Best Campgrounds near Salt Lake City, UT
The Wasatch Mountains surrounding Salt Lake City, Utah create a dramatic backdrop for camping experiences ranging from urban-adjacent sites to remote alpine settings. Within an hour's drive of downtown, campers will find options spanning from full-service RV resorts like the Salt Lake City KOA and Pony Express RV Resort to primitive backcountry sites in the nearby canyons. The mountain canyons east of the city, particularly Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, host popular established campgrounds such as Spruces and Tanners Flat, which provide access to hiking trails and scenic mountain views. Antelope Island State Park, located on the Great Salt Lake, offers a unique camping experience with opportunities to observe wildlife including bison and antelope against the backdrop of the lake.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the region. Most mountain campgrounds operate from late May through September or early October due to snow conditions at higher elevations. As one camper noted about Antelope Island State Park, "We are partial to winter due to the absolute lack of bugs and stunning contrast of the bison on fresh snow. Our 2nd favorite season is early spring before the bugs come out in full swarm." Watershed protection regulations affect some campgrounds in the canyons, with restrictions on pets and water activities. A visitor to Tanners Flat mentioned, "No dogs are allowed because this campground is in the Salt Lake City watershed." Reservations are essential for weekend camping during summer months, with many popular sites booking months in advance, especially at scenic locations like Albion Basin at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Campers report varying experiences depending on location and season. The mountain campgrounds receive consistently high ratings for their scenic beauty and proximity to outdoor recreation. One visitor to Spruces Campground described it as "a wonderful local campground close to Salt Lake City up Big Cottonwood Canyon." For those seeking convenience, the urban campgrounds provide easy access to city amenities. A KOA visitor noted it has "lots of activities from swimming to basketball to a game room with free games." Insect activity, particularly mosquitoes, can be problematic at some locations during summer months, with one camper at Jordanelle State Park reporting "by far the worst mosquito situation we had." Cell service is generally reliable near the city but becomes spotty in more remote canyon locations.
