Camping options near Orem, Utah range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites across nearby public lands. Several developed campgrounds like Lakeside RV Campground, Utah Lake State Park, and Granite Flat provide accommodations for tent and RV camping with varying levels of amenities. Lakeside RV Campground offers full hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections, while more rustic experiences can be found at Nunns Park and Little Mill campground. For those seeking a more primitive experience, dispersed camping is available at locations such as Squaw Peak Road Dispersed and Miner's Canyon Dispersed areas, where campers can stay without designated facilities or services.
Road conditions and accessibility vary significantly throughout the region, with many mountain campgrounds requiring high-clearance vehicles on forest roads. Seasonal weather patterns affect camping availability, with higher elevation sites like Granite Flat typically open from May to October. One camper noted, "This campground has many spots that were all clean and convenient. If you stay on the northern side of the campground, expect to hear cars and trucks through the night." Lower elevation campgrounds near Utah Lake remain accessible year-round but may experience extreme heat during summer months. Most dispersed camping areas have no water sources or restroom facilities, requiring visitors to pack in supplies and practice proper waste disposal.
The Utah Lake area provides popular water-based recreation opportunities, though reviews indicate variable water conditions. Campgrounds in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest offer cooler temperatures and forest settings at higher elevations northeast of Orem. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "Being that we already live in southern Utah county, this place has become a go to for our family. Only about 45 mins away from Payson." Many campers appreciate the proximity of camping options to urban amenities while still providing natural settings. Sites with shade trees receive consistently positive reviews, particularly during summer months when temperatures can rise significantly. Visitors frequently mention the convenience of having multiple camping styles available within a short drive of the city, making the area suitable for both weekend getaways and longer stays.
$31 - $48 / night
"Lakeside was our home for 3 nights while we were in town for Provo’s annual Colonial Festival."
"You're super close to amenities and anything you could want to see in town, as well as Utah Lake."
"The only bad part about this camp site is all the highway noise. It is close to the Provo river and there is lots of shade so that is nice. Great place to have a camp fire and cook some S'mores. "
"Close in to town, very pretty with Provo river next to it. Bike path and highway noise can be distracting."
$28 - $358 / night
"Tucked in very back. Long ways to walk from car. Water spout next to car area. Will be sharing parking with 2 other sites. 2 lakes nearby. Fire pit with grill gate. Shaded area."
"Utah is such an amazing place to visit for the outdoors. My family and I come here once a year because we love hiking and being in the outdoors."
$50 - $100 / night
"Gorgeous view across the lake. Quiet. Electricity worked well. Extremely clean. Camp hosts were nowhere to be found and another rig had claimed the end lake-adjacent site I paid for."
"This my 3 stay here at Utah Lake state park. 2x in July and now in September. I’m a single female traveler."
$50 - $300 / night
"We stayed at the Springville/ Provo Utah KOA in September 2021. This is a full service KOA with nice FHU 50 amp pull-thru sites which were long, wide and level."
"Near the hwy but not next to. It’s a good place to stay and the monthly rates are fair."
"This site is deep past the meadows near square peak. You continue to follow the dirt road in and on your left is a small depression in the land with a fire pit and ample space for tents or hammocks."
"Found a beautiful spot tucked away in the trees with a great view of the Timps. Continue exploring along the road for amazing panoramic views."
$28 - $229 / night
"We got a site with access to the river which my kids really enjoyed. There was a fun giant "sliding rock" in the area to climb on. Lots of trees for hammocks."
"The site we stayed at had many trees around to hang hammocks and also eat and picnic in the shade. There are brand new camp fires in all sites."
"Very easy access public land right on Utah Lake. Packed gravel and dirt road going in is lumpy from use but smooths out a bit farther in. Side roads to sites are anyones guess."
"Directions brought us right to the location. Road was rough into the sites and were hard to determine specific sites. Ended up pulling into edge of field. Definitely a good quiet night's sleep"
$28 - $55 / night
"Really close to the Provo River for day activities."
