Campgrounds near West Jordan, Utah range from urban RV parks to more remote sites in the nearby mountains. The Salt Lake City KOA offers year-round camping with full hookups for RVs and tent sites within city limits, while Mountain Shadows RV Park in Draper provides similar amenities about 15 minutes south of West Jordan. For those seeking a more natural setting, Little Cottonwood and Big Cottonwood Canyons host several established campgrounds including Tanners Flat and Spruces, which operate seasonally from May through September or October.
Most developed campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during the summer months when demand peaks. Higher elevation sites in the Cottonwood Canyons may not open until late spring due to snowpack. "Very windy—20-30mph winds nearly everyday. That's why it's popular for hang gliding," noted one camper about Flight Park State Recreation Area, highlighting how local conditions can vary dramatically by location. Roads to canyon campgrounds are paved but can be narrow with steep grades in places. Cell service is generally good near urban areas but becomes spotty in canyons and at higher elevations. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, and many campgrounds in the Wasatch Mountains prohibit pets.
Campers seeking full amenities gravitate toward RV parks like Mountain Shadows, though reviews suggest variable experiences. "Facilities were clean. There were a lot of campers there on a more permanent basis which didn't affect my review. The staff clearly take pride in keeping the park clean for everyone," reported one visitor. Others noted highway noise as a drawback at several urban locations. For those willing to sacrifice amenities for scenery, the canyon campgrounds offer cooler temperatures and mountain views. Dispersed camping options are limited in the immediate West Jordan area due to urban development, but public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service provide primitive camping opportunities within an hour's drive. Water access is limited to reservoirs and mountain streams, as the Great Salt Lake's shoreline is largely undeveloped for recreation.
$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."
$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."
$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"
$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."
$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."
"Convenient location right off the highway with full hook ups and nice paved sites. Dog areas, playground, games, and a pool."
"These sites a so close to each other. We only stop here to stay the night. WiFi is ok-phone hotspot is better.
Staff is great."
$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 lake is right up the road and a great place to swim and fish. There is a sliding rock for kids to climb and play on near the camp grounds. So many bike and walking trails."
"Pulling up we were a bit confused as there were paid sites near the bathroom. It appears that anything beyond that is dispersed."
$20 - $60 / night
"We really enjoyed our one night stay on the beach at the Great Salt Lake State Park. Beach sites are primitive, however, the park also offers 5 RV sites with hook-ups. Free showers. Helpful staff."
"Nice campground next to the great salt lake. Only complaint was sand gets just about everywhere so be prepared."
TravelerThis is one of my favorite places to camp. It’s a beautiful hike in and there are a lot of open spots not on top of each other. You can just hike back out in the AM or there are a lot of options to explore!
ScoutDriving a Ford Bronco Raptor pull a 15ft trailer - made it to the top only to be engulfed in mosquitos! Road very rocky and 4wd needed
TravelerWe decided to go here instead of our planned stop. What a good decision. Pretty campground, nicely landscaped. Had a spot towards the back so no road noise. Easy to visit the Great Salt Lake from there. People in the office really great- helped us figure out where to eat that we could park camper. Told us how to use the light rail which stops right in front of the campground. We were able to use TV and computer games on the wifi, something we had not been able to do at other campgrounds. Next morning we went into Salt Lake City on the light rail, easy, quick, inexpensive. Beautiful downtown area! The only downside was they would not let us park in huge empty parking lot in front when we were worried about getting back for check out. They did say we could stay in our spot for extra time for a small fee. We wound up getting back in time so not needed. Bathrooms clean.
GuideI have loved staying here but I have also had the entire campground essentially to myself which has been a huge factor. The rangers are so nice and helpful with finding nearby hikes. Also was close enough to carry kayaks down and back up from walsburg bay.
TravelerThe spots not bad at all. There’s a couple different entrances with various camping/parking areas throughout. Some dirt roads are rough getting back to a spot. Parking across the street as well. Down side is how messy it is. Trash, glass, furniture. We luckily found a decent spot that we cleaned up and stayed at for a few days.
GuideI wasn’t sure what I expected, but this spot is just okay. There’s lots of Trailers, Vans, and other Car Campers. Some spots are really nice, while others are just piled full of trash. I would drive around a bit and scout out a few spots before deciding on one. Fair warning this place is very dusty and windy, but it does have some pretty views. Not a terrible place to stay, but I wouldn’t recommend more than a night or two. There’s not much to do in the area.
GuideNice location, great views.It gets a little methy down by the lake overall worth a night
GuideGreat view and easy check in at kiosk
ScoutThe app said that overnight camping would be allowed in the parking lot and within a third of the mile, the parking area from the second there's a sign that expressly prohibits this exact thing. Saturday of April through September 9th. This is incorrect. There's a sign that expressly prohibits this exact thing.
