Payson Lakes and Diamond Fork offer elevated outdoor stays with yurt accommodations and glamping options near Spanish Fork, Utah. Both locations provide a more comfortable camping experience with amenities not found at traditional campsites. Payson Lakes features yurts among aspen groves with picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby water access. "This place is beautiful! It is nice to have a lake to walk to for fishing, playing, or just admiring," one visitor noted about Payson Lakes. Diamond Fork provides glamping sites with concrete pads around tables and cooking areas, creating a more refined outdoor experience. These accommodations include fire pits with grates for cooking and are situated among cottonwood trees that provide ample shade during summer months. Both locations maintain clean facilities with running water and restrooms nearby, making them ideal for those seeking camping with amenities while still enjoying natural surroundings.
The red rock formations and mountain views create stunning backdrops for these eco-friendly glamping experiences. Visitors can explore nearby hiking trails, including the popular Fifth Water Hot Springs trail accessible from Diamond Fork. According to a camper, "There is a really nice river walk trail that is fun for kids and adults and the fishing is really good in the river that is close by." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound with guests reporting sightings of elk, deer, moose, wild turkeys, and occasionally black bears in the surrounding areas. Those who enjoy fishing can try their luck catching brown and cutthroat trout in the nearby rivers. Both glamping campgrounds are typically open from May through October, with Payson Lakes closing mid-October and Diamond Fork sometimes opening earlier in April depending on snow conditions. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when these glamping sites frequently reach capacity due to their proximity to Spanish Fork and Provo.
"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.""Nice little campground with several pull through spots and several back ins Showers and bathrooms were clean and nice."
from $50 - $100 / night
"This is a great place to pitch a tent or come up and stay for the day. The only bad part about this camp site is all the highway noise."
"The sites are very close together with lots of foot, bike, and skateboarding traffic passing nearby. I was lucky to get a site near the river which drowned out the noise."
"it is nice to have a lake to walk to for fishing, playing, or just admiring. each campsite really only has room for 1 or 2 tents. it does havw running water and a hole in the ground bathroom to use. i"
"Lots of fish in the lake, great bike trails and amazing views all around. With it being a 15 minute drive from Payson makes for a great time. Nice bathrooms, tables, fire pits, and in the trees."
from $28 - $272 / night
"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."
"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."
"Every site had shade with concrete parking and fire pit. Great place for families. The mountain road ends at the camp so traffic is only of campers coming and going therefore quiet at night."
"Nice campground in Utah County. Not far from town and any services that could be needed. Lots of hiking available, although a bit rocky and steep for my old knees."
from $27 - $540 / night
"They have a really nice pavilion and lots of trees. You are close to the golf course and close to Hobble Creek which is fun for the kids."
"This campground was really crowded when we went and we had really loud people right by us which was frustrating but overall it was a good site with a fun playground close by."
"I stayed on site 58 (tent only). Enough room for 2 medium tents. Next/above stream. Tucked in very back. Long ways to walk from car. Water spout next to car area."
"There is running water and vault toilets throughout the campground. There were some wicked thunderstorms at night (which we liked)."
from $27 - $355 / night
"Ample area for kitchen set up, nice fire pit, water from pump, shower houses, flushing toilets, port-o-potties also available throught the entire camp. Camp store available during summer months."
"Yes, it's set up for Scouts, but when it's not Scout week, the camp is available for others to enjoy. Activities aren't available, it's just a campground outside of Scout weeks."
from $26 - $40 / night
"We got a site with access to the river which my kids really enjoyed. There was a fun giant "sliding rock" in the area to climb on. Lots of trees for hammocks."
"Set up my hammock and listen to the running water. Only negative is the site is off the main canyon road and there is some traffic noise during the day."
from $27 - $227 / night
"I took site 27 by the entrance just next to the creek. Many open sites late Thursday evening in early August. Picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms. Good cell service."
"This campground is within 40 minutes of town, but feels like you are far away from your worries. There is a stream that runs thru it and a lot of trees that provide plenty of shade."
from $28 / night
GuideNice little spot. I camped in my truck and the spot was fine. Might be tight with a large rig and not as level. But fine for a small rig.
TravelerBeautiful fall weather.
LegendNice 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.
GuideI 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.
GuideI started at site 24 which was extremely shaded and had a cute little beach area along the creek. Then I stayed in site 10 which was more secluded from other sites but parking is just parallel to the main campground road. Site 10 was also a lot sunnier and had a more open view of the rock cliffs. After that I moved to site 7 for 2 nights and I did like the walk down stairs to my table and fire area, it made it feel more secluded from the other sites. I also liked the creek access. I stayed my last night in 24 which was a good balance of shade and openness. Also the cell service was a lot better at 22 and 24 as opposed to site 10 and 7.
