Paradise, Utah is surrounded by diverse camping options, with several established campgrounds and dispersed sites available within a short drive. Hyrum State Park Campground, located about 6 miles southwest of Paradise, offers developed sites with water and electric hookups for tents, RVs, and cabins. Box Elder Campground provides a more secluded forest setting with sites nestled among trees. The region includes everything from primitive camping to full-service RV parks, with several locations offering cabin accommodations for those seeking more comfort.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with Hyrum State Park open year-round while others like Box Elder Campground typically close during winter months (October through May). Reservations are recommended for established campgrounds, especially during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. The mountainous terrain around Paradise presents variable road conditions, with some dispersed camping areas requiring high-clearance vehicles. Campfire restrictions are common during dry summer months, particularly in Forest Service areas. A review noted, "It's only 10 miles or less off the main highway, yet very private with lots of trees!"
The waterfront camping at Hyrum State Park receives consistently positive reviews, with visitors highlighting the lake access and beach areas. Campers appreciate the shade provided at many of the forest campgrounds, with Box Elder Campground noted for its creek-side sites and tree cover. Green Canyon Dispersed Campground offers a more primitive experience with no hookups but provides toilets and trash service while remaining free to use. Several visitors mentioned the privacy of sites as a significant benefit, especially in the more wooded campgrounds. A camper reviewing Box Elder noted, "The sites we like best are right on the creek," highlighting the appeal of water-adjacent camping in the region. Winter camping options are limited, though Hyrum State Park remains accessible for those prepared for colder conditions.
"This was a nice spot tucked away from the interstate but not super far. Clean restrooms, nice staff. Stayed here twice on our trip to Moab. Plan on staying again on other trips to southern Utah"
"They have a lot of orchards near and fresh fruit stand close by which would be great in summer but in the fall it made the area buggy. Easy to get in and out of. Level sites and a quiet area."
$40 - $400 / night
"The only thing that was annoying is that 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."
"Got in late around 2100. Plenty of spots available in the back without electric. I did get a spot right next to the lake. Has picnic table, firepit, and charcoal grill available."
$30 - $40 / night
"Arrived around 2pm on a Friday and stayed at Cutler Flats. Didn't look at the other campgrounds so can't speak to them in particular. Drove up and down the loop and most were available at that time."
"The sites were plenty big, each had a fire pit and picnic table and were close to legit toilets. It was beautiful. Worth the drive to get a little further off the beaten path."
$26 - $219 / night
"We stayed here one night and liked it for all the trees and shade, and yet still being pretty close to the city and lake."
"It is only 10 miles or less off the main highway, yet very private with lots of trees! Great birding, too!"
$55 - $1450 / night
"Great place to overnight while passing through northern Utah. Huge full hookup sites with concrete pads. Nice and quiet despite being near the intersection of I-15 and I-84. Would definitely return!"
"Bear lake is a must do and so much good in Utah!"
"Perhaps a little too close to the university in Logan Utah it was busy that Friday night. I think all the spots filled by 7pm some 50 people there that night."
"About 15 mins outside of Logan up a beautiful canyon. Headed up around 4pm on a Saturday during Memorial Day weekend so didn’t have high hopes but found a spot with a fire ring almost immediately!"
"The location is beautiful, and full of deer. My partner and I are just starting out full time rv life and this was the first spot we stayed at."
$60 - $150 / night
"This park is a great stopover on your way through Utah or weekend visit. The lake is clean and still very natural. The swans circling the water are something to see."
"This campground is right next to the I-15, and a set of train tracks that seem to see daily use."
$38 - $63 / night
"Close to hiking trails and lake."
"But it is quieter than being next to the freeway."
ScoutThe app said that overnight camping would be allowed in the parking lot and within a third of the mile, the parking area from the second there's a sign that expressly prohibits this exact thing. Saturday of April through September 9th. This is incorrect. There's a sign that expressly prohibits this exact thing.
TravelerI got here around midnight. If I could do it over, I’d get here while the sun was still up so I could scout out a better spot, but it was a nice, quiet night. I was the only one here and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Made for a nice night of stargazing. A little on the chilly side, which is what I wanted. Pit toilets within walking distance. The only noise in the morning were ducks and some other large water fowl I couldn’t identify. Not sure I’d stay multiple days, but not bad for a quiet night away from the city
RangerThis campsite is like being on another planet. The scenery is beautiful! But we came in early April and the gnats were UNREAL. If the wind died down at all, we and the dogs were swarmed. I had gnats in my mouth, nose, ears, everywhere. But aside from that, the campground was great. Showers were private, clean, and had plenty of hot water. Would love to visit again outside of gnat season.
GuideEcho Res is a peaceful stop after crossing NV and the Salt Flats of UT. The camp site only has one other camper in it during our stay. We have water and electric hookup. 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. The park is in between the reservoir and a pathed road, so there is some road noise but not much at all, not enough to disturb us. The beauty of the water and sound of birds and light breeze outweigh any negative. Each site has a covered picnic table and fire ring. And the sites look to have 25-30 feet between them.
TravelerWe stayed here as we were passing through on our way to Moab from Washington. Decent camp sites. Easy to pull in and nice staff. Gravel roomy (as far as RV camps go) and clean camp sites. Shower and laundry and nice and clean. Hot spring is fun, not terribly hot, maybe 97 degrees when we were there in early April.
LegendThis was an easy and convenient place to pull over when exhausted from SLC traffic.
Full hook-ups, hot shower and no privacy between sites.
Served its purpose as a good place to rest before moving on.
ScoutIt’s a pretty rowdy spot you’re right in the middle of all the ohv that is happening. If you’re looking for something chill this ain’t it. Also the campsites were pretty littered with trash which is a big bummer.
LegendIf it had been a snowy winter this sno-park might have been quite busy. A few winter sport enthusiasts came and went but we were alone overnight. Clean restrooms but pack out your trash.
The road past the park was closed to vehicles.
GuideClean campground with full hookups. Pet areas and good communication. Fulltime supervision on site.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find Paradise Lake near me?
Paradise Lake can be found near several beautiful Utah camping areas. For those coming from Salt Lake City, Anderson Cove is tucked away about 45 minutes from the city, offering a perfect escape with stunning mountain drives leading to the area. Another option is Beaver Creek, which requires navigating some semi-sketchy roads but rewards visitors with an isolated, serene setting. Both locations provide excellent access points to explore Paradise Lake and surrounding natural attractions.
What amenities are available at Paradise Lake for camping?
Camping amenities around Paradise Lake vary by location. Cottonwood Campground — Willard Bay State Park offers plenty of shade, rustic but serviceable showers, and access to clean water. For RV campers, Riverside RV Resort provides grassy sites, river access with walking trails just steps from all sites, and mountain backdrop views. Most campgrounds in the area feature basic toilet facilities, though amenity levels range from primitive sites to full-service options with electrical hookups and water access.
When is the best time of year to visit Paradise Lake?
The ideal time to visit Paradise Lake is during late spring through early fall. Bridger Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park, about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, offers some of the best experiences from late spring to early autumn when wildlife viewing is optimal and the mud flats provide spectacular sunset views. For a quieter experience, consider Bear Lake/Trail Side KOA Journey during early summer when the weather is pleasant but crowds are smaller than during peak season. Winter visits are generally not recommended due to limited access and harsh weather conditions.
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