Camping near West Valley City offers accessible options within 20-30 minutes of urban amenities. Located in Utah's Salt Lake Valley at approximately 4,300 feet elevation, the area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F and cold winters with occasional snowfall. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though amenities may be limited during winter months.
What to do
Fishing at reservoirs: Great Salt Lake State Park Campground provides easy access to shoreline fishing. "We stayed here for a night in August and it was just a magical evening - from watching the buffalo herds in the distance, to taking a dip in the Great Salt Lake, to the vibrant sunset and then a wild lightning storm," reports Angela C.
Bird watching opportunities: Antelope Island at Bridger Bay Campground offers unique wildlife viewing. "We even did the East Island drive and saw Burrowing Owls. The scenery is stunning and it's cool to see the Bison and Pronghorn," notes one camper.
Jordan River Trail access: Willow Park Campground provides direct access to the popular trail system. "This is a nice spot along the Jordan River Parkway. There are nice tables, boat launch for non-motorized water crafts, bathrooms, and playgrounds," states Jeremy H.
What campers like
Quiet urban escape: Salt Lake City KOA offers respite despite city proximity. "Facilities are clean and the staff is nice," notes Kristi R., who has stayed multiple times when visiting family in SLC.
Wildlife encounters: Settlement Canyon/Legion Park Campground provides opportunities to see local wildlife. "We woke up to see cows in the morning which the kids loved. Had some great areas for hiking and is really close to the reservoir for some awesome fishing," shares Carlee G.
Mountain views: Granite Flat offers scenic mountain backdrops. "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," explains Kaitlin R.
What you should know
Noise levels vary significantly: Some urban campsites experience considerable noise. At Salt Lake City KOA, "Be warned, it is NOT quiet - there are multiple trains/sirens/large semis blowing by all night," reports North Idaho N., though they still rated it 5 stars.
Seasonal insect concerns: Antelope Island experiences significant insect activity during warmer months. "But honeslty, it's hard to walk or bike because the bugs are so bad. I don't just mean the odd bite, I mean coated in biting gnats as soon as you go outside your vehicle," warns one camper.
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "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," advises Ash S. about Granite Flat.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly playground areas: Pony Express RV Resort offers dedicated dog facilities. "There are a lot of amenities, clean facilities, and concrete pads. There is a plant nearby so it kind of smells. And there's a decent amount of road noise since it's in town," shares Nicole B.
Non-motorized boating options: Pony Express RV Resort provides access to water recreation. "Easy access to the Jordan River Trail for running, biking, or sunset walks. You'll need to drive to get to restaurants, grocery stores, and ~20 min drive to downtown but overall not a bad spot to camp out for a few days," advises cheriana G.
Space for activities: Millcreek Canyon offers backcountry camping with room to spread out. "Millcreek is a great escape from the city. All the camping is backcountry so you can pick any trail and just make sure that you are 1/2 mile off the road and at least 200 ft from developed areas and water," explains Dan G.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Hookups vary greatly between dog-friendly campgrounds near West Valley City. "RV camping is a must for me and full hookups are available. The price is very reasonable and anything you could ever need is easily accessible in Tooele right outside the gate," notes Donna L. about Settlement Canyon.
Level site considerations: Little Mill offers well-maintained sites. "Beautiful campground with amazing American Fork Creek right beside my sites. The campground is clean, no water, trash or electric and vault toilets," reports Myrna G., though she notes road noise can be an issue.
Overnight stopover convenience: Mountain Shadows RV Park works well for overnight stays despite no fires being allowed. "We are a 40 foot with a tow. We only stayed here over night as we were passing through. Place was clean, friendly staff, spacious sites, ours had nice grass, dog friendly," shares Donna H.
