Tent camping near Provo, Utah offers varied terrain from forested canyons to alpine meadows with elevations ranging from 4,500 to 10,000+ feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F at night to 85°F during the day at most sites, while spring and fall bring wider temperature swings that require additional preparation.
What to do
Hiking to alpine lakes: From Silver Lake Backcountry, numerous trails connect to pristine mountain lakes. "Only 40-50 minutes away from Provo, UT area so easy to get away for a quick day or two of camping. Lots of hikes to do nearby, beautiful views, and place to paddle board, kayak, etc," notes one camper.
Fishing for trout: Multiple streams and reservoirs contain stocked and wild trout populations. At Red Pine Lake, "Both lakes were loaded with large trout," though fishing requires hiking in your gear as this is a backpacking destination.
Off-road vehicle trails: Many dispersed sites connect to extensive OHV trail networks. "Stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Hardly any light pollution, so the stars were amazing. The dirt road in was pretty rough, but manageable. Make sure you have a spare tire on you just in case," advises a visitor to Hobble Right Fork.
What campers like
Secluded sites in national forest: Hobble Right Fork Dispersed offers privacy without reservations. "I love this canyon. There are so many places to disperse camp as a group or as an individual. One thing to know is that you will likely encounter cattle. They roam all over the hills," a camper shares.
Water proximity: Many tent sites position campers near streams or lakes. At Dry Canyon, "you cross a bridge over the stream to the camp sites. You're a perfect distance from the river so you can listen to it as you fall asleep, but you don't have to worry about floating away."
Fall foliage: Late September through mid-October brings vibrant colors to the mountain campsites. "The leaves were changing and it was brilliant," notes one Hobble Right Fork camper who visited in September.
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution at higher elevations enables exceptional stargazing. According to one camper at Kimball Campground, "hardly any light pollution, so the stars were amazing."
What you should know
Weather variability: Mountain sites experience rapid temperature changes even in summer. At Red Pine Lake, one camper warned, "It stormed pretty hard in the middle of the night, and since the lake is up near the top of the mountain, it got windy. Be prepared for significant foul weather."
Vehicle requirements: Many dispersed sites require high-clearance 4WD vehicles. "You're definitely going to need 4WD and high clearance because the roads leading up to the campsite are filled with ruts and holes," advises a Silver Lake Backcountry visitor.
Campsite competition: Popular sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. A Kimball Campground visitor warns, "Make sure to get here early on summer weekends because this place fills up."
Hiking requirements: Some sites cannot be accessed by vehicle. For Silver Lake, a camper notes, "You can't drive to the coordinates, you have to park at the uppermost parking lot for Silver Flat and hike up to a camping spot."
Tips for camping with families
Pavilion access: For larger family gatherings, Camp Maple Dell offers structured facilities. "This camp can be rented by camp ground for $150 per night. Multiple tents fit per site. We had 6 tents, and had room for several more. Covered pavilion with three picnic tables connected end to end," reports one family camper.
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites offer opportunities to see deer, elk, and other animals. "We enjoyed seeing deer walk through our camp daily," notes a Camp Maple Dell visitor.
Water recreation: Several tent campsites provide access to lakes for children's activities. "We spent our afternoons paddleboarding on Silver Lake Reservoir," shares a Silver Lake Backcountry visitor.
Easy access options: For families with young children, select sites with minimal hiking. "The campsites are beautiful, and within walking distance to the trailhead to hike the 2.2 mile hike up to Silver Lake," notes a Kimball Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Length limitations: Most roads to tent camping areas have tight turns unsuitable for larger RVs. At Wasatch National Forest Sulphur Campground, a visitor with a 25-foot hybrid trailer noted, "The camp spots are narrow, the road in/out is narrow. Our 25ft trailer seemed to be a max length, but there were some 32 ft goosenecks and motor homes there."
Water access points: RVers should note reliable water sources for filling tanks. "Great tasting water, we used a 5 gallon bucket and a water transfer pump from Harbor Freight to fill up our fresh tank," shares a Sulphur Campground visitor.
Road conditions: Many access roads become challenging after rain. A visitor to Silver Lake Backcountry notes that "the roads leading up to the campsite are filled with ruts and holes" and recommends 4WD vehicles with high clearance.
