Camping options around Oakley, Utah range from developed campgrounds to primitive sites across state parks and national forest lands. The area features several established campgrounds including Twin Coves at Rockport State Park and Smith-Morehouse Campground in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, offering tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin accommodations. Echo Island RV Resort provides glamping opportunities while multiple campgrounds along Mirror Lake Highway serve as gateways to higher-elevation recreation areas.
Access to most campgrounds varies seasonally, with many operating from late spring through early fall due to mountain weather patterns. Rockport State Park maintains year-round accessibility while higher elevation sites like Yellow Pine Campground and Smith-Morehouse typically close during winter months. Reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Visitors should prepare for significant temperature variations even in summer months, especially at higher elevations. According to one visitor, "Sites are well kept, the reservoir is really low. Hiking is nice. Bike trails are well kept."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with several campgrounds offering direct lake or river access. Rockport State Park's Twin Coves section features sites with reservoir views and beach access, though some visitors note limited privacy between sites. Several campers highlight the outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, hiking, and water activities. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region, but some campgrounds report issues with mice and ants during warmer months. Most developed sites provide basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, with varying levels of hookups for RVs. Campgrounds closer to the Uinta Mountains tend to offer more secluded experiences with greater tree coverage compared to reservoir-adjacent sites. A visitor noted: "We love rockport and have camped here a few times. We always pick a spot near the water and each spot seems to be a good distance away from where others are camping - which is nice."
$35 - $50 / night
"This isn't the prettiest lake. It is nice and big, but since it is one of the closest to Utah Valley and Salt Lake Valley, it gets a lot of traffic."
"We stayed at the "McHenry" campground in a spot right next to a creek. The traffic noise was a bit prevalent during the day because it's close to the highway. Great tent pad."
$35 / night
"Rockport State park in Utah, at the Crandall Cove sites. Sites are well kept, the reservoir is really low. Hiking is nice. Bike trails are well kept."
"We always pick a spot near the water and each spot seems to be a good distance away from where others are camping - which is nice."
$28 / night
"Clean area, plenty of activities to do close by, far enough away from civilization to make the trip worth it."
"There are some good hiking trails near by. The lake is walking distance and is not crowded. Lots of wildlife to enjoy and to be on the look out for."
$50 - $300 / night
"Really fun place in Utah. This was my dogs favorite campground so far. They have so much room to walk, and plenty of wildlife around to keep them interested."
"The reason for lower rating is the proximity to the highway."
$29 - $346 / night
"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."
"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"
$30 - $129 / night
"Located in beautiful Heber City, Utah. We felt at home as soon as we arrived and were greeted by a nice man on a golf cart who lead us to where we’d be staying."
"He was helpful and provided wonderful advice for the rest of our trip in Utah (Moab). The sites are a bit close, but the campground was quiet and clean. Our girls enjoyed the pool and hot tub."
$28 - $56 / night
"Both campgrounds do have walk-up sites available and can be paid for with cash only. Sites are $21 per night."
"Site#27 is an inside site, so no access to any of the rivers. It has 3 spaces for medium to small tents. Our large tent did not quite fit, so we didn't pull it to it's full width."
$22 / night
"I really do feel this is one of the most beautiful places in Utah. It was so beautiful when I visited it. It felt like you were staying in the middle of a great valley."
"Having grown up near here, I love going back to camp at this site. It had flushing toilets, a fill station, and a dump station."
$45 - $90 / night
"There is access to potable water right outside the yurt. You do have to walk about 500 yards to the yurt from the parking space, but the privacy is worth it."
"Close to fishing pond, play area for kids, beautiful golf courses, hikes, Midway/Heber cities, fishing rivers and beautiful drives up the mountains for more exploring."
$28 - $83 / night
"This was one of the best non-lakeside campsites I stopped at while moving along Mirror Lake Hwy!"
"This is a great campground especially for off road vehicles. Our family has been going there for years and it is one of my favorite spots in the uintas. The bugs are minimal."
ScoutI stayed in the adult section and it was nice and quiet! The facilities were clean and well kept and the staff is friendly. The hot tub is so good I was oblivious to the hail and snow, too!
