Best Campgrounds near Salina, UT
The Salina, Utah area encompasses diverse camping options, from free dispersed sites to developed campgrounds with full amenities. Fish Lake National Forest offers dispersed camping with pull-through sites suitable for tent camping, while established options include Butch Cassidy Campground, Richfield KOA, and Maple Grove. Most campgrounds are within 20 miles of Salina, providing easy access to Interstate 70. The region features a mix of high desert terrain with stunning red rock formations and higher elevation forest settings, suitable for both tent campers seeking solitude and RV travelers requiring hookups.
Camping season generally runs from spring through fall, with many developed sites closing during winter months. Fillmore KOA operates from March through November, while Richfield KOA remains open from March to October. Elevation varies significantly, affecting temperatures and accessibility. Dispersed camping in Fish Lake National Forest provides free alternatives to established campgrounds, though without amenities like drinking water or toilet facilities. Cell service can be spotty, particularly in canyon areas and remote forest locations. A camper noted about Fish Lake National Forest: "Nice quiet stop to park for the night. Close to the highway, far enough to not really hear it."
Several campgrounds feature creeks or reservoirs, adding to their appeal. Maple Grove Campground includes a small creek stocked with fish throughout the season. More remote dispersed camping areas like Willow Creek Bowl provide opportunities for target practice and afternoon shade, though without facilities. Private sites such as Butch Cassidy Campground and the KOAs offer full hookups for RVs along with amenities like showers and laundry. Campground ratings vary significantly, with Fish Lake National Forest dispersed sites receiving consistently high marks for privacy and views. One reviewer described it as "beautiful, peaceful" and mentioned: "This was our first time boondocking and this spot did not disappoint! It's convenient to I-70 but feels very remote."