Ogden sits at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in northern Utah, with Ogden Canyon cutting directly east into Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest from the edge of town. Campground options run from developed forest service sites with vault toilets up the canyon to dispersed spots on forest roads further back. Ogden's dispersed camping options cover the no-fee, no-reservation sites for campers who want primitive setups without the distance requirements of more remote areas.
Developed campgrounds in Ogden Canyon fill quickly on summer weekends. Most book through recreation.gov and are gone weeks out during peak season from June through August. RV access is limited on some canyon roads due to tight turns, so check site dimensions before driving a larger rig in. Horse sites with corrals exist further up the canyon, but check current availability with the Ogden Ranger District before going. Camping near Salt Lake City gives a broader picture of the developed and dispersed options across the Wasatch Front if Ogden sites are full.
The canyon gets shade early in the day but stays cooler than valley temperatures throughout summer. Elevation at upper canyon sites runs above 7,000 feet, which means colder nights and possible snow in May and October. Bring an extra layer even for summer trips.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$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."
$26 - $313 / night
"recid=9003&actid=29) you'll encounter heading up Ogden Canyon and the only major campground on the south side of Pineview. "
"Tucked away from SLC, it's a perfect little oasis."
$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."
"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."
$59 - $74 / night
"Just South of Ogden with all your city amenities but tucked away in a quiet river setting. Lots of space, Full hookups and nice landscaping."
"River and walking trail just steps away from all sites. Would be nice if the dog park was finished. There are other amenities that are planned to be available, but are not available yet."
"No frills (they do have a pool) RV Park right next to the I-15 freeway in Ogden. Great desk staff. Good prices. Great option if you just need an overnight."
"Our biggest complaint about this park was the minimal distance between sites. It does have close proximity to a lot of what Ogden offers."
$20 - $35 / night
"It’s a little exposed but love the easy in easy out and access to the bike path and nearby splash pad"
"Located 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."
$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."
$38 - $63 / night
"Close to hiking trails and lake."
"But it is quieter than being next to the freeway."
$60 - $400 / night
"Very clean and quint campground Right next to a busy interstate that is very noisy 24/7 We were tired of driving and decided to stay the night Went for a walk with the dogs and the mosquitoes attacked"
"Very nice bathrooms, worth the $25 if you’re in Salt Lake City area and need somewhere to stay"
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.
ScoutHost: Justin was great. When we arrived he was walking around and checking the sites for any fallen trees because there’s a storm that brought in 50mph winds. He also gave us an update on the weather and what t expect. Campground: Cottonwood was great. The best part was the vault toilets. They were clean and did not smell AT ALL. Shout out to the camp host. There are two toilets and one of them the door does not lock. Hopefully that’s fixed by the time you arrive. Sites are spaced out nicely. Camp site C016: Was perfect, with more than enough room for our 9x14 10 person tent. There was a trail that led straight to the river about 30 yards away. The site is close to the entrance of the park so you will hear vehicles coming in and out. It wasn’t bad at all just the occasional diesel trucks and loud exhaust. The flagpole that’s located by the guard station did make a loud metal on metal tapping sound but didn’t bother us much. Overall experience: It was great experience, aside from the storm that rolled through(not the parks fault) if tent camping is your jam, stop worrying and book this place. Blessed travels my friend.
TravelerRaw land at the foot of the mountain, bring water. No tables, no amenities, quarry down the road. The road changes from old asphalt to rough gravel just past this site. There's lake nearby, but not here. Watch out for ants!
ScoutFree to camp wherever but it’s out in a range area, trash is everywhere and the roads are quite rough. Wind is present and highway is nearby.
GuideBeautiful view of the great salt lake. Very few camp sites for RVs. Looks like there are some long termers. It is a marina. But as for a beautiful sunset... awesome. You can walk down to the waters edge. Was a walk in site for this stay. 20 mins to any restaurants.
ScoutWe pulled in and were a bit nervous because it’s off the freeway and we thought it be would be loud BUT it was actually surprisingly not. The grounds are very well kept & the staff was amazing! We stayed for 2 nights & would stay again if we were in the area.
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.
Camping spots near Ogden, Utah range across the foothills and mountain valleys of the Wasatch Range at elevations between 4,300 and 7,000 feet. Water access remains a significant draw with several campgrounds positioned near Pineview Reservoir, the Ogden River, or the Great Salt Lake. Temperatures typically drop 15-20 degrees at night compared to daytime highs, even during July and August when most campgrounds reach peak capacity.
Waterfall hiking: North Fork Park offers access to hiking trails leading to local waterfalls. "There's a hidden waterfall you can hike too, and a river runs through the park. It's a must!" according to reviewer Debbie P. The trail is accessible for various skill levels and provides an excellent day activity from your campsite.
Tubing on Ogden River: South Fork Campground sits directly along the banks of the South Fork Ogden River, making it popular for water activities. "Access to Ogden River for tubing! Causey and Pineview very close!" notes reviewer Barb D. Life jackets are required for river tubing, and campsite numbers in the teens offer closest river access.
Wildlife viewing: Antelope Island State Park provides opportunities to see free-roaming bison and pronghorn antelope. "The bison are free grazing all around and a few came right up to our campground in the early morning! There is a ranch on the far side of the island which is adorable and definitely worth a visit," shares Steven M. The park also features hiking trails of varying difficulty levels around the island.
