272 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Orem sits between Provo and Salt Lake City on the Wasatch Front, with Provo Canyon access to the east as the main corridor for camping close to the city. Most sites are on Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest land in the canyon, with developed campgrounds along the Provo River that have vault toilets and tent pads but no hookups. Orem's dispersed camping options cover the undeveloped forest sites accessible from canyon roads east of the city.
Sites in the canyon fill fast on summer weekends given the Utah Valley population base. Reservations for developed campgrounds go on recreation.gov and popular sites book out weeks in advance during June through August. The canyon road handles standard vehicles for the main corridor, but side roads toward Mount Timpanogos trailheads get narrow and require clearance. No hookups are available at public campgrounds in the immediate canyon. Provo-area campground options cover the full set of developed and dispersed sites in the county if Provo Canyon is full.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument and the Alpine Loop Road are within reasonable driving distance as day trip additions. Both draw heavy traffic in July and August.
"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."
from $31 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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"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."
from $50 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Near the hwy but not next to. It’s a good place to stay and the monthly rates are fair."
from $50 - $300 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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"
"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
Check Availability"Really close to the Provo River for day activities."
"Nice overlooks nearby."
from $28 - $55 / night
Check Availability"I love how it is near a river. You can hear it at night. It's so nice to get to a cool area out of the hot valley and into the cool scenic back country of Utah county."
"While there are many campgrounds in Utah that rival it, this one is special because it's such a short drive after work."
from $27 - $204 / night
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TravelerPros: Lake front Quiet days and quiet nights Nice breeze 15 mins to gas station/ town Cell service (2 bars at&t) Lots of campsites
Cons: Nails in the campsite/ road ( humans!!!! ) Some random litter here and there
Ive been here for maybe a week. Its refreshing to be near water. Too bad I dont swim in lakes. The lake water looks blue from afar but up close it’s dark and merky. :(
ScoutThis was a great place to spend our Fourth of July. Full hook ups a nice pool, smaller park, but well kept and plenty of shade. And the staff is amazing.
RangerWhen you are traveling through a major metropolitan area, finding an RV park that is both highly accessible and comfortable can be a challenge. 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.
Location and Accessibility
If you are looking for prime convenience in the Salt Lake Valley, this location is incredibly hard to beat.
Highway Access: The park is situated perfectly right off Interstate 80, Interstate 15, and Redwood Road. You won't have to navigate miles of confusing city streets to park your rig.
City Proximity: It is exceptionally close to both downtown Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake City International Airport. Whether you want to explore Temple Square or just need a practical, easy layover, the location is ideal.
Provisions: There is a Maverik gas station only a couple of blocks away—perfect for fueling up large RVs and grabbing ice or road snacks without any hassle.
Campground Vibe and Amenities
Despite being an urban campground, it offers a relaxing atmosphere that makes you want to hang out and enjoy the outdoors.
The Grounds: The property features beautiful mature trees that provide excellent, much-needed shade across the sites. We felt very safe and secure throughout our entire stay. Have to be flexible with your Starlink dish location. Our ladder mount was right under a nice shade tree. So our dish hung out on our picnic table.
Amenities: It features a really nice, well-maintained swimming pool that is perfect for unwinding after a long day of driving or exploring the city.
The"Maze" of Sites: Because the park is so massive, taking an evening stroll through the winding maze of sites became one of our favorite nightly activities.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
One of the best parts about staying at a park this large is getting to see all the different RVs and unique campsite setups. No two campers are exactly the same, yet we all share the same passion for traveling side-by-side. The Salt Lake City KOA Holiday really highlights why the RVing community is the absolute best. Great location, solid amenities, and wonderful people make this a top-tier urban stop.
Rating: Highly Recommended by the entire Hitched4fun.com crew!
