Best Campgrounds near Mapleton, UT

Camping locations near Mapleton, Utah range from established campgrounds to dispersed camping areas across both high desert and mountain landscapes. Several developed options include Lakeside RV Campground in Provo, Springville/Provo KOA Holiday with full amenities and cabin options, and Utah Lake State Park Campground which offers both tent and RV sites. The surrounding Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest provides dispersed camping opportunities at Sheep Creek and along Squaw Peak Road, where campers can find more primitive sites away from developed facilities.

The camping season varies significantly between lower and higher elevations in the Mapleton area. Most developed campgrounds like Springville/Provo KOA operate year-round, while forest service sites such as Diamond Campground and Payson Lakes are typically open from May through October. Reservations are required at many established campgrounds, with fees ranging from $20-40 per night depending on amenities. Dispersed camping on public lands follows standard 14-day stay limits and requires appropriate waste management. A visitor noted that "campground was literally one of the cleanest I've been to this year. Pit toilets were well maintained as was campsite. Every site had shade with concrete parking and fire pit."

Campers frequently mention the scenic mountain views as a highlight of staying in the Mapleton area. The Spanish Oaks Campground receives positive reviews for its reservoir access and hiking opportunities, with one camper noting it offers "clean campground with plenty of activities for the whole family" including fishing facilities and playground areas. Several campgrounds feature concrete pads with fire rings and picnic tables, while some provide access to hiking trails in the nearby mountains. Sites along Hobble Creek at Jolley's Ranch Campground are popular for families seeking water access. Higher elevation sites provide cooler temperatures during summer months but may have limited amenities compared to valley locations. Cell service is generally reliable at developed sites near town but becomes spotty in more remote forest areas.

Best Camping Sites Near Mapleton, Utah (268)

    1. Lakeside RV Campground

    27 Reviews
    Orem, UT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 373-5267

    $31 - $48 / night

    "Lakeside was our home for 3 nights while we were in town for Provo’s annual Colonial Festival."

    "You're super close to amenities and anything you could want to see in town, as well as Utah Lake."

    2. Springville / Provo KOA Holiday

    19 Reviews
    Springville, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 491-0700

    $50 - $300 / night

    "We stayed at the Springville/ Provo Utah KOA in September 2021. This is a full service KOA with nice FHU 50 amp pull-thru sites which were long, wide and level."

    "Knowing that this would be more of a "city" KOA, we were prepared for the tight sites but the view of the mountains and access to hot springs, food, gas, etc. is well worth it!"

    3. Sheep Creek Dispersed Camping Area

    30 Reviews
    Mapleton, UT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 798-3571

    "This is a great spot just a about 2 miles off the main highway. It’s paved until you get to the campground turn off which is a good dirt road. Wide open space with tons of options to tent or RV."

    "That being said, if you don't have an off-road capable vehicle (like me) - it's a solid option and there are some pretty mountain views. You can buy the permit online."

    4. Utah Lake State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Orem, UT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 375-0731

    $50 - $100 / night

    "Gorgeous view across the lake. Quiet. Electricity worked well. Extremely clean. Camp hosts were nowhere to be found and another rig had claimed the end lake-adjacent site I paid for."

    "This my 3 stay here at Utah Lake state park. 2x in July and now in September. I’m a single female traveler."

    5. Nunns Park

    27 Reviews
    Aspen Grove, UT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 851-8640

    "The only bad part about this camp site is all the highway noise. It is close to the Provo river and there is lots of shade so that is nice. Great place to have a camp fire and cook some S'mores. "

    "Close in to town, very pretty with Provo river next to it. Bike path and highway noise can be distracting."

    6. Squaw Peak Road Dispersed

    17 Reviews
    Provo, UT
    12 miles

    "This site is deep past the meadows near square peak. You continue to follow the dirt road in and on your left is a small depression in the land with a fire pit and ample space for tents or hammocks."

    "Found a beautiful spot tucked away in the trees with a great view of the Timps. Continue exploring along the road for amazing panoramic views."

