It’s that time of the year again when the camping adventurers go out and find the best spots to stake their claim. Thanks to its prime location between two national forests, Park City offers stellar camping sites in any direction.
With Wasatch National Forest to the west and Uinta National Forest to the east, there are many camping spots around Park City. Head south, and you’ll find the picturesque Heber Valley. Look to the north, and you’ll discover a variety of lakes to explore.
With beautiful sights all around, Park City is the perfect base camp for your adventure. There’s no better way to reconnect with nature than when you’re sleeping under the stars, away from the noise and light pollution of the city.
We have highlighted a few of our favorite camping spots in the area for those looking to spend a few nights under the stars.
Wasatch Mountain State Park
A magnificent mountain retreat with modern amenities and year-round outdoor activities, it is perfect for all seasons.
The park is a 23,000-acre nature preserve that’s less than 30 minutes from Park City. The monumental sanctuary is a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts. They offer hiking, mountain biking, and off-roading during the warm months and cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling during the winter. Reservations are taken year-round, and they accept tent, RV, and car camping.
They have four designated campgrounds at Wasatch Mountain State Park with 122 campsites, modern restrooms, hot showers, and utility hookups. The park also offers a collection of cabin rentals, which you’ll find far more comfortable than a tent if you visit over the winter.
The Cottonwood Loop and Mahogany Loop Campgrounds offer full hookups for RVs, while the Oak Hollow Loop Campground comes with water and electricity. For primitive camping, head to the Little Deer Creek Campground.
Mirror Lake Campground
Sleep on the shores of tranquil Mirror Lake, high in the Uinta Mountains at the base of Bald Mountain.
This campsite accepts reservations year-round for tent, RV, and car camping. You’ll find the Mirror Lake Campground just off the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, nestled between the lake and Bald Mountain. This campsite offers beautiful views in every direction.
Summer is the best time to visit Mirror Lake, as there is plenty of shade and the winter months can get very cold. You can bring your kayak or canoe for the lake and then pull out your fishing rod to catch some rainbow trout for dinner.
The Mirror Lake Campground has access to an entire network of backcountry trails, perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Follow the Highline Trail to visit Bonnie Lake, Scudder Lake, Naturalist Basin, or take the Fehr Lake Trail to its namesake lake. If you have some hiking experience, take the Bald Mountain Trail to the rocky summit for unbelievable panoramic views.
Jordanelle State Park
This is the best location for those looking to have some fun with some water sports. They are open year-round for tent, RV, car camping, and hike-in camping. Centered around the idyllic Jordanelle Reservoir, this is the go-to campground for locals who own a boat or jet skis.
You can also rent boats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards at the Jordanelle Marina. The Hailstone Recreation Area is an excellent place to set up camp at Jordanelle State Park.
This well-developed area features 103 RV campsites with partial hookups, four loops for tent camping at the McHenry Campground, and hike-in campsites at the Keetley Campground. A few cabins are available for rent, and you can reserve one of 40 cabanas that are located by the lake for some shade and privacy.
Reservations are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but walk-ins are available year-round. Camping over the winter is perfectly acceptable in RVs, though tents aren’t allowed once there’s snow on the ground.
Smith & Morehouse Campground
This is another great option on the edge of the Uinta Mountain Range at 7,800 feet near the picturesque Smith & Morehouse Reservoir.
Motorized boats are permitted on the reservoir, but the wake-less speed restriction makes it an ideal destination for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. The reservoir is also an excellent spot for fishing, as it’s stocked with rainbow trout in addition to the other native fish species.
The Smith & Morehouse Campground has 34 campsites that can fit up to eight campers. Campfire rings and picnic tables are provided, and the campgrounds offer drinking water and vault toilets. RVs are permitted, but there are no hookups for electric, gas, or water.
These are just some of the many different options available to campers in the area. Whether you are camping for the first time or an experienced veteran, look to these great locations for some fun this camping season.
For those looking for a more permanent place to sleep, consider using Jensen and Company real estate for all of your property needs.