Thanks to its prime position on the Wasatch Front, an unforgettable outdoor camping trip is never far from home in Salt Lake City.
Whether you’re looking for a mountain escape, desert adventure, or weekend on the water, Salt Lake City has you covered. With hundreds of camping areas readily available less than an hour from the city, your outdoor camping alternatives are nearly endless along the Wasatch Front.
Websites like Recreation.gov and The Dyrt make it easier than ever to discover and book campgrounds in Utah, though their enormous databases can be a little frustrating if you’re unfamiliar with the area. They’re both worth browsing when you’re wanting to switch things up and pitch your tent someplace brand-new.
To help you find the perfect camping area for your next outdoor experience, we have actually created a list of the best campgrounds near Salt Lake City. Most of these campgrounds need a cost for over night stays, but we’ve consisted of a couple of free outdoor camping alternatives for extended journeys and backcountry explorers.
Related Read: 12 Incredible Excursion From Salt Lake City
Campgrounds Near Salt Lake City
Spruces Big Cottonwood Camping Area
Why you should camp here: Sleep underneath the pines in attractive Huge Cottonwood Canyon, part of the sprawling Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National park.
- Reservations accepted: Yes
- Best seasons: Summertime, fall
- Camping area type: Camping tent, RV, car outdoor camping
- Recreational vehicle hookups: No
The Spruces Camping site is a strong contender for the most popular National Forest camping area near Salt Lake City. Easily located just a couple of minutes from the city in picturesque Huge Cottonwood Canyon, Spruces is the ideal basecamp for treking, mountain biking, and fishing, offering sufficient shade under the spruce and aspen forest.
RVs are permitted at the Spruces Camping site, but the absence of hookups suggests it’s far more popular for tents and vehicle camping. The camping area features flush toilets and drinking water, and all of the websites have picnic tables, campfire rings, and charcoal grills.
For entertainment, the Spruces Campground uses a baseball field, volleyball court, and horseshoe rings. The camping area is connected to a network of treking trails, and you’ll discover world-class fly fishing at Huge Cottonwood Creek.
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Associated read: 10 Finest Utah Lake Camping Destinations for a Weekend on the Water
Redman Campground
Why you ought to camp here: A smaller sized, high-elevation alternative to the Spruces Camping Area in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
- Bookings accepted: Yes
- Finest seasons: Summer season, fall
- Camping area type: Camping tent, RECREATIONAL VEHICLE, vehicle outdoor camping
- Recreational vehicle hookups: No
Continue past the Spruces Campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon and you’ll find the Redman Camping area surrounding to the Privacy Ski Resort. The landscape is mainly the same, though you’ll delight in bigger views at a higher elevation of 8,300 feet. It’s also much smaller sized than Spruces, so you’ll delight in a little more solitude around the camping area.
The Redman Camping area supplies flush toilets and drinking water, and campsites are equipped with campfire rings and picnic tables. Recreational vehicles are allowed, but there aren’t any connections for electrical, water, or sewage.
Like the Spruces Camping Site, Redman is surrounded by scenic treking routes, exciting mountain cycling courses, and fly fishing along Huge Cottonwood Creek. There are a variety of alpine lakes on the surrounding slopes, consisting of the stunning Silver Lake.
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Associated read: 10 Adventurous Campervan Rentals in Salt Lake City, Utah
Antelope Island State Park
- Why you need to camp here: An attractive island
with a fascinating wildlife population. Appointments accepted: Yes Finest seasons: Spring, Summertime, Fall Camping area type: Tent, RV, vehicle camping, hike-in RV connections: No Antelope Island State Park is a small island included by the Great Salt Lake. Available by vehicle via a narrow causeway, the island is a popular destination for treking, mountain biking, horseback riding, outdoor camping, and wildlife watching. The buffalo are the most popular citizens, though you’ll likewise discover the fastest animals in The United States and Canada– the pronghorn antelope.
There are four campgrounds at Antelope State Park: Bridger Bay, White Rock, Lakeside, and Ladyfinger. The very first three allow tents and RVs, while the latter is a hike-in campground that has to do with 230 feet from the car park. You can make reservations a minimum of 2 days in advance, otherwise camping sites are readily available very first come, initially served.
While Recreational vehicles are permitted at three of the 4 campgrounds, you won’t discover any connections at the camping sites. There’s no water or electricity, though you can get safe and clean water from the Visitor Center, Bridger Bay Beach, and the Dump Station. All 4 campgrounds have pit toilets, and you’ll discover flush toilets at Bridger Bay Beach.
Fires are allowed in designated fire pits, though you’ll need to be mindful of seasonal fire limitations. If you bring your pooch along for the adventure, she’ll require to stay on a leash and avoid the industrialized beaches.