    7. Diamond Fork

    12 Reviews
    Mapleton, UT
    8 miles
    Website

    "The sites are clean and have concrete around the table and cooking area. The tent site was nestled among the trees and was very nice. We did get a visit from the locals."

    "You are really close to fifth water and the start of the trail to the hot pots. There is lots of big cotton wood trees for shade. The spots are big enough for a tent or RV."

    8. Payson Lakes

    17 Reviews
    Elk Ridge, UT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 798-3571

    $28 - $272 / night

    "Being that we already live in southern Utah county, this place has become a go to for our family. Only about 45 mins away from Payson Ut. "

    "There is a lake close by within walking distance with a paved trail all around it. The water was low and pretty gross when we went at the end of the summer. I stayed at B23."

    9. Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    22 Reviews
    Saratoga Springs, UT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 977-4300

    "Very easy access public land right on Utah Lake. Packed gravel and dirt road going in is lumpy from use but smooths out a bit farther in. Side roads to sites are anyones guess."

    "Directions brought us right to the location. Road was rough into the sites and were hard to determine specific sites. Ended up pulling into edge of field. Definitely a good quiet night's sleep"

    10. Diamond Campground

    7 Reviews
    Mapleton, UT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 798-3571

    $28 - $315 / night

    "We were close to the river though and the kids had fun playing in it. There are no fish in this river, which was unfortunate since I was hoping to do a little fishing."

    "All driveways and roads up to and around camp were paved. We have a 31 ft class A motor home and we navigated around easily. A loop has lots more trees but we certainly were not lacking."

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Recent Reviews near Mapleton, UT

1162 Reviews of 268 Mapleton Campgrounds


  • Kim G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Hailstone - Lower Fisher Campground — Jordanelle State Park

    Great state park campground

    Convenient location to Park City. Large spacious sites. Nice clean bathrooms. You can hear road noise from highway 40. We got a site without reservation with no problem. Some sites are more level than others. We are enjoying looking at the reservoir from the back of our site. Some construction noise across highway 40 but not too much late on a weekday.

  • Sary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Flight Park State Recreation Area

    Good price

    Instructions for the campsite are a bit confusing. Don’t pay for a site until you get here even if you book online. There are limited spots. People camping around are nice and say hello.

    We camped on a Friday night and it was full when we arrived around 6pm but we snagged the last spot available. Otherwise I would have camped down the road in a dirt patch anyway.

  • Mike C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Sheep Creek Dispersed Camping Area

    Good overnight spot

    Quiet and easy to get to from road. Got crowded as the evening went on but plenty of room for all

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Squaw Peak Road Dispersed

    A hard way to the Top

    We fought hard to get to the spot. Up to Hood Campground, the road was a normal, winding road. Really great. After that, however, a stretch began that was really only suitable for 4WDs. Rocks, deep ruts, etc. We managed it with the 2WD, but we had to give it our all. There aren't many spots. The spot we found was right on the mountain in the forest, but it wasn't worth the effort. We still enjoyed the night very much. We didn't have an internet connection with T-Online. Apparently, the spot serves the locals as a picnic destination, love nest, or even wedding photo spot until sunset. We had a bit of everything that evening ;)

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Manti - La Sal KOA

    Perfect Location to jump on the Arapeen trail

    This KOA is daily straight forward. Has everything you will need. Laundry only had on machine working but I was able to get all mine done while we were here. Has a game room with a family room area and a large TV. We were able to ride our side by side from this location right onto the Arapeen trail. The main office will give you a simple map on how to get there and they also sell the trail maps for $10.50. Wanted to use the pool but it was closed for the season.

  • Cali C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Mud Creek Campground

    Spacious campground close to town

    There are tons of spots to choose from, and it always felt very safe. Lots of people with ATV’s and dirtbikes but not loud at all.

