Spruces - Big Cottonwood, near Salt Lake City, Utah, is a beautiful campground tucked away in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. It’s a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy nature, with plenty of trees providing shade and a lovely stream nearby that adds to the serene atmosphere.

The campground offers a range of sites suitable for tents, RVs, and even glamping options. Visitors have praised the clean facilities, including well-maintained bathrooms and accessible fire pits, making it easy to settle in and enjoy a cozy evening. One camper noted, “The campground was well kept, the bathrooms clean, and the fire pits well maintained.”

For outdoor enthusiasts, there are numerous hiking trails nearby, perfect for exploring the stunning mountain scenery. The area is also known for its wildlife, with sightings of moose and other animals adding to the experience. As one reviewer put it, “So much flowing water. Stream noise masks Highway almost totally,” highlighting the peacefulness of the location.

While some sites can feel a bit close together, the friendly vibe and beautiful surroundings make Spruces - Big Cottonwood a great choice for a camping trip. Whether you’re here for a weekend escape or a longer adventure, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this picturesque setting.

## Overview

 Spruces Campground is located in scenic Big Cottonwood Canyon at an elevation of 7,500 feet. Salt Lake City is conveniently close. Visitors enjoy hiking, biking and fishing.
## Recreation

 Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities on canyon trails, including the Donut Falls Trail, which begins in the nearby Jordan Pines Campground. Fly-fishermen enjoy casting on Big Cottonwood Creek. 
## Natural Features

 The campground is set among a forest of shady spruce and aspen trees. Vivid summer wildflowers are abundant and autumn leaves put on quite a show. 
## Contact Info

 For facility specific information, please call (385) 273-1100. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Big Cottonwood Canyon is a beautiful area known for its soaring peaks, pristine hidden lakes and cascading streams. Numerous hiking and mountain biking trails are in the area. Rock climbing is a popular activity as well. Solitude Mountain Resort is 3 miles up-canyon, offering scenic chairlift rides, hiking, a few dining options and a challenging 18-hole disc golf course. Silver Lake is another mile past Solitude. Fishing and canoeing are popular activities. An easy trail loops around the small lake.
## Charges & Cancellations

 Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under \"Late Cancellations\" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. Recreation.gov Billing Information Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as \"Recreation.gov 877-444-6777.\" Changes to Policies and Procedures Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 2018.

Spruces - Big Cottonwood

Are you in need of a campground near Mounthaven, UT? Mounthaven is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Discover great camping spots near Mounthaven, reviewed by campers like you.

Mounthaven

The Best Camping Near Mounthaven, Utah

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. Fire pits and restrooms are near campsites, but note that the gate closes late at night so expect to walk from the road if you show up too late. More of a loud, lively site than a quiet spot in the wilderness. A fun place for camping and making s'mores with friends.

Great camping spot close to SLC

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.  I love that you can go from the busy city to this amazing site in about 30 minutes. I have almost always seen moose and deer in the camp ground and the kids love to catch fish in the stream. There are some great hikes not far from camp, Doughnut falls is very close and you are just a short drive from Silver Lake.
I would highly recommend this site to anyone.

A great escape close to home

Loved it, wish I had time to stay longer!

Fun location, organized, very convenient spot !

Organized

We live in the Valley but need a getaway for a weekend and this was perfect. Not only was it less than 20 min from our house we felt as if we were lost in the wilderness. We went on many different hikes right from the campground and a few others not far away. We saw moose, went fishing, and even stopped for icecream at stone hass in the solitude village right up the street. Good clean restrooms, friendly rangers, and most sites are pretty private. Be aware of your travel plans and book early because the campground fills fast.

Great for visiting or staycation

We lived camping here, the downside is Big Cortonwood Canyon is a watershed, so even if you pay the fee and take the class to be able to have dogs in the canyon, they ARE NOT allowed in the campground. There were a lot of thistles and some stinging nettle in the individual campsites, which surprised me, with all the kids that are up there. There is a path to get to Donut Falls, which was not a kid friendly hike to get to the top of the waterfall (in my opinion).

Beautiful Campsite

These camp grounds have reserved sites and walk in sites. No RV hookups, but drinking water and flushing toilets. Lots of hikes you can do, with an easy family friendly one a quarter of a mile down the road. (Donut falls) it's really beautiful and serene here. There's enough space between camp sites that your neighbors aren't a bother.

A great camping spot within 30 minutes from salt lake!

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!

snowshoe in in the winter!

This is one of the most beautiful places we have camped.

Beautiful trees

This campground is gorgeous! for $26 a night, you cannot beat it. There are nice flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, large areas for putting up tents, etc. There is an entire loop of the campground dedicated to trailers and RVs. It is deep in Big Cottonwood Canyon in a very forested area with a beautiful little creek running right through the center of the campground. We saw a moose hanging out in the meadow nearby, and there are all sorts of smaller wildlife abounding. The campground hosts were friendly, everything is clean, and there are lots of friendly campers to let the kids run around with. I would go back here any day.

Gorgeous

We came up here during memorial day weekend.  it has walk-in sites and reserve sites.  If you want to get a walk in  the weekend, I suggest coming on Thursday.  flush toilets and drinking water.  if you come really in the year there is plenty of free firewood from cleaning up the campground.