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Tanners Flat Campground
Why you must camp here: Go to Little Cottonwood Canyon in the fall to see a surge of autumn color from the aspen, oak, and maple forest.
- Bookings accepted: Yes
- Best seasons: Summer, fall
- Camping type: Camping tent, RECREATIONAL VEHICLE, automobile camping
- RV connections: No
The Tanners Flat Camping area is easily located just six miles from Sandy in Little Cottonwood Canyon. You’ll feel the busy city rapidly dissolve when you get in the canyon, where you’ll discover a peaceful forest of pine, maple, oak, and aspen. The wildflowers are splendid over summertime, but fall takes the cake thanks to the canyon’s variety of foliage.
Like the Spruces Camping Site, Tanners Flat is a perfect basecamp for treking, mountain biking, and fly fishing. The campground supplies flush toilets, drinking water, picnic benches, campfire rings, and charcoal grills. There’s a volley ball court, too, though you’ll need to bring your own internet and volley ball.
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East Canyon State Park
Why you must camp here: A beautiful reservoir with historical roots in Utah’s pioneer heritage.
- Bookings accepted: Yes
- Best seasons: Year-round
- Campgrounds: Camping Tents, Recreational vehicles, car outdoor camping
- RV hookups: Complete
East Canyon State Park is 12 miles south of the town of Morgan, which is about 45 minutes northeast of Salt Lake City. Focused around East Canyon Reservoir, the state park is a popular location for boating, fishing, swimming, treking, and mountain biking.
There are a range of outdoor camping alternatives to select from at East Canyon State Park. The Dixie Creek Camping area uses complete connections for RVs, while the Big Rock Campground is booked for camping tents. The park likewise has yurts, cabins, and group hammock outdoor camping sites available for rent. The latter is especially fun, featuring large metal structures that enable you to hang up to eight hammocks in a circle.
If you can’t convince your next-door neighbor to let you obtain their jet skis for the weekend, Club Rec has you covered. The on-site rental business has an arsenal of boats, wave runners, fishing boats, pontoons, and more that are always at your disposal.
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Albion Basin Camping Site
in an alpine basin. Reservations accepted: Yes Best seasons: Summer season Camping area type: Camping tent, RV, car camping Recreational vehicle connections: No Another gem situated in Little Cottonwood Canyon, the Albion Basin Camping area is nestled in an alpine basin at an elevation of 9,500 feet. There’s lots of shade under the white pine and aspen forest, and the area is renowned for its brilliant display of wildflowers. You’ll most likely see some moose and deer while you’re here, and if you look carefully at Devils Castle nearby you may spot some mountain goats.
The Albion Basin Camping site is relatively little, so you’ll delight in far more privacy than more-crowded camping sites like Spruces and Tanners Flat. Camping areas include picnic tables and fire rings, and there are a couple of vault toilets for when nature calls.
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Willard Bay State Park
Why you must camp here: An expansive freshwater bay that beckons to regional kayakers, paddle boarders, and boaters.
- Reservations accepted: Yes
- Best seasons: Spring, summertime, fall
- Camping area type: Camping tent, RV, car camping, primitive
- RV connections: Full
Willard Bay is a big freshwater tank embeded in the floodplains of the Great Salt Lake, located about 12 miles northwest of Ogden. The extensive lake boasts 20 miles of coastline, with 2 marinas where you can launch your boat and take in the views under shaded picnic locations.
With almost 10,000 acres of fresh water, there’s sufficient space for boats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddle boards at Willard Bay. It’s likewise a popular year-round fishing destination with walleye, crappie, catfish, and wiper.
There are four established camping areas at Willard Bay State Park. Cottonwood Camping Site, Willow Creek Camping Site, and the South Marina Campground function complete recreational vehicle hookups and camping tent campsites, while the South Marina Primitive campground is scheduled for camping tents.
The state park supplies modern bathrooms, hot showers, drinking water, concessions, and covered picnic locations near the lake, so there’s no need to rough it here. Campers can rent cabins and glamping trailers, and boaters are totally free to camp on the water as long as they’re away from the coast and keep their anchor light on.
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Abundant Peak Camping Site
Why you should camp here: Enjoy stellar views of the Salt Lake Valley and Wasatch Back as you explore the network of tracks on foot, bike, or OHV.
- Reservations accepted: Yes
- Best seasons: Summer, fall
- Camping area type: Tent, RV, car outdoor camping
- RV connections: No
The Bountiful Peak Camping area sits in an alpine basin high in the Wasatch Range, shaded by a mixed forest of aspen and conifer trees. It’s less than 10 miles from Farmington, making it a prime camping area for folks living at the north end of the Salt Lake area.
Like any excellent camping site, Abundant Peak deals convenient access to a network of trails for treking and mountain biking. There are a variety of OHV trails nearby, so do not hesitate to bring your ATVs and motorcycle. The area is teeming with wildlife, so the camping area is a specifically popular basecamp for hunting and fishing.