"Nice overlooks nearby."
$28 - $142 / night
"I love how it is near a river. You can hear it at night. It's so nice to get to a cool area out of the hot valley and into the cool scenic back country of Utah county."
"While there are many campgrounds in Utah that rival it, this one is special because it's such a short drive after work."
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!
RangerNice area on the way to Provo. There are some pullouts along the dirt road. I only drove about 3miles. There is a wonderful creek next to the road. I would stay longer but there's rain and snow in the forecast. Zero amenities, so come prepared. Don't be a loser and leave trash. Leave nothing but foot prints and take plenty of memories
ScoutThere was trash all over the place and people were ripping through the trails till 2 am blasting music. Some people came and camped right next to us and blasted music and refused to move. They proceded to leave beer cans all over their site and never put out their fire. Would not come back
TravelerCleaned bathrooms, only has 1 bar of Verizon coverage, with weBoost, no problem
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.
TravelerThis is a rest stop. It's great. There is a dog park. Water to hook up to for a fill. There are a ton of picnic tables and a paved walking path through an outdoor educational museum. bathroom too. Perfect for an in between salt lake and Moab.
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.
Camping options near Orem, Utah range from lakeside sites at lower elevations to forested mountain campgrounds above 7,000 feet. The diverse terrain creates dramatic temperature differences, with alpine sites often 15-20 degrees cooler than valley locations during summer months. Most dispersed camping areas close seasonally from late October through April due to snow accumulation and road conditions.
Hiking from camp: The Timpooneke Campground offers direct access to Mount Timpanogos trails. "Mt Timpanogous provides some stellar views of the backcountry and the valley below. On the way, stop and checkout Scout Falls. Early in the summer the falls comes pretty heavy because of the runoff," notes camper Shad G.
Water activities: Utah Lake provides opportunities for boating and fishing despite variable conditions. "We were able to paddle board which was a blast! I loves being so close and having access to so many beautiful hikes and Rick climbing. We were right next to a beautiful river and it was pretty quiet," shares Kaitlin R. about her experience at Granite Flat.
Wildlife viewing: Evening hours offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Miner's Canyon Dispersed, visitors enjoy additional entertainment: "Watching the paragliders on the weekends is cool as well," according to Robby K.
Privacy between sites: At Nunns Park, campers appreciate the layout despite proximity to urban areas. "There were a couple spots that were semi private but most were very exposed. Lots of area on some of them though for multiple tents. The river is right there and makes some beautiful yet subtle white noise," notes Helen A.
Easy access from urban areas: The proximity to Orem and surrounding cities makes these campgrounds convenient for quick getaways. "For only 25min from downtown provo, this is a wonderful place to go for a night. Super kind camp host and well maintained roads," says Causley S. about Hope Campground.
Natural sound buffers: The flowing water at some campgrounds helps create a more secluded feel. "The river is right there and makes some beautiful yet subtle white noise. It is in provo canyon and the cliffs on either side are very impressive. The walk from the campsite to bridal falls is also lovely!" according to Helen A.
Weather considerations: Higher elevation sites offer relief from summer heat but require preparation. "The elevation is about 6400 ft- so no spring camping. Book EARLY! This campsite is always full," advises Andrea P. about Timpooneke.
Insect activity: Several campgrounds report significant mosquito populations, particularly near water. "The area and scenery were gorgeous! The hosts were lovely and helpful. The water was cool and there were tons of people there with paddle boards, canoos, tents, and dogs. The only downside was that this year there were an obscene amount of mosquitoes," warns Ash S. at Granite Flat.
Gate closure times: Hope Campground and other established sites have specific regulations. "Make sure you get camped and in because they lock the gate coming into campground at 11PM and you have to hike in," cautions Brad B. about Little Mill Campground.
Playgrounds and amenities: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities beyond natural features. "They have a pool for the warmer months. There are 2 small dog parks one for large and one for small dogs. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful," writes Erin A. about Lakeside RV Campground.
