The Springville area sits at the base of Utah's Wasatch Mountains at approximately 4,500 feet elevation, providing easy access to higher mountain campgrounds that reach up to 7,400 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 45-55°F at night in the higher elevation camps. Camping options range from accessible sites with concrete pads and modern facilities to more primitive backcountry locations along mountain streams.
What to do
Hike to Fifth Water Hot Springs: Located near Diamond Fork campground, this popular 2.4-mile trail leads to natural hot springs. "The hiking around this area was amazing. We absolutely enjoyed these trails. We did a hike that was about 10 miles roundtrip with low elevation gain," reports one visitor who camped at Whiting Campground.
Fish in mountain streams: Access trout fishing in Diamond Fork River just steps from your campsite. "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," notes a camper who enjoyed the brown and cutthroat trout fishing opportunities.
Mountain biking trails: The area offers trails for various skill levels with less crowded options on weekdays. "Diamond Fork campgrounds are so clean, family friendly and nice. The bathrooms are always kept up, the trails for hiking and mountain biking are clear," writes a reviewer about the maintained trail systems nearby.
Explore Red Ledges: Near Diamond Fork, these geological formations include a small arch formation accessible via a short hike. "We walked up the creek and across the road to explore the Red Ledges. Discovered the cool arch," shares one camper who enjoyed the geological features.
What campers like
Waterfront camping opportunities: Utah Lake State Park Campground offers lakeside sites with water activities. "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," explains one visitor.
Cooler temperatures at higher elevations: Payson Lakes sits at higher elevation, providing relief from valley heat. "One of my favorite summer get away spots. 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," notes a regular visitor.
Educational nature trails: Several campgrounds feature interpretive trails suitable for all ages. At Diamond Fork, "There is a really nice river walk trail that is fun for kids and adults... There is a well maintained nature trail that passes through the campground. There are educational kiosks along the trail."
Non-motorized lake recreation: Payson Lakes prohibits motorized boats, creating a peaceful environment for paddling. "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."
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary: Most popular sites book quickly during peak season. "Reservations required and $24 base price - yikes!" notes one visitor to Whiting Campground, while another Diamond Fork visitor advises, "It can get busy in the summer so call or reserve ahead of time."
Bug activity: Mosquitoes can be problematic at certain campgrounds, particularly near water. One camper at Utah Lake State Park Campground warned, "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."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for possible wildlife encounters including deer, elk, moose and bears. "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 a Diamond Fork visitor.
Road noise varies by location: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise 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," reported one camper at Little Mill.
Tips for camping with families
Educational bear track trails: Children enjoy the educational opportunities at Diamond Fork. "This campground is very kid friendly. There are painted bear tracks that tell a story in and around the two loops of the park," mentions a family who camped there.
Playground access: Jolley's Ranch Campground offers playground facilities near campsites. "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 a family camper.
Safe wading opportunities: Look for campsites with shallow stream access for children. At Jolley's Ranch, "The site is right on a small stream that has some small trout in it... The only problem we encountered was some poison ivy that was along the bank of the stream. But, once identified, it was easy enough to keep the kids away from it."
Multi-family yurt options: For families seeking yurt camping near Springville, Utah, consider double sites. "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," explains a Diamond Fork visitor, though similar pricing applies to yurt options at nearby campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Concrete parking pads: Whiting Campground offers concrete pads at each site. "Every site had shade with concrete parking and fire pit. Great place for families," notes one RV camper appreciating the level surfaces.
Size limitations: Many canyon campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "Our 20' trailer does fine" at Nunns Park, notes one RVer, suggesting smaller trailers work best at many area campgrounds.
Generator restrictions: Verify generator policies before arrival, as many forest campgrounds restrict or prohibit their use. "The sites are big enough to fit our truck and 2 tents," shares a Whiting Campground visitor, highlighting the adequate but not excessive space available.
Water and hookup availability: Check current utility status as systems occasionally go offline. "The water was not working at the camp the weekend we were there but we received an email from Recreation.gov the day we were supposed to arrive notifying us that it was off due to an issue so we were able to bring in water before hand," reported a recent Diamond Fork camper.
