Updated September 15, 2022
Salt Lake City sometimes flies under the radar compared to other western cities like Denver and Seattle. But with a metropolitan population of over 1 million, an esteemed college, and lively nightlife, it is far from a dull city. Not to mention, the surrounding area is abundant with outdoor activities. The city is located in the Wasatch Mountains, so skiing, hiking, biking and camping spots are all around. In this article, we’re going to explore 13 places to go camping near Salt Lake City.
Headed to Salt Lake City? Here are some other outdoor adventures you might enjoy:
- 19 Jaw-Dropping Hikes In & Near Salt Lake City to Do Before You Die
- 12 Thrilling Places to Go Snowboarding and Skiing Near Salt Lake City
Best Places to Go Camping Near Salt Lake City
Sun Outdoors Salt Lake City
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 7 miles (about 10 minutes from downtown)
- Types of campsites: RV and chalets
- Open dates: Year round
- Reservation and costs: Reservations required; ~52/night for RV spot, ~157/night for 2 bedroom chalet
This first option is centrally located and very close to downtown. Highway 80 goes right through Salt Lake City, so it would be a perfect place to stop for a couple nights on a cross country trip. It’s an accommodating site that is good for the whole family.
They offer pull through RV sites with 20, 30 and 50 amp hookups. On site there are also bike rentals, a pool, games and a general store, and amenities include wifi, showers, a dog park and much more.
Affleck Park Campground
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 17 miles (about 30 minutes)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RVs <15 feet
- Open dates: May 1st-October 31st
- Reservations and costs: Reservations required; prices vary from $15/day for individual sites to $200/day for group sites up to 90 people
Another awesome spot to go camping near Salt Lake City is Affleck Park, which is located up the East Canyon. It’s not far from town, but you’ll still be fully immersed in nature. It’s one of the less crowded options if you want to avoid the crowds. The area is filled with hiking and biking trails, and you can drive just a few miles up the road to check out the scenic views at Big Mountain Pass.
While it is a more serene location, it doesn’t offer luxury amenities. There are no pets allowed because it is on a watershed area, no potable water and you must bring your own firewood. However, there are toilets, fire pits and picnic tables at this campground.
Spruces Campground
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 27 miles (about 30 minutes)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RV, glamping
- Open dates: June 10th-September 24th
- Reservations and costs: Reservations required; prices vary from $28/night for individual sites to $180/night for group camping sites
The next site on the list is going to be found up Big Cottonwood Canyon at an elevation of 7,500 feet. It is located just below the popular ski resorts of Solitude and Brighton. Spruces is another secluded site with beautiful scenery, but it is a little bigger than Affleck Park in terms of number of campsites and people. A quick Google search will bring up tons of hiking and biking trails like Donut Falls Trail and Butler Fork Trail. There’s also some great fishing on the Big Cottonwood Creek and Silver Lake.
It’s a perfect area if you want to be secluded in nature, but not too far off the beaten path. Amenities include potable water, toilets, fire pits and even a horseshoe pout and volleyball court.
Redman Campground
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 30 miles (about 40 minutes)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RV
- Open dates: June 17th-September 4th
- Reservations and costs: Reservations required; prices vary from $28/night for individual sites to $203/night for group camping up to 50 people
If you keep going up Big Cottonwood Canyon towards Brighton, you will come across our next campground. Redman has a slightly higher elevation than Spruces at 8,300 feet, and it is right in between Solitude and Brighton. Here you can enjoy many of the same trails, creeks and lakes, and Redman is known for being a hotspot for wildlife spotting. You can also check out Solitude during the off season for a scenic chairlift ride up the mountain.
Redman has some solid amenities including toilets, potable water, fire pits and firewood available on site. During the summer season, you’ll find even more facilities and activities at the surrounding ski resorts.
Tanner’s Flat Campground
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 25 miles (about 30 minutes)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RV, cabins, glamping
- Open dates: May 27th-September 24th
- Reservations and costs: Reservations required; prices vary from $28/night for individual sites to $203/night for group camping up to 50 people
Just a little further south, you’ll find Little Cottonwood Canyon, which is a popular area for hiking, biking, rock climbing and fishing. The Canyon goes up to the ski resorts of Alta and Snowbird, and Tanner’s Flat campground. Tanner’s Flat is another high-altitude campground at 7,200 feet, and amenities include potable water, toilets, fire pits and available firewood.
If you are camping here, be sure to check out Red Pine Trailhead, Gloria Falls, Cecret Lake Trail, and Lisa Falls for some beautiful scenery. We also recommend Little Cottonwood Creek if you’re into fishing. Another great way to spend your day is going to the two ski resorts and checking out what kinds of summer activities they have going on.
Albion Basin Campground
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 32 miles (about 50 minutes)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RV
- Open dates: July 15th-September 5th
- Reservation and costs: Reservations required; $28/night for single, $56/night for double, $80/night for triple site
Located just a bit further up Little Cottonwood Canyon, adjacent to the Alta Ski Resort, is another stunning place to go camping near Salt Lake City. It’s another area that’s known for its spectacular views and wildlife sightings with access to some great hiking, biking and fishing. Also, check out the Wasatch Wildlife Festival in late July or early August to see the basin fill up with blooming wildflowers.
At 9,500 feet, it sits even higher than the other campgrounds on our list. It gets cold in the mountains when the sun goes down, so remember to pack appropriately! Amenities include potable water, toilets and fire pits.
