U.S. Forest Service · Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest · Salt Lake City, UT

Spruces - Big Cottonwood

Spruces Campground is located in scenic Big Cottonwood Canyon at an elevation of 7,500 feet. Salt Lake City is conveniently close. Visitors enjoy hiking, biking and fishing.

More like this: reservable in Utah · big rigs in Utah · group sites in Utah

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Spruces - Big CottonwoodSpruces - Big CottonwoodSpruces - Big CottonwoodSpruces - Big Cottonwood
Photos courtesy of USFS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups82
group picnic area6
RV, no hookups5
Yurts4
Group sites3
Tent-only2
Host/management8
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 80 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

102 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFiresPetsAccessible
GRP2GRUP - DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaPaved100 / 20YesNoYes
GRP3GRUP - DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaPavedFull100 / 20YesNoYes
GRP4GRUP - DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaPavedFull50 / 10YesNoYes
GRP7GRUP - DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaPavedPartial150 / 30YesNoYes
GRP8GRUP - DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaPavedPartial50 / 10YesNoYes
GRP9GRUP - DAY USEGroup Picnic AreaPavedFull100 / 20YesNoYes
GRP1GRUP - OVERNIGHTGroup35PavedFull50 / 10YesNoYes
GRP5GRUP - OVERNIGHTGroup35PavedFull50 / 10YesNo
GRP6GRUP - OVERNIGHTGroup35PavedFull50 / 10YesNoYes
001LOWRStandardBack-in20Paved16 / 2YesNo

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 7:00 AM, checkout 10:00 PM.

Campground map of Spruces - Big Cottonwood
Campground map published by U.S. Forest Service on Recreation.gov, credited to Alexa Anderson. Open the image for full size.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length80 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesCash, Check, or Scan & Pay. 80 Single Sites- $33.00, Capacity - 8 people + 1 vehicle. 8 Double Sites - $67.00, Capacity - 16 people + 2 vehicle. 2 Triple Sites - $94.00, Capacity - 24 people + 3 vehicle. 4 Glamping Sites - $119.00, Capacity - 8 people (deposit required) + 1 vehicle.
AccessibilitySites GRP2, GRP3, GRP4, GRP7 and 8 more are listed accessible

This large campground contains several group overnight campsites and day-use picnic sites, as well as numerous single and double-family campsites. All sites have picnic tables, campfire rings and grills. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. A baseball field, volleyball court and horseshoe pits are located within the campground. Firewood is available for purchase from the host. All roads, parking areas and parking sites are paved and all walkways are concrete or paved.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
ForestUinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
RulesThis campground is located Big Cottonwood Canyon, which is in the Salt Lake City Watershed. Special regulations apply and are strictly enforced. No pets allowed. This area is closed to swimming.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Spruces - Big Cottonwood20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 6.37 inches of precipitation, 74.7 inches of snowFebruary: 5.40 inches of precipitation, 81.2 inches of snowMarch: 6.17 inches of precipitation, 71.4 inches of snowApril: 4.78 inches of precipitation, 50.0 inches of snowMay: 3.47 inches of precipitation, 15.9 inches of snowJune: 1.96 inches of precipitation, 4.4 inches of snowJuly: 1.48 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 2.07 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 2.58 inches of precipitation, 2.6 inches of snowOctober: 3.50 inches of precipitation, 24.4 inches of snowNovember: 4.17 inches of precipitation, 53.9 inches of snowDecember: 5.13 inches of precipitation, 79.8 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 22.9°F averageFebruary: 23.0°F averageMarch: 28.5°F averageApril: 33.6°F averageMay: 43.0°F averageJune: 53.3°F averageJuly: 61.6°F averageAugust: 60.2°F averageSeptember: 51.7°F averageOctober: 40.3°F averageNovember: 29.1°F averageDecember: 22.3°F average0 in20 in40 in60 in80 in100 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Alta, 3 miles from the campground at 8,710 feet, station USC00420072 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 47 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 458 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

From I-215, take the 6200 South exit and travel a mile east to Wasatch Blvd. Take Wasatch Blvd a mile south to junction with Big Cottonwood Canyon/Highway 190. Make a left at the junction and travel up Big Cottonwood Canyon 9.7 miles to the campground.

Nearest townSalt Lake City, Utah
Coordinates40.6406° N, 111.6358° W · Directions ↗

Charges and cancellations

  • Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees
  • Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation.
  • Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
  • You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
  • Late Cancellations
  • Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.
  • Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.
  • Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
  • Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
  • Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge.
  • No-Shows
  • Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival
  • If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.
  • Refunds
  • Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure.
  • Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location.
  • Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.
  • Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.
  • Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.
  • Recreation.gov Billing Information

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Mill Creek State Piles Rx

    3 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Mill Creek Piles Rx

    3 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Thaynes Canyon 2026 Piles Rx

    6 mi from the campground · 73 acres

  • Prescribed
    Parleys/Lambs Canyon Piles Rx

    6 mi from the campground

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearPowderhorn Adventure Center ↗2.7 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗10.3 mi
RV sales & serviceParris RV ↗13.2 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Camping at the Spruces | Big Cottonwood Canyon | Silver Lake | 2025

Worth a stop

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a beautiful area known for its soaring peaks, pristine hidden lakes and cascading streams. Numerous hiking and mountain biking trails are in the area. Rock climbing is a popular activity as well. Solitude Mountain Resort is 3 miles up-canyon, offering scenic chairlift rides, hiking, a few dining options and a challenging 18-hole disc golf course. Silver Lake is another mile past Solitude. Fishing and canoeing are popular activities. An easy trail loops around the small lake.

  • 0.2 mi
    Days Fork
    3.1 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 0.3 mi
    Green Basin
    1.1 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 0.5 mi
    Donut Falls Connector
    0.7 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 0.7 mi
    Jordan Pines Connector
    0.5 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 0.8 mi
    Cardiff Boardwalk Connector
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 0.8 mi
    Cardiff Fork
    1.8 mi trail · hiking, bike

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

Mount Olympus Wilderness begins about 2.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The campground is set among a forest of shady spruce and aspen trees. Vivid summer wildflowers are abundant and autumn leaves put on quite a show.

Recreation

Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities on canyon trails, including the Donut Falls Trail, which begins in the nearby Jordan Pines Campground. Fly-fishermen enjoy casting on Big Cottonwood Creek.

Guidebooks for Utah

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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Spruces - Big Cottonwood?

Sites at Spruces - Big Cottonwood are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Spruces - Big Cottonwood?

Cash, Check, or Scan & Pay. 80 Single Sites- $33.00, Capacity - 8 people + 1 vehicle. 8 Double Sites - $67.00, Capacity - 16 people + 2 vehicle.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Spruces - Big Cottonwood?

Check-in 7:00 AM, checkout 10:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Spruces - Big Cottonwood?

Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

Source: Charges and cancellations

Is Spruces - Big Cottonwood open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Spruces - Big Cottonwood have?

110 sites, including 82 standard sites without power, 6 group picnic area, 5 RV sites without hookups, and 4 yurt.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Spruces - Big Cottonwood?

Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are there showers or a dump station at Spruces - Big Cottonwood?

Flush toilets and drinking water are provided.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Spruces - Big Cottonwood?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. This campground is located Big Cottonwood Canyon, which is in the Salt Lake City Watershed.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at Spruces - Big Cottonwood?

Sites GRP2, GRP3, GRP4, and GRP7 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 12 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Spruces - Big Cottonwood?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at Spruces - Big Cottonwood?

Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities on canyon trails, including the Donut Falls Trail, which begins in the nearby Jordan Pines Campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation