Payson Lakes

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

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.

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.

Notifications and Alerts

Campground Closed For Season: Gates are locked, no facilities (bathrooms, water, trash) are available, entry is prohibited and may result in citations. Campground will reopen in May 2025

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

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.

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.

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.

Changes & 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 date.
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

Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777."

Changes to Policies and Procedures

Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 2018.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

564 W 700 S Ste.305, Box #5 Pleasant Grove UT 84062

Physical Address

Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest Salem UT 84653

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: SPANISH FORK RANGER DISTRICT 801-798-3571 OR UTAH RECREATION COMPANY 385-273-1100

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

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.

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

Camp, RV, and Explore Outdoors

Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. We provide tools and tips to discover new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, and reservations. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Recreation.gov!