U.S. Forest Service · Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest · Salem, UT

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 ↗
Payson Lakes CampgroundPayson Lakes Campground 10Payson Lakes CampgroundPayson Lakes Campground 11
Photos courtesy of Utah Recreation Company · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups80
Group sites3
Yurts2
RV, no hookups1
Host/management60
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 115 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

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

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFiresPetsAccessible
A03AStandardBack-in40No / –8 / 1YesYes
A04AStandardBack-in32No / –8 / 1YesYes
A05AStandardBack-in51No / –8 / 1YesYes
A06AStandardBack-in39No / –8 / 1YesYes
A07AStandardBack-in46No / –8 / 1YesYes
A08AStandardBack-in53No / –8 / 1YesYes
A09AStandardBack-in40No / –8 / 1YesYes
A10AStandardPull-through115No / –8 / 1YesYes
A13AStandardBack-in52No / –8 / 1YesYes
A14AStandardBack-in48No / –8 / 1YesYes

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.

Campground map of Payson Lakes
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 length71 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesCash, 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.
AccessibilitySites 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

StatusOpen
ForestUinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
RulesPowerboats are prohibited. No all-terrain or off-highway vehicles allowed in the campground.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Payson Lakes20°30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 1.83 inches of precipitation, 13.4 inches of snowFebruary: 1.63 inches of precipitation, 13.3 inches of snowMarch: 1.94 inches of precipitation, 6.9 inches of snowApril: 2.20 inches of precipitation, 3.3 inches of snowMay: 1.91 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 0.91 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 0.73 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 0.76 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 1.19 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowOctober: 1.80 inches of precipitation, 0.8 inches of snowNovember: 1.53 inches of precipitation, 5.6 inches of snowDecember: 1.92 inches of precipitation, 11.7 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 28.6°F averageFebruary: 33.0°F averageMarch: 41.6°F averageApril: 47.7°F averageMay: 56.8°F averageJune: 67.2°F averageJuly: 76.3°F averageAugust: 74.5°F averageSeptember: 64.5°F averageOctober: 51.0°F averageNovember: 38.5°F averageDecember: 28.9°F average0 in5 in10 in15 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Santaquin Chlorinator, 8 miles from the campground at 5,160 feet, station USC00427686 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 18 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 55 inches a year on the same inches scale.

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 townSalem, Utah
Coordinates39.9297° 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

  • Prescribed
    Spring Dell Rx

    27 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    San Pitch Rx

    40 mi from the campground · 15 acres

  • Prescribed
    Corner Canyon Rx

    40 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Pepperwood 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 stationDump station ↗2.8 mi
Outdoor gearSportsman's Warehouse ↗20 mi
RV sales & serviceWestern Range Camps ↗29.1 mi

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

Explore

Video

Camping at Payson Lakes, Utah | Exploring Our Own Backyard

  • 0.4 mi
    Box Lake
    0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.4 mi
    Rock Spring ↗
    7.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
  • 0.5 mi
    Payson Lake
    1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.8 mi
    Loafer Mountain ↗
    5.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
  • 0.8 mi
    Blackhawk ↗
    14.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 1 mi
    Jones Ranch
    2.8 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

On Wilderness Atlas →

Mount Nebo Wilderness begins about 5.9 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 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

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

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