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About
Payson Lakes
Payson Lakes Campground is a local favorite, located just 12 miles from Payson, Utah. Visitors love the campground for its great fishing and canoeing opportunities, pretty scenery and close proximity to town.
Recreation
Payson Lakes offers great canoeing and kayaking. Anglers enjoy fishing for rainbow and brown trout.
A popular day-use area is located on the shore of Big East Lake, with a small swim beach, picnic tables and flush toilets. A paved nature path begins at the parking area and circles the lake.
Facilities
This large campground contains single and double sites with picnic tables and campfire rings. Three group sites are also available, equipped with picnic and serving tables, grills, dutch oven cooking surfaces, campfire circles, water spigots and cement site pads. Group sites are in an area separate from single sites and the day-use area.
Vault toilets are provided near Group Site A; flush toilets are provided between Group Sites B and C. Vault toilets are provided in the single and double site loops. Campground hosts are on-site and firewood is available for purchase. Roads and parking spurs are paved.
Natural Features
The campground is nestled in a forest of aspen, fir and pine trees at an elevation of 8,000 feet. The Payson Lakes area is made up of McClelland, Box and Big East Lakes. Summer wildflowers are abundant. A variety of wildlife makes its home around the lakes.
Nearby Attractions
The Mount Nebo Wilderness Area is adjacent, brimming with beautiful mountain scenery, pristine waters, abundant wildlife, vibrant summer wildflowers and numerous trail opportunities.
The Nebo Loop Scenic Byway stretches 37 miles through high alpine terrain, dense forests and colorful meadows. Devil's Kitchen Geological Area can be found along the loop. It offers a 1/2-mile round-trip trail to interesting red rock hoodoos.
ADA Access: N
Access
Drive In, Walk In, Boat In
Operator
National Forest
Contact
Location
Payson Lakes
is located in
Utah
Directions
From I-15, take exit 250 toward north Payson/Salem and proceed south on Main Street to 100 North/Highway 198. Travel east to 600 East. Turn south onto 600 east, which becomes the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway/Payson Canyon Road. Travel up the canyon to the campground.
7 Reviews of Payson Lakes
Stayed here at the end of the camp season. It’s a nice campground, but the spots are a little confusing. First, their normal campsites are really small. We’d actually accidentally set up residence in a double spot without knowing it. So that was unexpected, given the spots are kind of pricey already (normally it’s $23/night, but the doubles were $46/night). And although we only had 6 people (limit for a single site is 8), we also had to pay an additional $8 for the extra car. Besides that, it’s nice that they allow pets.
Great campground. Bathrooms and drinking water available. Lots of shade. Easy walk to the lake. Great fishing. Very fun for kids.
This campground is beautiful! The sunrise is spectacular, especially when you wait for it out by the lake! It’s a wonderful place and is family friendly! 10/10, would camp again
This campground is amazing! Don’t miss the sunrise over the tree line on the lake. It was pretty full when we got here(it was a holiday weekend) but we off roaded a little bit and found a beautiful little haven. we brought our dog who herded deer through our campsite twice, the kids loved it. Highly suggest coming here and hike the grotto because it’s a short hike and so close to the campground.
This place is beautiful! it is nice to have a lake to walk to for fishing, playing, or just admiring. each campsite really only has room for 1 or 2 tents. it does havw running water and a hole in the ground bathroom to use. i would be back again, the only real complaint is that it feels too pricey. one night is $23 and an additional vehicle is $8.
This campground was super pretty, but definitely not my favorite. The sites were super close together and there were neighboring dogs barking for most of our stay. I don't think I'll be back…
First to Review
Forested campsites in mountains. A few campsite loops. Can get crowded and noisy. Bears. Fire rings and picnic tables.