Payson Lakes Campground

The scenery driving up to Payson Lakes Campground is beautiful especially with fall colors. It is also a rather short distance from Salt Lake County and even shorter from Utah County which makes it easy to go up there for a one or two night stay on the weekend if you live in those areas....but it is also easy for everyone else. The issue isn't so much that the campground was full, it is that the sites are so close to each other that with that many people it doesn't provide the peaceful experience that I enjoy about camping. While there are some options to disperse camp nearby, there were restrictions on having a fire in those spots but not in the campground.

There is potable water and clean vault toilets in this campground as well as there is firewood for sale

The lakes were very low due to the drought and they had an algae bloom issue so we didn't get in them with our canoe. That would have made things more enjoyable.

I would go here again, but just for one of those last minute trips where you only can go one night and don't want to drive hours and hours.

Most important information first:
- Nebo Loop drive is beautiful but the drive has mountainous switchbacks so driving a long rig is tricky
- $23 per night and no discount for America the Beautiful pass
- no hookups but drinkable water available at all vault bathrooms (RVs not permitted to fill their tanks with these connections)
- picnic table and fire pit at every camp site
- bathrooms were clean and well maintained
- No sewer dump available
- large trash dumpster available
- lots of beautiful pine and aspen trees make shade easy to find but maneuvering large vehicles tricky, and solar exposure patchy.
- 3 loops with a variety of sized sites for lots of different camping. Some are pull through. Everything is paved but not all the sites are level and we were unable to find many that worked for our large 41 foot toy hauler.
- camp host was kind and helpful
- Pet friendly

We camped here late September. Loop B was shutdown for the season so we found a nice pull through spot on loop C. Unfortunately, we were asked to relocate after our second night because they wanted to shutdown loop C for the season. So we decided to leave and go up the road to a large dispersed camping area that we had found (much more open for our solar panels and better cell reception for AT&T) just across from Lumber Road. We would have enjoyed staying longer at Payson Lakes but Loop A seemed problematic for our large rig.

During our stay, we really enjoyed a beautiful walk around Big East Lake. The walk was fully paved (perfect for my wife’s electric wheelchair) and the fall leaves were lovely. Lots of families and fishermen were there enjoying the day.
I highly recommend this campground but maybe not for extra big rigs like ours (maybe Loop B would work, but we didn’t get to drive it to see).

This is our second time here, and a MUCH better site than we had last time. Unfortunately, there were cows grazing EVERYWHERE! And with cows comes cow pies! Also the cows would bellow at all hours. But when they weren't in the campsite and you couldn't hear them, the place was very nice.

We had reservations, but nothing was on the post indicating our reservation. Found out the camp host for this loop was down in town at the hospital, so it could have slipped the usual process. There also wasn't anyone in the main gate, so we just went to our spot and no one ever really checked on us, to be sure we had paid or anything...which I thought was weird, but we HAD paid so we knew we were okay.

The setting was beautiful, the lake is close by down a trail or short drive. A few nice little hikes nearby...the Grotto 5 miles to the north of here, and Devil's Kitchen about 15 miles south. VERY short walk to Devil's Kitchen, but worth it.

Cell service was there but very spotty. We would get texts, and calls would ring in, but it was hard to keep the call.

My favorite thing about this place is it is fairly close to home, but yet UP in altitude to get somewhat cooler temps.

Biggest draw is the lake - good for kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and fishing. Hiking trails (except for paved path around the lake) are a drive down the mountain aways. Long winding road (about 11 miles) up the mountain to reach campground - might be challenging for large RV (although there were some in the campground). Only one dumpster near Loop A; a long walk from Loop C (but C is closest to the lake). Didn’t see any bears but did see lots of cattle - nature’s alarm clock! Forest service is supposed to build a fence by September. Only (very clean) pit toilet, no showers. Flush toilets by lake. Lots of trees provide privacy between sites. Would like to return in the fall to see the quaking aspens.

Camped here with friends for two nights. It was over 100 degrees in the valley and although in the 90’s during the day, very comfortable in the 70’s in the evening/night. Other than walking around the lake, you have to drive to find other trailheads for hiking. Biggest draw is the lake. Great for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Our friend caught four fish Saturday evening. Sites have a lot of trees so there is a fair amount of privacy between sites. Pit toilets, no showers (but the pit toilets are probably the cleanest I’ve ever seen!). Only one dumpster by entrance to loop A so it is a hike from Loop C (but C is closest to the lake). Didn’t see any bears but we did see a lot of cattle! They roam freely throughout the campground and are nature’s alarm clock. Forest service is supposed to build a fence but not until September. Very crowded on the weekend. Would like to see this campground in the fall - lots of quaking aspens. Very limited cell service - could send/receive texts but that’s about it. Long, windy road to get there - might be challenging for a large RV. Our rate reflects the National Park senior pass discount.

We've been camping here on and off for 30 years. During that time we've had a variety of tent trailers, regular travel trailers, and now a Hybrid. Our last stay here was with a tent trailer.

We did have a problem with our arrival. We had booked site 32, and when we pulled around the loop to pull into our spot there was a tent set up in that site. We found the camp host, and he was willing to make them move -- but they were nowhere to be found. Rather than wait what might be a while to get set up, we used site B31 across the road. He did give us a voucher from the company that runs this campground that entitled us to a free night in any of the other campground they manage (American Land and Leisure), and it turned out just fine.

We've always laughed about the "bear aware" signs in this campground since we'd never seen any in our previous visits. This time, there were definitely bears in the area. There was one at the dumpster the first night when my husband and son-in-law went to dump the garbage about 11 PM at night, and the next night a different bear (different color) crossed the road in front of them when they went back to the dumpster. Make sure you're keeping a clean camp and storing food properly.

One of the reasons that we love this campground is the lake that's nearby. It's a small lake, and doesn't allow motors on the lake. There's a beach area for the kids to play on and splash in the lake, and a paved trail around the lake that's suitable for bikes for fairy young kids or strollers.

Fishing is spotty. We've had good luck and bad luck during our many trips here. It is used heavily by church groups for camping on the weekends, and can be a bit noisy especially on Friday nights.

On our last trip we did have AT&T cell phone service with good reception. I didn't happen to notice how many bars we had, but it worked fine for internet access on my smart phone.

We especially like going here in the fall when the leaves are changing. The lake is frequently way down at that time of year as it's used for irrigation downstream. During the summer it can get warm during the ways, but it's always been chilly at night. In the fall you'll want sweatshirts during the day and coats at night. The campground is located at 8,000 feet, and it's a great place to get out of the heat in the valleys of Utah during the middle of summer.

The drive up to the campground is up a windy canyon road, with 7 sharp curves. If you have anyone in your vehicle who gets carsick, have them take precautions.

Jess grew up tent camping at Payson Lakes so its always been one of her favorites. We loved our campsite - we drove the other loops and it is definitely one of the largest. Even right next to the road, we really had no problems with noise. Lots of great hammock trees! Lake was great for swimming, and we all loved it. