Mueller Park Road climbs east from Bountiful into Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, giving this Davis County city some of the most accessible mountain camping on the Wasatch Front. Developed campgrounds in the canyons have vault toilets and defined sites. Dispersed options sit further up on forest roads with no services. Free dispersed sites outside Bountiful cover the no-fee forest camping on roads east of town.
Weekend crowds from the Salt Lake metro push into these canyons fast in summer. Sites fill by Friday afternoon on most summer weekends. Higher sites close from November through May.
$50 - $189 / night
"I had the wonderful opportunity to stay the night at Salt Lake City KOA!"
"We wanted to explore Salt Lake City so decided to stay at this downtown KOA. It is a large and crowded RV park but right on a Transit line (UTA light rail Trax) and biking distance to downtown."
"Convenient location right off the highway with full hook ups and nice paved sites. Dog areas, playground, games, and a pool."
"These sites a so close to each other. We only stop here to stay the night. WiFi is ok-phone hotspot is better.
Staff is great."
$15 - $98 / night
"The sites have plenty of room, tons of shade and easy access to bathrooms."
"They are a little close to each other but nice and clean."
$20 - $200 / night
"One of our favorite state parks in Utah is only~45 minutes away from Salt Lake City! There are bison, antelope, deer, and many other animals that call this island home."
"By far one of my favorite stops through Utah ❤️ absolutely breathtaking views, along with scenic routes to see wildlife such as the bison."
$29 - $327 / 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"
"This was great for my bf and I because we were driving so late and couldn’t find an open camp ground. This place was open and it was easy to find a spot with no light and quiet."
$40 - $120 / night
"The outside of the loop at Dixie C.G. is electric and water only. The inside of the loop has full hook-ups. All sites have long, sturdy metal tables and a metal cover over a concrete pad."
"Close to Favis and Weber counties, this is a great place for 1 or 2 night stays. We usually stay here every spring. The campground is a short walk to the "beach.""
"We found a spot that was more of a hill, which made it neat to get around, but the site was LITTERED with spent ammo, broken glass and broken pieces of clay pigeons."
"There's 4 fire rings around the coords, probably only 3 actual camp sites. The one fire has trails going all around it. If you continue up the mountain, there's more sites at the top."
"We stayed during the Halloween Fright weekend and from Wednesday to Friday at around 2pm, we were about the only ones there. Then the place exploded with campers and by 7pm the place was full."
$35 - $200 / night
"Great view of lake and can walk down to swimming area . Great fishing, especially if you know where to go."
"Nice paved paths for our kiddos to right their scooters and fun water activities available to the kids for free (water bounce house etc)."
TravelerFantastic BLM spot surrounded by the Great Salt Lake. No services but good internet service. Very quiet. Watch out for the cow patties. This area allows shooters so you may hear them. Suggestion is to not stray too far from the paved road.
ScoutDrove all the way out here and not allowed to park overnight
ScoutYou can only stay one night here but it is a great place for one night stay
ScoutSo my parents bought a new motor home and were unsure how to do anything with it. We brought them on their first trip to help them learn the ins and outs of camping. All in all great time and a fun experience for them.
ScoutI stayed in site 17 no hookups. Quiet and peaceful
GuideThere 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. Airport nearby but it didn’t bother us. Walking trail next to the campground and a paved pier to walk down as well. It seriously blows my mind that so many people had bad things to say about this place, we really enjoyed it!
TravelerThis is one of my favorite places to camp. It’s a beautiful hike in and there are a lot of open spots not on top of each other. You can just hike back out in the AM or there are a lot of options to explore!
GuideWhat a cute spot! Lots of trees, clean bathrooms, little creek running through. The spots can be a little tight, I stayed in loop A, so I’m not sure what the other loops look like. Looked like the main bathroom had a roof cave in, but the portapotties were spectacularly clean. Camp hosts were very nice. Firewood available to purchase.
ScoutDriving a Ford Bronco Raptor pull a 15ft trailer - made it to the top only to be engulfed in mosquitos! Road very rocky and 4wd needed
Camping spots near Bountiful, Utah offer access to the Wasatch Range at elevations ranging from 4,500 to 9,000 feet. The camping season typically runs from May through October at lower elevations, while higher sites like Bountiful Peak have shortened seasons due to snow. Many dispersed areas require high-clearance vehicles, with 4WD recommended for rougher forest roads.
Bicycle on the Jordan River Trail: Near Pony Express RV Resort, you can access the paved 80-mile Jordan River Trail. "Paved 80 mile bike trail along Jordan River. Easy access to the Jordan River Trail for running, biking, or sunset walks," notes a reviewer who found it convenient for outdoor activities.
Wildlife viewing at Antelope Island: Bridger Bay Campground offers opportunities to see bison, pronghorn, and burrowing owls. "We saw bison and antelope driving in the park," one camper reported, while another mentioned, "An amazing place to kick back, relax, and hangout with bison. They walk up and graze through the campsites which is a beautiful thing to wake up to."
Fishing at East Canyon Reservoir: The reservoir at Dixie Creek Campground provides good fishing opportunities. "The state park features lots of good fishing as well as picnic areas and some exposed hot hiking trails. Good sized smallmouth bass can be caught," according to a reviewer who caught and cooked smaller fish.
Concrete parking pads: Many RV parks offer level sites with concrete pads. At Salt Lake City KOA, "Every space is paved and has plenty of shade. Cable, WiFi, and phone signals are good," according to one camper who stayed for a week.
Diverse amenities: Campers appreciate facilities like swimming pools, dog parks, and clubhouses. "Amazing clubhouse with pool table, foosball, large TV, comfy chairs, guest kitchen area. Complimentary coffee, tea and fresh made cookies," noted one visitor about Pony Express RV Resort, which also offers "bikes available including kid sized."
Private bathrooms: Some campgrounds offer individual bathroom facilities. Salt Lake City KOA features "nice bathhouses with private shower/toilets" while another camper mentioned "hot tub/clean bathrooms/showers/dog park/trash/laundry" making it "one of the nicer KOAs."
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds at higher elevations close during winter. A visitor to Bountiful Peak Campground reported in 2020, "Drove up and it is still closed," while another noted the Forest Service confirmed it opens July 1st. Another reviewer clarified payment options: "Correction on the scan n pay bring cash or check only."
Urban noise levels: Campgrounds near Salt Lake City experience city sounds. Multiple reviewers at Salt Lake City KOA noted, "It is NOT quiet - there are multiple trains/sirens/large semis blowing by all night," and another mentioned "with that you get all the noise of the city; traffic, sirens, and train horns."
Insect concerns: Be prepared for seasonal insects in certain locations. At Bridger Bay Campground, a camper warned, "Lovely scenery, water is currently off so no showers but has a clean pit toilet. Only downside was the no see um flys you can't for a walk without getting swarmed by them and bitten. Best to visit in the autumn when the flys have gone."
Evidence of recreational shooting: Many dispersed sites show evidence of target practice. At Bountiful B Dispersed camping, "Everybody seemed friendly though. This whole area seems to be a local atv, dirt bike, mountain bike, and shooting area. Definitely lots of people shooting guns into gulleys during the day."
Look for playgrounds and organized activities: Families appreciate designated children's areas. "There are several different amenities including a pool, playground for the kids, life-size chessboard, and a mini-breed dog park!" reports a visitor to Pony Express RV Resort, while another mentioned seeing "kids and barking dogs everywhere!"
Consider water recreation options: Big Rock Campground provides water activities for children: "Nice paved paths for our kiddos to right their scooters and fun water activities available to the kids for free (water bounce house etc)," making it suitable for families with energetic children.
Choose spots with wildlife viewing: Kids often enjoy seeing animals. One reviewer at Big Rock Campground enjoyed "watching wildlife. We were able to spot many species of birds as well as deer, sheep, & prairie dogs," providing educational opportunities for children.
Account for site spacing: Many RV parks have closely positioned sites. "If you're looking for a place that is convenient, full hook up, level concrete pads, subdivision desperate house wife's camping addition this is the place to be!" notes a Pony Express RV Resort reviewer, while another mentioned, "The sites are pretty close together so if you like your space, this probably isn't the best place."
Consider gated parks for security: Some parks offer additional security measures. A camper at Pony Express RV Resort appreciated that "It's gated too, which is also pretty great!" while noting it "backs up to an RV sales and service place which I think is pretty convenient!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Bountiful, Utah?
The Bountiful area offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Antelope Island State Park is just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City and features incredible wildlife viewing including bison, antelope, and deer. For lakeside camping, Cottonwood Campground — Willard Bay State Park provides sites close enough to the water that you can easily portage canoes between your campsite and the lake. Many sites at Willard Bay offer scenic water views, though be aware it is located near the freeway.
What amenities are available at Bountiful Peak Campground?
Bountiful Peak Campground offers basic amenities typical of mountain camping in the Wasatch range. The campground provides vault toilets and is reservable through recreation.gov. Access options include drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in sites. For those seeking more developed facilities nearby, Brigham City-Perry South KOA offers clean restrooms and helpful staff in a location that's convenient but tucked away from the interstate noise, making it a good alternative when Bountiful Peak is full.
Is tent camping available in the Bountiful area?
Yes, tent camping is readily available in the Bountiful area. For a free, rustic experience, Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry offers dispersed camping with established fire rings, though you must bring all your own water. It's popular with ATV enthusiasts and hikers seeking easy to moderate trails. For spectacular views in a dispersed setting, Cascade Springs Dispersed Site offers panoramic vistas of Mt. Timpanogos and is suitable for tent camping, though you'll need a vehicle capable of handling some off-road terrain to access the site.
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