Camping near Paradise, Utah offers access to various terrains from mountain forests to lakeside retreats. Most sites sit between 5,000-7,000 feet elevation, creating diverse camping conditions across seasons. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing with summer highs rarely exceeding 90°F in the canyon areas.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: North Fork County Park provides trail access to hidden waterfalls within walking distance of campsites. "There's a hidden waterfall you can hike too, and a river runs through the park. It's a must!" notes a camper at North Fork County Park.
Mountain biking: The trail systems near North Fork offer extensive riding opportunities. "Excellent mountain bike trails also. Can't wait to go back and ride more of them," mentions a visitor who stayed at campsite 6 near the trailhead.
Bird watching: The wetland areas at Willard Bay attract diverse waterfowl. "The swans circling the water are something to see," reports a reviewer at Cottonwood Campground, noting the natural conditions of the lake preserve.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Box Elder Campground offers secluded camping areas that feel separated from neighbors. "The campground is clean and the hosts are great. The campsites feel very private," mentions a summer visitor to Box Elder Campground.
Creek access: Many campers highlight the water features at North Fork Park as a major draw. "There are about 50 campsites on a first come first served basis. It's nice that there is a river that runs nearby," explains a long-time visitor who's been camping there since childhood.
Evening wildlife viewing: The areas around Mantua provide opportunities for wildlife observation. "Walking around at dusk we saw deer and a large barn owl. Sounds of the crickets made for a very magical feel just after sunset," notes a September visitor.
What you should know
Gate closure times: Some area campgrounds strictly enforce access hours. At Hyrum State Park, "they lock the front gate at 10PM so if you are out after that time, you have to park your car on the street and walk to your campsite," warns a visitor to Hyrum State Park Campground.
Seasonal road access: Many forest service roads close during winter months. "Gate doesn't open until Memorial Day weekend. Keep that in mind when planning a visit here," advises a camper about Dock Flat Campground.
Insect activity: Mosquitoes can be significant in certain areas, particularly near water. "As sun went down the mosquitoes started to swarm and chased us inside. Haven't experienced that level of bugginess outside of several of the swamps we camped at in the southeast," reports a camper at Cottonwood Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Group campsite options: For larger family gatherings, seek out connected sites. "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," recommends a visitor to North Fork County Park.
Water play for kids: Shallow creek areas provide natural play spaces. "We stayed in the group A site with a bunch of families and 15 kids ages 2-10. The kids had a blast playing in the creek. It's not too deep, and it runs fast enough to not be gross or slippery," notes a family that visited Box Elder Campground.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include dedicated play areas. "The campground is also a day use area for boats so there is beach access which is great. Facilities are nice and well maintained," mentions a visitor to Hyrum State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection at KOAs: The Brigham City-Perry South KOA offers limited space between sites. "They pack them in tight here! Each pitch is no wider than 15', which actually makes it pretty challenging to back in. There isn't really any outside space, unless you want to squeeze some chairs next to your neighbor's sewer hookup," advises a visitor to Brigham City-Perry South KOA.
Utilities placement: Check sewer hookup locations before setting up. "Hookups were in good shape, note the sewer is toward the back, not the middle so bring lots of sewer hose," recommends a visitor staying at Cottonwood Campground.
RV size limitations: Some campgrounds have tight turns unsuitable for larger rigs. "This is an awesome small campground. If you have an RV it needs to be a small one as the turns are tight!" warns a visitor to Box Elder Campground.