Camping sites near West Jordan, Utah range from urban state parks to canyon campgrounds at elevations of 6,400-7,500 feet. The region experiences high temperature variations with summer days reaching 90°F in the valley while mountain camping areas remain 15-20 degrees cooler. Canyon campgrounds typically open May through October, with some sites requiring advance booking up to six months before arrival.
Hiking from camp: At Granite Flat Campground, campers can access multiple hiking trails including the route to Stewart Falls. "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. We were right next to a beautiful river and it was pretty quiet," notes one visitor.
Water activities: Just 15 minutes from the campground, Tibble Fork and Silver Lake Flat reservoirs offer fishing and non-motorized boating. "There are two reservoirs close by in Tibble Fork and Silverlake flat that are both beautiful," mentions a camper who visited in July.
Winter camping: Experienced winter campers can access Spruces Campground during snowy months via snowshoe. "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," advises a winter visitor.
Urban convenience: The Salt Lake City KOA provides campers with urban amenities while remaining close to outdoor recreation. "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," shares one reviewer who appreciated the transportation options.
Canyon camping with water features: Little Mill Campground receives praise for its creek access. "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," reports a camper who enjoyed the riverside location.
Lower density options: For those seeking less crowded alternatives, Willow Park Campground in Lehi offers riverside camping with fewer neighbors during weekdays. "Spent only one night but had the whole Campground to ourselves. Nice big level spot with fire pit and separate upright grill," notes a mid-week visitor.
Road noise impacts: Many campgrounds near West Jordan experience traffic sounds due to canyon acoustics or highway proximity. At Little Mill Campground, one camper reported, "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."
Reservation requirements: Most canyon sites fill months in advance, especially for weekends. "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," warns a Granite Flat visitor.
Altitude considerations: Canyon campgrounds sit at higher elevations, resulting in colder nights even in summer. Pack appropriate gear for temperatures that can drop below 40°F overnight in mountain locations, even during July and August.
Playgrounds and open spaces: Pony Express RV Resort provides family-friendly facilities including a playground and recreational areas. "Really nice RV resort near Interstate. Pull throughs or back in on paved level sites. Nice bathhouses with private shower/toilets. Great play area. Bikes available including kid sized. Paved 80 mile bike trail along Jordan River."
Scout-friendly locations: Several local campgrounds accommodate scout troops with space for activities. At Willow Park Campground, one scout leader reported, "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."
Day trip options: When camping with families, consider base camping at lower elevations and making day trips to higher elevations for activities. This strategy allows easier adjustment to altitude changes while maintaining access to full facilities.
Big rig access: Canyon roads can present challenges for larger RVs. For those with larger rigs, look for sites with pull-through options like Pony Express RV Resort. One RVer noted the benefit of convenient repairs nearby: "There is a plant nearby so it kind of smells. And there's a decent amount of road noise since it's in town. It also backs up to an RV sales and service place which I think is pretty convenient!"
Budget options: For cost-conscious RVers, consider the campground at Great Salt Lake State Park which offers water and electric hookups at more affordable rates than private parks. "Small RV park at state park with marina right on Great Salt Lake," reports one visitor who enjoyed the lakeside location.
Winter access: Most canyon campgrounds close during winter months. For year-round RV camping, urban locations like Salt Lake City KOA remain open with full hookups. "Great spot to plug in at night between ski days," notes a winter visitor who appreciated the amenities during ski season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in West Jordan?
While West Jordan itself has limited camping within city limits, several excellent options exist nearby. Cascade Springs Dispersed Site offers panoramic mountain views including Mt. Timpanogos and is ideal for those seeking a more rugged experience with off-road accessibility. For those preferring established campgrounds, Pine Creek Campground — Wasatch Mountain State Park provides a traditional camping experience with asphalt sites, though some are better suited for smaller rigs. The campground features mature trees providing nice shade, making it a good option for summer camping trips within driving distance of West Jordan.
Are there any campgrounds with water access near West Jordan?
Several campgrounds with water access are available within driving distance of West Jordan. Anderson Cove offers an idyllic beach access experience and is described as a perfect little oasis tucked away from Salt Lake City. The location features readily available bathrooms and stunning scenic drives to reach it. Miner's Canyon Dispersed provides lakeside camping, though visitors should be prepared for possible trash issues at this free site. For those willing to drive a bit further, Bridger Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park offers water access about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City with excellent sunset views over the water.
What overnight camping options are available in West Jordan?
West Jordan and its surrounding areas offer diverse overnight camping options. For RV enthusiasts, Rock Cliff Area Campground — Jordanelle State Park provides full hook-ups in a clean, well-maintained environment. Another excellent RV option is Mountain Valley RV Resort in nearby Heber City, featuring concrete pads and an adult-only section for those seeking quieter surroundings. For budget-conscious campers, Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry offers free dispersed camping, though without amenities (you must carry in all water). This area is particularly well-suited for off-road enthusiasts but be prepared for noise from the nearby shooting range.
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