ScoutFine camp, but I thought it was $30 and was a little grumpy when I got there and realized it was $50 to camp for a single site ($100 for a double site)
TravelerNice canyon and lots of walking trails. They dont have potable water, so bring plenty of water
TravelerThis was my first time at an RV resort. It was our first time out in our new fifth wheel so we only stayed two nights. There is a family section and an adults only section. Three pools, pickleball courts, and fire pits. It is very clean and quiet. Highly recommended if you like RV resorts.
ScoutIt’s cheap ($33per night), has running water, bathrooms, and dumpsters. There are also 2 hiking trails that connect to this campground (lower loop). Doughnut falls is a can’t miss!
The Spanish Fork area offers camping options at elevations ranging from 4,400 to 6,400 feet, creating distinct temperature zones throughout the canyon systems. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F during day and 50-65°F at night, with higher elevations experiencing cooler conditions. Seasonal closures affect most campgrounds between mid-October and May, with Diamond Fork sometimes opening earlier depending on road conditions.
Hiking to hot springs: Diamond Fork provides access to Fifth Water Hot Springs trail, a popular destination. "There are plenty of areas to do dispersed camping up diamond fork. With a bonus of being able to hike to some of the better hot springs close to salt lake," notes Connor O. from Diamond Fork.
Lake activities without motors: Payson Lakes offers non-motorized water recreation in a tranquil setting. "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. Also 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," explains James B. from Payson Lakes.
River explorations: Many campgrounds provide river access for fishing and cooling off. At Nunns Park, "The river is right there and makes some beautiful yet subtle white noise. It is in provo canyon and the cliffs on either side are very impressive. The walk from the campsite to bridal falls is also lovely!" shares Helen A. from Nunns Park.
Proximity to urban areas: Many sites offer quick getaway options. "This is one of the closest campgrounds to Provo. It is quick and easy for the kind of trip to just get away but it won't feel like you are backwoods because of the smallness of the park and closeness to a very busy highway through Provo Canyon," notes Kyler N. about Nunns Park.
Shade coverage: The cottonwood and aspen trees provide essential summer relief. "Lots of cottonwood tree litter but that's not the camp hosts fault. Vault toilets were clean and stocked," reports Sean M. from Diamond Fork, mentioning the trade-off for the ample shade.
Concrete pads at sites: Several campgrounds feature improved surfaces. "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," explains Dave L. from Utah Lake State Park, appreciating the more developed amenities.
Bug considerations: Mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly at certain sites. "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. Plus, these aren't your typical mosquitoes. They are ginormous," warns Bren M. about Utah Lake State Park.
Road noise factors: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds despite forest settings. "My only reason this campground didn't get 5 stars is due to the horrible road noise. I seriously thought I was at a truck stop off the interstate. Honking and racing cars until 3am just ruined it," reports Myrna G. about Little Mill.
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites fill quickly, especially for glamping in Spanish Fork, Utah areas. "Be aware that this campsite reservations for the weekend fill up quick. I checked in late may and every weekend until September was already booked," advises Ash S. about Granite Flat.
Educational trails: Some campgrounds offer 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," shares Channon F. about Diamond Fork, highlighting features beyond standard camping.
Playground access: Several sites include play structures. "This campground was really crowded when we went and we had really loud people right by us which was frustrating but overall it was a good site with a fun playground close by," notes Lauralee A. about Jolley's Ranch Campground.
Swimming options: Water features provide entertainment for children. "Great campground. Bathrooms and drinking water available. Lots of shade. Easy walk to the lake. Great fishing. Very fun for kids," recommends Courtney S. about Payson Lakes.
Site levelness challenges: Some glamping spots near Spanish Fork require preparation. "The one downside was that the tent spot was not flat, and had quite a few large rocks. Otherwise, it was great. We will be back," notes Justin J. about Granite Flat.
Length restrictions: Consider vehicle size when booking. "Our 20' trailer does fine. Close in to town, very pretty with Provo river next to it. Bike path and highway noise can be distracting," advises Michael L. about Nunns Park, indicating the limitations of the space.
Hookup availability: Electric connections vary between sites. "Full hookups and dump station. Level pads, good space between sites, nice covered tables. Filthy bathrooms and dumpsters overfilled," reports Miriam B. about Utah Lake State Park, highlighting both benefits and drawbacks for RV campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Spanish Fork, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Spanish Fork, UT is Utah Lake State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Spanish Fork, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 glamping camping locations near Spanish Fork, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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