Paved access into the Mantua area makes it more accessible year-round than most dispersed options in Box Elder County. Willard Bay State Park is close to town for developed camping with hookups and water. Forest roads into the Bear River Range open up dispersed options on Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest land above the valley. No-reservation camping outside Mantua covers the free undesignated sites on forest land, no water, no restrooms, 14-day stay limit.
"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."
$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."
"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."
TravelerI am comparing this campground to Valley View RV park in Layton since we were there for a week before we stayed here- there is a stark difference for the exact same price. The sites at Sun Outdoors are extremely tight, the grounds themselves are not nearly as well maintained- dog park while bigger is just stone and not well maintained- smaller dog park mostly weeds.
TravelerThe coordinates on the map are not exactly right for this campsite, at least in early may. If you drive up the road there are a lot of pull off spots that specifically say no overnight camping, but there is one probably about halfway up the canyon where you can pull in (on the right side when heading up) on a dirt road into a spot that looks like a classic dispersed camping spot with a fire pit good space and a river at the back. It is bordering next to a fence line, but of course not within it. At first we were worried we were wrong in it being a legal dispersed site but we stayed for two nights and never had any issues, including with police officers and natural resource officers coming up and down the canyon as there was an incident at the top. The space does go off into a decently secluded space if you pull all the way to the back but it is right on a decently busy canyon road as people go up to an offroading trail at the top. though it is a bit noisy with the traffic the site is absolutely beautiful with a rushing river right in the back. We personally could not find any other clear dispersed camping sites in the canyon but we can in approaching darkness and were unable to really tell, we were recommended this canyon by an REI worker though so I believe there very well could be more than one site.
TravelerI visited mid-week, early June. Fairly good access to this campground. Gravel road for several miles but it's wide and graded. Campground roads are gravel. There's a main loop and 2 group loops, one of which has a road that is in disrepair, having a section of deep soft sand/gravel that a vehicle could get stuck in. The size of sites in the main loop is highly variable, but many are large enough for long 5th wheels. The spacing is good though a few sites are too close to the road for my liking. The CG is in dense forest with undergrowth, so there is shade and screening from other sites. A creek flows through the middle of the main loop. It is nice and the creek sound helps overcome the noise of campers. I did not see tent pads, but many of the sites have enough room for tents. Each site has a fire ring/pit and table. The vault toilets that i visited were clean. There is a small bathhouse tucked away in the middle of the CG with flushers; it's a little dilapidated, peeling paint, etc. There are hiking trails in the area and also ATV trails. I saw many people fishing along the Cub River.
Horse people: there are 3 corrals at the upper end of the main CG loop, with plenty of room to turn around.
Zero cell signal: Verizon
The campground host, Chuck, was friendly and pleasant.
Overall, I enjoyed my stay here.
GuideLocated just inside east gate. Visitors are required to get a pass prior to entry. Camp is adjacent to a park and a busy road. Bathrooms were adequate. We dry camped on a gravel lot. No frills but absolutely adequate and located just off the interstate.
ScoutThe drive is doable in any vehicle, the road has many dips/ruts so it is slow going. The area was pretty and green, there are spots available with fire rings.
This campground is extremely busy that it is impossible to enjoy a peaceful time outdoors. From the few hours I was there, there were people constantly walking or biking on the road.
While I was sleeping, I was woken up by a police officer questioning me. Police will come and question you; be prepared to speak to the police and explain what you are doing there, how long you are there for, and any other questions they have for you.
This was the absolute worst campground I’ve ever been to; do not recommend this to anyone who is looking for a peaceful and pleasant experience.
You may find a spot that looks nice, but be prepared for vehicles, lots of people, and to be questioned by the police.
ScoutArrived yesterday for a 4-night stay. Appears well maintained. Nice venue with concrete patios, grass, trees and full hookups. Friendly staff.
TravelerBeautiful boating lake, lots of bathrooms, plug spots and none plug spots, lots of access points to the water, popular fishing destination. Cute town with nice shops and people. Pretty close to other campers, not secluded in any way, and Hyrums farm cow smell is pretty brutal when it’s hot.
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.
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.
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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