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Camp Maple Dell offers fresh, engaging and adventurous day camp programs for Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and Primary youth.
Camp Maple Dell is nestled in Payson Canyon, along the historic Mt Nebo Loop. Established in 1945, Maple Dell has a strong history of serving Scout units.
$26 - $40 / night
Salamander Flat trail connects the Timpooneke trail head with the Salamander Flat dispersed camping area and the Pine hollow trail. The trail starts by crossing a stream, then travels through large stands of fir trees, and crosses the road approximately 1 mile from the trailhead. The Salamander Flat dispersed camping sites and Junction with the Willow Hollow trail is .5 miles farther up the trail. From the dispersed sites, it is another .6 miles to the junction with the Pine Hollow trail #047.
Trail users should be aware of the high level of use that this trail receives, and should expect to see each type of user group on any given day. This trail is subject to a wet trail closure order during the spring and early summer. These closures help to protect and sustain the trail during wet periods. The trail will be signed as closed to all uses except hiking when these closures are in effect.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest outside of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no toilets, no treated water, and no fire grates are provided.
Camping in dispersed areas on the Forest is allowed for fourteen (14) days in any thirty (30) day consecutive period. Campers must move off Forest after reaching the 14-day limit. The stay limit also applies to all camping equipment (tents, chairs, ATVs, ATV trailers, etc.), even if used by a different person or group. Camping equipment must be removed by the end of the fourteen (14) day stay limit or the equipment may be impounded. Stay limits are implemented to reduce impacts to vegetation and wildlife habitat, as well as provide access to popular campsite areas for other visitors.
$10 / night
A geologic curiosity - rare in Utah - the "Woodpile" is a cluster of lava logs formed about 30 million years ago during the Eocene Period. The "logs" were formed when a lava flow cooled into orderly columnar joints having 3 to 6 sides. The columns measure about a foot in diameter and up to 15 feet in length. This formation was on the rim of the caldera that collapsed due to a void left when lava flowed out from under the caldera. Basin and range faulting caused the formation to tilt onto its side. Erosion has exposed the formation we now see.
Primitive, backpacking/hiking accessible only
Guide
I tent camped in the Great Horned Owl section which does not have hookups, though other sections did for a higher price. There were RVs in the same section and that blocked the views for a lot of the tent sites. I was charged an additional $15 just to have an additional car which I thought was pretty crazy. There are warm showers and reservoir access for boats included (I took my paddle board out and the water was pretty rough but fun) but $40 is a lot for a tent site this close to neighbors with generators who block the views.
Guide
Nice campground with plenty of group and individual sites. They have single, double, and group campgrounds. I camped in a tent spot (48) and had a ton of privacy.
No first come first sites, however, 4 days before all sites become fcfs if not taken.
Nice flush toilet bathroom. Gates close at 10 pm
GuideThe area is so pretty! We tent camped in the Great Horned Owl loop and it was a well kept and tidy. The hosts were friendly and helpful. The sites are a bit close together but that could be a bonus for small groups that want to be near to each other. The day use parking lot is adjacent to sites 20 and 21. Read the descriptions when you book if you are tent camping, not all the sites are suitable for it. Site 20 was okay, but our tent ended up having to be on slight slope. We might try site 4 when the weather is cooler since it was a little more flat for tent camping, but it didn’t have much shade. The flush bathrooms were clean and the showers warm and convenient.
RangerGreat place for tent camping
Ranger
I tent camped here in Aug. 2020. It was fine. Close to the interstate, for better or worse. I wanted to camp at the SLC KOA but it was closed to tents then.
Traveler
Tent camped here in early August. Appreciated the large shady trees and relatively private camping sites. Great camp host! Well maintained. Would definitely stay here again.
Guide
Utah state recreation area, OHV recreation area along with beach side camping. Year round access. Campground is RV only (I think) beach tent camping along the whole lake, vault toilets around the lake, Occasionally there are trees but mostly not, can get dusty if people are driving thier off road toys. Only 1 vehicle per reservation extra car can be paid for. Nice beautiful, relaxing.
Guide
There are not many, if any places in this area to pull in to. We lucked out and found this one after unsuccessfully driving in circles trying to find other parks in the area that apparently don’t exist 🙄. We had a tent, tent sites were not good. I guess if you have a RV, pull in, go inside and shut the door, it’s ok for a night. Friendly owners. Check in was a breeze. $15 for a tent site sounded good to us, we were exhausted 💤. Bathrooms are old and just ok. Seems people don’t know how to flush. There are showers.
ScoutI’ve been to a couple campground over the years, but this one is impressive. Perfect for tent camping and even tho your near kther people you feel hidden. 10/10
Scout
Group sites are great for large RVs. Big fire ring area, multiple tables and restrooms with flushing toilets. Most campsites aren’t long enough for RVs over 20ft. Perfect for tent camping.
ScoutNothing special. RV park type camp ground. Tent sites right on top of each other. Expect people walking though your site all day.
Guide
Beautiful campground, lots of trees and privacy. However, you can’t bring big rigs there only smaller trailers or tent camping. Very close to Tibble Fork Reservoir where there’s great fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. You can swim too, but the water is pretty cold.
