Rockport State Park and surrounding areas offer diverse pet-friendly camping options within 40 miles of Peoa, Utah. Located at elevations between 6,000-7,000 feet, the region experiences mild summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Multiple campgrounds offer river access for fishing and water recreation, with most sites available from May through September when daytime conditions are optimal.
What to do
Fishing at multiple locations: Smith-Morehouse Campground provides excellent fishing opportunities in both the reservoir and streams. "Our family comes up here 2-3 times a year and we love it up here. There is always something to do up here. You can even snowmobile on the roads up here in the winter," notes Brendan A., who also recommends hiking to nearby lakes with "great fishing."
Paddleboarding on calm waters: Jordanelle State Park offers ideal conditions for water sports on the reservoir. One camper shares, "Stayed here for a weekend getaway and loved it. Great place close to SLC and park city and for the most part it was surprisingly quiet," mentioning they "lucked out in renting water toys" which are usually "booked out if not reserved well in advance."
Hiking nearby trail systems: The area features multiple interconnected trails accessible from campsites. At Smith-Morehouse Campground, campers can access the 15-mile Smith & Morehouse trail directly from camp. One visitor notes the campsite is "on the edge of national forest" and "was the perfect place to crash afterward," describing it as "wooded with views of a lake surrounded by mountains."
What campers like
River sounds at night: Campers frequently mention the calming effect of sleeping near flowing water. One reviewer at Echo Island RV Resort notes, "The river that runs alongside is really pretty and if you cross the road there's a larger river and a trail where dogs can go off leash." Another camper at Smith-Morehouse mentions, "We had a spot close enough to the river that we could hear it all night long."
Fishing from shorelines: Multiple campsites offer direct water access for shore fishing. "We catch something every time we go," writes Derek E. about Hailstone - Upper Fisher Campground, adding that it's "a simple site to get to" that's "only an hour from Salt Lake City and provides awesome picnic areas! Fun for the whole family; kids, seniors, pets, etc!"
Clean, modern facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and shower facilities. "The bathrooms and showers are nice," notes David T. about Pine Creek Campground, while another camper describes Mountain Valley RV Resort as having "very new and always clean" facilities with "nice big private restrooms with showers."
What you should know
Reservations required early: Most popular sites fill months in advance, especially for summer weekends. "Be aware that this campsite reservations for the weekend fill up quick. I checked in late May and every weekend until September was already booked," warns Ash S. about Granite Flat Campground.
Variable weather conditions: The mountain setting creates unpredictable temperature shifts. At Smith-Morehouse, one camper reports they "went up pretty early in the season" and "it was a ton of fun! There was still snow on the ground and we got pretty cold sleeping on the ground."
Bug protection essential: Several campgrounds report significant insect activity during summer months. Sean H. at Twin Coves — Rockport State Park emphasizes: "Definitely bring bug spray!" while another camper mentions "an obscene amount of mosquitoes" at certain sites during peak summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. CJ L. notes that River's Edge has "a very nice playground and small pond where they can fish - catch and release," making it ideal for families with young children.
Kid-friendly water access: Look for campsites with gradual shoreline entry. A camper at Riverside Campground notes it's "well located" with "vault toilets [that] were very clean," though it "doesn't really have a great view of the lake despite its name."
Multi-generational activities: Sites with various recreation options keep all ages engaged. "My family and I just love this campground!! We come at least twice a year," shares Aaron G. about Pine Creek Campground, noting it's "close to fishing pond, play area for kids, beautiful golf courses, hikes, Midway/Heber cities, fishing rivers and beautiful drives up the mountains for more exploring."
Tips from RVers
Campsite selection strategy: Choose sites based on specific RV needs and preferences. At Park City RV Resort, kristin S. explains, "There are 4 tiers of spots (the grounds are literally tiered)," with top-tier sites having "concrete pads and grass next to them" while lower tiers have varying amenities and spacing.
Water pressure awareness: Some campgrounds have exceptionally high water pressure. Trevor S. at Jordanelle State Park warns, "Be careful hooking up your RV to water. Very high pressure." A pressure regulator is recommended for protecting RV plumbing systems at several area campgrounds.
Off-season benefits: Shoulder season camping offers reduced crowds and often better site availability. One camper mentions that Smith-Morehouse feels "less crowded than other UT campgrounds we visited that summer," while others recommend Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends for optimal conditions with fewer people.
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