Camping near Salem, Utah ranges from developed campgrounds with full hookups to free dispersed sites on public lands. Payson Lakes Campground, located near Salem, provides developed sites for tents, RVs, and even glamping options with access to boating and fishing. Spanish Oaks Campground offers electrical hookups and water access with picnic tables and toilets, making it suitable for both tent and RV camping. For those seeking a more rustic experience, several dispersed camping areas like Sheep Creek and Squaw Peak Road provide free primitive camping with minimal amenities.
Road conditions vary significantly by elevation and season, with many campgrounds open from May through October due to winter snow at higher elevations. "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," noted one visitor about navigation challenges. While developed campgrounds like Lakeside RV and Springville KOA Holiday operate year-round with full hookups, the national forest campgrounds typically close by mid-October. Reservations are recommended for developed sites during summer weekends, though dispersed areas operate on a first-come basis with varying stay limits depending on land management jurisdiction.
Campgrounds in the area feature a mix of mountain and water views, with several sites offering fishing access. A camper described Spanish Oaks as having "clean campground with plenty of activities for the whole family. We loved the views from our camp spot, seeing the sun come up and down over the big lake out in the distance." The proximity to both mountains and urban amenities creates a convenient camping experience where visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation without traveling far from town. Wildlife sightings are common, with several reviewers mentioning deer wandering through campgrounds. Maple Lake receives positive feedback for its shaded sites and fishing opportunities, though some visitors note seasonal grazing impacts the shoreline. Campgrounds closer to Payson Canyon provide cooler temperatures and more tree cover than those in the valley.
$50 - $300 / 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."
$31 - $48 / night
"Lakeside was our home for 3 nights while we were in town for Provo’s annual Colonial Festival."
"You're super close to amenities and anything you could want to see in town, as well as Utah Lake."
$27 - $270 / night
"Being that we already live in southern Utah county, this place has become a go to for our family. Only about 45 mins away from Payson Ut. "
"There is a lake close by within walking distance with a paved trail all around it. The water was low and pretty gross when we went at the end of the summer. I stayed at B23."
"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"
$50 - $100 / night
"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."
"This my 3 stay here at Utah Lake state park. 2x in July and now in September. I’m a single female traveler."
"This is a great spot just a about 2 miles off the main highway. It’s paved until you get to the campground turn off which is a good dirt road. Wide open space with tons of options to tent or RV."
"That being said, if you don't have an off-road capable vehicle (like me) - it's a solid option and there are some pretty mountain views. You can buy the permit online."
"The sites are clean and have concrete around the table and cooking area. The tent site was nestled among the trees and was very nice. We did get a visit from the locals."
"You are really close to fifth water and the start of the trail to the hot pots. There is lots of big cotton wood trees for shade. The spots are big enough for a tent or RV."
"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."
$15 - $40 / night
"Paved road drive up campsites overlook Utah Valley and Wasatch Mountains. Restrooms, fish cleaning station, fire rings and picnic tables."
"We loved the views from out camp spot, seeing the sun come up and down over the big lake out in the distance as well as the res right under you was beautiful. Made it perfect for relaxing."
"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."
"Found a beautiful spot tucked away in the trees with a great view of the Timps. Continue exploring along the road for amazing panoramic views."
ScoutBeautiful, quiet for the most part. I parked at one of many, large, open spaces on the East main Canyon Road, A little traffic people going I and down, but nothing bothersome. The main highway is close, but I can barely hear it. From what I can tell, there are many options along the highway as well, including one pay to use campground. There’s also several ways to access this main road.
ScoutThis place has it all. Clean bathrooms, hot showers, washers n dryers, basketball court, playground, fenced in dog park, a clubhouse building that has arcade games, pool tables, full kitchen, skee ball, dart boards, recliners so comfy you won't wanna get up, all set up around a huge tv screen similar to being at a movie theater, BOWLING, yes bowling, an outdoor swimming pool, awesome friendly happy helpful staff and matience, green sites with power water sewer, pull thru and back in sites, picnic tables, BBQ grills, very family friendly there! And they seem to do cute things throughout the week inviting everyone to join, like free hotdogs and hangout at main pavilion, movie nights, game nights, like they actually care about you as people and not just a payment! Its a nice park for sure!
