289 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest pushes right up against Oakley on the east side of Kamas Valley, giving this Summit County town solid access to dispersed and developed camping without driving far. Oakley's dispersed camping options spread across forest roads with no reservation and no fees, though most require a high-clearance vehicle once you're off the main paved routes. Developed campgrounds in the area have vault toilets and fire rings; water is limited at many sites, so confirm before arriving.
Summit County gets significant snow from November through April, and higher-elevation sites may not open until late May or June depending on snowpack. Park City dispersed sites are worth checking if Oakley-area forest roads are still closed in spring.
"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"Rockport State park in Utah, at the Crandall Cove sites. Sites are well kept, the reservoir is really low. Hiking is nice. Bike trails are well kept."
"We always pick a spot near the water and each spot seems to be a good distance away from where others are camping - which is nice."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Really fun place in Utah. This was my dogs favorite campground so far. They have so much room to walk, and plenty of wildlife around to keep them interested."
"The reason for lower rating is the proximity to the highway."
from $50 - $300 / night
Check Availability"Clean area, plenty of activities to do close by, far enough away from civilization to make the trip worth it."
"There are some good hiking trails near by. The lake is walking distance and is not crowded. Lots of wildlife to enjoy and to be on the look out for."
from $28 / 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"Located in beautiful Heber City, Utah. We felt at home as soon as we arrived and were greeted by a nice man on a golf cart who lead us to where we’d be staying."
"He was helpful and provided wonderful advice for the rest of our trip in Utah (Moab). The sites are a bit close, but the campground was quiet and clean. Our girls enjoyed the pool and hot tub."
from $30 - $129 / night
Check Availability"We have always loved our stay at Echo Campground in Utah. The sites are very clean and the camp hosts are very accommodating. We will stay here again"
"The sites are all pathed and we did not need to do any leveling in site #9. You can hear semi truck going along I-80 but they are in the distance."
from $40 - $300 / night
Check Availability"There is plenty of kindling all around. There is a stream that runs behind the campground with plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails near the campground."
"I really do feel this is one of the most beautiful places in Utah. It was so beautiful when I visited it. It felt like you were staying in the middle of a great valley."
from $22 / night
"Both campgrounds do have walk-up sites available and can be paid for with cash only. Sites are $21 per night."
"Site#27 is an inside site, so no access to any of the rivers. It has 3 spaces for medium to small tents. Our large tent did not quite fit, so we didn't pull it to it's full width."
from $28 - $56 / night
Check Availability"There is access to potable water right outside the yurt. You do have to walk about 500 yards to the yurt from the parking space, but the privacy is worth it."
"Close to fishing pond, play area for kids, beautiful golf courses, hikes, Midway/Heber cities, fishing rivers and beautiful drives up the mountains for more exploring."
from $40 - $100 / night
Check Availability
GuideCamp is about 25 minutes from town via a dirt road 4x4 not required in certain areas just be cautious when selecting certain sites if you don't have 4x4. Also worth noting lots of dirt bikes and side by sides and folks shooting guns, so if you're a light sleeper you may not enjoy this site. Otherwise, it's totally fine.
ScoutThe office was closed for the weekend but there were plenty of sites. The directions left were for those who had made online reservations to just choose a site. By night time it was probably 3/4’s full. Gravel sites were pretty level and electric was no problem. The restroom could have used more cleaning but not bad and plenty of hot water. Everything just seemed kind of dated. This was the fall and there were plenty of trees which I’m sure would be appreciated in the summer.
GuideWe stayed at the Salt Lake City KOA for two nights while passing through, and this place was honestly way better than we expected — especially considering we booked one of the economy-priced sites. The kids were basically living their best lives. Pool? Check. Playground? Check. Basketball, cornhole, and some giant game that looked like soccer and pool had a baby? Also check. And when they somehow still had energy left, there was a little arcade with FREE vintage games. Free. That is a magical word when you’re traveling with kids. The free coffee and pancakes were also a huge hit. Nothing improves a campground morning quite like someone else making breakfast. Even the dogs had a great time. The dog park was actually big enough for them to run around instead of just standing there looking disappointed. What really surprised us was how safe and relaxed it felt. Being a campground right in the city, we weren’t sure what to expect, but it felt clean, comfortable, family friendly, and very well cared for. Everything was in good repair, the grounds were clean, and we met plenty of friendly campers. There was honestly something for everybody here — kids, adults, dogs, and exhausted parents desperately clutching free coffee. We would absolutely stay here again. Five stars from the whole crew, including the dogs.
