Diamond Fork
Beautiful fall weather.
270 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Spanish Fork sits at the southern end of Utah Valley, with the Wasatch Mountains rising to the east and access to Spanish Fork Canyon heading into Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Campground options in the area range from developed forest service sites along the canyon to dispersed spots further back on forest roads. Spanish Fork's dispersed camping covers the no-fee, no-reservation options on national forest land for campers who prefer primitive setups.
Developed sites along Spanish Fork Canyon have vault toilets and defined spots. Most fill on summer weekends, so booking ahead through recreation.gov is a good idea from June through August. RV access is limited on the narrower canyon roads, so larger rigs are better suited to sites closer to the highway. Horse trailers have a few dedicated sites further up the canyon. Camping options near Provo give a broader look at what's accessible across the valley if Spanish Fork sites are full.
The canyon is accessible year-round at lower elevations, but higher-elevation sites close with snow, usually by late October. Fire restrictions apply in dry stretches, so check current status before arrival. Bring water even at developed sites, as some have seasonal shutoffs.
"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."
from $53 - $78 / night
Check Availability"We have a daughter that lives in Spanish Fork and this is very convenient for her to come see us and bring her children to play in the pool and the recreation hall. Everything is clean and complete."
"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."
from $50 - $300 / night
Check Availability"Outside of the major town on Utah Lake so fairly quiet, although it is next to a smaller airport which has planes coming and going most of the time."
"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"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"
"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. "
"A clean, nice, convenient getaway just under 15 minutes outside the city. This served as a great stop for our road trip where we were able to camp 10-steps away from the river, and it was ."
"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."
"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."
from $28 - $272 / night
Check Availability"From I-15, take exit 258 and turn east toward Spanish Fork Canyon. Continue up Spanish Fork Canyon for about 9 miles to Forest Road 029/Diamond Fork Canyon."
"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."
"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."
"Fun mbt trails..and easy access to paved Spanish Fork river trail."
"Paved road drive up campsites overlook Utah Valley and Wasatch Mountains. Restrooms, fish cleaning station, fire rings and picnic tables."
from $15 - $40 / night
Check AvailabilityBeautiful fall weather.
Nice little campground with several pull through spots and several back ins Showers and bathrooms were clean and nice. Outside of the major town on Utah Lake so fairly quiet, although it is next to a smaller airport which has planes coming and going most of the time. At least they are all small planes so they don’t make too much noise. Nice playground.
Right up the road from where the campsite marker is we found this private little circular site with fire pit. Ground was at a slope, good to keep in mind, for this specific spot.
Great place if you want to be secluded. There are so many spots. Beautiful views of the Leaves changing mixed with the pines.
This road will test your skills it you don’t have 4x4 and high-clearance, but it still drivable even further uphill. Wasn’t able to make it to where the pin is, just kept going up the main road and found gorgeous spot! Quite popular place
Called to make sure ok to stay a night in parking lot at 1513 pm. Told no by staff at desk.
I don’t know why the alert states it’s closed till 2027 but that’s not true. All paved, easy access. Pit toilets and drinking fountains. Sites are too small for huge motorhomes- we fit our 33 foot trailer but had to park the truck down by the toilets, and backing in was fine in our spot but they’re not all as wide of an angle. Site was level, toilets clean. Fountains everywhere but for filling jugs only. A million little trails everywhere. The reservoir is right next to camp and the people there are very annoying, loud, and leave trash. The trails were much more peaceful.
One of the most beautiful sites I've been to in utah. The drive up on autumn is absolutely stunning. Pit toilets are located about 4mi down the mountain, road up will require AWD or 4x4.
We stayed at the Salt Lake City KOA for two nights while passing through, and this place was honestly way better than we expected — especially considering we booked one of the economy-priced sites. The kids were basically living their best lives. Pool? Check. Playground? Check. Basketball, cornhole, and some giant game that looked like soccer and pool had a baby? Also check. And when they somehow still had energy left, there was a little arcade with FREE vintage games. Free. That is a magical word when you’re traveling with kids. The free coffee and pancakes were also a huge hit. Nothing improves a campground morning quite like someone else making breakfast. Even the dogs had a great time. The dog park was actually big enough for them to run around instead of just standing there looking disappointed. What really surprised us was how safe and relaxed it felt. Being a campground right in the city, we weren’t sure what to expect, but it felt clean, comfortable, family friendly, and very well cared for. Everything was in good repair, the grounds were clean, and we met plenty of friendly campers. There was honestly something for everybody here — kids, adults, dogs, and exhausted parents desperately clutching free coffee. We would absolutely stay here again. Five stars from the whole crew, including the dogs.
Camping in Spanish Fork, Utah occurs at elevations ranging from 4,600 feet in the valley to over 8,000 feet in nearby mountain areas. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F at night to 90°F during the day, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions with potential for sudden weather changes. The area receives approximately 18 inches of annual precipitation, with most mountain campgrounds closed from November through April due to snow.
Hiking to hot springs: Diamond Fork campground serves as an ideal base for visiting the nearby hot springs. "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," notes Dave L. about Diamond Fork.
Mountain biking on trails: Spanish Oaks Campground provides direct access to mountain bike trails. "Great campground with nice views. Fun mbt trails..and easy access to paved Spanish Fork river trail," shares Doug B. about this Spanish Fork campground.