Shorter hiking options: Families with young children can find accessible trails near many campgrounds. "The camp spots here are super nice. The best part is how close it is to Provo. Super convenient. We didn't stay very long but would recommend this spot to anyone who wants some nice car camping," suggests Joshua C. about Nunns Park.
Beginner-friendly fishing spots: Several locations offer good fishing opportunities for children. "Great small reservoirs nearby for fishing, or canoeing- no motor sports allowed," notes Andrea P. about camping near Timpooneke.
Site leveling conditions: Many campsites require preparation for comfortable parking. "Granite flats is just a few miles up AF canyon and our site was very quiet and secluded. There are two reservoirs close by in Tibble Fork and Silverlake flat that are both beautiful. The one downside was that the tent spot was not flat, and had quite a few large rocks," reports Justin J.
Water access points: For RVers needing to refill tanks, specific locations offer easier access. "Spent a few nights there, easy access to Saratoga Springs for water, dump, and groceries. Sites were fairly level, but there were some instances of trash and broken glass so be wary when dropping your RV or camper," advises Connor N. about Squaw Peak Road Dispersed.
Limited hookup availability: Most mountain campgrounds lack full hookups. "Nice little park, sites are a little close. Our 20' trailer does fine. Close in to town, very pretty with Provo river next to it. Bike path and highway noise can be distracting," notes Michael L. about Nunns Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any campgrounds with shower facilities near Orem?
Mountain Valley RV Resort in nearby Heber City is one of the best options for campers seeking shower facilities. This well-maintained resort features an adult-only section for peace and quiet, concrete pads, and full amenities including clean shower facilities. Another excellent option is Springville / Provo KOA Holiday, which offers reservable sites with water, toilets, and shower facilities in a family-friendly environment. For those seeking more rustic camping, be aware that dispersed sites like Soldier's Pass and Cascade Springs don't offer any bathroom facilities. State park campgrounds in the area typically provide basic restrooms, but shower availability varies by location.
What hiking trails can I access from Orem camping areas?
The Orem area offers excellent hiking opportunities near several campgrounds. Cascade Springs Dispersed Site provides spectacular views of Mt. Timpanogos with panoramic vistas and access to numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty. The Alpine Loop scenic drive nearby connects to multiple trailheads. Timpooneke campground provides direct access to one of the most popular trails to summit Mt. Timpanogos. Soldier's Pass area offers easy to moderate hiking trails suitable for most skill levels, though you'll share the area with ATV enthusiasts. For those camping near the Uinta Mountains, trails around Lilly Lake Campground provide stunning alpine scenery with varying difficulty levels, from family-friendly strolls to challenging backcountry routes.
Where are the best camping sites near Orem, Utah?
Orem offers diverse camping options within a short drive. Rock Cliff Area Campground at Jordanelle State Park provides clean, fully functional RV sites with full hookups. For a more rustic experience, Skyline Drive features dispersed camping along a dirt road near Tucker's ghost town remnants, with a creek and fascinating rock formations. Additional options include Pine Creek Campground at Wasatch Mountain State Park for traditional camping with narrow roads and mature trees, though sites may be unlevel, and Soldier's Pass for free dispersed camping without amenities, ideal for ATVs and off-road enthusiasts. For families seeking established campgrounds, Timpooneke and Little Mill offer reservable sites with basic facilities within a reasonable drive from Orem.
What lake camping options are available near Orem?
Payson Lakes offers excellent lake camping about 45 minutes from Orem. This family-friendly destination features great fishing for children and youth, plus swimming and kayaking opportunities. Motorized boats aren't allowed, making it safer for water activities. The lake is surrounded by beautiful landscape and hiking trails. Another option is Miner's Canyon Dispersed, which provides lakeside camping, though visitors should be prepared for potential litter issues. For those willing to drive a bit further, Jordanelle State Park offers waterfront camping with modern amenities. Utah Lake is also accessible from several camping areas, including Soldier's Pass, though facilities are minimal and you'll need to bring your own water.
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