From laughter-filled days on the water to captivating nights under the stars, Utah offers some of the best outdoor recreation and camping in Utah within a short drive from Park City. Head to a nearby state park or national forest to make some summer memories, but book your spot early, because campsites fill up fast!
Jordanelle State Park
In the Heber Valley, Jordanelle Reservoir is popular for motorized and non-motorized boating and water sports within three recreation areas: Hailstone, Rock Cliff, and Ross Creek, so there’s plenty to do on and off the water.
Several campgrounds are in the Hailstone area, including RV sites with partial hookups, plus tent-only and hike- or boat-in options. On the more natural side of the park, Rock Cliff Campground tent-only sites are situated among the cottonwoods. Glamping, cabins, and cottages are also available.
Rockport State Park
Rockport State Park in Peoa is a lakeside retreat known for water sports, including tubing, waterskiing, and fishing for trout and bass. Bring your own equipment to test your skills at the 3D archery range with life-size animal targets.
There are over 100 campsites, some with RV hookups and other primitive options.
Wasatch Mountain State Park
In the summer, Wasatch Mountain State Park is a golfer’s paradise with two courses. After hitting the greens, explore over 40 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, or cast a line in a nearby pond. Make a quick visit to two historic areas: Tate Barn and Huber Grove–home of the Huber Farmhouse and Creamery.
Pine Creek Campground provides plenty of campsites for tents and RVs with full or partial hookups, plus cabins and group sites.
Deer Creek State Park
Deer Creek State Park offers endless opportunities for fun. Enjoy boating, fishing, or paddling on the reservoir. Take a kiteboarding or eFoil (flying surfboard) lesson. Head to Rainbow Bay Aqua Park for trampolines and an obstacle course. There’s hiking, biking, horseback riding, or disc golf. Or experience the views on a zipline tour.
Deer Creek has three campgrounds: Chokecherry and Fox Den Campgrounds offer sites for tents and RVs that include full or partial hookups. The Great Horned Owl Campground has standard sites without hookups.
Echo State Park
A quick 35-minute drive northeast of Park City, the 1,450-acre reservoir boasts plenty of space for water sports: boating, kayaking, and swimming. Enjoy calm evening waters by paddleboarding or fishing at sunset.
It’s an easy walk to the beach from Dry Hollow or Red Rock Marina Campgrounds. Several primitive campsites are available, many with full or partial hookups for RVs. One group site, a glamping trailer, and 5 air-conditioned cottages are also available.
East Canyon State Park
Tucked amidst the mountain peaks, East Canyon Reservoir is a perfect destination for boating, fishing, and paddling. Watercraft rentals and supplies are available at the general store. Or, take a hike on a section of the historic Mormon Pioneer Trail before relaxing on the beach.
Find tent and RV camping at Dixie Creek Campground on the north shore, or you can choose a yurt or rustic cabin. Big Rock Campground to the south offers primitive campsites with no utilities.
For camping at any Utah State Park, reservations are available on a four-month rolling basis. Contact the Reservation Call Center at 800-322-3770 or reserve online at utahstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Park entry fees vary or the Annual Utah State Park Pass is accepted.
Mirror Lake Scenic Highway
(State Route 150)
For cool mountain air rustling through the pines, head to the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Spanning 2.2 million acres, there are plenty of places to hike, backpack, fish, paddle, and ride horses across Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.
The Mirror Lake Highway in the Heber-Kamas district is the easiest to get to from Park City. There are nearly 20 campgrounds for tents and RVs within a one-hour drive, including accessible sites at Washington Lake and Mirror Lake, which also has equestrian camps. Shingle Creek is the place to go with OHVs. And Ponderosa or Pine Valley are great for groups. The Lost Lake Campground even offers three glamping tents. All are standard nonelectric sites.
Ashley National Forest
Venture further to discover Ashley National Forest near Hanna, UT, along the southern slopes of the Uintas. At the North Fork, Rock Creek, or Moon Lake areas, visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, backpacking, fishing, OHV, and horse riding. Boats can be carried in at Upper Stillwater in Rock Creek, and motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed at Moon Lake.
All campgrounds are standard nonelectic sites for tents and RVs. Moon Lake Campground is adjacent to Moon Lake Resort where rentals and supplies may be purchased.
For national parks or forests, the National Recreation Reservation Service takes reservations for most campgrounds up to 240 days in advance at 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. Sites can be reserved up to 5 days in advance, after which sites may be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Your camp reservation fees permit you to park and recreate within the developed campground. A pass is required if you plan to park anywhere outside the campground.
Remember to always check stateparks.utah.gov or fs.usda.gov for alerts, restrictions, water availability, or other important details about the park and campground.