ScoutFantastic location, price and staff.
GuideI started at site 24 which was extremely shaded and had a cute little beach area along the creek. Then I stayed in site 10 which was more secluded from other sites but parking is just parallel to the main campground road. Site 10 was also a lot sunnier and had a more open view of the rock cliffs. After that I moved to site 7 for 2 nights and I did like the walk down stairs to my table and fire area, it made it feel more secluded from the other sites. I also liked the creek access. I stayed my last night in 24 which was a good balance of shade and openness. Also the cell service was a lot better at 22 and 24 as opposed to site 10 and 7.
TravelerSuch amazing views throughout the whole drive and onto the trail. I’ve never been to a dispersed spot as busy as this. Every spot was filled and people drove up until about 7pm still looking for spots. It’s definitely a rich daddy money playground area. Incredible views still.
GuideWe stayed at this campsite overnight and absolutely loved it. The pond was gorgeous & the site felt very remote and private. The drive up was very bumpy and rocky, with some incline but we made it up just fine in the RAV4. I would definitely recommend having 4 wheel drive.
We did have a black bear walk into our campsite at around 8pm while we were putting our food away for the night. We ended up scaring it off, but we hung out in the car for a while. Definitely come prepared with proper food storage & bear spray if staying in the area.
ScoutMy wife, dog, and I spent 3 days here. Have a friend with a boat at the local ramp and enjoyed an evening on the water. Great facilities and staff.
ScoutBeautiful open area, no shade. About a 2 mile walk to Strawberry Reservoir. Great place if you can find a space!
Nestled in Summit County at elevations around 6,500 feet, Oakley serves as a gateway to both high alpine recreation and lower-elevation reservoir activities. Seasonal temperature swings in the area are significant, with summer highs reaching the 90s and overnight lows often dropping below 40°F even during summer months. Water levels at reservoirs near Oakley fluctuate dramatically throughout the season, affecting shoreline camping and water recreation options.
Fishing at Smith-Morehouse Reservoir: The fishing can be excellent with the right timing and equipment. At Smith-Morehouse Campground, visitors report catching fish regularly. "Fished all night with a couple drinks, caught a couple and even cooked them right up at camp!" notes Shariah T., who visited early in the season when snow was still on the ground.
Paddling on no-wake waters: The smaller reservoirs limit motorized boats, creating ideal conditions for paddlers. "The reservoir is small, but beautiful, and we love the fact that motorized boats are not allowed, which helps keep the noise factor down," according to Erin H. who visited Ledgefork. Many campers recommend bringing inflatable kayaks to access deeper waters where fishing is better.
Winter recreation options: Unlike many mountain areas, some campgrounds remain accessible during winter months. "You can even snowmobile on the roads up here in the winter," mentions Brendan A. about the Pine Creek Campground area, making this region one of the few near Salt Lake City with viable winter camping options.
Proximity to Salt Lake City: Many campsites offer a wilderness experience despite being remarkably close to urban areas. Spruces Campground impresses visitors with its accessibility. "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 office the next day," explains Jenny W.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: The region hosts diverse wildlife throughout the year. "Peaceful wildlife, like deer," notes KelTroy E. at Smith-Morehouse. Sean R. adds that Yellow Pine Campground has "hiking trails, and fishing. The whole area smells like butterscotch and vanilla due to the Pondarosa Pines."
Mixed forest environments: The campgrounds feature diverse tree coverage offering varied camping experiences. At Yellow Pine Campground, "the trees are very thick, so from many camp sites, you can't see the adjacent one," according to David F., making it one of the best places to camp near Oakley, Utah for those seeking privacy.
