Payson Lakes
Payson Lakes Campground is a local favorite, located just 12 miles from Payson, Utah. Visitors love the campground for its great fishing and canoeing opportunities, pretty scenery and close proximity to town.
More like this: reservable in Utah · big rigs in Utah · pets allowed in Utah · group sites in Utah
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗



Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 80 |
| Group sites | 3 |
| Yurts | 2 |
| RV, no hookups | 1 |
| Host/management | 60 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 115 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
86 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Pets | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A03 | A | Standard | Back-in | 40 | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |||
| A04 | A | Standard | Back-in | 32 | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |||
| A05 | A | Standard | Back-in | 51 | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |||
| A06 | A | Standard | Back-in | 39 | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |||
| A07 | A | Standard | Back-in | 46 | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |||
| A08 | A | Standard | Back-in | 53 | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |||
| A09 | A | Standard | Back-in | 40 | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |||
| A10 | A | Standard | Pull-through | 115 | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |||
| A13 | A | Standard | Back-in | 52 | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |||
| A14 | A | Standard | Back-in | 48 | No / – | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 71 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Cash, Check, or Scan & Pay (with recreation.gov app). 71 single sites - $31.00, capacity - 8 people + 1 vehicle. 10 double sites - $62.00, capacity - 16 people + 2 vehicle. 2 glamping sites - $119.00, capacity - 8 people (deposit required) + 1 vehicle. |
| Accessibility | Sites B10, B11, B13, B23 and 19 more are listed accessible |
This large campground contains single and double sites with picnic tables and campfire rings. Three group sites are also available, equipped with picnic and serving tables, grills, dutch oven cooking surfaces, campfire circles, water spigots and cement site pads. Group sites are in an area separate from single sites and the day-use area. Vault toilets are provided near Group Site A; flush toilets are provided between Group Sites B and C. Vault toilets are provided in the single and double site loops. Campground hosts are on-site and firewood is available for purchase. Roads and parking spurs are paved.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest |
| Rules | Powerboats are prohibited. No all-terrain or off-highway vehicles allowed in the campground. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-15, take exit 250 toward north Payson/Salem and proceed south on Main Street to 100 North/Highway 198. Travel east to 600 East. Turn south onto 600 east, which becomes the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway/Payson Canyon Road. Travel up the canyon to the campground.
| Nearest town | Salem, Utah |
| Coordinates | 39.9297° N, 111.6419° 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
- PrescribedSpring Dell Rx
27 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSan Pitch Rx
40 mi from the campground · 15 acres
- PrescribedCorner Canyon Rx
40 mi from the campground
- PrescribedPepperwood Rx
44 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 2.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 20 mi |
| RV sales & service | Western Range Camps ↗ | 29.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Camping at Payson Lakes, Utah | Exploring Our Own Backyard
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miBox Lake0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miRock Spring ↗7.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.5 miPayson Lake1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miLoafer Mountain ↗5.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.8 miBlackhawk ↗14.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miJones Ranch2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
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
Mount Nebo Wilderness begins about 5.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.9 miMount Nebo Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 27,075 acres
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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Santaquin Junior High SchoolBuilding · Santaquin · 7.7 mi
- Payson Presbyterian ChurchBuilding · Payson · 8.7 mi
- Ira W. Gardner HouseBuilding · Salem · 8.8 mi
Natural features
The campground is nestled in a forest of aspen, fir and pine trees at an elevation of 8,000 feet. The Payson Lakes area is made up of McClelland, Box and Big East Lakes. Summer wildflowers are abundant. A variety of wildlife makes its home around the lakes.
Recreation
Payson Lakes offers great canoeing and kayaking. Anglers enjoy fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Powerboats are prohibited. A popular day-use area is located on the shore of Big East Lake, with a small swim beach, picnic tables and flush toilets. A paved nature path begins at the parking area and circles the lake.
Nearby
The Mount Nebo Wilderness Area is adjacent, brimming with beautiful mountain scenery, pristine waters, abundant wildlife, vibrant summer wildflowers and numerous trail opportunities. The Nebo Loop Scenic Byway stretches 37 miles through high alpine terrain, dense forests and colorful meadows. Devil's Kitchen Geological Area can be found along the loop. It offers a 1/2-mile round-trip trail to interesting red rock hoodoos.
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 Payson Lakes?
Sites at Payson Lakes 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 Payson Lakes?
Cash, Check, or Scan & Pay (with recreation.gov app). 71 single sites - $31.00, capacity - 8 people + 1 vehicle. 10 double sites - $62.00, capacity - 16 people + 2 vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Payson Lakes?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Payson Lakes?
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 Payson Lakes open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Payson Lakes have?
146 sites, including 80 standard sites without power, 3 group sites, 2 yurt, and 1 RV site without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Payson Lakes?
The longest site here provides 71 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. 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 Payson Lakes?
Vault toilets are provided near Group Site A; flush toilets are provided between Group Sites B and C.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Payson Lakes?
Yes, pets are allowed at Payson Lakes. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Payson Lakes?
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. Powerboats are prohibited.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Payson Lakes?
Sites B10, B11, B13, and B23 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 23 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
What is there to do at Payson Lakes?
Payson Lakes offers great canoeing and kayaking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation





