The small town of Mantua, Utah sits nestled between mountain ranges with camping options spanning from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks. Box Elder Campground, located directly in Mantua, provides a well-maintained established campground with drinking water and basic amenities operating from May through mid-October. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Willard Bay State Park's Cottonwood and Willow Creek campgrounds along the freshwater reservoir, or venture to more primitive sites in the surrounding Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The area balances proximity to Interstate 15 with access to quieter mountain settings, making it suitable for both overnight travelers and destination campers.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping availability in the Mantua region. Most campgrounds operate from late spring through early fall, with Box Elder Campground's season running May 18 to October 14. Winter conditions at higher elevations can make forest roads impassable, while summer weekends often see campgrounds reaching capacity. As one camper noted about nearby Willard Bay State Park: "This park is a great stopover on your way through Utah or weekend visit. The lake is clean and still very natural. The swans circling the water are something to see." Reservations are recommended for established campgrounds, particularly during summer holidays and weekends when sites fill quickly.
Campers frequently mention the contrast between highway-adjacent sites and more secluded forest camping in their reviews. Those seeking quiet often prefer Box Elder Campground and forest service sites despite their more limited amenities. Highway-proximate locations like Brigham City-Perry South KOA receive praise for convenience and facilities but occasionally criticism for noise. Cell service remains reliable near major roads but becomes spotty in canyon areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities increase with distance from developed areas, with deer commonly spotted near forest campgrounds. Water access represents a significant draw, with Willard Bay campsites offering both recreation opportunities and scenic views that visitors consistently rate highly in reviews.
"This was a nice spot tucked away from the interstate but not super far. Clean restrooms, nice staff. Stayed here twice on our trip to Moab. Plan on staying again on other trips to southern Utah"
"They have a lot of orchards near and fresh fruit stand close by which would be great in summer but in the fall it made the area buggy. Easy to get in and out of. Level sites and a quiet area."
$30 - $40 / night
"Arrived around 2pm on a Friday and stayed at Cutler Flats. Didn't look at the other campgrounds so can't speak to them in particular. Drove up and down the loop and most were available at that time."
"The sites were plenty big, each had a fire pit and picnic table and were close to legit toilets. It was beautiful. Worth the drive to get a little further off the beaten path."
$60 - $150 / night
"This park is a great stopover on your way through Utah or weekend visit. The lake is clean and still very natural. The swans circling the water are something to see."
"This campground is right next to the I-15, and a set of train tracks that seem to see daily use."
$26 - $219 / night
"We stayed here one night and liked it for all the trees and shade, and yet still being pretty close to the city and lake."
"It is only 10 miles or less off the main highway, yet very private with lots of trees! Great birding, too!"
$38 - $63 / night
"Close to hiking trails and lake."
"But it is quieter than being next to the freeway."
$55 - $1450 / night
"Great place to overnight while passing through northern Utah. Huge full hookup sites with concrete pads. Nice and quiet despite being near the intersection of I-15 and I-84. Would definitely return!"
"Bear lake is a must do and so much good in Utah!"
$60 / night
"I arrived at around 6:30 PM with no reservation and had no issues. The guy at the front gate was a peach, super kind and helpful. It’s $25 a night for a tent site."
"We had spot 119 and had a perfect view of the beautiful mountains behind us and the lake in front. We had beach access down to the beach and got to watch the sunset completely private."
"The location is beautiful, and full of deer. My partner and I are just starting out full time rv life and this was the first spot we stayed at."
$40 - $400 / night
"The only thing that was annoying is that they lock the front gate at 10PM so if you are out after that time, you have to park your car on the street and walk to your campsite."
"Got in late around 2100. Plenty of spots available in the back without electric. I did get a spot right next to the lake. Has picnic table, firepit, and charcoal grill available."
ScoutThe app said that overnight camping would be allowed in the parking lot and within a third of the mile, the parking area from the second there's a sign that expressly prohibits this exact thing. Saturday of April through September 9th. This is incorrect. There's a sign that expressly prohibits this exact thing.
TravelerI got here around midnight. If I could do it over, I’d get here while the sun was still up so I could scout out a better spot, but it was a nice, quiet night. I was the only one here and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Made for a nice night of stargazing. A little on the chilly side, which is what I wanted. Pit toilets within walking distance. The only noise in the morning were ducks and some other large water fowl I couldn’t identify. Not sure I’d stay multiple days, but not bad for a quiet night away from the city
RangerThis campsite is like being on another planet. The scenery is beautiful! But we came in early April and the gnats were UNREAL. If the wind died down at all, we and the dogs were swarmed. I had gnats in my mouth, nose, ears, everywhere. But aside from that, the campground was great. Showers were private, clean, and had plenty of hot water. Would love to visit again outside of gnat season.
GuideEcho Res is a peaceful stop after crossing NV and the Salt Flats of UT. The camp site only has one other camper in it during our stay. We have water and electric hookup. The sites are all pathed and we did not need to do any leveling in site #9. You can hear semi truck going along I-80 but they are in the distance. The park is in between the reservoir and a pathed road, so there is some road noise but not much at all, not enough to disturb us. The beauty of the water and sound of birds and light breeze outweigh any negative. Each site has a covered picnic table and fire ring. And the sites look to have 25-30 feet between them.
TravelerWe stayed here as we were passing through on our way to Moab from Washington. Decent camp sites. Easy to pull in and nice staff. Gravel roomy (as far as RV camps go) and clean camp sites. Shower and laundry and nice and clean. Hot spring is fun, not terribly hot, maybe 97 degrees when we were there in early April.
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.
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.
LegendIf it had been a snowy winter this sno-park might have been quite busy. A few winter sport enthusiasts came and went but we were alone overnight. Clean restrooms but pack out your trash.
The road past the park was closed to vehicles.
GuideClean campground with full hookups. Pet areas and good communication. Fulltime supervision on site.
Camping near Mantua, Utah provides access to both high-elevation forest sites and lakeside options with elevations ranging from 4,300 to 5,800 feet. The Mantua region sits at the intersection of Cache Valley and Box Elder County with the Wellsville Mountains to the east and the Wasatch Range to the south. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach 85-90°F while dropping to 50-60°F at night in forested campgrounds.
Waterfall hiking: 1-mile trail accessible near North Fork County Park leads to a small waterfall that's popular with families. "There's a short waterfall hike, but also a long hike that will take you up to Ben Lomond Peak & cut across to Willard Peak. Go when there's no smoke and you'll have breathtaking views (I'd say May & June are your best bet)," notes Morgan L. who camped at North Fork County Park.
Lakefront recreation: Beach access within 5 minutes of camping sites at Willard Bay State Park. "The lake is clean and still very natural. The swans circling the water are something to see," reports a camper. Willow Creek Campground offers "beach access down to the beach and got to watch the sunset completely private. They had numerous bathrooms, water fill up stations, and the campsites are very big," according to Haley N. at Willow Creek Campground.
Mountain biking: Trail networks accessible directly from certain campgrounds. "Had a great stay at North Fork. Camped in the canyon near the trailheaad for the waterfall hike. We stayed at campsite 6 which was great, but they were all really nice. Excellent mountain bike trails also. Can't wait to go back and ride more of them," shares Rich J.
Creek-side camping spots: Several campgrounds offer streamside sites popular with families. "The site we like best is right on the creek! If you go in early June you will be delighted with the poppy fields!" says Barb D. about Box Elder Campground, which operates from May through mid-October.
Large, level camping sites: Many local campgrounds feature spacious sites with natural separation. "The sites were plenty big, each had a fire pit and picnic table and were close to legit toilets. It was beautiful. Worth the drive to get a little further off the beaten path," explains Stephanie R. about her experience at North Fork County Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank high in camper reviews. "Handicap accessible bathrooms and showers, plenty of hot water!" notes Nathan D. who stayed at Hyrum State Park Campground. This campground is located within a neighborhood near the lake and remains open year-round.