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Great Salt Lake State Park
Why you ought to camp here: Prime waterfront campsites with extraordinary views throughout the Great Salt Lake.
- Bookings accepted: Yes
- Best seasons: Spring, Summer Season, Fall
- Campground type: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE, automobile outdoor camping
- RV hookups: Complete
We’re type of missing out on the elephant in the space if we do not raise Excellent Salt Lake State Park. The campsites lie right on the waterfront, ensuring you’ll take pleasure in incredible views throughout the lake from daybreak to sunset. The campground is open year-round, and includes complete connections for RVs.
Camping tents are allowed at the established camping site, but the gravel campgrounds are certainly more geared for RVs and vehicle outdoor camping than traditional tents. We won’t inform you not to pitch a tent here, but if camping tent camping is your thing, there are better options near Salt Lake City that you’ll most likely discover more pleasurable with a tent.
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Free Camping Near Salt Lake City
Don’t seem like paying for a campsite at a recognized camping site? Stress not– public lands represent nearly two-thirds of property in the state of Utah, so totally free outdoor camping is always a practical alternative.
Utah State Parks do not enable dispersed camping, but you’re normally complimentary to establish camp in the national forests and on BLM land. Just make certain to inspect the suitable federal government website for restricted areas, practice Leave No Trace principles, and follow all applicable guidelines.
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Park
Why you must camp here: Discover an empty road and go totally off the grid practically throughout this extensive trio of National park.
- Appointments accepted: No
- Finest seasons: Spring, summertime, fall
- Camping area type: Dispersed outdoor camping
There are a number of designated campgrounds throughout the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest that offer toilets, potable water, and fire grates, however dispersed outdoor camping is always totally free on National Forest land. If you’re all right with primitive camping conditions, dispersed outdoor camping is an excellent way to save a few dollars and enjoy a level of seclusion and privacy that’s simply unattainable in an established camping area.
That said, you can’t simply pitch your tent any place you desire. The Forest Service enforces a number of general guidelines that campers should abide by, and the National park designates a variety of locations as off-limits. For the complete rundown of dispersed outdoor camping regulations, check out this practical short article from David Sweet at Journey Savvy.
Fivemile Pass Leisure Location
Why you must camp here: The best complimentary camping place for off-road adrenaline addicts.
- Appointments accepted: No
- Best seasons: Spring, summer season, fall
- Campground type: Dispersed outdoor camping
If your definition of camping consists of off-road lorries, head to the Fivemile Pass Recreation Area. Simply an hour west of Salt Lake City, Fivemile Pass is a prime location for OHVs, ATVs, dirt bikes, mountain cycling, and horseback riding.
The Fivemile Pass Entertainment Location has a variety of primitive campsites where you can pitch your tent or park your RV. There’s no cost for dispersed outdoor camping, and there are 5 pit toilets on-site for your convenience.
Stansbury Island
Why you must camp here: A rugged, under-the-radar tract of land that’s just a brief drive west of Salt Lake City.
- Appointments accepted: No
- Finest seasons: Spring, summertime, fall
- Campsite type: Dispersed camping
Stansbury Island is a peninsula that extends into the Great Salt Lake, including a special desert landscape with legendary sunrises and sunsets. Most of the peninsula is BLM land so you’re normally totally free to establish camp anywhere you please, though there are a couple of spots of private land that you’ll need to prevent.
While Stansbury Island is accessible by cars and truck, the rugged landscape and rough dirt roadways generally need a truck or SUV. RVs are allowed, however be gotten ready for a bumpy ride.
Bonneville Salt Flats
Picture: David Sorich Why you must camp here: Check out Utah’s renowned salt flats, an alien landscape where thrill-seeking cars and truck enthusiasts with a requirement for speed head to max out their speedometer.
- Appointments accepted: No
- Finest seasons: Summer season, fall
- Camping site type: Dispersed outdoor camping
You have actually most likely currently heart about Utah’s legendary salt flats, an otherworldly dreamscape that draws professional photographers and automobile lovers from all over the country. The two-hour drive from Salt Lake City might be a little a stretch for some, however it deserves going to at least as soon as– particularly if you can time your trip around a set up event at the Bonneville Speedway.
There’s no over night outdoor camping allowed at the Bonneville Salt Flats Special Entertainment Area, but the 30,000-acre leisure area is surrounded by BLM land that permits complimentary camping. The Silver Island Mountains Backcountry Byway to the west provides hundreds of primitive camping sites with incredible views, or you can attempt the Pilot Mountains along the Utah-Nevada border.
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Discover 13 of the best outdoor camping areas near Salt Lake City, including totally free dispersed outdoor camping and gorgeous private camping areas.