Payson, Utah and its surrounding canyons feature a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Developed options include Payson Lakes Campground, which offers tent and RV camping near stocked fishing lakes, and Spanish Oaks Campground, which provides electric hookups and picnic tables. Several dispersed camping zones like Miners Canyon and Sheep Creek provide free primitive camping options on public lands. The area encompasses both lakeside locations with amenities and more remote forest sites without facilities, making it suitable for various camping preferences.
Camping seasons vary substantially throughout the region, with most developed campgrounds operating from May through October due to mountain snow conditions. According to one visitor, "This campground was nice, lots of trees and shade," though several reviewers mentioned encountering cow dung in some areas, which affected their experience. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly at popular locations like Payson Lakes during summer weekends. Road access becomes more challenging at higher elevations, with some dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. Water availability is inconsistent across camping areas, with developed sites offering drinking water while dispersed locations require campers to bring their own supplies.
The mountain terrain provides distinctive camping experiences with notable elevation changes between valley floor and forest campgrounds. Reviews indicate that fishing is a primary draw for many visitors, with one camper noting that "They regularly stock the lakes here with Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout. It is a fantastic place to bring your kids for fishing." Campgrounds near water bodies tend to receive higher ratings from visitors but also experience more crowding during peak season. Several mixed-use campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV campers, though amenities vary significantly. The proximity to Payson makes these camping areas convenient weekend destinations for residents of Utah Valley, with most sites located within 30 minutes of town while still offering mountain seclusion and cooler temperatures than the valley floor.
$27 - $270 / night
"Being that we already live in southern Utah county, this place has become a go to for our family. Only about 45 mins away from Payson Ut. "
"Lots of fish in the lake, great bike trails and amazing views all around. With it being a 15 minute drive from Payson makes for a great time. Nice bathrooms, tables, fire pits, and in the trees."
$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."
$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."
"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"
$50 - $100 / night
"Payson canyon is one of the best canyons I’ve ever seen"
"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."
"Can be a bit windy some days but nice spread out area with beautiful views of mountains and Utah lake."
"As beautiful as the view was, I felt it was ruined with all of the trash that people have left behind in the dispersed camping area as well as along the lakeshore."
"This is a great spot just a about 2 miles off the main highway. It’s paved until you get to the campground turn off which is a good dirt road. Wide open space with tons of options to tent or RV."
"That being said, if you don't have an off-road capable vehicle (like me) - it's a solid option and there are some pretty mountain views. You can buy the permit online."
$15 - $40 / night
"Paved road drive up campsites overlook Utah Valley and Wasatch Mountains. Restrooms, fish cleaning station, fire rings and picnic tables."
"We loved the views from out camp spot, seeing the sun come up and down over the big lake out in the distance as well as the res right under you was beautiful. Made it perfect for relaxing."
$26 / night
"Unreal location, and the lake is beautiful."
"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."
TravelerThe spots not bad at all. There’s a couple different entrances with various camping/parking areas throughout. Some dirt roads are rough getting back to a spot. Parking across the street as well. Down side is how messy it is. Trash, glass, furniture. We luckily found a decent spot that we cleaned up and stayed at for a few days.
GuideI wasn’t sure what I expected, but this spot is just okay. There’s lots of Trailers, Vans, and other Car Campers. Some spots are really nice, while others are just piled full of trash. I would drive around a bit and scout out a few spots before deciding on one. Fair warning this place is very dusty and windy, but it does have some pretty views. Not a terrible place to stay, but I wouldn’t recommend more than a night or two. There’s not much to do in the area.
GuideNice location, great views.It gets a little methy down by the lake overall worth a night
GuideGreat view and easy check in at kiosk
TravelerIt was a little muddy an to close to the road an a little busy but other that is was nice, lots of butterflies and dog friendly fairly pretty
ScoutGorgeous campground had stunning views, a fire pit, and was quiet.
TravelerIt’s basically Boondocking with a pad, picnic table, and fire pit. Beautiful area though. Entry is small. I have a 30 foot travel trailer and I would not recommend doing the one way loop. Most of the campsites are small, and people crowd the loop roadway, and the trees and the sharp corners make it very difficult. . We took the biggest site - number 17 near the end of the loop and had plenty of room. But to get there, we backed from the end of the loop in to the site.
ScoutI stayed in the adult section and it was nice and quiet! The facilities were clean and well kept and the staff is friendly. The hot tub is so good I was oblivious to the hail and snow, too!
GuideThere are no water hookups at sites but water throughout the area. Also had dump station & dumpsters. Lots of trails for side by sides, dirt bikes, & 4wheelers.
Dispersed camping areas near Payson, Utah provide alternatives to developed campgrounds for those seeking more primitive experiences. Positioned at elevations between 4,700 and 9,000 feet, these sites experience significant temperature variations with summer days reaching 90°F and nights dropping to 45°F. Winter access becomes limited above 7,000 feet from November through April due to snow accumulation on forest roads.
Fishing for specific species: Maple Lake Campground offers fishing opportunities in a forested setting. "They regularly stock the lakes here with Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout. It is a fantastic place to bring your kids for fishing," notes one camper at Payson Lakes.
Hot springs access: Several campsites provide proximity to natural hot springs. "Although I did not camp here, I did hike here. Absolutely beautiful views if you take the gravel road off of Diamond Fork Road. Cows everywhere!" reports a visitor to Diamond Fork.
