Camping near Huntsville, Utah takes place at elevations between 4,900-6,000 feet with dramatic temperature swings common even in summer months. The South Fork Ogden River flows through several campgrounds in the area, creating recreational opportunities beyond the more heavily visited Pineview Reservoir. Most Forest Service campgrounds operate from mid-May through late September with nightly rates ranging from $21-48 depending on site type and amenities.
What to do
Tubing the South Fork Ogden River: River access points exist at multiple campgrounds with mild currents ideal for family floating. At South Fork Campground, campers note "Right by most of the campsites you can fly fish or set off on a tubing adventure down the Ogden River! It is required that you have a life jacket before setting off."
Hike to waterfalls: Short family-friendly trails lead to scenic water features. Near North Fork County Park, visitors report "We camped in the canyon near the trailhead for the waterfall hike. We stayed at campsite 6 which was great, but they were all really nice. Excellent mountain bike trails also."
Winter recreation opportunities: Some areas transform completely during snow season. The Maples Campground area offers "Short hike in for winter camping, leaving out of Snowbasin Maples Lot. Snowshoes or touring setup will make it easier over just boots, especially as the snowpack deepens."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the spacing and natural buffers. At North Fork County Park, visitors note "There are so many spots, and they are all very private. The Camp hosts are great! There's a hidden waterfall you can hike too, and a river runs through the park."
Riverfront camping options: Direct water access from campsites ranks high for visitors. According to one Perception Park camper, "This campground is also next to the river, and has easy access to get into the river in multiple locations."
Family gathering spaces: Group sites accommodate larger parties with additional amenities. At Weber Memorial Park, "We rented a large area with campsites next to the river very nice very spread out big lodge to play games in or big party for everyone nice flushing toilets just below Causey Dam."
What you should know
Reservation windows fill quickly: Planning ahead is essential, especially for summer weekends. One visitor to Anderson Cove advises "You need to reserve sites here well in advance as it fills up for the entire Summer as soon as the reservation window opens."
Road noise levels vary by campground: Traffic can impact some camping areas more than others. At Magpie Campground, "Campground is literally mere feet from the road. Lots of road noise. Bathrooms were good enough."
Limited cell service: Connectivity is spotty throughout the canyon. One camper at North Fork noted "no cell service (at&t and sprint)" while others appreciate the digital detox opportunity.
Seasonal closures affect access: Weather dictates opening dates which may not match published schedules. A Magpie visitor reported "There was no indication on recreation.gov that the campground wasn't open, and we even received a reminder of our reservation two days before we were supposed to be there."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access for kids: Sandy shorelines provide safe play areas. An Anderson Cove visitor shares "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."
Midweek visits for quieter experience: School schedules affect crowd levels significantly. One camper notes "Gets extremely busy on weekends but nice and quiet on the weekdays. Checked in on a Wednesday afternoon for FCFS site. Plenty open."
Creek exploration opportunities: Shallow water features engage children safely. A South Fork visitor mentioned "Close to the river and nice roomy site with a table and fire pit. Bathroom within walking distance!"
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most Forest Service campgrounds lack full utilities. At Century RV Park, campers appreciate that "The utilities were in the perfect position for an RV towing a car. The front desk was super friendly and gives popcorn every day."
Size restrictions at forest campgrounds: Many canyon sites have length limitations. One visitor notes "able to fit a 30' trailer in over 75% of their spots" at North Fork County Park but advises "pack your generator and fill your water."
Alternative full-hookup options: Commercial RV parks provide more amenities near town. "This is a huge campground that sits on the south side of Pineview Reservoir that has a multitude of options for camping and day trips as well as a marina."
