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Best Campgrounds near Cottonwood Heights, UT

1,447 Reviews

Camping opportunities surround Cottonwood Heights, Utah with established campgrounds in both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Tanners Flat in Little Cottonwood Canyon provides developed sites for tents and RVs from May through October, while Spruces Campground offers similar accommodations in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The Wasatch Mountains contain several backcountry camping areas like Red Pine Lake and Twin Peaks Wilderness, where primitive tent camping is permitted. Salt Lake City KOA offers full-hookup RV sites year-round for those seeking developed facilities, while dispersed camping can be found in nearby canyons including Neffs Canyon.

Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping access in the Cottonwood Heights region. Most canyon campgrounds operate from late spring through early fall, typically May through October, with higher elevation sites opening later due to snowpack. Winter conditions close most mountain access roads, while summer weekends see high demand requiring advance reservations. Many backcountry areas like Lone Peak Cirque require permits and careful water planning, as one visitor noted, "Be warned to bring a lot of water (at least 3 L each) and a filter if you plan on staying overnight in the cirque. All water is runoff so also make sure there is still snow up there as that is your only water supply."

Developed campgrounds in the canyons provide amenities like flush toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water, though several reviews mention sites filling quickly during summer months. Backcountry camping areas offer more solitude but require significant hiking effort. The proximity to Salt Lake City makes these camping areas particularly popular for weekend trips. A camper at Tanners Flat commented, "Given how close it is to the city, Tanners Flat has always been a little too busy for our family during the full swing of summer." Watershed restrictions prohibit dogs in some canyon areas, particularly Little Cottonwood, and swimming is restricted in certain water sources. Campers particularly value sites near creeks or streams for the natural sound barrier they create from other campsites, with one visitor noting, "Our site was next to the river, which really helped drown out all other sounds!"

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Best Camping Sites Near Cottonwood Heights, Utah (263)

    1. Spruces - Big Cottonwood

    33 Reviews
    Mounthaven, UT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 733-2660

    $29 - $327 / night

    "Bathrooms always close by, no showers. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit. If you’re lucky, you can get a site close to the creek. Nice, cool nights in the summer."

    "Right up Big Cottonwood Canyon, this campground has the advantage of being up the canyon so you feel far away from the city, but close enough that you could go on a work night and still make it to the"

    2. Salt Lake City KOA

    45 Reviews
    Salt Lake City, UT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 328-0224

    $50 - $189 / night

    "I had the wonderful opportunity to stay the night at Salt Lake City KOA!"

    "We wanted to explore Salt Lake City so decided to stay at this downtown KOA. It is a large and crowded RV park but right on a Transit line (UTA light rail Trax) and biking distance to downtown."

    3. Granite Flat (utah)

    38 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 785-3563

    $27 - $355 / night

    "Tucked in very back. Long ways to walk from car. Water spout next to car area. Will be sharing parking with 2 other sites. 2 lakes nearby. Fire pit with grill gate. Shaded area."

    "Utah is such an amazing place to visit for the outdoors. My family and I come here once a year because we love hiking and being in the outdoors."

    4. Tanners Flat

    19 Reviews
    Snowbird, UT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 733-2660

    $29 - $215 / night

    "It was quiet, tucked away from anyone.  Didn't really see anyone for the three days we are there.  Our site was next to the river, which really helped drown out all other sounds! "

    "We had site 11 close to the bathroom and in a flat, sunny clearing surrounded by trees. You could hear the nearby road a bit and see the mountains a little bit."

    5. Little Mill

    21 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 785-3563

    $27 - $227 / 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."

    "The site we stayed at had many trees around to hang hammocks and also eat and picnic in the shade. There are brand new camp fires in all sites."

    6. Redman Campground

    15 Reviews
    Brighton, UT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 733-2660

    $29 - $215 / night

    "This is super close to my favorite mountain bike ride in Northern Utah - The Wasatch Crest Trail. As you can tell in the pictures, this area is very lush and rich with pine trees."

    "The campsites are clean, the bathrooms are exceptionally clean with flushing toilets, you are a walk or hike away from Brighton and immersed in some of the most beautiful mountains around."

    7. Hailstone - Upper Fisher Campground — Jordanelle State Park

    38 Reviews
    Park City, UT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 649-9540

    $35 - $50 / night

    "This isn't the prettiest lake. It is nice and big, but since it is one of the closest to Utah Valley and Salt Lake Valley, it gets a lot of traffic."

    "We stayed at the "McHenry" campground in a spot right next to a creek. The traffic noise was a bit prevalent during the day because it's close to the highway. Great tent pad."

    8. Mountain Shadows RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Draper, UT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 571-4024

    9. Red Pine Lake

    7 Reviews
    Alta, UT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 733-2660

    "Red Pine Lake is located up Little Cottonwood Canyon, on the south side of the road."

