5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Provo sits at the base of the Wasatch Range with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest starting just above town. Developed campgrounds up Provo Canyon fill on summer weekends, and most are reservable through recreation.gov. Sites in the canyon have vault toilets, water at a central spigot, and defined tent pads.
Higher-elevation sites above 7,000 feet stay cooler in summer but close by October when snow moves in. Road access to upper canyon campgrounds takes a standard vehicle, though a few sites on side roads have clearance requirements after wet weather. Provo's dispersed camping spots cover the primitive options on national forest land above town.
Salt Lake City is to the north with more campground options at various price points. Uinta-Wasatch-Cache forest camping covers the broader forest, which stretches from the Provo area north past Salt Lake City. Afternoon thunderstorms roll through the Wasatch most summer afternoons, so a rain fly is worth having.
"We stopped here while passing through Provo, and this was such a convenient and peaceful spot to sleep in the city."
"Lakeside was our home for 3 nights while we were in town for Provo’s annual Colonial Festival."
from $53 - $78 / night
"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."
"This is Utah's biggest fresh water lake. There are lots, and lot of bug so bring bug spray.
Awesome mountain views. Good fishing in the Provo river or lake fishing.""Outside of the major town on Utah Lake so fairly quiet, although it is next to a smaller airport which has planes coming and going most of the time."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $50 - $100 / 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."
from $50 - $300 / night
"Great view into Provo. Seemed like we had a fair bit of traffic on the road we stayed on and about 4 inches of snow."
"This site is deep past the meadows near square peak. You continue to follow the dirt road in and on your left is a small depression in the land with a fire pit and ample space for tents or hammocks."
"Tucked in very back. Long ways to walk from car. Water spout next to car area. Will be sharing parking with 2 other sites. 2 lakes nearby. Fire pit with grill gate. Shaded area."
"Utah is such an amazing place to visit for the outdoors. My family and I come here once a year because we love hiking and being in the outdoors."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $27 - $355 / night
"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"
"Really close to the Provo River for day activities."
"For only 25min from downtown provo, this is a wonderful place to go for a night. Super kind camp host and well maintained roads."
from $28 - $55 / night
"We got a site with access to the river which my kids really enjoyed. There was a fun giant "sliding rock" in the area to climb on. Lots of trees for hammocks."
"The site we stayed at had many trees around to hang hammocks and also eat and picnic in the shade. There are brand new camp fires in all sites."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $27 - $227 / night
"This campground is within 40 minutes of town, but feels like you are far away from your worries. There is a stream that runs thru it and a lot of trees that provide plenty of shade."
"This area, really all of American Fork Canyon is among the prettiest places in Utah Valley. Go! Camp! Hike Timp!"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
GuideLet’s talk pro’s! Super nice staff, playground for kids, dog park rates are fair, easy to get in and out of. Cons: spots are a tad narrow and a somewhat uneven, there is a minor airport next door that does generate some noise so if you are a light sleeper you will notice!
GuideNice little spot. I camped in my truck and the spot was fine. Might be tight with a large rig and not as level. But fine for a small rig.
GuideWe camp here during the hunts. The water by camp is usually a river by that time of year. Lots of salmon running in the river. There is a USFS restroom there. Not usually cleaned up and sometimes no TP. But the spot Is a large open area.
GuideNice place to camp If you can find a spot. We went during the hunts so most were taken. Large rigs should stay on the lower part of the mountain. Road gets tighter and less large spots after about 1/3 of the way to the top. Road was pretty dusty that weekend as well.
GuideStayed here once for a Fallen Hero's event/concert. Campground was nice and clean. River right next to it so you can fish the river below the damn. Large grass area for hanging out. Nothing too special.
LegendHad a good experience here. No one bothered us at all during our stay. There are a lot of RVs using the dispersed camps along the road here but this one was open and empty. Not many big rig friendly sites, but there are a couple. I love the the NP pass covers cost. No issue with bugs. There are a few hiking trails close by as well! No trash services so remember to pack it out with you!
TravelerBeautiful fall weather.
TravelerGreat spot
LegendNice little campground with several pull through spots and several back ins Showers and bathrooms were clean and nice. Outside of the major town on Utah Lake so fairly quiet, although it is next to a smaller airport which has planes coming and going most of the time. At least they are all small planes so they don’t make too much noise. Nice playground.
Dispersed camping near Provo, Utah offers accessible outdoor experiences within a 40-minute drive from urban areas. The region sits at the base of the Wasatch Mountains with elevations ranging from 4,500 feet near Utah Lake to over 7,000 feet in nearby canyons. Summer nights remain cool at higher elevations even when daytime temperatures exceed 90°F in the valley.
Explore mountain trails: Near Hope Campground, numerous hiking trails provide outdoor adventure without traveling far from town. "Great opportunities to hike all around," notes Marasha L., who appreciated the "gorgeous and easy" access to surrounding trails.
Fish in freshwater: Utah Lake State Park Campground offers both river and lake fishing options within minutes of campsites. One visitor mentioned "Good fishing in the Provo river or lake fishing," while noting the campground has "full hook ups and also spots for a tent."