TravelerFun campground with a discovery walking nature trail. Dry camping with easy river/creek access. Stayed in loop A - lots of trees, birds and insects. Clean and close to the Salt Lake Valley. Fun place to camp with family. Limited cell service, clean vault toilets, great fire rings, picnic tables.
GuideEasy check in process. Fire pit is awesome with plenty of room for wood. All spots were flat enough for the rooftop tent. My spot was 59 and had the most slope. Showers/bathrooms are a short walk away. Showers do take a minute to warm up. Play ground and lake access for all visitors
ScoutThis was my backyard all growing up. Absolutely beautiful! When you go up the main road, there is a park and you can stay overnight there and there are actual bathrooms there.
TravelerCleanest vault toilets. Nice trees area right by the water and a short walk to bridal veil falls. Tactic noise in the morning was louder than I’d expected. If you are in a tent site 6 has a little path down to the creek, otherwise it’s just a couple feet of plants and then you are there.
ScoutWe pulled in and were a bit nervous because it’s off the freeway and we thought it be would be loud BUT it was actually surprisingly not. The grounds are very well kept & the staff was amazing! We stayed for 2 nights & would stay again if we were in the area.
GuideWe generally like this area, because it's one of the few spots in northern Utah that can accommodate our 36' motorhome. The downsides are that the roads are really rutted, so take it very slow and make sure that your rig can make it into a spot and, most importantly, OUT of the spot. As mentioned in other reviews, there's broken glass and ammunition scattered over all of the campsites, but they're big, and every site has a view of the beautiful lake and surrounding mountains. It gets down into the low 30s at night during the spring, so be sure to be prepared for cold nights. It's late May when I'm writing this, and it's JUST NOW getting out of the 30s at night and into the 40s. Daytime temps are pretty mild during the spring, at 65-80 degrees every day. I recommend this spot if you don't mind being in what's basically a free RV park (with much better spacing - most spots are at least 20-30 feet apart), because it gets so busy here. Also, a Provo Sheriff's deputy knocked on everyone's door on our second day there to ask how long they'd/we'd been there, and then, after 12 days, we moved to another nearby spot up the road, and on our second day here, he knocked on our door again to ask questions about our stay. We're rule-followers, and he was very professional and nice, but if you don't like getting "the knock," this may not be the place for you, as he seems to go through the sites regularly. All in all, I'd recommend this place, as it's mostly peaceful, even being as busy as it is.
GuideGood spot, close to the higway but quiet. The spring by the camping spot was great.
Camping spots near Salem, Utah range from primitive dispersed sites to established campgrounds with reservable facilities. Access to Squaw Peak Road dispersed camping involves a challenging drive with "rocky, pothole-filled dirt roads that thin out" as you ascend. Most campgrounds operate seasonally between May and October, with higher elevation sites closing earlier due to snow accumulation. Lower elevation dispersed areas like Miner's Canyon remain accessible year-round for those seeking free camping options.
Fishing at multiple locations: Both Diamond Fork and Payson Lakes offer productive fishing for trout species. "Great fishery for children and youth, as well as an amazing area for swimming and kayaking. They do not allow motorized boats, so it is safe," notes a visitor to Payson Lakes.
Hike to hot springs: Diamond Fork Canyon provides access to Fifth Water Hot Springs, a popular natural attraction. "If you stay here make sure to take the time to hike up to fifth water hot pots it is amazing," recommends a camper at Diamond Fork. The trail is approximately 2.4 miles one-way.
Mountain biking: Spanish Oaks Campground connects to trail systems suitable for mountain biking. A visitor describes it as having "great mbt trails and easy access to paved Spanish Fork river trail." The area combines technical terrain with family-friendly paths.
Wildlife viewing: The mountains surrounding Salem support diverse wildlife populations. One camper at Diamond Fork reports: "I have seen elk, deer, moose, wild turkeys, and black bear in and around the area and campsite so don't leave food in your tent and clean up your campsite."
Affordability at municipal parks: Spanish Oaks offers budget-friendly camping near Salem. "Clean campground with plenty of activities for the whole family. We loved the views from our camp spot, seeing the sun come up and down over the big lake out in the distance," shares a visitor to Spanish Oaks Campground.
