Sun Outdoors North Salt Lake
Friendly, good for a night
This is a good stop over place. It has a pool, store and some outside games. No shade at all and no space between sites but the staff is excellent
270 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
"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 $31 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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.""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."
from $50 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $27 - $355 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
from $27 - $227 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $27 / night
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This is a good stop over place. It has a pool, store and some outside games. No shade at all and no space between sites but the staff is excellent
Lots of spots for any size rigs, closer to the water the bugs can be crazy, lots of trash left around, we were here 10 months ago same trash still here. Be wonderfully if it was cleaned up.
So far very pleasant. Right in the road but you can park and walk in to at least one campsite. There are dirt bikers coming down the trail. I didn't walk far beyond the one site with campfire spit and stones. A little trash has been left , but if you want ease of access and ability to walk back to camp, plus a place ten miles or so from supplies in Orem, this is very nice. Despite traffic and early morning athletes I did sleep well. And it's easier access than the unpaved Widow's peak dispersed - still paved roads here.
The fishing was amazing and the lake was so peaceful.
However the blonde camp host was less then friendly and on a major power trip trying to make up her own rules.
The bathrooms weren’t maintained. They stunk like ammonia so bad you could barely breathe and the garbage dumpsters were full when we arrived and weren’t emptied the entire 7 days we were there. You also still have no access to water.
A word to the wise if you are wanting a peaceful experience don’t book sites 17 or 18. The fire pit for 17 is right in the middle of the 2 sites and the fire pit for 18 is up a hill. You are literally on top of your neighbors. I had to stand in site 17 to back my trailer into site 18 it’s ridiculous.
came in pretty late so had to look around in the morning, but i drove on the trail for about 20 minuites and i came across 3 sites, im sure you can find more as you go up but i didnt check. the best one in my opinion is the second one that overlooks the mountains. the only cons i have to this place is there were lots of wasps, definitely come later in the summer if you have a problem with bugs. The road up was not bad at all, it was paved up until the last few miles, some parts are bumpy but i think a 2WD could get through the trail with little to no problems. not sure if id recommend bringing a trailer though.
Was passing through so only stayed for a night. The sites next to the river were gorgeous, but there were only a handful and they were occupied. The sounds from the creek were lovely, but you could equally hear the sounds of the highway. A permit is required to camp, all of the sites down the road are the same though. No cell phone service. Very peaceful though.
We stayed here for 3 nights in July 2026. The campground is FCFS. We came up on a Tuesday and all sites were open except one. The sites are small and are not level, so be prepared with levelers of some sort. We were able to park our 24' travel trailer with some adjustments. It worked out perfectly!
Campfires are allowed in the Uintas, as of the date of this review. The camp host has wood for purchase. There is plenty of kindling all around.
There is a stream that runs behind the campground with plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails near the campground. There are also ATV/UTV trails close by and throughout the Uintas.
It was a wonderful trip!
July 3-4th was pretty quiet, I assume it’s busier on the weekends. Spots have picnic tables, are a good distance from each other, close to the creek, and there’s a pit toilet. Lots of cow pies, woke up up surrounded by 12 cows.
This place has many amenities to get away for a few days or until you feel like leaving. There is a swimming pool, hot tub, adventure canopy with zipline, treetop trampoline, and obstacle course. There's many other amenities that haven't been mentioned. This place is great for kids to get the energy out while parents can relax and watch them have fun. This is the second summer we have come here and hope to make it a long standing tradition.
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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