GuideGorgeous drive up to a gorgeous campground. Our site was pretty small. I would not recommend camping here unless you have an RV with a bathroom. There were so many flies in the bathroom that they coated the walls. Since I was tent camping, I did not bother to unpack. It was horrific.
Legend
I really loved this campground! And I really love Diamond Fork Hotsprings! I can’t wait to visit again! We camped the Thursday after Labor bad and had the entire campground almost all to ourselves! On Labor Day weekend there wasn’t an empty campsite. Cost is $22 for a single site, $44 for a double.
We arrived to camp around 7:30 and pitched our tent then headed up the road a few more miles to the parking area for Diamond Fork (5th water) Hot Springs. I recommend visiting the Hotspring at night in the summer to escape the overwhelming crowds. There were only a handful of people at the springs during our evening visit. The trail to the springs is about 2.4 miles in.
We returned to camp around 1 AM and slept soundly in the still, quiet nature. You can hear the stream babble nearby. We slept in and as we were breaking down camp, Marc, the camp host stopped by to se how our visit was and if we needed anything. What a wonderful man! We chatted for quite a while about the area and he offered to give us a tour of the campground in his golf cart. This is a pretty leather campground! 3 separate loops. There are some hike in tent sites but they are set up for dual tents and are priced as such so they are $44 which is quite speedy for a pack in tent site. There is a well maintained nature trail the passes through the campground. There are educational kiosks along the trail. There are multiple restrooms throughout the campground. The 2 I used were very clean considering it was post holiday weekend.
Each campsite had a fire ring, grill, and a picnic table. Tent sites all offered nice level areas for pitching your tent. You can purchase fire wood from the camp host.
This is a great place and I can’t wait to return!
Legend
Beautiful spot to stop on our route. The day we arrived was very windy. The view is serene and it’s very quiet. There are showers and bathrooms. Most campsites have water and electric and there are tent sites with great views of the lake. They have a couple cabins and on site kayak rentals.
Guide
We planned to tent camp here, but our friends rented the cabin next to our site and couldn’t make it last minute. So we got the cabin! Great spot. Lake is cool and an easy walk down from the sites. Shade is at a premium, so we were very happy to get the cabin because it was crazy hot. Clean bathrooms with nice showers for rinsing off after splashing in the lake all day.
Traveler
This is a hike in area of camping. Luckily the park provides free wagons so that you can pack up and hike to your area. The hike is about a quarter mile to the general area where there are lots. This area is tent camping only. The views are great and the water is great! It is dog friendly with a leash. Each lot has a paved area with a picnic bench and fire pit. Really enjoyed this place!
Guide
Sites are small and primarily tent sites. There are a couple sites which would accommodate a small 16 ft trailer. We had to unhook and park diagonal to fit small trailer and short truck.
We didn't spend much time during the day as we were visiting relatives near Provo and enjoyed the cooler getaway in the evening.
The drive up here was beautiful and the hiking trails probably have amazing views.
Guide
We LOVED Little Mill! It’s the perfect campground. It has the smell of pine trees, a babbling brook, and it is just down the road from Timpanogos Cave National Monument. What more could a camper want?
We had a great tent site that was on the side near the mountain and across from us were campsites next to the road and the river. We did not hear any road noise at all, just the sound of wind in the trees and the water flowing. It was so peaceful!
GuideWe have stayed here before and remember that it was a great campground. 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. A herd of cattle came through for dinner. They were escorted away from the campground by the host. Right next to the river, there was a trail to hike and an educational trail for the area.
The pit toilet was available and there was running water next to the site.
Overall, it was a great stay!
Guide
Awesome campground at about 8,600’ elevation, has a couple small creeks running through, water and toilets on site as well. Each site has a metal fire ring (crucial for a campfire during burn bans), picnic table, grill, some sites had an extra fire ring and bench seats. It’s nestled on the mountainside surrounded by aspen forests and farm land. Plenty of wildlife in the area, watch for deer and cattle in the road. We had temps dip down into the teens overnight with a dusting of snow in late September, be sure to pack layers. Overall a perfect spot for tent camping, small campers max, no RV parking or hookups. Not too far from Capitol Reef National Park and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Highly recommend staying here and going to Grand Staircase for a hike in the slot canyons.
Traveler
Nice basic campground just coming out of Heber City, UT on your way to Strawberry Reservoir. This is a fairly large campground with numerous sites. The group site parking was shallow. We could barely fit our 19 ft travel trailer and our truck. Outside of the group site it appears there are deeper sites that could accommodate a long fifth wheel. Parking space is wide enough to park another car next to trailer. There are a few tent sites as around the group site pavilion.
No hookups for RV’s. Dump station on site for $10 fee. RV spots are back in only. There is running water and flushable toilets on site; however, the water line was under repair and not turned on during our stay. It sounds like the repairs have been going on for a long time.
There is cellular service, but it’s a little slow. I have sprint carrier and had service.
Negatives: The campground is close a highway incline/decline which is frequented by Semi’s which bring lots of noise to the campground throughout the day and into the night.
Stinging Nettle: lots of stinging nettle located around group site B, so stay on the paths as much as possible.
Legend
Campground Review: Price Canyon Campground
I stayed at the Price Canyon campground on my way for a mountain biking weekend in Moab. This campground was at the top of Price Canyon but the access road was right off the highway. It is a single lane switchback road with the last quarter mile being easy dirt road so longer trailers may have a few challenges. It is a mixture of single and group sites all for the same price. There is a nature trail from the campsite (that is also accessible from the day use area) that takes you higher up the canyon. The hike was nice and I would recommend close toed shoes as the second half/ has a section that is pretty steep around large rocks/boulders, and loose dirt. I didn’t do the whole hike made it to the top of the ridge. There is also a picnic/overlook area not far from the campground that had great views of Price Canyon.
Pros:
Overall it was very peaceful and I will definitely be staying here again.
Cons:
*Lots of buzzing insects around. The bugs weren’t bad but you could hear the buzzing which was quite annoying.
Gear Review: Leatherman Signal Multi-tool
As a ranger for the Dyrt, I get the opportunity to test out gear from our partners once in a while. I have had the privilege of testing out the Leatherman Signal Multi-tool. First off, this tool is the bomb! It has 19 different functions and will pretty much be the go-to tool for camping or outdoor adventure. It is quite large so not ideal for light weight backpacking but great for car camping or any activity where you are not super concerned about weight. For the most part, it lives in the glove compartment of my car so I will always have it for quick use.
Pros:
Cons:
Summary: The Signal is one of the best multi-tools I have ever had and just having it with me whenever I am exploring outdoors makes me feel more secure in case something happens.
TravelerAwesome first camp of the year. Booked as soon as the state parks opened back up. Place really gave that “middle of nowhere feel”, lake and surrounding area were beautiful. Campsites were simple and bathrooms were nice. Only issue we had was we accidentally booked a site without electric. Could’ve been more clear on website, but also likely a rookie mistake being our first camp in Utah
Legend
This is a fun place to stay when you want to go someplace close. There are lots of trees for the summer months and lots of shade. There are a couple good beaches. 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. You can build a fire and get firewood from camp host. There is full hook ups and also spots for a tent. Most spots have a pavilion and nice tables. Great bathrooms with running water. I can't remember which spot we stayed at but they are were really nice.
GuideTraveling east along US-50 "The Loneliest Road in America," we were seeking somewhere to camp after leaving Great Basin National Park. We stumbled upon Oak Creek Recreation Area quite by accident, but such a rewarding accident it turned out to be. It must be the best kept secret in western Utah for camping.
Oak Creek campground is located four miles east of Oak City, Utah. It is nestled in a canyon in the Fishlake National Forest. We arrived at the campground late afternoon June 5, 2023 and had our choice of ANY campsite - we were the only occupants. We selected site 19, a back-in site at the end of the loop that runs through the campground. The site is less than 100 feet or so from Oak Creek which runs parallel to the campground. The site is level and easily accommodated our 18-foot travel trailer. Using our Senior America the Beautiful pass, the cost per night was $8.00 and worth every penny. In addition to this campsite, there is additional camping further up Oak Creek Canyon Road for tents, RVs, and trailers - access is via a well-maintained dirt road beyond the campground we stayed in.
Highly recommend this campground for peace and quiet!
Traveler
Upon arrival the guy who maintained the site asked me how many days I was going to be there. I specified one, he charged me $12. I thought $12 was a good price for one overnight. I got my tent and everything situated and started to read my book while the dogs enjoyed the campsite. A few hours later the guy came back to bug me again. He started yelling up to me in my tent. Personally, I go camping to get away from people, so I was annoyed that this guy was interrupting my serenity yet again. The guy was rude and started lecturing me about how I told him I was only going to be there for one day. I was extremely confused and said yes, I only planned on being here the one night. He finally clarified that I would need to pay an additional $12 to stay overnight. He copped an attitude like i was trying to lie or rip him off or something. The only reason I didn’t pay the full amount was because the guy was very misleading with the way he originally asked me, as he asked how MANY days I was going to be there. I assumed that meant how many overnights. I don’t know why he asked me “how many” when he should have just asked me if I was planning on staying just for the day or overnight. Irritated that I had to deal with this ornery old man again I walked to my car and handed him more cash. I will not be camping here again due to the rude mannerisms of the staff despite it being a pretty campsite. The only reason this review is more than 1 Star is how pretty my view was waking up. If you’re going to pay for a campsite I suggest you go somewhere else. We’re in Utah, I’ve got a plethora of campgrounds within 30 minutes of my house. I don’t need to interact with rude people to go camping. Honestly had I not already been completely setup to stay overnight I probably would’ve packed up my things and gotten the heck out of there just due to the principal of them treating me so poorly
Tent camping near Santaquin, Utah offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the stunning landscapes of the region. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you'll find the perfect spot to set up your tent and unwind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Santaquin, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Santaquin, UT is Camp Maple Dell with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
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