they have lots of walk ups, however, driving through we only saw 2 with the W designation and everything else had a reserved sign up," reports Stacy D.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best season to camp in Alta, Utah?
The best season to camp in Alta, Utah is summer (late June through early September) when snow has melted and wildflowers bloom. Tanners Flat in Little Cottonwood Canyon is accessible during this window with 31 single sites that book quickly during peak season. Spring camping is challenging due to snowmelt, while fall brings beautiful colors but cooler temperatures. Winter camping is not recommended for most sites due to heavy snowfall and avalanche risk. For slightly longer seasons, consider Payson Lakes which sits at a lower elevation but still offers the alpine experience with a slightly extended camping season.
What amenities are available at Alta Camping areas?
Alta camping areas offer varying levels of amenities. Albion Basin provides basic amenities with established campsites and onsite camp managers. The area is well-maintained but doesn't offer hookups. For those seeking full amenities, Rock Cliff Area Campground near Alta offers full RV hookups in a clean, functional setting. Many Alta-area dispersed camping options like Soldier's Pass have no amenities and require bringing all water and supplies. Most established campgrounds in the region provide fire rings, with some offering toilets, but amenities are generally minimal compared to lower-elevation camping areas.
Where is Alta Campground located in Utah?
Alta's primary camping area, Albion Basin, is located at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon, approximately 6 miles up from the canyon entrance and about 25 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. This campground sits at the base of Alta Ski Resort where chair lifts pass overhead during ski season. The high-elevation setting (over 8,500 feet) places campers amid alpine meadows and stunning mountain scenery. For nearby alternatives, Pine Creek Campground in Wasatch Mountain State Park offers camping in the same general region with more traditional wooded sites, though at a lower elevation.
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