ScoutAll grass has been torn up and dusty dirt. Hour are dusk to dawn, no camping.
ScoutThis place is a little trashy, but beautiful scenery night 🌙 skies great for viewing little to no light pollution if picked place on top of hill you would see more of the city's nearby and more of the lake. Roads are very ruff, SUV/trucks to 4 wheel drive recommend.
ScoutIt’s a pretty rowdy spot you’re right in the middle of all the ohv that is happening. If you’re looking for something chill this ain’t it. Also the campsites were pretty littered with trash which is a big bummer.
GuideThe road in is a little rough. Some cell service. Pretty views. Camp spots are not too close together.
ScoutLoved this spot! Very affordable, great amenities.
TravelerWe winter camped here so we could ski. It’s a great location about 40-50 minutes to 6 resorts. It is in the city so not in the wilderness but all the sites have one tree and a patch of grass and a picnic table. There is a small off leash dog pen and a self dog wash. Also hot tub, showers, toilets that were clean. We did not use the hot tub or the laundry. The campground is well maintained. Our first site was slightly unleveled so we asked to switch and they accommodated that request. We did have to pay a little extra for that site. We stayed a total of 3 nights. We were going to stay longer but learned that you can’t have dogs in Cottonwood Canyon which meant we couldn’t ski at those resorts so we asked to get out of our reservation early and the KOA accommodated that as well.
TravelerThe yurt was a great experience during the winter. The entire campground was closed, except for the yurt and the couple cabins on site. It was super quiet. It had 2 electric fireplaces which kept the yurt nice and toasty. It has a bunk bed with queen size mattresses which were comfy. There was a refrigerator and microwave. There is access to potable water right outside the yurt. You do have to walk about 500 yards to the yurt from the parking space, but the privacy is worth it. Rate was $75 per night during the week and $100 per night during the weekend. I will definitely be returning.
GuideWe had the campground loop all to ourselves in mid October. Sites have a gazebo with table means less stuff to unpack and setup. We just pulled out the tent and camp stove and that was it. Clean and maintained restrooms all close in tight loop. Firepit next to tables. The view is really great and birds are nearby as it seems to be a bird sanctuary. Easy to get to and not far from highway. Star show was good as well.
Nestled in Summit County at elevations around 6,500 feet, Oakley serves as a gateway to both high alpine recreation and lower-elevation reservoir activities. Seasonal temperature swings in the area are significant, with summer highs reaching the 90s and overnight lows often dropping below 40°F even during summer months. Water levels at reservoirs near Oakley fluctuate dramatically throughout the season, affecting shoreline camping and water recreation options.
Fishing at Smith-Morehouse Reservoir: The fishing can be excellent with the right timing and equipment. At Smith-Morehouse Campground, visitors report catching fish regularly. "Fished all night with a couple drinks, caught a couple and even cooked them right up at camp!" notes Shariah T., who visited early in the season when snow was still on the ground.
Paddling on no-wake waters: The smaller reservoirs limit motorized boats, creating ideal conditions for paddlers. "The reservoir is small, but beautiful, and we love the fact that motorized boats are not allowed, which helps keep the noise factor down," according to Erin H. who visited Ledgefork. Many campers recommend bringing inflatable kayaks to access deeper waters where fishing is better.
Winter recreation options: Unlike many mountain areas, some campgrounds remain accessible during winter months. "You can even snowmobile on the roads up here in the winter," mentions Brendan A. about the Pine Creek Campground area, making this region one of the few near Salt Lake City with viable winter camping options.
Proximity to Salt Lake City: Many campsites offer a wilderness experience despite being remarkably close to urban areas. Spruces Campground impresses visitors with its accessibility. "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," explains Jenny W.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: The region hosts diverse wildlife throughout the year. "Peaceful wildlife, like deer," notes KelTroy E. at Smith-Morehouse. Sean R. adds that Yellow Pine Campground has "hiking trails, and fishing. The whole area smells like butterscotch and vanilla due to the Pondarosa Pines."
Mixed forest environments: The campgrounds feature diverse tree coverage offering varied camping experiences. At Yellow Pine Campground, "the trees are very thick, so from many camp sites, you can't see the adjacent one," according to David F., making it one of the best places to camp near Oakley, Utah for those seeking privacy.
