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.
"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."
$31 - $48 / night
"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."
$27 - $355 / night
"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."
$50 - $100 / night
"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."
"There are mountain views on every side, lake to one side, and wetlands and fields with cows on the other. Very clean, nice campground host. Only 2 showers but they were clean."
$50 - $300 / night
"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."
"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"
$27 - $227 / night
"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."
$28 - $55 / night
"Really close to the Provo River for day activities."
"Nice overlooks nearby."
$27 - $204 / night
"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."
TravelerFun campground with a discovery walking nature trail. Dry camping with easy river/creek access. Stayed in loop A - lots of trees, birds and insects. Clean and close to the Salt Lake Valley. Fun place to camp with family. Limited cell service, clean vault toilets, great fire rings, picnic tables.
ScoutSuper cute little campground with decent pit toilets. Got a lovely corner spot & it was super quiet and peaceful. Be warned that it is mosquito season!
GuideEasy check in process. Fire pit is awesome with plenty of room for wood. All spots were flat enough for the rooftop tent. My spot was 59 and had the most slope. Showers/bathrooms are a short walk away. Showers do take a minute to warm up. Play ground and lake access for all visitors
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.
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.
TravelerCleanest vault toilets. Nice trees area right by the water and a short walk to bridal veil falls. Tactic noise in the morning was louder than I’d expected. If you are in a tent site 6 has a little path down to the creek, otherwise it’s just a couple feet of plants and then you are there.
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.
GuideWe generally like this area, because it's one of the few spots in northern Utah that can accommodate our 36' motorhome. The downsides are that the roads are really rutted, so take it very slow and make sure that your rig can make it into a spot and, most importantly, OUT of the spot. As mentioned in other reviews, there's broken glass and ammunition scattered over all of the campsites, but they're big, and every site has a view of the beautiful lake and surrounding mountains. It gets down into the low 30s at night during the spring, so be sure to be prepared for cold nights. It's late May when I'm writing this, and it's JUST NOW getting out of the 30s at night and into the 40s. Daytime temps are pretty mild during the spring, at 65-80 degrees every day. I recommend this spot if you don't mind being in what's basically a free RV park (with much better spacing - most spots are at least 20-30 feet apart), because it gets so busy here. Also, a Provo Sheriff's deputy knocked on everyone's door on our second day there to ask how long they'd/we'd been there, and then, after 12 days, we moved to another nearby spot up the road, and on our second day here, he knocked on our door again to ask questions about our stay. We're rule-followers, and he was very professional and nice, but if you don't like getting "the knock," this may not be the place for you, as he seems to go through the sites regularly. All in all, I'd recommend this place, as it's mostly peaceful, even being as busy as it is.
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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