ScoutLarge open area with lots of spaces to set up camp. I had about 8 other overnight campers when i stayed. It was very quiet as long as not by entry road. There is a train with fairly loud horn but it's pretty infrequent. Cow or horse patties and some trash left behind but not too bad for my first BLM camp. Please pick up after yourselves. :)
TravelerI've been camping here since I was a little girl and it's always been one of my favorite places in the world. I love how high up and difficult it is to get up there. Bugs weren't too bad this year, everything was clean and well maintained. We stayed in loop B and the host was amazing
ScoutBeautiful site, not a ton of room to camp if you’re in a rooftop tent, just a gravel parking lot. But down in the field is gorgeous. No tables or chairs so be aware of that. We had a bear encounter up at the gravel spot so DO NOT leave any food out or leave anything with a scent near where you are camping and bring bear spray! There are no bear boxes so keep that in mind as well (leaving trash in your car is not good enough for those who don’t know).
GuideQuiet and right next to creek, mosquitoes were not too much of an issue. 10ish miles down the road After the hot springs trail head.
TravelerA lot of Dispersed camping off the road, the beginning fills up with RVs pretty quick but if you are willing to go up the road for a while you will be rewarded with beautiful spots and quiet serene nature. High clearance is recommended, but with careful driving, anyone can get up the road. Some spots require 4x4, and those are some of the best.
GuideAn area with many (20?) dispersed sites on a gently sloping meadow. We found a site tucked in the aspens above. Only drawback is the occasional atv
Camping options near Orem, Utah range from lakeside sites at lower elevations to forested mountain campgrounds above 7,000 feet. The diverse terrain creates dramatic temperature differences, with alpine sites often 15-20 degrees cooler than valley locations during summer months. Most dispersed camping areas close seasonally from late October through April due to snow accumulation and road conditions.
Hiking from camp: The Timpooneke Campground offers direct access to Mount Timpanogos trails. "Mt Timpanogous provides some stellar views of the backcountry and the valley below. On the way, stop and checkout Scout Falls. Early in the summer the falls comes pretty heavy because of the runoff," notes camper Shad G.
Water activities: Utah Lake provides opportunities for boating and fishing despite variable conditions. "We were able to paddle board which was a blast! I loves being so close and having access to so many beautiful hikes and Rick climbing. We were right next to a beautiful river and it was pretty quiet," shares Kaitlin R. about her experience at Granite Flat.
Wildlife viewing: Evening hours offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Miner's Canyon Dispersed, visitors enjoy additional entertainment: "Watching the paragliders on the weekends is cool as well," according to Robby K.
Privacy between sites: At Nunns Park, campers appreciate the layout despite proximity to urban areas. "There were a couple spots that were semi private but most were very exposed. Lots of area on some of them though for multiple tents. The river is right there and makes some beautiful yet subtle white noise," notes Helen A.
Easy access from urban areas: The proximity to Orem and surrounding cities makes these campgrounds convenient for quick getaways. "For only 25min from downtown provo, this is a wonderful place to go for a night. Super kind camp host and well maintained roads," says Causley S. about Hope Campground.
Natural sound buffers: The flowing water at some campgrounds helps create a more secluded feel. "The river is right there and makes some beautiful yet subtle white noise. It is in provo canyon and the cliffs on either side are very impressive. The walk from the campsite to bridal falls is also lovely!" according to Helen A.
Weather considerations: Higher elevation sites offer relief from summer heat but require preparation. "The elevation is about 6400 ft- so no spring camping. Book EARLY! This campsite is always full," advises Andrea P. about Timpooneke.
Insect activity: Several campgrounds report significant mosquito populations, particularly near water. "The area and scenery were gorgeous! The hosts were lovely and helpful. The water was cool and there were tons of people there with paddle boards, canoos, tents, and dogs. The only downside was that this year there were an obscene amount of mosquitoes," warns Ash S. at Granite Flat.
Gate closure times: Hope Campground and other established sites have specific regulations. "Make sure you get camped and in because they lock the gate coming into campground at 11PM and you have to hike in," cautions Brad B. about Little Mill Campground.
Playgrounds and amenities: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities beyond natural features. "They have a pool for the warmer months. There are 2 small dog parks one for large and one for small dogs. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful," writes Erin A. about Lakeside RV Campground.
Shorter hiking options: Families with young children can find accessible trails near many campgrounds. "The camp spots here are super nice. The best part is how close it is to Provo. Super convenient. We didn't stay very long but would recommend this spot to anyone who wants some nice car camping," suggests Joshua C. about Nunns Park.
Beginner-friendly fishing spots: Several locations offer good fishing opportunities for children. "Great small reservoirs nearby for fishing, or canoeing- no motor sports allowed," notes Andrea P. about camping near Timpooneke.
Site leveling conditions: Many campsites require preparation for comfortable parking. "Granite flats is just a few miles up AF canyon and our site was very quiet and secluded. There are two reservoirs close by in Tibble Fork and Silverlake flat that are both beautiful. The one downside was that the tent spot was not flat, and had quite a few large rocks," reports Justin J.
Water access points: For RVers needing to refill tanks, specific locations offer easier access. "Spent a few nights there, easy access to Saratoga Springs for water, dump, and groceries. Sites were fairly level, but there were some instances of trash and broken glass so be wary when dropping your RV or camper," advises Connor N. about Squaw Peak Road Dispersed.
Limited hookup availability: Most mountain campgrounds lack full hookups. "Nice little park, sites are a little close. Our 20' trailer does fine. Close in to town, very pretty with Provo river next to it. Bike path and highway noise can be distracting," notes Michael L. about Nunns Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any campgrounds with shower facilities near Orem?
Mountain Valley RV Resort in nearby Heber City is one of the best options for campers seeking shower facilities. This well-maintained resort features an adult-only section for peace and quiet, concrete pads, and full amenities including clean shower facilities. Another excellent option is Springville / Provo KOA Holiday, which offers reservable sites with water, toilets, and shower facilities in a family-friendly environment. For those seeking more rustic camping, be aware that dispersed sites like Soldier's Pass and Cascade Springs don't offer any bathroom facilities. State park campgrounds in the area typically provide basic restrooms, but shower availability varies by location.
What hiking trails can I access from Orem camping areas?
The Orem area offers excellent hiking opportunities near several campgrounds. Cascade Springs Dispersed Site provides spectacular views of Mt. Timpanogos with panoramic vistas and access to numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty. The Alpine Loop scenic drive nearby connects to multiple trailheads. Timpooneke campground provides direct access to one of the most popular trails to summit Mt. Timpanogos. Soldier's Pass area offers easy to moderate hiking trails suitable for most skill levels, though you'll share the area with ATV enthusiasts. For those camping near the Uinta Mountains, trails around Lilly Lake Campground provide stunning alpine scenery with varying difficulty levels, from family-friendly strolls to challenging backcountry routes.
Where are the best camping sites near Orem, Utah?
Orem offers diverse camping options within a short drive. Rock Cliff Area Campground at Jordanelle State Park provides clean, fully functional RV sites with full hookups. For a more rustic experience, Skyline Drive features dispersed camping along a dirt road near Tucker's ghost town remnants, with a creek and fascinating rock formations. Additional options include Pine Creek Campground at Wasatch Mountain State Park for traditional camping with narrow roads and mature trees, though sites may be unlevel, and Soldier's Pass for free dispersed camping without amenities, ideal for ATVs and off-road enthusiasts. For families seeking established campgrounds, Timpooneke and Little Mill offer reservable sites with basic facilities within a reasonable drive from Orem.
What lake camping options are available near Orem?
Payson Lakes offers excellent lake camping about 45 minutes from Orem. This family-friendly destination features great fishing for children and youth, plus swimming and kayaking opportunities. Motorized boats aren't allowed, making it safer for water activities. The lake is surrounded by beautiful landscape and hiking trails. Another option is Miner's Canyon Dispersed, which provides lakeside camping, though visitors should be prepared for potential litter issues. For those willing to drive a bit further, Jordanelle State Park offers waterfront camping with modern amenities. Utah Lake is also accessible from several camping areas, including Soldier's Pass, though facilities are minimal and you'll need to bring your own water.
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