    "I knew that there were some nice trails (and views) in the Cottonwood canyons, and since they are close to Park City where I was staying, I thought this would be a good choice."

    10. Willow Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Lehi, UT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (385) 201-1000

    $25 - $175 / night

    "This campground was nestled in the middle of Lehi Utah and it was a great place for us to swing in for one night."

    "We were able to get a spot next to the Jordan River under a beautiful tree. We brought our 16ft camper and didn’t need to back it in or anything."

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Recent Camping Photos near Cottonwood Heights, UT

371 Photos of 263 Cottonwood Heights Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Cottonwood Heights, UT

1447 Reviews of 263 Cottonwood Heights Campgrounds

  • Adam O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2025

    Split Rock Bay Backcountry Campsites — Antelope Island State Park

    Incredible, with some caveats

    Disclaimer, this was my first backpacking trip, and my first solo camping experience.

    The first thing I’ll note is that I could not find a map that showed exactly where on the split rock loop trail the sites were. The maps you get at the gate do not show it. You just have to start hiking and hope you see it. That eventually led to the main issue I had with the campsite, more on that later.

    I have 37lbs on my back, partly because it’s November and I want to make sure I’m warm, and partly because I’m toting in 5.5L of water since there is no water source.

    I begin hiking and eventually I see another backpacker coming the other way. I say “did you camp?” He says no, he was going to stay the night, but there’s a herd of Bison that are currently crossing the trail and he didn’t want to wait. As I’m coming up on the spot he’s talking about, I catch the end of the herd moving south and I’m able to pass them with minimal wait time.

    I continue hiking, up to the split rock bay loop, where conveniently there is a sign that points toward the campground. Yay! By this time I’ve seen a huge herd of Bison (50 or more individuals), a big buck, 20 or so other deer, and with the fog and haziness, some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. Quite incredible.

    I find the tent site #3 (my watch says exactly 4.5 miles from the car) and set up my tent. During this time, I’m hearing some weird grunting sounds in the distance, I pop my head out of the tent and look west toward the lake shore. And there’s the herd of Bison I encountered before who crossed the trail. They went west around elephant rock, and I went east. I beat them by about 20 to 30 minutes. At this time I record a video with my phone and state “hope they aren’t coming over here”.

    I’m filling my sleeping pad with a mini pump and when I’m done I pop my head out of the tent. They had, in fact, started coming over here. They were quite close. In sort of a panic, I grab some essentials, zip up the tent, and head for the rocks on the hills and wait them out.

    Unfortunately I didn’t grab my Garmin or my warm clothes, and it is taking them forever to get past the tent site. The sun starts getting low and I’m getting cold. The Bison sometimes get curious about my tent and approach it, but never do anything. I have my Apple watch and it has an SOS feature, I thought about using it, but eventually they pass and I can get back to set up.

    So, this is where knowing exactly where the campsite was in relation to everything else would have been useful. I would have seen the direction they were going and possibly known that they would be crossing right into the camp area, and I probably would have made some slightly different choices.

    They (the Bison) stopped for the night in split rock canyon, so I could hear them all night while in my tent. It was always difficult to tell if they were getting closer or farther away, so the night was a bit sleepless.

    Also, though the weather says the temperature is 40F, the higher humidity and breeze from the lake can make it feel a lot colder. I did have some chilly moments with a 20F comfort rated bag and a 5.4R value pad. In the morning, condensation was everywhere.

    The next morning had a “dense fog” warning in effect, which made for some more awesome scenery.

    I broke camp and started back to the car at around 8AM. I decided to take a detour out to Elephant Rock to see if I could see the camp site from up there. This added another 3 miles to the track back, so 7.5 miles total. As I’m coming around the corner at the top to the spot where I’d be able to see the sites, I encounter a lone Bison bull just chilling up there on the trail, no other animals in sight. So, I couldn’t actually get to the spot to see over, but the view was amazing and it was fun to see a Bison in a spot it felt like he shouldn’t be able to get to.

    As I turn around, the “dense fog” warning becomes a reality, and it suddenly gets much much colder. Makes for some amazing visuals way up there.

    Overall, it was a very awe inspiring and fun trip, with some interesting bits. I do think they should better mark the spots on the map just so people can plan better, especially if there’s going to be massive herds of Bison cruising through camp at any point.

    tl;dr: pack warmer than you think (if you’re going to go in the later months) and watch out for Bison. Incredible views and wildlife encounters make it all worth it.

  • Tamie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2025

    Great Horned Owl Campground — Deer Creek State Park

    Quiet and secluded

    We took a wrong turn in the campground and ended up in an area with no hookups. But it was quiet and secluded and close to the water. The campsite was fairly level and there were clean restrooms.

