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Unlike most Salt Lake Valley suburbs, Millcreek sits immediately against the mouth of Millcreek Canyon, which means actual camping terrain starts a short drive from the valley floor. Developed campgrounds in the canyon have defined sites, vault toilets, and some sites with fire rings. Millcreek's tent camping options draw from those canyon campgrounds along with some Wasatch-adjacent sites.
The canyon road has a fee for day use but no gate blocking overnight camping access. No-reservation camping close to Salt Lake City gives a broader picture of the dispersed options on national forest land for anyone in the metro area who wants to skip the developed campground system.
"The Salt Lake City KOA Holiday manages to pull it off perfectly. This campground is absolutely huge, serving as a massive, welcoming hub for travelers right in the heart of Utah's capital."
"I had the wonderful opportunity to stay the night at Salt Lake City KOA!"
from $50 - $189 / night
Check Availability"Bathrooms always close by, no showers. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit. If you’re lucky, you can get a site close to the creek. Nice, cool nights in the summer."
"Right up Big Cottonwood Canyon, this campground has the advantage of being up the canyon so you feel far away from the city, but close enough that you could go on a work night and still make it to the"
from $29 - $327 / night
Check Availability"Tucked in very back. Long ways to walk from car. Water spout next to car area. Will be sharing parking with 2 other sites. 2 lakes nearby. Fire pit with grill gate. Shaded area."
"Utah is such an amazing place to visit for the outdoors. My family and I come here once a year because we love hiking and being in the outdoors."
from $27 - $355 / night
Check Availability"It was quiet, tucked away from anyone. Didn't really see anyone for the three days we are there. Our site was next to the river, which really helped drown out all other sounds! "
"We had site 11 close to the bathroom and in a flat, sunny clearing surrounded by trees. You could hear the nearby road a bit and see the mountains a little bit."
from $29 - $215 / night
Check Availability"Convenient location right off the highway with full hook ups and nice paved sites. Dog areas, playground, games, and a pool."
"These sites a so close to each other. We only stop here to stay the night. WiFi is ok-phone hotspot is better.
Staff is great."
"This is super close to my favorite mountain bike ride in Northern Utah - The Wasatch Crest Trail. As you can tell in the pictures, this area is very lush and rich with pine trees."
"The campsites are clean, the bathrooms are exceptionally clean with flushing toilets, you are a walk or hike away from Brighton and immersed in some of the most beautiful mountains around."
from $29 - $215 / night
Check Availability"Millcreek is a great escape from the city."
"Millcreek Canyon is home to some wonderful trails that can be accessed by foot or bike. Although the canyon offers many hiking trails, the main use of the trails seems to be for trail running."
"This isn't the prettiest lake. It is nice and big, but since it is one of the closest to Utah Valley and Salt Lake Valley, it gets a lot of traffic."
"We stayed at the "McHenry" campground in a spot right next to a creek. The traffic noise was a bit prevalent during the day because it's close to the highway. Great tent pad."
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We got a site with access to the river which my kids really enjoyed. There was a fun giant "sliding rock" in the area to climb on. Lots of trees for hammocks."
"The site we stayed at had many trees around to hang hammocks and also eat and picnic in the shade. There are brand new camp fires in all sites."
from $27 - $227 / night
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ScoutVery close to the reservoir. There’s so many options for parking and areas to spread out. Some spots are a bit muddy. Ideal for any rv or trailer. Cows come by throughout the day which is fun!
RangerThere is not a bad site here. Clean, level, concrete pads, picnic tables, clean bathrooms and separate individual showers. The road to get here was narrow with steep drop offs. But people get their boats up here. There is a marina.
RangerThis campground is located on a reservoir surrounded by mountains. It is beautiful!! The grounds are quite clean and well ordered. The bathrooms are clean and they have individual shower rooms. You can put in a boat or kayak It’s a bit pricey at $50 for electric and water. You can get sewer for a bit more.
TravelerBeautiful campground with many trees. Sad the lake is dried up and it's primitive. Very well kept
ScoutFine camp, but I thought it was $30 and was a little grumpy when I got there and realized it was $50 to camp for a single site ($100 for a double site)
ScoutFor you dog adventurists: This is a great place for wide open views to let them play (with excellent recall or a long lead). Wildlife was seen at dusk and dawn. Plan to keep them nearby then. Horses and ATVs use is heavy on trails so keep them close then as well. Ground was safe for their paws (no foxtails, goat heads, or stickers). Potential for ticks. Bring an orange vest for them if you’ve got one, it’s almost that time of year. Lots of mud puddles if it rains, great for dogs, hard on the camper.
TravelerNice canyon and lots of walking trails. They dont have potable water, so bring plenty of water
TravelerThis was my first time at an RV resort. It was our first time out in our new fifth wheel so we only stayed two nights. There is a family section and an adults only section. Three pools, pickleball courts, and fire pits. It is very clean and quiet. Highly recommended if you like RV resorts.
GuideLots of amenities.
Millcreek Canyon is located in the Wasatch Range just east of Salt Lake City at elevations between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. The area serves as a watershed for Salt Lake Valley and features multiple hiking trails that connect to a broader network spanning several adjacent canyons. Winter access for camping is often restricted due to snow accumulation from November through May, with full camping operations typically starting in July.
Hiking to Donut Falls: From Spruces Campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon, access the popular Donut Falls trail just minutes from your campsite. "I have almost always seen moose and deer in the camp ground and the kids love to catch fish in the stream. There are some great hikes not far from camp, Doughnut falls is very close and you are just a short drive from Silver Lake," notes a visitor to Spruces Campground.
