Camping near Kamas, Utah offers access to high-elevation forests and waterways in the eastern slopes of the Wasatch Range and western edge of the Uinta Mountains. Most campgrounds sit between 7,000-9,000 feet elevation, providing summer temperatures that typically range from 45°F at night to 75°F during the day. The camping season in the Kamas area varies by elevation, with lower-elevation sites sometimes accessible from late April through October.
What to do
Fishing at multiple reservoirs: Smith-Morehouse Campground provides easy access to both the reservoir and river fishing spots. "You can kayak and paddle board at the lake, four wheel, etc. We always bring our dog and she loves it as well," notes a camper who frequently visits this area.
Hiking to alpine lakes: Trails near Wasatch National Forest Soapstone Campground connect to backcountry destinations. One visitor mentioned, "You can get to Round, Sand, & Fish Lakes which have great fishing" from trails near the campgrounds.
Winter recreation: For those interested in off-season adventures, several campgrounds maintain winter access. As one camper points out, "You can even snowmobile on the roads up here in the winter" near Smith-Morehouse Campground, while another noted Spruces Campground is a "wonderful winter wonder land you can snowshoe into in the winter."
Off-road vehicle trails: Pine Creek Campground connects to extensive trail systems. A camper highlighted that it's "close to 2 reservoirs, tons of dirt bike and side by side trails, and Heber city. There's also a few group sites with pavilions."
What campers like
Creek-side sites: Many visitors appreciate camping near moving water. At Yellow Pine Campground, "the river is a 2 or 3 minute walk from any of the spots," according to a recent visitor, who added they "have great restrooms and the river is a 2 or 3 minute walk from any of the spots."
Smell of pine forests: Campers frequently mention the unique forest scents. "The whole area smells like butterscotch and vanilla due to the Ponderosa Pines," noted one Yellow Pine Campground visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds provide chances to see local animals. One camper at Rockport State Park mentioned, "We saw moose, went fishing, and even stopped for icecream at stone hass in the solitude village right up the street."
Spacious sites with privacy: Several campgrounds feature good separation between sites. A visitor to Yellow Pine noted, "It's quiet and each campsite has a nice separation," while another at Smith-Morehouse mentioned, "The sites are well spaced and large, with lots of trees to provide good shade and adequate privacy from neighbors."
What you should know
Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds have potable water. A Smith-Morehouse visitor advised, "You'll need to bring your own water, and the only opportunity to refill your jugs is either at Lost Creek campground farther up the Mirror Lake Highway, or back in town in Kamas. Bring more than you think you'll need!"
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. A Soapstone visitor pointed out, "It is a very tight road and difficult to get into sites as it is obvious it was not built with 30 ft. trailers in mind."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be intense during summer months. "During the day and ESPECIALLY in the evening, the mosquitoes are pretty intense throughout the whole summer," warned a Smith-Morehouse camper who suggested, "bring lots of bugspray and citronella candles!"
Bear safety: Knotty Pine RV Resort and surrounding areas have bear activity. "This is bear country, so the signs say," noted one camper, recommending that visitors should "plan to keep your food IN THE CAR except when you're eating it!"
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated recreation facilities. "We have already been here for 3 nights and are staying a week. The grounds are so well-maintained... there's a very nice playground and small pond where they can fish - catch and release," reported a visitor to River's Edge.
Group sites availability: For larger family gatherings, several options exist. "We stayed in the Crandall Campground - Rockport State Park... It is a group site and is almost like camping in an open field. The Pavilion was nice for our large group 20+ people," mentioned one visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Timing impacts the camping experience significantly. One Smith-Morehouse visitor advised, "We like to go up for Memorial Day and Labor Day. It feels wonderful up there then! We came up for a couple of July 4ths and were astonished at how many horseflies there were all of the sudden."
Family-friendly hiking: Many campgrounds connect to accessible trails. A Jordanelle State Park camper shared, "This is a simple site to get to. It's only an hour from Salt Lake City and provides awesome picnic areas! Fun for the whole family; kids, seniors, pets, etc!"
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger RVs. At Rockport State Park, one RVer noted sites in specific areas were "right up by the bank. It was great but there is not much privacy or space between campsites."
Hookup information: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of services. At Mountain Valley RV Resort, visitors appreciate the full amenities: "This spacious RV park has two pools (one limited to adults only), two dog parks (one large enough for big dogs to run and fetch), two sets of pickle ball courts and is spacious and level and nice."
Water pressure considerations: Watch for high water pressure at some sites. A Jordanelle State Park visitor cautioned, "Be careful hooking up your RV to water. Very high pressure."
Winter RV options: Several sites remain open year-round with facilities. "We stayed in one of the cabins over the winter. Beautiful and cozy cabin with an absolutely stunning view of Mount Timpanagos," reported a Mountain Valley RV Resort visitor, noting the resort provides "great access to the nice town of Heber City."
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