Camping in Utah

There are over 7000 campsites that are improved and unlimited primitive camping provides you with a huge variety of camping opportunities. You can choose to camp in the Uintah mountains, near the many lakes, or in any of the high mountain ranges. Or you could camp in the Canyonlands, or the red rock country of southern Utah, near Lake Powell or Flaming Gorge, or near any of the lakes and reservoirs scattered throughout Utah. Or you could choose to camp in an improved campsite in many areas and in any of the National Parks with RV hookups, running water, showers, and flush toilets. Of course you can expect to pay fees for the improved camp sites.

Fees for National Parks such as Zions National Park….there are entrance fees from:

$6.00 to $25.00 per vehicle, plus camping fees which vary in different locations. You can purchase a National Parks Pass for$80, which gives you 50% off entrance fees for a year…go to        www.store.usgs.gov/pass/   where you can purchase them online and find out a lot of additional information. Or you can call 1-888-275-8747 for more information. This pass covers 3 additional persons 16 and older accompanying the pass holder, there are no fees for children 15 and under. Photo ID is required. There is the Golden Age Pass which is for seniors 62 years old and older which costs $10.00 and is good for life, and requires 2 forms of ID to obtain. You must purchase this pass in person because the official issuing the pass must verify your age, ID, and residency as only U.S. citizens are eligible. They can be purchased at the National Forest Service office nearest you.

In the Provo/Orem area there are 4 locations where you can purchase the Golden Age Pass.

Provo 88 W. 100 N.      801-342-5100

Pleasant Grove at 390 N. 100 E.

Spanish Fork at 44 W. 400 N.

Heber at 2460 S. Hiway 40

For National Park campsites, availability and to book online…go to www.reserveamerica.com      go to maps, click on desired state and it takes you to a map where you can choose specific camp grounds.

www.reserveamerica.com/camping/map_of_utah/r/generateBrowseMap.do?topTabindex+campgroundmap  

www.utah.com/nationalsites/fees.htm    a great site for more information.

Some campsites are for day use only, others for a specified time as listed, and still others which are not improved have a camping time limit of 14 consecutive days, and then you must move on to another spot.

You can get additional information from the forest service at: www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/rec-fee.shtml     

Favorite Camping Areas

Below is a list of 15 favorite camping spots which you can check out below:

1.  Boulder Mountain in Dixie National Forest perfect for 4-wheel drive and off road vehicles. It is laced with thousands of miles of dirt roads, lakes and streams. 4 improved campsites are located in Teasdale. The campsite at Lower Bown Reservoir has no culinary water.

2.  Mirror Lake Highway 150 from Kamas to Evanston Wyoming where Mirror Lake and other  small Lakes make for great camping and fishing.

3.  Coral Pink Sand Dunes 22 miles Northwest of Kanab perfect for camping and off-road vehicles, with 22 campsites in the 3000 acre area.

4.  Goblin Valley with its many geological wonders is located 35 miles northwest of Hanksville in the southeastern part of the state with a 21 unit campground with modern facilities.

5.  Jordanelle Reservoir and State Park along the Provo River in Provo Canyon. It offers scenic views, camping, fishing, boating, and wild life viewing. Campsites are off road, carts are available to transport your gear from your car to the camp site, and beavers are busy along the upper river.

6.  Lake Powell/Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Lake Powell near the AZ border is a boating mecca for people who come here from all over the country. Beaches, camping and the facilities are superb. Opportunities for boating, fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, and kayaking. Fishing is superb May to Oct. and the scenery is breathtaking.

7.  Skyline Drive which begins at Highway 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon take the Scofield turnoff and follows the ridgelines south to I-70 in Salina Utah. Road is rough requiring 4-wheel drive in some places. It passes beautiful alpine lakes and forests with incredible views. There are many marvelous primitive camping areas as well as well-developed areas adjacent to lakes and streams.

8.  American Fork Canyon, also called the “Alpine Loop” reminds you of the Swiss Alps. This is very popular and is now a fee area, with many camp grounds avail-able. Wonderful scenery for viewing and photography with waterfalls, glacial snow, wild flowers, and rugged terrain. Timpanogos Cave National Monument is located in this canyon and offers a great hike and tour through the cave. Cascade Springs Scenic Hiway is a 7.5 mile road located off the Alpine Loop with camp-ing and great sightseeing.

9.  Zion National Park located east of St. George. Towering red-rock canyon walls and sculpted monolithic mountains offers spectacular photography. This drive has become so popular that traffic through the canyon is now restricted to tour buses which can handle large numbers of people. Park your car at the visitors center or in Springdale and board the bus. There are 2 campgrounds open all year. South campground is available on a first come, first serve basis. Watchman campground is by reservation only from April 15 through October. Both offer tent and trailer sites, with RV hookups and flush toilets. To camp in the back country you must get a permit and pay the fee at the visitor center. The park also has a lodge and restaurant.

10. Currant Creek Reservoir and Recreation Area 40 miles southeast of Heber offers a campground with 103 units with culinary water and modern restrooms.This area offers great hiking and horseback riding trails, camping and fishing. The Forest Service provides special campground facilities to keep riding stock.

11.  Bear Lake State Park on the border between Utah and Idaho and features one of the deepest lakes in Utah. It offers scuba diving, boating, sailing, water-skiing, and fishing for cut throat trout, mackinaw and white fish. Rendezvous Beach on the south shore features 136 campsites, a group pavilion, disposal station, modern restrooms, and a visitor center. It also offers 6 primitive campsites on the east side of the lake…bring your own drinking water.

12.  Snow Canyon Park is 11 miles northwest of St. George features red and white sandstone cliffs topped with black lava rock, offers great hiking, camping and photography. The 35 unit campground has modern restrooms, hot showers, RV electric hookups, disposal station and a covered pavilion.

13.  Bryce Canyon National Park is an enchanting destination with uncommon beauty. Millions have discovered it so it is very busy in Spring and Summer. Hiking, horseback riding, as well as the scenic drive through the park. Cross country skiing and horseshoeing are very popular in the winter. The 200 campsites do not offer RV hookups and are available on a firs-come, first-serve basis. Bring your own firewood for campfires.

14.  Smith and Morehouse Reservoir are east of Kamas features 34 campsites restrooms, handicapped facilities, and culinary water. It features great fishing, camping and hiking as well as wonderful photos.

15.  Nebo Loop runs from the mouth of Payson Canyon, through Santaquin Canyon and exits out of Nephi canyon. It offers many camping and hiking opportunities and breath taking views and photography.