  • Tamie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2025

    Strawberry Bay

    Fishing and Hiking

    The campsite was clean, the restrooms nice, and the hosts great. We didn’t have any hookups, but they weren’t needed. Great fishing and hiking opportunities.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2025

    Foothill Clearing with a View

    Nice views

    They have camp rings for fires and also grills! One or 2 was missing the garage to the grill but other than that it was good.

  • J
    Nov. 7, 2025

    Salt Lake City KOA

    Great Campground, Weird Area

    The campground itself was really great, surprisingly nice! It was just surprisingly to see the location of the campground itself, with views of the mountains all around, the campground is located in the city, and kind of a slightly shady area as well. We felt safe once we were on the campground, but the drive in was a little sketchy at best.

  • C
    Nov. 3, 2025

    Heber Ranger Station

    Just a quick stop

    A great place to just spend a night. This is a parking lot of a ranger station ( and because the federal government is shut down, now staff is here) but parking lot is clean and even big enough to turn around our 40’ motorhome and tow vehicle. No hook ups, and road noise is pretty bad.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Miner's Canyon Dispersed

    Beautiful Area, But

    Close to civilization but far enough to get a healthy dose of quiet darkness. The campsites are drive-in and a decent size, far apart from each other, but keep your eyes peeled for deep potholes and broken glass. The few times we’ve stayed here we’ve enjoyed ourselves, but this seems to be a very popular spot; on several occasions we’ve made the 1+ hour drive out here, only to find every single spot taken. It appears that the same campers are out here frequently, and for long periods of time. Would be nice if people would limit their own stays for the consideration of others to enjoy this area as well, instead of treating it like their own personal property.

  • Elise A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Soapstone Basin Dispersed Camping

    Soapstone Basin, Uinta Mountains – A Wild, Beautiful Reminder of Respect for the Land

    We escaped the chaos of a music festival and ran straight into the mountains—landing at Soapstone Basin for one unforgettable night. We didn’t realize a storm was closing in until the clouds surrounded us. You can reach the area without four-wheel drive if roads are dry, but if weather’s coming, trust me—bring it.

    The views are unreal, and the quiet is almost otherworldly. This is hunting land, so you’ll occasionally hear distant gunfire, but safety rules are well respected. We had a storm roll through—trees cracked all night, rain turned to snow, and we woke up under 3–4 inches of it. Freezing, beautiful, and absolutely still.

    There is absolutely no service out here, so plan ahead—know the weather, download maps, and bring a way to communicate in an emergency. We were likely the only tent campers in sight—everyone else had trailers or ATVs—but with experience and good gear, tent camping here is magic. A tree-clearing crew passed through the next morning, another reminder of how well this land is cared for.

    Places like Soapstone are a privilege. They feel sacred, untouched, and peaceful. If you come, honor it—keep it clean, quiet, and respectful. That’s exactly how we found it, and that’s exactly how it should stay.

Guide to Cottonwood Heights

Camping sites near Cottonwood Heights, Utah expand beyond the main canyon campgrounds into surrounding wilderness areas. The region sits at elevations ranging from 4,300 to over 11,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates and camping experiences from spring through fall. Water access varies dramatically between sites, with some locations requiring campers to pack in all water needs while others offer reliable creekside camping options.

What to do

Hiking from camp: At Granite Flat campground, visitors can access multiple recreation areas. "This campsite was near Tibble Fork which is somewhere I have been wanting to go and explore for a long time. We were able to paddle board which was a blast! I loves being so close and having access to so many beautiful hikes and Rick climbing," reports Kaitlin R.

Snowshoeing to winter camps: Winter campers can access certain areas despite seasonal closures. At Spruces campground, "wonderful winter wonder land you can snowshoe into in the winter and camp at! you can also stay here during the summer just be prepared to book a couple months in advance!" notes Shilah M.

Alpine lake fishing: Multiple backcountry lakes hold populations of trout. When camping at Red Pine Lake, visitors need to hike in their gear. "Both lakes were loaded with large trout, but I didn't have a fishing rod, so all I could do was look at them this time. I did see signs of an old campfire and some trout bones so someone had a tasty meal at one point," reports Justin C.

What campers like

Proximity to urban amenities: The location of Salt Lake City KOA offers convenience for those needing supplies. "If you are traveling in an RV and wish to stay parked, there is public transit to city-center and amenities a couple blocks away. I assume it's within most private ride-share service areas as well," writes TMB.

Creekside sites: Water features add natural sound barriers between campsites. At Little Mill campground, one camper noted, "Just returned from an overnight stay at Little Mill with amazing American Fork Creek right beside my sites. The campground is clean, no water, trash or electric and vault toilets."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers frequently report animal sightings. "Very nice campground with water running in multiple places, clean multiple bathrooms and incredible wildlife coming right into your site. In Addison to numerous deer, we had two moose munching away at the willow at the adjacent site," reports Outdoor T. about Redman Campground.

What you should know

Reservation essentials: Many campgrounds fill months in advance. "Be aware of your travel plans and book early because the campground fills fast," notes Andy M. about Spruces campground.

Watershed restrictions: Water source protection affects camping rules. At Redman Campground, "We had planned to camp here but dogs are not allowed. This campground looked like an awesome spot. Location is right off the hwy close to Solitude and trails," explains Natalie B.

Urban noise factors: Campsites closer to Salt Lake City experience more noise. "Be warned, if is NOT quiet - there are multiple trains/sirens/large semis blowing by all night. It was about $75 for a single night, but our original spot fell through and they were able to accommodate us last minute," writes North Idaho N. about Salt Lake City KOA.

Tips for camping with families

Scout-friendly sites: Some campgrounds specifically accommodate youth groups. "I took the scouts up to this spot and it is a great place to camp with lots of room. Make sure you get camped and in because they lock the gate coming into campground at 11PM and you have to hike in. Really nice campsites with really nice bathrooms and picnic tables," reports Brad B. about Granite Flat.

Playground access: Certain campgrounds provide built-in entertainment. At Willow Park, "This is a great place to camp within the city of Lehi. It is close to the water and in the hot summer it is a fun spot for a night get away. Big camp sites for trailers or tents and nice bathrooms," notes Brad B.

School night camping: Local options allow for quick overnight trips. "Right up Big Cottonwood Canyon, this campground has the advantage of being up the canyon so you feel far away from the city, but close enough that you could go on a work night and still make it to the office the next day," writes Jenny W. about Spruces campground.

Tips from RVers

Site levelness: Many canyon campgrounds have variable terrain. "We stayed in HS site 100. Absolutely beautiful view and great access to park city. Showers were clean. Only downside was the dump station near us was pretty awful smells and the site was very unlevel," notes Scott B. about Jordanelle State Park.

High water pressure warnings: Some connections require pressure regulators. At Jordanelle State Park, Trevor S. warns, "Great campsite. Clean and nice amenities for a State Park. Be careful hooking up your RV to water. Very high pressure."

Overnight access considerations: Sites with gates require planning. "I took the scouts up to this spot and it is a great place to camp with lots of room. Make sure you get camped and in because they lock the gate coming into campground at 11PM and you have to hike in," advises Brad B. about Granite Flat campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping in Big Cottonwood Canyon?

Big Cottonwood Canyon offers excellent camping options near Salt Lake City. Spruces - Big Cottonwood is the primary developed campground in the canyon, featuring reservable sites, drinking water, and restroom facilities. It's nestled among spruce trees with easy access to hiking trails and fishing spots. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Redman Campground provides a quieter alternative with similar amenities. Both campgrounds are typically open from late May through September, depending on snow conditions. Sites fill quickly during summer weekends, so reservations are highly recommended. Big Cottonwood Canyon's camping options provide a perfect mountain escape just minutes from the Salt Lake Valley.

Is RV camping available in Cottonwood Canyon Utah?

RV camping options near Cottonwood Canyon are somewhat limited but available. For full hookups and premium amenities, Salt Lake City KOA offers convenient RV sites with easy access to the canyons. Just a bit further, Rock Cliff Area Campground at Jordanelle State Park has been renovated from a tent-only area to an RV campground with full hookups. The campground is clean, fully functional, and relatively new. Some sites in Big Cottonwood Canyon can accommodate smaller RVs, but most aren't suitable for larger rigs due to narrow, winding roads and limited turning space. For big rigs, consider Mountain Shadows RV Park near Draper as a convenient basecamp for exploring the canyons.

Are there camping options in Little Cottonwood Canyon?

Little Cottonwood Canyon offers limited but scenic camping options. For backpacking enthusiasts, Red Pine Lake provides beautiful hike-in camping with stunning alpine views. It's free but requires a moderate 3.5-mile hike to reach. Silver Lake Backcountry also offers primitive camping opportunities for those willing to hike in. Unlike Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood has fewer developed campgrounds due to watershed protection regulations. Dispersed camping is generally prohibited in much of the canyon to protect the watershed. For those seeking amenities, consider nearby options like Lilly Lake Campground in the adjacent Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

What campgrounds in Cottonwood Heights have flush toilets?

Near Cottonwood Heights, several campgrounds offer flush toilets for a more comfortable camping experience. Anderson Cove in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest provides flush toilets and is described as a perfect little oasis tucked away from Salt Lake City with bathrooms conveniently located throughout the campground. For those willing to travel a bit further, Mountain Valley RV Resort in Heber City offers premium facilities with modern restrooms. Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain flush toilets during the main camping season (May-September), though some switch to vault toilets in shoulder seasons or during water restrictions.

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