Paddle boarding at Tibble Fork: American Fork Canyon offers water recreation opportunities at reservoirs near Granite Flat Campground. "The area and scenery were gorgeous! The water was cool and there were tons of people there with paddle boards, canoos, tents, and dogs," reports one camper. The reservoir prohibits motorized watercraft, making it ideal for calm water activities.
Mountain biking trails: The foothills around Millcreek provide extensive mountain biking opportunities. For overnight camping with excellent trail access, consider sites in nearby canyons. The Wasatch Crest Trail is accessible from several nearby campgrounds and offers technical rides with significant elevation changes.
Clean facilities: Tanners Flat Campground in Little Cottonwood Canyon maintains well-kept amenities. "I booked a double site here for the first time, and they are beautiful. I enjoyed the location, the space, and my whole family did as well! There was some garbage in the fire pit when we arrived, but other than that it was fantastic. Soap and water with flushing toilets, etc," writes one reviewer.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer prime wildlife watching opportunities around campgrounds in the area. "Redman campground was a nice place. We camped next to a small stream which added nice background noise. We enjoyed a campfire and some s'mores," shares a visitor to Redman Campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Quick getaways from the city: The proximity to Salt Lake City makes these areas perfect for overnight camping without extensive travel. One camper at Little Mill notes, "We live in the Valley but need a getaway for a weekend and this was perfect. Not only was it less than 20 min from our house we felt as if we were lost in the wilderness. We went on many different hikes right from the campground and a few others not far away."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds near Millcreek fill quickly during summer. "Be aware that this campsite reservations for the weekend fill up quick. I checked in late May and every weekend until September was already booked," advises a camper at Granite Flat.
Water access restrictions: Due to watershed protection, access to water bodies is strictly controlled. A camper at Little Mill cautions, "Just returned from an overnight stay at Little Mill with amazing American Fork Creek right beside my sites. The campground is clean, no water, trash or electric and vault toilets."
No dogs allowed in some canyons: While Millcreek Canyon permits dogs, Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood Canyons do not. "We had planned to camp here but dogs are not allowed. This campground looked like an awesome spot. Location is right off the hwy close to Solitude and trails. Old growth trees surround the spacious campsites," notes a visitor about Redman Campground.
Look for shaded sites: Summer temperatures can reach the 90s during July and August. "I love the scenery. You can get to donut falls from the camp ground which is awesome. Sites are mostly private. Some more so than others. Drive the loop. It's breathtaking especially in the fall. My only complaint is there are no dogs allowed and a few sites not enough shade trees over the site," advises a Spruces Campground visitor.
Choose campgrounds with nearby attractions: Multiple recreation options keep children engaged. A visitor to Hailstone Campground at Jordanelle State Park shares: "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! The fishing is really good too. We catch something every time we go."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds near roads experience traffic noise that might disturb light sleepers. "My only reason this campground didn't get 5 stars is due to the horrible road noise. I seriously thought I was at a truck stop off the interstate. Honking and racing cars until 3am just ruined it," cautions a Little Mill camper.
Limited hookups available: Most national forest campgrounds near Millcreek offer minimal or no hookups. For full services, consider RV parks like Salt Lake City KOA. "Solid KOA campground with all the amenities you would expect including a pool and spa. Location of the campground is near the downtown area, with that you get all the noise of the city; traffic, sirens, and train horns," notes one visitor.
Narrow canyon roads: Large RVs may find access challenging on some routes. "This campground has pull-through areas for people towing camping trailers, but not much for those that want to set up a full-size tent and lounge around outside," reports a camper at Tanners Flat.
Consider elevation for larger vehicles: Higher elevation campgrounds often have steeper grades that challenge larger RVs. Several campgrounds in Big Cottonwood Canyon sit above 8,000 feet, requiring good engine cooling systems when climbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Millcreek Camping areas?
Millcreek Canyon offers minimal amenities as it's primarily backcountry camping. At Millcreek Canyon Backcountry Camping and Yurts, you'll find established trails, some premade fire pits at common camping spots, and day-use areas with picnic facilities. The canyon has a small river where kids can play and visitors can float in tubes during warmer months. For those seeking more amenities, Rock Cliff Area Campground at nearby Jordanelle State Park offers full RV hookups and modern facilities. Remember that in Millcreek's backcountry areas, you must carry in all supplies including water, and pack out all trash to preserve the natural environment.
Where is Millcreek Campground located and how do I get there?
Millcreek Canyon is located just east of Salt Lake City, Utah. To get there, you'll need to drive to the entrance of Millcreek Canyon Dispersed Camping, which requires a small entrance fee per vehicle. This fee helps maintain the canyon's trails and facilities. The canyon offers backcountry camping with multiple access points via hiking trails. Popular routes include the Mt. Aire trail, which has dispersed camping spots about 1/3 mile up the trail. Remember that all camping in Millcreek is backcountry/dispersed, requiring you to hike in with your gear. The hike can be moderately difficult, especially when carrying overnight equipment, but the scenic views make it worthwhile.
Do I need reservations for camping at Millcreek?
No formal reservations are required for dispersed camping in Millcreek Canyon, as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. However, there are specific regulations to follow: you must camp at least 1/2 mile from the road and 200 feet from developed areas and water sources. The Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry area follows similar dispersed camping rules. For a more structured experience with guaranteed spots, consider Pine Creek Campground at Wasatch Mountain State Park, which does require reservations. Remember that Millcreek Canyon charges an entrance fee per vehicle, so bring cash or a payment method for the toll booth when you arrive.
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