Trail exploration: Multiple hiking trails branch out from camping areas. "It is walking distance to a state park and recreational lake and there is a beautiful running/walking trail along the river directly behind the RV park," mentions a visitor at Lakeside RV Campground.
Sunrise views: Early mornings reveal spectacular scenery across the mountain terrain. "The sunrise is spectacular, especially when you wait for it out by the lake! It's a wonderful place and is family friendly!" shares a camper at Payson Lakes.
Cooler temperatures: The elevation provides relief from summer heat in the valley. "Lots of shade trees make it lots cooler in the summer so you can beat the heat," notes a camper about Diamond Fork.
Lake accessibility: Several camping spots provide direct water access. "Being that we already live in southern Utah county, this place has become a go to for our family. Only about 45 mins away from Payson Ut," writes a reviewer about Payson Lakes, adding "Great fishery for children and youth, as well as an amazing area for swimming and kayaking."
Site availability challenges: Popular locations fill quickly during peak season. "Great campground. Popular and crowded. Should reserve well in advance or get there early for the walk-in sites," advises a camper about Payson Lakes.
Insect conditions: Bug activity varies by season and proximity to water. "The mosquitoes here are terrible. I came here early on a holiday to get a good spot and was ambushed by swarms of mosquitoes," warns a camper about Utah Lake State Park Campground.
Campsite spacing: Some locations offer more privacy than others. "Although some of the sites were pretty close to each other, it wasn't terrible. The sites were clean and well maintained," notes a visitor to Diamond Fork.
Waste management concerns: Trash accumulation affects certain areas. "Great views of the lake and surrounding mountains, but has trash, broken glass and junk everywhere," reports a visitor about Miner's Canyon Dispersed.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play areas for children. "Great campground. Bathrooms and drinking water available. Lots of shade. Easy walk to the lake. Great fishing. Very fun for kids," shares a visitor to Payson Lakes.
Educational opportunities: Several sites feature nature programs. "There is a well maintained nature trail that passes through the campground. There are educational kiosks along the trail," notes a camper at Diamond Fork.
Safety considerations: Wildlife encounters require proper precautions. "I have seen elk, deer, moose, wild turkeys, and black bear in and around the area and campsite so don't leave food in your tent and clean up your campsite," advises a camper at Diamond Fork.
Site dimensions: Size restrictions impact vehicle placement options. "Our slide was in our neighbors yard area, we were both there for only one night, so we made it work," reports an RVer at Springville/Provo KOA Holiday.
Road conditions: Access challenges exist for larger vehicles. "Road is in ok shape. Only few places small vehicle can park. Not for RV's or larger trucks really," warns a camper at Sheep Creek Dispersed Camping Area.
Hookup availability: Utility access varies between locations. "Full hook-up site was surprisingly spacious with green space in-between and trees for shade. Facilities are clean and comfortable and camp store is well stocked," notes a visitor at Lakeside RV Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the camping options near Payson, Utah for visitors?
Visitors to Payson, Utah have several camping options within a short drive. Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry offers free dispersed camping with no amenities where you must carry in all water. It's great for ATVs and off-road vehicles but sits near a shooting range. For developed camping, Utah Lake State Park Campground provides facilities close to Payson. Additional options include Springville/Provo KOA Holiday, Sheep Creek Dispersed Camping Area near Spanish Fork, and Miners Canyon BLM. The area offers a mix of developed campgrounds with amenities and dispersed backcountry sites for more adventurous campers within 15-45 minutes of Payson.
Where are the best camping spots in Payson Canyon?
Maple Lake is a standout camping spot in Payson Canyon, located just 15-20 minutes from the canyon mouth. This easily accessible campground features metal and concrete fire rings with abundant firewood nearby. Another excellent option is Payson Lakes, about 25 minutes up Payson Canyon. This popular destination offers good parking, paved paths around the main lake, and a genuine backwoods feel despite its amenities. Payson Canyon itself is widely regarded as one of the most scenic in the region, providing beautiful views and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the area.
What campgrounds are available in Payson, Utah?
Camp Maple Dell is available near Payson for $150 per night with group camping options. Each site accommodates multiple tents and includes covered pavilions with picnic tables, fire pits, water pumps, shower houses, and flushing toilets. For those seeking state park amenities, Pine Creek Campground — Wasatch Mountain State Park offers camping with traditional sites, though they're designed for smaller rigs with narrow loop roads and mature trees. Other options in the broader area include Manti-LaSal National Forest Potters Pond Campground and Diamond Fork, providing a range of experiences from primitive to more developed facilities.
Is Payson Lake a good camping destination?
Yes, Payson Lake is an excellent camping destination, especially for families. Located about 45 minutes from Payson, Payson Lakes offers quality facilities including nice bathrooms, tables, fire pits, and shaded sites among trees. The lake itself is a great fishery regularly stocked with Brook and Rainbow Trout, making it perfect for teaching children to fish. Non-motorized boating is permitted, creating a safe environment for swimming and kayaking. The area also features bike trails and stunning views. While finding a spot on busy weekends can be challenging, the combination of outdoor activities, natural beauty, and convenient amenities makes Payson Lake a top choice for local getaways.
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