Early reservations essential: Campgrounds fill extremely quickly, particularly during summer months. "Ledgefork is one of those areas you better get a reservation for early in the season. They book up quick, but there's a reason for it!" warns Derek E. Sites with water access are especially competitive.
Water availability varies: Many campgrounds have inconsistent water access. "The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because they still haven't fixed the water and you have to bring in your own," notes Shad G. about their third visit to Ledgefork Campground. Plan to bring more water than you think you'll need.
Insect conditions: Mosquitoes can be intense, particularly at dusk. "During the day and ESPECIALLY in the evening, the mosquitoes are pretty intense throughout the whole summer," warns Jen G. at Soapstone Campground, who recommends "bugspray and citronella candles" and observed many campers using "screen tents over their picnic tables."
Bear safety requirements: Bears are present in the area, requiring proper food storage. "This is bear country, so the signs say...Just be aware," mentions KelTroy E., noting that many campgrounds lack bear vaults, requiring campers to store food securely in vehicles.
Consider pool amenities: For families who want swimming options beyond cold mountain lakes, several developed campgrounds offer heated pools. At Echo Island RV Resort, "They had a small pond for kids to fish in, two swimming pools and two hot tubs, very clean and modern facilities," notes Carlee G., making it ideal for mixed-age groups.
Best timing for insects: Early July tends to have the highest concentration of biting flies and mosquitoes. "We came up for a couple of July 4ths and were astonished at how many horseflies there were all of the sudden," shares Brendan A., recommending Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends instead when "It feels wonderful up there then!"
Noise considerations: Road noise affects certain campgrounds significantly. At Jordanelle State Park, visitors report varied experiences with noise levels. One camper mentioned, "Great place close to SLC and park city and for the most part it was surprisingly quiet, tho that could be a fluke as it got busier during the day."
Site angle challenges: Many older campgrounds were not designed for modern RVs. James J. notes that at Pine Creek Campground, "My 30' TT was perched with some effort on top of a pull-through that was a mound rather than flat. Unlevel and narrow asphalt sites." Measure your rig carefully before booking.
Water pressure cautions: Excessive water pressure at some sites requires regulation equipment. At Jordanelle State Park, Trevor S. advises, "Be careful hooking up your RV to water. Very high pressure."
Road access limitations: Roads to some campgrounds may pose challenges for larger rigs. "Road is tight. Our 26ft trailer was a little hard to navigate within the campground," notes Shoot Fish Life about Smith-Morehouse, making advance planning essential for the best places to camp near Oakley with larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Oakley Campground?
The camping options near Oakley offer various amenities depending on your needs. Pine Creek Campground in nearby Wasatch Mountain State Park provides traditional camping with narrow loop roads and asphalt sites, though they may not accommodate larger RVs well. For those seeking more amenities, Mountain Valley RV Resort in Heber City offers full hookups, concrete pads, an adult-only section for peace and quiet, and a welcoming atmosphere with staff that greets you upon arrival. Both locations provide access to beautiful mountain scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Where is Oakley Campground located in Utah?
Oakley is a small town located in Summit County, Utah, in the beautiful Kamas Valley. While there isn't a specific "Oakley Campground," the area offers several excellent camping options. Ledgefork - Jordanelle State Park is located near Oakley, sitting on the south side of Smith and Morehouse Reservoir in the Uinta National Forest, about 20 minutes from town. For those seeking camping in the broader Oakley area, Yellow Pine Campground (Ut) is another nearby option in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, offering easy access from Kamas which neighbors Oakley.
Are there photos available of Oakley Campground before booking?
Yes, photos of camping areas near Oakley are readily available online before booking. The Dyrt camping platform offers extensive photo galleries of nearby campgrounds like Lilly Lake Campground and Rock Cliff Area Campground, allowing you to preview the sites before your trip. These visual resources help you assess the surroundings, campsite layouts, and amenities. Additionally, many campgrounds in the area have their own websites or are featured on recreation.gov with photo galleries. User-submitted photos on these platforms provide authentic views of the camping experience from multiple perspectives and seasons.
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