Amazing

I love the scenery. You can get to donut falls from the camp ground which is awesome. Sites are mostly private. Some more so than others. Drive the loop. It’s breathtaking especially in the fall. My only complaint is there are no dogs allowed and a few sites not enough shade trees over the site. Overall great camp ground. 

Beautiful

I just recently stayed at the Spruces. Loved it. Very peaceful. I stayed in campground #47. Right near the end of the loop before it's goes into the peaceful forest section. Great one. Right by water but gets a heck of a lot of sun in the morning.  Enjoyed my stay. 

Peaceful 

I love this place!  Reservation and First Come / First serve camp sites.  Moose frequent the campground.  Flushing toilets, garbage collection, water spigots.  A short hike to donut hole falls.

This canyon provides drinking water to the valley, so dogs are not allowed even in your cars.  

Quiet Getaway

This is a great campsite that is not a long drive from home.  We have come here several times.  Because it is a short drive for a lot of people, you tend to have to make a reservation or get there earlier in the week to find a spot.  They also have some pretty good group sites that take reservations.  

  

The canyon doesn't allow dogs because it is a protected watershed.  There are a couple of great hikes nearby including silver lake that has a boardwalk that you can walk around.  On the north side of that like is a trailhead that takes you up above the lake to Twin Lakes reservoir.  It is a steeper climb, but really pretty.

Great campsite close to home

Nice campground with plenty of group and individual sites. They have single, double, and group campgrounds. I camped in a tent spot (48) and had a ton of privacy.

No first come first sites, however, 4 days before all sites become fcfs if not taken. 

Nice flush toilet bathroom. Gates close at 10 pm

Great campground, but pricey

Second time staying - we ended up closer to the road this time so double check the map to avoid road noise (#93). 

Staff are super friendly and helpful



Nice tent camping

Loved this campground. 
No showers.
Flush toilets with sinks.
Rivers and amazing areas for hiking right there.
Hosts were fantastic and so nice and chatty.
Little food truck and restaurant like a mile up the road - we got the best milkshakes ever and was definitely a highlight.


Too cute 

I had heard amazing things about Spruces for years.  I was required to take a week off work, so I booked a site here.  And I was not sorry at all.  This was late June.  It rained and snowed for the first couple of days, but that didn't bother us.  It is absolutely incredible here.  The campground is gorgeous!  We had some really irritating people next to us that came later in the week.  But that can't be helped.  Plenty of hiking trails, and just walking the road around the campground was our favorite!

An absolute favorite

We have stayed at The Spruces several times and have always enjoyed the peacefulness and wildlife!  Especially the moose! The camp sites are large and spaced well. Restrooms are flush toilets, water is available  but no electric or dump station.

Where the moose roam

Very Large Grassy Field. Great group site. Very clean bathrooms. Highly recommend! Beautiful site.

Great group camping sites with nice bathrooms

I’ve been to a couple campground over the years, but this one is impressive. Perfect for tent camping and even tho your near kther people you feel hidden. 10/10

Best campsite ever 

Not sure why this doesn’t tell you that you can’t bring your dogs. Seems like an important piece of information 

No dogs allowed

A wonderful local campground close to Salt Lake City up big Cottonwood Canyon. Best for self contained camping. Clean flush toilets with good showers.

Close and yet far away

Beautiful area and lots of first come first serve spots. Here late in the season so it was chilly but it is in the mountains! Winding road to get here from Park City but appears to be a shorter straight shot into Salt Lake City. Picnic tables and fire rings at each site right next to the parking site which works out well for a rooftop tent. 

Beautiful location

Spruces is a beautiful campground with a ton of trees.  It is clean, well taken care of, and I highly recommend.  My one concern this year wasn't anything to do with them, but the forest service.  They came and chopped down trees right above our camp for the entire week.  We had to leave the campsite until after 2 each day because it was so loud.  The camp hosts aren't notified when they are coming ever.  So nothing wrong with them, just something to be prepared for.  It is within distance of many hikes, make sure to take advantage!

A beautiful respite

Plenty of nice sites, some pull through sites as well as double sites and group sites. 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. 

Beautiful campground

Almost every site would work for our camper van. So much flowing water.  Stream noise masks Highway almost totally.

Paradise by the Creek

We camped at site 40. Not the most ide spot with only one place to put a six-person tent (and it was on a slope). That site is close to road, so you hear some traffic. Plus, this site is next to a site where an RV burned down. RV is still there, but it's clear they're in the process of cleaning it up.

All this aside, the camp is beautiful and well maintained. Staff was friendly. Clean bathrooms. 

Beautiful spot

I attended an outdoor conference at this campground. We set up our tents in some of the group sites and used other areas for the learning opportunities. The campground was well kept, the bathrooms clean, and the fire pits well maintained. Highly recommend!

Beautiful campground 

I’ve camped here twice. Both were quite pleasant with clean bathrooms, large sites and friendly neighbors. It’s pretty close to park city so that’s pretty fun as well. Temperature in July was 98, but there’s lots of shade. 

Huge campground. Usually has vacancies 

We wound up at site 032. It’s small - too small for me to set up our suv tent so we spent a very squished night in the car. Neighbors we VERY close. Definitely road noise during the day. Other then that it was beautiful. Right by a stream, good hammock trees.

Photos of Spruces - Big Cottonwood

Real photos from real campers