Fishing for trout: Payson Lakes offers fishing opportunities suitable for all ages. "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," comments James B. about Payson Lakes.
Reservoir views: Spanish Oaks Campground sits above a reservoir with panoramic vistas. "Quiet and affordable. Really well maintained with a playground and reservoir for the kids. Perfect stop near SLC...definitely coming back!" mentions Brett R.
Evening city lights: Elevated campsites offer nighttime perspectives of the valley. "Camp sites sit up above the city so at night if you enjoy seeing and looking down on the city lights like i do then that's something to look forward to!" explains Sab A. about Spanish Oaks Campground.
Nature encounters: Diamond Fork provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. "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," advises Brad B.
Bug preparation: Several campgrounds report mosquito issues during summer months. "This campground was super pretty, but definitely not my favorite. The sites were super close together and there were neighboring dogs barking for most of our stay," notes Paige J. about Payson Lakes.
Road conditions for dispersed camping: Squaw Peak Road Dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. "We fought hard to get to the spot. Up to Hood Campground, the road was a normal, winding road. Really great. After that, however, a stretch began that was really only suitable for 4WDs. Rocks, deep ruts, etc," reports Thomas R. about Squaw Peak Road Dispersed.
Seasonal closures: Most mountain campgrounds operate from May to October. "I was happy to find a campground open. Only one loop and still a lot of snow but most sites had enough bare ground to pitch a tent. Several cars got stuck trying to get into the campground while I was there," shares Shaunda O. about Diamond Fork in early spring.
Educational trails: Diamond Fork features kid-friendly learning opportunities. "This campground is very kid friendly. There are painted bear tracks that tell a story in and around the two loops of the park," explains Channon F.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play areas for children. "The playground for the kids was fun and also sits above the res and close to the camp sites so its easy for your little ones to have their fun," mentions Sab A. about Spanish Oaks.
Non-motorized water activities: Payson Lakes restricts boat types for safety. "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," notes James B.
Site spacing considerations: Springville/Provo KOA Holiday offers full hookups but limited privacy. "This park is pretty and in a beautiful location. However, the spots are small and tight. Our slide was in our neighbors yard area, we were both there for only one night, so we made it work," advises Sarina about Springville/Provo KOA.
Campground noise levels: Some sites experience road or train noise. "Well it's your topical RV resort. It doesn't have a fire ring and it's by train tracks and a freeway. Also, your packed in like sardines. However, it will do for overnight," says Denise M. about the KOA.
Dispersed options for larger vehicles: Miner's Canyon offers space for various RV sizes. "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. Some great spots up the hill but you'll need high clearance and 4wd," explains Susan C. about Miner's Canyon Dispersed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any campgrounds with electricity near Spanish Fork?
Yes, several campgrounds near Spanish Fork offer electrical hookups. Spanish Fork River Park provides partial hookups with electricity and water (no sewer) with most spots along the river offering afternoon shade. Another option is Springville / Provo KOA Holiday, which offers full electrical hookups and is conveniently located for visitors to Spanish Fork. The KOA also features amenities like a swimming pool and recreation hall. If you're willing to drive a bit further, Jordanelle State Park's Rock Cliff Area Campground has recently been converted to an RV campground with full hookups, though it's about 30-40 minutes from Spanish Fork.
What RV parks are available in Spanish Fork, Utah?
Spanish Fork has limited dedicated RV parks within the city itself, but there are good options in the surrounding area. Rock Cliff Area Campground — Jordanelle State Park is a newer RV-friendly option with full hookups, having been converted from a tent-only campground. For those seeking more amenities, Pine Creek Campground — Wasatch Mountain State Park offers RV camping, though be aware that some sites were built for smaller rigs with narrow loop roads and mature trees. Sheep Creek Dispersed Camping Area is another option that accommodates RVs with more basic facilities. When planning your trip, check ahead for availability as these locations can fill up quickly during peak season.
Where are the best camping sites in Spanish Fork Canyon?
Spanish Fork Canyon offers several excellent camping options with varied amenities and settings. Diamond Campground is a popular choice located not far up the canyon from SLC, making it ideal for weekend getaways. It's near a river and provides access to hot springs trails a few miles up the canyon, though note it's a dry campground with no hookups. For those seeking dispersed camping with stunning views, Hobble Right Fork Dispersed offers great vistas of both Spanish Fork and Provo peaks with small fire pits available. If you're willing to drive further up the canyon, Madsen Bay Campground — Scofield State Park rewards with beautiful sites and excellent fishing for brown and rainbow trout.
Is there camping available at Spanish Fork River Park?
Yes, camping is available at Spanish Fork River Park. This campground offers partial hookups with electricity and water, though no sewer or cable connections. Most camping spots are situated along the Spanish Fork River (which may be more of a small creek during late summer months) and offer pleasant afternoon shade. The park is well-maintained and clean, making it a popular choice for campers. Be prepared for hot Utah weather during summer months by bringing cooling equipment. For those seeking nearby alternatives, Diamond Fork is located approximately 9 miles up Spanish Fork Canyon and offers a more natural setting with creek access, though without the hookups available at River Park.
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