Camping options surrounding North Salt Lake include both established campgrounds and dispersed sites within reasonable driving distance. The area features several RV-focused facilities like Pony Express RV Resort, which provides full hookups, alongside more rustic options such as Bountiful Peak Campground in the nearby mountains. Accommodations range from tent camping to RV sites with full amenities, with several properties offering cabin rentals. Most developed campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though mountain facilities typically operate seasonally from late spring through early fall.
Road conditions and campground availability vary significantly by elevation and season throughout the North Salt Lake region. Higher elevation campgrounds like Bountiful Peak typically operate from June through September, while valley locations maintain year-round access. "I like to go to fish. There are a lot of catfish and white bass. Some walleye. The kids like to swim though the water is a little muddy in some parts," noted one visitor about Utah Lake State Park. Cell service is generally reliable at developed campgrounds near the city but becomes spotty in mountainous areas. Many campground options require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when facilities near water features reach capacity quickly.
The proximity to both urban amenities and natural landscapes distinguishes camping areas around North Salt Lake. Antelope Island State Park, approximately 30 minutes northwest, receives high ratings for its wildlife viewing opportunities with bison, antelope, and numerous bird species. A camper commented that "One of our favorite state parks in Utah is only ~45 minutes away from Salt Lake City!" Riverside locations along the Jordan River provide walking and biking trails with mountain views. Campgrounds in the Wasatch Mountains east of North Salt Lake offer cooler temperatures and forest settings during summer months when valley temperatures rise. North Salt Lake campsites provide diverse terrain options, from lakeside locations to mountain retreats with panoramic valley views. Noise levels vary considerably, with interstate-adjacent properties experiencing traffic sounds while mountain campgrounds provide more secluded environments. Most developed campgrounds in the region include standard amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water.
$50 - $189 / night
"I had the wonderful opportunity to stay the night at Salt Lake City KOA!"
"We wanted to explore Salt Lake City so decided to stay at this downtown KOA. It is a large and crowded RV park but right on a Transit line (UTA light rail Trax) and biking distance to downtown."
"Convenient location right off the highway with full hook ups and nice paved sites. Dog areas, playground, games, and a pool."
"These sites a so close to each other. We only stop here to stay the night. WiFi is ok-phone hotspot is better.
Staff is great."
$20 - $200 / night
"One of our favorite state parks in Utah is only~45 minutes away from Salt Lake City! There are bison, antelope, deer, and many other animals that call this island home."
"By far one of my favorite stops through Utah ❤️ absolutely breathtaking views, along with scenic routes to see wildlife such as the bison."
$15 - $98 / night
"The sites have plenty of room, tons of shade and easy access to bathrooms."
"They are a little close to each other but nice and clean."
$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"
"We stayed during the Halloween Fright weekend and from Wednesday to Friday at around 2pm, we were about the only ones there. Then the place exploded with campers and by 7pm the place was full."
"We found a spot that was more of a hill, which made it neat to get around, but the site was LITTERED with spent ammo, broken glass and broken pieces of clay pigeons."
"There's 4 fire rings around the coords, probably only 3 actual camp sites. The one fire has trails going all around it. If you continue up the mountain, there's more sites at the top."
"This was great for my bf and I because we were driving so late and couldn’t find an open camp ground. This place was open and it was easy to find a spot with no light and quiet."
"Friendly staff great location Offer daily, weekly and monthly rates."
$29 - $450 / night
"It was quiet, tucked away from anyone. Didn't really see anyone for the three days we are there. Our site was next to the river, which really helped drown out all other sounds! "
"We had site 11 close to the bathroom and in a flat, sunny clearing surrounded by trees. You could hear the nearby road a bit and see the mountains a little bit."
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!
LegendThis was an easy and convenient place to pull over when exhausted from SLC traffic.
Full hook-ups, hot shower and no privacy between sites.
Served its purpose as a good place to rest before moving on.
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
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.
ScoutGreat spot near SLC for dispersed camping. Plenty of flat areas for bigger rigs. 4x4 may be needed to access other areas. There are trees nearby for plenty of shade.
I didn’t notice any bugs on my visit. Beautiful skies at night. I’ll definitely be coming back!
GuideThe road in is a little rough. Some cell service. Pretty views. Camp spots are not too close together.
GuideClean campground with full hookups. Pet areas and good communication. Fulltime supervision on site.
Dispersed camping areas surround North Salt Lake, Utah, with elevations ranging from 4,300 feet in the valley to over 9,000 feet in the nearby Wasatch Mountains. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 90°F in July and winter lows reaching 20°F in January. Camping spots near North Salt Lake vary significantly in terrain from urban-adjacent RV parks to more remote forest service land requiring high-clearance vehicles.
Mountain biking access: The Pony Express RV Resort connects to local trails. "Paved 80 mile bike trail along Jordan River. Giant chessboard. Nice pool area," notes reviewer janet H.