Early reservations essential: Campgrounds fill extremely quickly, particularly during summer months. "Ledgefork is one of those areas you better get a reservation for early in the season. They book up quick, but there's a reason for it!" warns Derek E. Sites with water access are especially competitive.
Water availability varies: Many campgrounds have inconsistent water access. "The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because they still haven't fixed the water and you have to bring in your own," notes Shad G. about their third visit to Ledgefork Campground. Plan to bring more water than you think you'll need.
Insect conditions: Mosquitoes can be intense, particularly at dusk. "During the day and ESPECIALLY in the evening, the mosquitoes are pretty intense throughout the whole summer," warns Jen G. at Soapstone Campground, who recommends "bugspray and citronella candles" and observed many campers using "screen tents over their picnic tables."
Bear safety requirements: Bears are present in the area, requiring proper food storage. "This is bear country, so the signs say...Just be aware," mentions KelTroy E., noting that many campgrounds lack bear vaults, requiring campers to store food securely in vehicles.
Consider pool amenities: For families who want swimming options beyond cold mountain lakes, several developed campgrounds offer heated pools. At Echo Island RV Resort, "They had a small pond for kids to fish in, two swimming pools and two hot tubs, very clean and modern facilities," notes Carlee G., making it ideal for mixed-age groups.
Best timing for insects: Early July tends to have the highest concentration of biting flies and mosquitoes. "We came up for a couple of July 4ths and were astonished at how many horseflies there were all of the sudden," shares Brendan A., recommending Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends instead when "It feels wonderful up there then!"
Noise considerations: Road noise affects certain campgrounds significantly. At Jordanelle State Park, visitors report varied experiences with noise levels. One camper mentioned, "Great place close to SLC and park city and for the most part it was surprisingly quiet, tho that could be a fluke as it got busier during the day."
Site angle challenges: Many older campgrounds were not designed for modern RVs. James J. notes that at Pine Creek Campground, "My 30' TT was perched with some effort on top of a pull-through that was a mound rather than flat. Unlevel and narrow asphalt sites." Measure your rig carefully before booking.
Water pressure cautions: Excessive water pressure at some sites requires regulation equipment. At Jordanelle State Park, Trevor S. advises, "Be careful hooking up your RV to water. Very high pressure."
Road access limitations: Roads to some campgrounds may pose challenges for larger rigs. "Road is tight. Our 26ft trailer was a little hard to navigate within the campground," notes Shoot Fish Life about Smith-Morehouse, making advance planning essential for the best places to camp near Oakley with larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Oakley Campground?
The camping options near Oakley offer various amenities depending on your needs. Pine Creek Campground in nearby Wasatch Mountain State Park provides traditional camping with narrow loop roads and asphalt sites, though they may not accommodate larger RVs well. For those seeking more amenities, Mountain Valley RV Resort in Heber City offers full hookups, concrete pads, an adult-only section for peace and quiet, and a welcoming atmosphere with staff that greets you upon arrival. Both locations provide access to beautiful mountain scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Where is Oakley Campground located in Utah?
Oakley is a small town located in Summit County, Utah, in the beautiful Kamas Valley. While there isn't a specific "Oakley Campground," the area offers several excellent camping options. Ledgefork - Jordanelle State Park is located near Oakley, sitting on the south side of Smith and Morehouse Reservoir in the Uinta National Forest, about 20 minutes from town. For those seeking camping in the broader Oakley area, Yellow Pine Campground (Ut) is another nearby option in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, offering easy access from Kamas which neighbors Oakley.
Are there photos available of Oakley Campground before booking?
Yes, photos of camping areas near Oakley are readily available online before booking. The Dyrt camping platform offers extensive photo galleries of nearby campgrounds like Lilly Lake Campground and Rock Cliff Area Campground, allowing you to preview the sites before your trip. These visual resources help you assess the surroundings, campsite layouts, and amenities. Additionally, many campgrounds in the area have their own websites or are featured on recreation.gov with photo galleries. User-submitted photos on these platforms provide authentic views of the camping experience from multiple perspectives and seasons.
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