Salamander Flat Campground
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 42 miles (about an hour)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RV
- Open dates: ~May-September
- Reservations and costs: First come first serve, free
If you want a bit more of a ‘roughing it’ camping experience, Salamander Flats is a great spot. It’s a dispersed campground with little to no amenities, and is located off of highway 92. It’s surrounded by trails and other campgrounds, and is connected to the Timpooneke Trail and the Pine Hollow Trail.
While it is free and first come first serve, there is sometimes heavy foot traffic between the trails and campgrounds. As Salamander Flats is right off the trail, it can get a bit hectic. However, it is still a beautiful area with great outdoor accessibility, and it would make for a perfect spot if you’re passing through and need a place to sleep.
Timpooneke Campground
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 47 miles (about an hour)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RV, glamping
- Open dates: June 10th-October 15th
- Reservations and costs: Reservations required; prices vary; $26/night for singles, $52/night for doubles, $99/night for glamping, $133/night for group camping up to 40 people
Just down the road from Salamander Flats is another dispersed campsite called Timpooneke. It’s off the Alpine Loop Scenic Hyway and has an altitude of 7,400 feet. The Alpine Loop is a 20 mile paved road that you can drive, and it offers some of the best views of the Wasatch Mountains.
Hiking is the most popular activity here, and there are also a couple equestrian friendly campsites. In addition to the Timpooneke Trail and Pine Hollow Trail, there’s Mt. Timpanogos, Timpanogos Falls, Emerald Lake, Robert’s Horn, Scout Falls and more. Amenities include drinking water, toilets, tables and fire pits.
Pine Creek Campground Cottonwood Loop
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 52 miles (about an hour)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RV
- Open dates: Year round
- Reservations and costs: Reservations required; $40/night for electric hookup, $35/night for regular
Pine Creek is located on the Cottonwood Loop, and it can be accessed from Little Cottonwood or Big Cottonwood Canyon. To avoid confusion, take note that there is also a Pine Creek Campground Mahogany Loop and Pine Creek Oak Hollow Loop. Popular activities include fishing on Pine Creek and Snake Creek, the Pine Canyon Bike Park, hiking trails. There are even museums and a golf course nearby if you want to mix it up.
The Wasatch Valley is also known as a great wildlife sighting area. The campground sits on Wasatch Mountain State Park, and it’s near a few other campsites. Amenities include potable water, toilets, electric hookups and available firewood.
Little Deer Creek Campground
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 62 miles (about an hour and a half)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RV
- Open dates: May 20th-October
- Reservations and costs: Reservations required; $20/night for standard-partial hookup, $60/night for group standard
This site is also located in Wasatch Mountain State Park, but it is a bit more remote than the previous sites. The dirt access road is manageable, but it can be rough in the spring when snow melts into the creeks. While it is a little isolated, the sites do provide you with toilets, potable water and water hookups for vehicles. If you’re looking for a somewhat secluded place to go camping near Salt Lake City, Little Deer is a great option.
As for activities, if you’re a four-wheel enthusiast, Little Deer is abundant with off road trails that you can explore. There are also nearby hiking/biking trails, and water sports at the Deer Creek Reservoir. For some some great views of the Wasatch Mountains, head to the Deer Creek Overlook.
Granite Flat Campground
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 41 miles (about 50 minutes)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RV
- Open dates: June 10th-October 15th
- Reservations and costs: Reservations required; $24/night for singles, $48/night for doubles, $255/night group site 100 people, $290/night group site 125 people
Located a little west of Wasatch State Park, you’ll find Granite Flat on Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest land. The campground is nestled up the American Fork Canyon in dense aspen and douglas fir trees, and it’s less than a mile from Tibble Reservoir. There’s no motorized boatcraft on the reservoir, but it’s a great fishing spot for brown trout and brook trout.
Other nearby attractions include Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Timpanogos and Lone Peak Wilderness, and the American Fork River. This site is popular, so make sure to book reservations in advance. Amenities include toilets, potable water, electric hookups and fires.
Aspen Grove Campground
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 84 miles (about an hour and a half)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RV, glamping
- Open dates: May 13th-October 16th
- Reservations and costs: 1st come 1st serve May 13th-May 19th; peak season reservations required from May 20th-September 4th; 1st come 1st serve end of season September 5th-October 16th; prices vary see here for full list
Aspen Grove is located further southeast on Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest land on the banks of the Strawberry Reservoir. The reservoir is perfect for boating, fishing and other water sports. The Strawberry Narrows Trail is right off the reservoir, and it offers 12 miles of hiking and biking trails with great views.
The campground is centrally located, and everything you need is easily accessible. There is a general store, a boat ramp, boat rentals and a fish cleaning station Campground amenities include potable water, toilets, available firewood and water and sewer hookups for vehicles.
Washington Lake Campground
- Distance from Salt Lake City: 70 miles (about an hour and a half)
- Types of campsites: Tent, RV
- Open dates: April-October
- Reservations and costs: Reservations required; $23/day for singles, $46/day for doubles, $130/day for groups up to 50 people, $190/day for groups up to 100 people
Washington Lake is the most remote site on the list, located just off Washington Lake at an elevation of 10,000 feet. It’s a beautiful area, and the lake here is home to brook, tiger and albino trout, some of the most rare species of trout in the world. There’s tons of hiking, biking and horseback trails to explore, as well as four wheel drive accessible roads to take in some scenic views.
The roads are occasionally closed in the high mountains, so make sure you check for closures before you leave. While it is a remote location, they do have toilets, potable water, electric hookups, firewood available and water hookups for vehicles.