Hiking with wildlife viewing: Experience diverse terrain and animal sightings at Bridger Bay Campground. "The bison are free grazing all around and a few came right up to our campground in the early morning! There is a ranch on the far side of the island (Fielding Garr Ranch) which is adorable and definitely worth a visit," writes Steven M.
Winter recreation: Several camping locations remain open year-round for cold-weather activities. "We traveled to Utah from California for our annual Christmas camping adventure. This was our first spot, and it was a wonderful place to start. We don't have to worry about the bugs, being it's December," notes Susan R. about Bridger Bay.
Convenient urban proximity: Salt Lake City KOA provides camping minutes from downtown. "If you are traveling in an RV and wish to stay parked, there is public transit to city-center and amenities a couple blocks away," reports TMB in their review.
Mountain escape: Many campers appreciate Spruces Campground for 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," notes reviewer Jenny W.
Fall colors viewing: Camp during autumn for spectacular foliage displays. "September/early October gives cooler temperatures and less crowds, and we got to see some lovely fall colors. The camp hosts were excellent as well," writes Sara M. about Tanners Flat Campground.
Site availability varies by season: Higher elevation campgrounds operate limited schedules. "I called the Forest Service and they said it open July 1st 2020. The sites have plenty of room, tons of shade and easy access to bathrooms," notes Wyatt S. about Bountiful Peak Campground.
Insect conditions: Several campgrounds report seasonal bug issues. "But honestly, it's hard to walk or bike because the bugs are so bad. I don't just mean the odd bite, I mean coated in biting gnats as soon as you go outside your vehicle," reports @57overlander C. about Bridger Bay.
Noise levels: Urban-adjacent camping includes city sounds. "Be warned, if is NOT quiet - there are multiple trains/sirens/large semis blowing by all night. It was about $75 for a single night, but our original spot fell through and they were able to accommodate us last minute," notes North Idaho N. about Salt Lake City KOA.
Swimming options: Cherry Hill Campground offers water recreation. "Beautiful, shady spots to camp. Family noises from sunup to sundown. Water park is priced separately, but access is seamless. VERY busy weekends; weekdays were a delight," advises Kathy S.
Free recreation: Look for campgrounds with built-in activities. "Great clubhouse with pool table, foosball, large TV, comfy chairs, guest kitchen area. Complimentary coffee, tea and fresh made cookies," writes janet H. about Pony Express RV Resort.
Watershed restrictions: Little Cottonwood Canyon has water protection rules. "The nearby creek is pretty, but you cannot so much as wade in it without facing prosecution and a $1500 fine," cautions Jason H. about Tanners Flat.
RV pad types: Lagoon RV Park & Campground offers various site surfaces. "If you're coming here, I recommend paying for the longer pull-through sites - you'll get a paved pad, your own electrical box on the side where your hookups are, and slightly more space to spread out," suggests G.F.
Winter RV camping: Several campgrounds accommodate cold-weather RV stays. "Good place to plug in at night between ski days," notes Terry G. about Salt Lake City KOA.
Site spacing: RV parks vary in site density. "Like others have said…if you want space to spread out this is not the place for you. If you're looking for a place that is convenient, full hook up, level concrete pads, subdivision desperate house wife's camping addition this is the place to be!" explains Cole A. about Pony Express RV Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in North Salt Lake for weekend trips?
For weekend trips from North Salt Lake, several excellent options are available. Rock Cliff Area Campground — Jordanelle State Park offers clean facilities with full hookups for RVs and beautiful views. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry provides free dispersed camping with established fire rings and easy to moderate hiking, though you'll need to bring your own water. Other weekend-friendly options include Lagoon RV Park & Campground in Farmington for family fun, and Sun Outdoors North Salt Lake for convenience. For those willing to drive a bit further, Echo Island RV Resort and Mountain Valley RV Resort in Heber City both offer excellent amenities for weekend getaways.
Where are the best camping spots near North Salt Lake?
North Salt Lake offers excellent camping options within a short drive. Bridger Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park is just 45 minutes away and features wildlife including bison, antelope, and deer, plus stunning sunset views across the mud flats. For those seeking water recreation, Anderson Cove provides a peaceful escape from the city with beach access and abundant bathrooms. Other solid options include Spruces in Big Cottonwood Canyon for forest camping, and Cherry Hill Campground in Kaysville for family-friendly amenities. Adventurous campers might enjoy Bountiful B Dispersed for free camping with more primitive conditions. Most sites within an hour of North Salt Lake offer varied terrain from lakeside views to mountain forests.
What camping is available near North Salt Lake, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, North Salt Lake, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 201 campgrounds and RV parks near North Salt Lake, UT and 38 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near North Salt Lake, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near North Salt Lake, UT is Salt Lake City KOA with a 3.7-star rating from 44 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near North Salt Lake, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 38 free dispersed camping spots near North Salt Lake, UT.
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