Watch paragliders: From dispersed camping areas near Utah Lake, weekend recreation provides unexpected entertainment. At Miner's Canyon Dispersed, one camper reported "Watching the paragliders on the weekends is cool," while enjoying "gorgeous" views in mornings and evenings.
Privacy at higher elevations: For campers seeking seclusion, the mountain dispersed sites deliver. At Squaw Peak Road Dispersed, Spencer L. found a site "400-500 yards away from the next closest collection of camp sites" with "excellent privacy and a nice breeze that carries the smell of sage and mint through the area."
River sounds: Campers consistently mention the peaceful sound of flowing water at canyon campgrounds. At Little Mill, visitors appreciate the natural white noise: "You could hear the river and we had a great time," noted Melody F., while another camper valued "the sound of wind in the trees and the water flowing."
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds include features specifically for families. Nunns Park offers "a couple spots that were semi private" along with a river that "makes some beautiful yet subtle white noise," according to Helen A., who also noted "Lots of area on some of them though for multiple tents."
Bug awareness: Mosquitoes present a significant challenge at certain camping sites near Provo. At Utah Lake State Park, campers warn about insects: "There are lots, and lots of bug so bring bug spray," while another visitor colorfully described being "ambushed by swarms of mosquitoes" that are "ginormous."
Road conditions: Mountain access roads require appropriate vehicles at several dispersed camping areas. Thomas R. reported that past Hood Campground, "a stretch began that was really only suitable for 4WDs. Rocks, deep ruts, etc. We managed it with the 2WD, but we had to give it our all."
Weekend popularity: Competition for sites intensifies Friday through Sunday, especially during summer. Juan G. noted about Squaw Peak Road that while "Perfect for tent camping and small trailers," the "spots are not big enough for bigger RVs and trailers."
Consider campground location: The proximity to urban areas makes certain campgrounds ideal for shorter trips with kids. At Nunns Park, Jonathan Y. explains it's "a great place to go if you don't have time to go look for a spot. It's a quick drive up Provo canyon."
Plan for noise factors: Some otherwise excellent family campgrounds have noise considerations. At Little Mill, one camper mentioned "horrible road noise. I seriously thought I was at a truck stop off the interstate. Honking and racing cars until 3am just ruined it."
Check water conditions: Water access varies significantly by location and season. At Miner's Canyon Dispersed, a recent visitor noted "The lake isn't safe to swim or drink from at this time due to algae," highlighting the importance of researching current conditions.
Site spacing varies: RV sites offer different levels of privacy depending on the campground. At Lakeside RV Campground, Erin A. reported "We stayed in a back in spot which was very spacious and we had a good distance from our neighbor," though others note sites can be close together.
Utility reliability: Water and electrical services fluctuate across campgrounds. At Utah Lake State Park, a camper mentioned paying "$50 to camp. Full hookups and dump station. Level pads, good space between sites," though they noted bathrooms were not well maintained.
Airport proximity: Noise considerations include air traffic at certain campgrounds. One RVer at Lakeside RV Campground pointed out "Only downside is you are directly next to the Provo airport which did get active around 6 am," an important consideration for light sleepers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Provo Canyon?
Nunns Park is a popular option in Provo Canyon, situated right next to the Provo River. It offers plenty of shade trees, fire pits, and easy access to the nearby bike path. Though the highway noise can be distracting, it's one of the closest campgrounds to Provo and is near the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls. For a more secluded option, consider Granite Flat, which is accessible by driving through the canyon and offers reservable sites with amenities like water and toilets, while still maintaining that natural canyon experience.
Is camping available along the Provo River?
Lower Provo Campground — Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest offers camping directly along the Provo River in a beautiful forested setting. Another riverside option is Silver Lake Backcountry, located just 40-50 minutes from Provo with easy access to the water for activities like paddle boarding and kayaking. The Provo River corridor provides multiple camping opportunities where you can fall asleep to the sound of flowing water. Reservations are recommended for riverside sites, especially during peak summer months when fishing and water recreation are popular.
Can I camp with an RV near Provo?
Yes, Provo offers several excellent RV camping options. Willow Park Campground provides an inexpensive stay in town along the Jordan River Parkway, conveniently located between Salt Lake and Provo with easy access to Utah Lake and Thanksgiving Point. For dispersed camping options, Miners Canyon BLM offers free camping with magnificent views of the lake and mountains, plus twinkling city lights from Provo in the evening. Many RV sites in the area are big-rig friendly and some offer full hookups, making the Provo region very accommodating for RV travelers.
What amenities are available at Provo campgrounds?
Lakeside RV Campground offers excellent amenities including clean bathrooms, hot showers, and beautiful tree coverage providing ample shade. It's conveniently located just 12 minutes from downtown Provo. For a state park experience, Rock Cliff Area Campground — Jordanelle State Park features full hook-ups for RVs in a clean, well-maintained setting with spectacular views. Many Provo area campgrounds provide basic amenities like toilets and fire pits, while established campgrounds often include drinking water, picnic tables, and garbage service.
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