Seasonal bug activity: Mosquitoes can be intense near water, especially at Willard Bay. "Memorial Day weekend there are already loads of bugs. It would be a great spot in the dead of winter," warns Rara B. from a May visit to Willow Creek Campground. Bring insect repellent for summer camping.
Road and rail noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds from nearby highways. "This campground is literally right off the NB/SB freeway. The sites are pretty nice and many are very close to the lake... but keep in mind, your day and night will be filled with freeway noises," Derek E. explains about Cottonwood Campground at Willard Bay State Park.
Free dispersed camping: Areas like Dock Flat Campground offer no-cost options with limited facilities. "Not very far from Brigham City at all. Easy to find and some roads are a little rough in the campgrounds. At least 30 established campsites with fire pits and lots of shade. A lot of hiking and star gazing available. No Services whatsoever," reports Steve M. from his experience at Dock Flat.
Accessible creek play: Several campgrounds feature shallow creeks safe for younger children. "We stayed in the group A site with a bunch of families and 15 kids ages 2-10. Tons of shade, picnic tables, and seating around the fire pit. The kids had a blast playing in the creek. It's not too deep, and it runs fast enough to not be gross or slippery," explains Anastasia E. about Box Elder Campground.
Nature trail options: Short hiking trails suitable for various ages. "This campground has been a friends and family favorite for many years. My husband and I recently took our toddler and infant here and had a blast. They found joy in simply throwing pebbles in the creek and making mud," shares Morgan L. about North Fork County Park.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play structures. "We had a delightful stay over Memorial Day weekend. Our kids had a blast swimming, playing at the playground and then spending time in the arcade. The New Owners are super friendly and the Bathrooms are very clean," reports Kristan J. about her family's experience at Brigham City-Perry South KOA.
Site selection guidance: Some RV parks assign sites without preview options. "They assign spots when u arrive without u looking at the spots. Then if u don't like the spot they give u a lot of trouble to change it," warns Jess T. about Cottonwood Campground, suggesting RVers request specific sites when possible.
Sewer hose length: Be prepared with additional hose length at some parks. "Note the sewer is toward the back, not the middle so bring lots of sewer hose," advises Laura K. about Cottonwood Campground at Willard Bay State Park, who also mentions highway noise can be problematic for light sleepers.
Arrival timing restrictions: Several parks enforce strict check-in policies. "Be aware that they DO NOT allow early arrival and will turn you away before 3pm even if the site is empty," notes Erin A. from her experience at Willard Bay State Park Cottonwood, which offers spacious pull-through sites with full hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any established campgrounds in Mantua, Utah?
Yes, there are established camping options in and around Mantua. Brigham City-Perry South KOA is a well-maintained campground not far from Mantua with clean restrooms and helpful staff. It's conveniently located off the interstate but remains quiet enough for a peaceful stay. Another option is Willows Campground (Ut) — Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest, a serene medium-sized campground tucked away from the road en route to Causey Reservoir. For those looking for established camping specifically in Mantua, local options are limited, so these nearby alternatives provide the best access to the area.
Where are the best camping spots around Mantua Reservoir in Utah?
For camping near Mantua Reservoir, consider Box Elder Campground which is close to the reservoir and offers drive-in access with reservable sites, water, and toilet facilities. Another excellent option is Willard Peak Campground, providing beautiful mountain views with similar amenities. Both locations give you convenient access to the reservoir's recreational activities. If you prefer more established facilities while still staying close to Mantua, nearby Cottonwood Campground — Willard Bay State Park offers clean facilities, shade, and lake access just a short drive away.
Can I rent cabins for overnight stays in Mantua, Utah?
While Mantua itself has limited cabin rental options, there are several nearby alternatives. Echo Island RV Resort offers cabin accommodations in a family-friendly environment with plenty of space for outdoor activities and wildlife viewing. Another option is Anderson Cove in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which provides a quiet retreat with beach access and is just a scenic drive away from the Mantua area. If you're specifically looking for cabin rentals in immediate proximity to Mantua, you may need to expand your search to these nearby locations, as most camping in the immediate Mantua area is primarily tent or RV-focused.
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