Camping sites near West Bountiful, Utah range in elevation from around 4,200 feet at valley locations to over 6,000 feet in the nearby Wasatch Mountains. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot, dry summers and cold winters with significant snowfall at higher elevations. Many campgrounds operate year-round, particularly those at lower elevations like Echo Island RV Resort, while mountain sites typically close from late September through May due to snow conditions.
What to do
Water recreation access: 30 minutes or less: Echo Island RV Resort provides multiple water activities with its location along two small rivers. A visitor mentioned, "Beautiful setting on two small rivers with shade. Full hookups, spacious sites. Nice pool and hot tub." The resort offers kayak rentals for river floating.
Fishing opportunities for various skill levels: Anderson Cove Campground at Pineview Reservoir offers lakefront sites with easy fishing access. A camper noted, "This was a really nice place for only being 40 mins from the city. Good beach front not a far walk from our campsite. Lots of trees to hang your hammocks up on."
Mountain biking on established trails: Redman Campground provides access to numerous mountain biking trails within Big Cottonwood Canyon. One reviewer shared, "We camped there with tents and a Sprinter and it was perfect. Plenty of trees to string up your hammocks. Plenty of sites that are right up against the river."
Wildlife viewing throughout the seasons: The mountain campgrounds offer excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. At Redman Campground, a visitor reported, "Very nice campground with water running in multiple places, clean multiple bathrooms and incredible wildlife coming right into your site. In addition to numerous deer, we had two moose munching away at the willow at the adjacent site."
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Pony Express RV Resort receives consistent praise for its upkeep. A camper observed, "The facility is spotless! Seriously, the staff keep the entire grounds in great condition. There are dozens and dozens of spots that fit just about any size RV or 5th wheel."
Access to water recreation: White Rock Bay Campground on Antelope Island offers unique water opportunities. A visitor commented, "The campgrounds were very open with not many trees but a great view of the lake. We saw fox that came right up to our tent and lots of bison close by. Quiet place."
Unique accommodation options: Spruces Campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon offers both standard and group sites. A camper noted, "I have camped at the Spruces campground just about every year for the last few decades. They have a few large group sites which I have used for large family events and small sites when I just want to go up with my own family."
Proximity to hiking trails: Many campgrounds offer direct access to hiking trails. At Tanners Flat, a reviewer shared, "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. September/early October gives cooler temperatures and less crowds, and we got to see some lovely fall colors."
What you should know
Weather considerations vary by season: Mountain campgrounds have shorter seasons than valley locations. At Granite Flat Campground, a visitor advised, "The elevation is about 6400 ft- so no spring camping. Book EARLY! This campsite is always full."
Bug activity can be intense in some locations: White Rock Bay on Antelope Island has seasonal insect challenges. One camper warned, "The landscape is beautiful but I cannot stress to you enough the amount of biting gnats there were. It was unbearable for us and bug spray didn't deter them one bit."
Reservation requirements vary widely: The most popular sites book months in advance. A Spruces Campground visitor noted, "Be aware of your travel plans and book early because the campground fills fast."
Pet restrictions at watershed campgrounds: Several mountain campgrounds prohibit pets. One visitor to Redman noted, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: East Canyon State Park offers family-friendly facilities. A visitor shared, "We went during the summer and had a great time. The views were perfect and the lake is active with choice of water fun rentals. The site is standard with a small lawn area and a pavilion."
Consider off-peak timing for popular sites: Many campgrounds are less crowded in spring and fall. For Tanners Flat, a camper advised, "September/early October gives cooler temperatures and less crowds, and we got to see some lovely fall colors."
Look for campgrounds with adequate shade: Summer temperatures can reach 90°F+ in valley locations. At Echo Island RV Resort, a visitor noted, "Beautiful setting on two small rivers with shade. Full hookups, spacious sites. Nice pool and hot tub. Clear view to south for satellite TV."
Select campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Some locations offer specific amenities for children. A visitor to Pony Express RV Resort mentioned, "There are several different amenities including a pool, playground for the kids, life-size chessboard, and a mini-breed dog park!"
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions before booking: Many mountain campgrounds have limitations. About Redman Campground, a visitor cautioned, "This campground is quiet and has abundant wildlife. It's better for small campers or tent campers as the driveways were not designed for big rigs."
Consider full-hookup options for extended stays: Hill AFB FamCamp offers complete services for longer visits. A camper noted, "Cheap $25 a night full hook ups was definitely worth the stay. There's a nice few of the mountains and seeing/hearing the F-35 rip through the sky was awesome!"
Look for pull-through availability: Some campgrounds offer easier access for larger rigs. At Echo Island RV Resort, a visitor mentioned, "Good park design for the back up sites to get a large trailer situated no problem. Seems like a large and very nice pool, although I did not use those facilities."
Consider gate closure times: Some campgrounds restrict late entry. A visitor to Granite Flat warned, "Make sure you get camped and in because they lock the gate coming into campground at 11PM and you have to hike in."
