RV camping near Payson, Utah sits at elevations between 4,700 and 5,300 feet in Utah County, approximately 60 miles south of Salt Lake City. Nestled at the base of Mount Nebo, which rises to 11,928 feet, the area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and cold winters with occasional snow accumulation. Cell service for AT&T and Verizon works reliably across most campgrounds in the region, though coverage can weaken in canyon areas.
What to do
Fishing access: Several campgrounds offer convenient proximity to fishing spots around Payson. At Lakeside RV Campground in Provo, campers can walk to Utah Lake. "Cute little campground. The RV sites are pretty close together, but there are spaces with shade trees. We went in August 2020 and there were so many bugs," notes one visitor about the lakeside experience.
Mountain biking trails: Explore local mountain biking opportunities from strategic camping locations. At Park City RV Resort, "You have direct access to the bike path that leads directly into Old Town Park City and links you with lots of other trails," according to one reviewer who appreciated the connectivity to regional trail networks.
Winter recreation: Unlike many regional campgrounds that close seasonally, some RV parks remain operational year-round for winter activities. "We stayed in one of the cabins over the winter. Beautiful and cozy cabin with an absolutely stunning view of Mount Timpanagos," reports a Mountain Valley RV Resort visitor who used the campground as a base for winter recreation.
What campers like
Space between sites: At some campgrounds, site spacing provides a more comfortable camping experience. "Full hook up site with Good Sam was going to be $75/night selected a partial hookup (water/electric) site instead for $45/night," reports one camper about Mountain Shadows RV Park, noting the practical cost differences between hookup options.
Accessibility to towns: Campers appreciate RV parks that balance natural settings with convenient town access. At Rollin' Home RV Park, "We loved this spot! We only stayed one night, driving through on our way to Yellowstone. It had nice large sites, very clean... You are not super close to neighbors and the view of the prairie is so pretty," notes a traveler who found the location convenient for stopping over.
Pool facilities: Swimming pools rank highly in summer camper satisfaction. "We have just made reservations to stay there again in May 2022. It was a great stay. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because some of the sites aren't level and are pretty close to each other. Swimming pool was great," shares one repeat visitor to Manti - La Sal KOA.
What you should know
Water pressure variations: Some campgrounds have unusually high water pressure. "Make sure to follow the instructions to get to the RV park or else you'll end up driving your rig through a tiny parking lot to turn around. The golf course and mountain range is very nice. However, the spots are not level, and the water pressure is high. Make sure you have a water regulator," cautions a Gladstan Golf Course RV Park visitor.
Limited shower facilities: Not all parks offer showers. "There aren't any showers or restrooms for the campers," notes one reviewer about Gladstan Golf Course RV Park. Similarly, one Park City RV Resort visitor reported: "RV park is not van friendly. Called today and was told camper vans not welcome here. They do not allow car camping. Restrooms closed as a COVID precaution, so no toilets or showers."
Seasonal availability: Availability patterns change dramatically by season. Jones High Country RV Park has been described as having "Majority of the sites pull through... New sites in back nice and long with good space, very quiet," while another visitor noted, "The manager said the park is normally at capacity with long termers but was able to give us a spot for the night."
Tips for camping with families
Pool hours: Check pool operating times when planning family activities. At Mountain Shadows RV Park, "Pool was busy but closes at 6pm, there is a tent camping and picnic area adjacent to the pool," notes a visitor who found the early closure limiting for evening recreation.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some RV parks offer family-specific features. "This is a very nice campground with clean facilities. This is a great place for kids because there's plenty of space for them to ride bikes, play basketball, swim, and also a playground," notes one camper about Mountain Valley RV Resort.
Bug awareness: Depending on season and proximity to water, insect activity varies. "Nice place for a night or 2," says one Lakeside RV Campground visitor, but warns: "We went in August 2020 and there were so many bugs. The campground is located right off the main road that takes you to Utah Lake so there can be a lot of traffic going down the road."
Tips from RVers
Late arrival options: Some parks accommodate after-hours check-ins. At Rollin' Home RV Park, "We only stayed one night, driving through on our way to Yellowstone... The camp host is amazing and we arrived after hours and she responded to our phone call quickly and got us set up."
Leveling requirements: Several parks require significant leveling equipment. About Jones High Country RV Park, one visitor notes: "RV spots are flat gravel and full hook-ups," while at Mountain Valley RV Resort, a camper needed "3 yellow square leveling blocks on the left side. Hopefully they fixed this under the new ownership."
Specific site selection: Strategic site selection can significantly impact camping experience. At Park City RV Resort, "There are 4 tiers of spots (the grounds are literally tiered)... I'd still rate these grounds 4 stars. The pool/hot tub was small but decent and has a lovely view." Another visitor recommends: "I recommend the lower spots, G and H or tent campsites as they are farther from the road. There's a nice creek down there and still close bathrooms with shower."