Lake access for water activities: Utah Lake and smaller reservoirs provide water recreation opportunities. At Lakeside RV, a camper notes "We enjoyed a one night stay. Pull through sites with grass between. Pool was very nice. Cute little store."
Scenic mountain views: Squaw Peak Road's dispersed camping delivers panoramic vistas. "By far our most favorite campsite... It had plenty of room for tents amongst the trees and in the field," writes a visitor to Squaw Peak Road Dispersed who appreciates the elevated perspective.
Shaded campsites: Many established campgrounds offer tree cover for summer heat relief. A Diamond Fork visitor explains: "This is a great place to camp. You are really close to fifth water and the start of the trail to the hot pots. There is lots of big cotton wood trees for shade."
Bugs and seasonal concerns: Utah Lake campgrounds experience significant insect activity during warm months. "The mosquitoes here are terrible. I came here early on a holiday to get a good spot and was ambushed by swarms of mosquitoes. You can literally watch them raise from the ground ready to attack," warns a camper at Utah Lake State Park.
Dispersed camping conditions: Free camping areas like Miner's Canyon often suffer from improper waste disposal. A visitor to Miner's Canyon Dispersed reports: "I didn't give Miner's Canyon five stars because of the excessive trash dumping that occurs at the sites. Otherwise it is a very enjoyable campsite."
Weather variability: Mountain campgrounds experience rapid weather changes, particularly at higher elevations. "We were able to find a nice pullout spot off of a side road for our pop up camper. There weren't many trees for shade and wind block, but the views are beautiful," reports a Sheep Creek camper.
Campsite spacing: Site proximity varies significantly between locations. A visitor to Nunns Park observed: "There were a couple spots that were semi private but most were very exposed. Lots of area on some of them though for multiple tents."
Child-friendly education: Diamond Fork features interpretive trails designed for younger campers. "This campground is very kid friendly. There are painted bear tracks that tell a story in and around the two loops of the park," notes a reviewer at Diamond Fork.
Water safety considerations: Payson Lakes provides non-motorized water recreation suitable for families. A visitor explains: "The lake isn't too big so if your teen blows across the lake on his kayak or raft he can easily walk it back around the lake."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. A camper at Lakeside RV Campground shares: "This place is very cute for established camping. It has lots of trees and a nice little walking trail. They are pet friendly. They have men's and women's restrooms with showers. They also have a pool for the warmer months."
Short hiking options: Many campgrounds connect to brief, manageable trails suitable for children. "Don't miss the sunrise over the tree line on the lake. It was pretty full when we got here(it was a holiday weekend) but we off roaded a little bit and found a beautiful little haven... Highly suggest coming here and hike the grotto because it's a short hike and so close to the campground," recommends a Payson Lakes visitor.
Site selection at KOA: The Springville/Provo KOA offers full hookups but has space limitations. "The setup is generally the same at a lot of KOA. This well kept KOA has lots of amenities, but sites have zero privacy. Parking spots are paved. It does appear to have a few long term tenants," shares a visitor to Springville / Provo KOA Holiday.
Road condition warnings: Dispersed camping areas require vehicle preparation. A visitor to Sheep Creek notes: "Road is in ok shape. Only few places small vehicle can park. Not for RV's or larger trucks really. This site and one right next to it are the same. I could barely turn RV around to go out."
Seasonal access limitations: Higher elevation camping closes during winter months. "We stayed here at the end of the camp season. It's a nice campground, but the spots are a little confusing. First, their normal campsites are really small. We'd actually accidentally set up residence in a double spot without knowing it," reports a Payson Lakes camper regarding site confusion.
Generator noise considerations: Free camping areas often have no regulations on generator use. A Miner's Canyon visitor notes: "A little loud from the generators but sound of waves from the lake help drown it out. Some established fire pits. Overall the place was clean and felt safe."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Salem, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Salem, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 249 campgrounds and RV parks near Salem, UT and 65 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Salem, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Salem, UT is Springville / Provo KOA Holiday with a 3.8-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Salem, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 65 free dispersed camping spots near Salem, UT.
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