Privacy between sites: North Fork County Park offers spacious sites with good separation. "There are so many spots, and they are all very private. The Camp hosts are great!" says Debbie P. Site A1 receives particular praise: "Our site was the best in the campground, I think. It was secluded with tons of trees. Not all sites had a lot of tree cover."
Mountain views: Many campgrounds feature views of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains. "Lovely scenery... stunning" notes Georgia L. about Bridger Bay Campground. The combination of water access and mountain backdrop creates particularly dramatic sunrises and sunsets at several campgrounds around Pineview Reservoir.
Proximity to recreation: Camping spots near Ogden provide quick access to multiple outdoor activities. "A very clean and very convenient campground. Tons of trails nearby and being on the reservoir is great for hot days. Fishing was a blast!" reports Tyler G. about Anderson Cove. Most campgrounds are within 30-45 minutes of downtown Ogden for supplies.
Insect activity: Mosquitoes and other biting insects can be problematic, particularly at water-adjacent sites. "We have a can of Off and it isn't enough to keep us from being eaten alive!!" warns Alison D. about South Marina. Another camper reports, "Lots of bug bites so pack spray" while staying at Willard Bay.
Highway noise: Cottonwood Campground at Willard Bay sits close to Interstate 15, creating consistent background noise. "I-15 noise was horrible, no sleep even with a fan going and earplugs," reports Laura K. Sites further from the highway within the park offer somewhat better sound conditions.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months. "You need to reserve sites here well in advance as it fills up for the entire Summer as soon as the reservation window opens," advises Barb D. about Anderson Cove. South Fork campers recommend "going beforehand to scope out which site you would like best and reserve it online because this place gets all booked up!"
Splash pad access: Hill AFB FamCamp offers unique amenities for families. "The campground is right next to the base splash pad and a big park," notes Chris L. The campground also features "a fenced in dog relief area" and costs "$25 a night full hook ups."
Beach activities: Waterfront camping provides built-in entertainment for children. "The beach is so large and it's easy to camp out. The sand is soft and fun for the kids to build sand castles. We also enjoyed the small waves while on the beach," says Whitney K. about Anderson Cove.
Multi-generational gathering spots: Several campgrounds accommodate larger family gatherings. "We've camped all over in North Fork sites! Our family has our annual family reunion in Mustang Flats every summer, CW8 & CW9 are great for 5 families because they're connected by a little road," shares Fale L. South Fork is described as "great for family reunions and weddings" with spacious group sites.
Hookup locations: At several campgrounds, the placement of utility hookups requires planning. "The hook ups (especially sewer) are awkwardly to the far rear of the sites," notes Chris L. about Hill AFB FamCamp. RVers recommend bringing extra-length sewer hoses to ensure proper connections.
Site selection: Century RV Park offers concrete pads for a small additional fee. "Concrete pads were nice, but were a couple dollars more than gravel sites," notes Rachel H. Many RV campers recommend requesting specific sites based on size requirements, as space between sites varies considerably throughout the region.
Late arrivals: Several campgrounds enforce strict check-in policies. "Do not try to get in before 3:00 on your day of check in. They strictly enforce it," warns Laura K. about Willard Bay State Park. Some campgrounds provide after-hours check-in procedures with pre-arranged codes or envelopes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the best places to camp in Northern Utah near Ogden?
Northern Utah offers diverse camping experiences within easy reach of Ogden. Magpie Campground is just 25 minutes from Ogden, making it perfect for quick family getaways. Anderson Cove on Pineview Reservoir provides a peaceful oasis with marina access and multiple camping options. Other excellent choices include Maples Campground, a dispersed camping area just north of Snowbasin with mountain biking trails; Cottonwood Campground at Willard Bay State Park with lakeside sites perfect for canoeing; and Brigham City-Perry South KOA, which offers a convenient stopover location with clean facilities. For those willing to drive a bit further, Echo State Park and Antelope Island State Park provide unique landscapes and recreational opportunities.
What are the best campgrounds near Ogden, Utah?
Ogden offers excellent camping options for every preference. South Fork (UT) is a local favorite situated along the banks of the South Fork Ogden River with access for tubing and friendly camp hosts. It's the largest campground in the canyon before reaching Causey Reservoir. For those seeking RV accommodations, Riverside RV Resort provides full hookups in a quiet river setting just south of Ogden, offering fishing and tubing opportunities while still being close to city amenities. Other quality options include Anderson Cove on Pineview Reservoir, Century RV Park for convenient overnight stays, and Weber Memorial Park near Causey Reservoir with numerous amenities and group sites.
Is camping available in Ogden Canyon?
Yes, camping is available in Ogden Canyon with several excellent options. Weber Memorial Park is a large campground and day-use area maintained by Weber County, located near Causey Reservoir with multiple amenities and group sites. The canyon is also home to North Fork County Park, which offers reservable sites with toilet facilities and various access options including drive-in and walk-in camping. South Fork Campground is another popular option along the South Fork of the Ogden River, providing access to water activities and shaded sites. Camping in Ogden Canyon puts you close to outdoor recreation while still being a short drive from Ogden's urban conveniences.
Keep Exploring