  • Jeff R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    Beautiful spot but trash everywhere

    Great views of the lake and surrounding mountains, but has trash, broken glass and junk everywhere.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Sheep Creek

    Convenient overnight spot

    Plenty of space for any camper. tents to fifth wheels. The night I camped 9/20/25 there were about a dozen vehicles.

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Heber Ranger Station

    Parking Lot Camping

    You can stay at this ranger station up to 14 days. Heber city has a lot to offer. There was a large trash can available but the ranger station was closed due to electrical problems so I don’t know if they allow you to use the bathrooms inside.


Guide to Mapleton

Camping near Mapleton, Utah, offers a great mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Water Sports: Enjoy activities like boating and fishing at Hailstone - Upper Fisher Campground — Jordanelle State Park. One camper mentioned, "Clean campground with access to water sports, and very close to Park City."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Granite Flat. A visitor shared, "The drive and location is beautiful. The campground is large and there is a lot of privacy."
  • Astrophotography: If you're into stargazing, Jordanelle State Park is a solid choice. One reviewer said, "Jordanelle State Park is a good place to go for astrophotography if you don't have 4 hours to drive out of the city."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A review for Granite Flat noted, "Bathrooms are clean. No complaints other than the showers could use some cleaning."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the spaciousness of the sites at Hailstone - Upper Fisher Campground. One camper mentioned, "Camp sites are wide apart and have lots of room."
  • Natural Beauty: The scenic views are a big hit. A visitor at Strawberry Bay said, "The campground was quiet and clean and host was fantastic! Steps away from the reservoir which provided glorious sunrises!"

What you should know:

  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A camper at Little Mill mentioned, "The road noise was a lot more than I expected...especially at night."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, Granite Flat has no showers, which some campers found inconvenient.
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A visitor at Strawberry Bay advised, "It’s FCFS and gets really busy, so arrive early in the morning."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Mountain Valley RV Resort, which has amenities like pools and playgrounds. One family said, "The park is nice and flat that kids are riding scooters and rollerblading throughout."
  • Bring Entertainment: Campers recommend bringing games or outdoor toys. A reviewer at Spruces - Big Cottonwood mentioned, "It’s pretty close to Park City so that’s pretty fun as well."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to keep the peace. A camper at Nunns Park noted, "It’s alcohol-free campgrounds but clearly there was a group that was drinking and up until 2am with loud music."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Lakeside RV Campground said, "Our 30’ rig hardly fit in the spot."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Mountain Valley RV Resort offer full hookups, which many RVers appreciate. One reviewer stated, "Had 3 different pools/hot tubs and the pools are heated."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular RV spots can get busy. A camper at Sheep Creek Dispersed Camping Area mentioned, "The dispersed camping area pretty much fills up overnight."

Camping near Mapleton, Utah, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking comfort. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mapleton Canyon Campground located?

Mapleton Canyon Campground is located in central Utah, near Utah County. While not directly in Mapleton Canyon itself, several camping options exist in the surrounding area. Payson Lakes is about 45 minutes from Payson, making it easily accessible from the Mapleton area. For those willing to venture slightly further, Diamond Fork offers camping opportunities near Spanish Fork, which is adjacent to Mapleton.

What facilities and amenities are available at Mapleton camping areas?

Camping areas near Mapleton offer diverse amenities depending on the site type. Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry provides free dispersed camping with established fire rings but no amenities - you must carry in all water. The area is popular for ATVs and has easy to moderate hiking trails. For those seeking more facilities, Pine Creek Campground — Wasatch Mountain State Park offers traditional camping with narrow loop roads and asphalt sites, though many sites are not designed for larger RVs.

When is the best season to camp in Mapleton?

The best season to camp in the Mapleton area is late spring through early fall (May to September), when weather conditions are most favorable. Cascade Springs Dispersed Site offers spectacular panoramic views of Mt. Timpanogos during these months, making it a prime warm-weather destination. For those seeking year-round options, Mountain Valley RV Resort in nearby Heber City provides excellent facilities regardless of season, with concrete pads and an adult-only section for a quieter experience.