Campground

Payson Lakes

Near Payson, Utah

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Recreation Sites

Standard Nonelectric
Management
Group Standard Nonelectric
Yurt
Rv Nonelectric
Overnight

Activities

Swimming Site
Wildlife Viewing
Hiking
Fishing
Camping
Picnicking

Amenities

Day Use Area
Drinking Water (peak season)
Flush Toilets (Seasonal)
Host
Vault Toilets
Campfire Rings
Picnic Tables
Pets Allowed
Firewood
Tent Pads
Accessibility
Accessible Occupant Message
Sleeping Shelter

Nearby Attractions

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.

Getting Here

Latitude

39° 55' 46.9999" N

Longitude

111° 38' 30.9998" W

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.

Need to Know

This Campground is in Bear Country

Always store food and trash securely to avoid attracting wildlife

-Failure to comply may result in fines up to $5,000, removal from your site and/or imprisonment

Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear; your actions can save lives

Dogs or Domestic Pets

Owners must

-Control dog by leash not to exceed six feet (6’) at all times

-Clean up dog feces immediately

-Limit two dogs per site

Do not allow dogs to

-Threaten or attack people/animals

-Interfere with people, vehicles, or property

-Cause damage to vegetation or harass wildlife

Dogs are not allowed on beaches or in water, but can be on the trails in the Day Use area

Campground Etiquette and Rules

Gates open at 7am, close at 10pm

Quiet Hours are 10pm-6am No generators after 10pm

Camping is allowed only within the designated space provided. Do not go beyond site boundaries

Max occupancy is 8 people per single site

Reserved sites will be held until 12pm the day following your arrival date

Horses/Off-road vehicles are prohibited in the campground

Leave No Trace

-Put all trash in dumpsters, if provided, or properly stored in your vehicle or bear box

-Remove all personal property and trash when leaving

-Unclean sites will be reported to the District Ranger LEO

-Leaving food/trash in an unoccupied site may result in a $5,000 fine

This is a 'pack it in, pack it out' facility; bring trash bags

Cleaning fish or bathing where drinking water is supplied is strictly prohibited

Fireworks, discharging of firearms, or other explosives in the campground is not allowed

No boisterous behavior. Be courteous to your fellow visitor. Keep noise at a reasonable level

No amplified music is allowed in USDA Forest Service campgrounds and facilities. People come to the campgrounds for peace and quiet

Max Vehicle Length includes tow vehicle

There is a 2-night minimum stay on weekends; 3-night minimum stay on holiday weekends

Trailers/Campers and RVs: Come with water tank filled. Hooking up to spigots or the power in the restrooms, even for medical devices is strictly prohibited

First Come First Served (FF) sites

A Loop is FF through entire season

For reservable sites, reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance

FF site must be claimed in person on the day you wish to check-in

A site listed as FF does not guarantee availability, Recreation.gov does not update FF occupancy

The only way to know if an FF site is available is to arrive at the site on the day you plan to check-in

Availability cannot be predicted

Many sites are in remote locations, we cannot contact hosts about availability

Recommended arrival times vary by day. Weekends and holidays fill more quickly

To claim an FF site, you must be present, occupy the site, and pay at that time

There is no waiting list for FF sites

Extra Vehicle -$10 per vehicle, per day (paid on-site cash/check)

Firewood -$9

If you booked at a discount without a Senior or Access pass, you'll need to pay the difference in cash/check upon arrival. Only Senior or Access passes qualify for discounts and proof of ownership upon arrival is required

Please understand that camping/picnicking is an outdoor experience; we do not give refunds or credits for weather or natural conditions

Cancellations within 24 hours prior to arrival date will forfeit the entire use fee and a $10 cancellation fee

No-shows, early departures, or cancellations after the arrival date will not be refunded

Failure to arrive at the site by 12pm the day after scheduled arrival and does not cancel, will be charged a $20 service fee and forfeit the first-night use fee

For more info on visiting Bear Country visit

wildawareutah.org

wildlife.utah.gov

For campground Rules and Regulations visit gocamputah.com/rules

Click here for more info about the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

For more info, call Spanish Fork Ranger District at 801-798-3571 or Utah Recreation at 385-273-1100

Visit our website gocamputah.com or Facebook facebook.com/letsgocamputah

To reserve a site call Recreation.gov reservation line 1-877-444-6777

Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood within 10 miles of your destination and burning it on-site. For more info click here

Please note: Utah Recreation is not responsible for accident or injury to any person or property resulting from the use of this facility and is not responsible for the loss of money or valuables of any kind. The user of this permit assumes full and complete responsibility for the conduct and actions of all members in their party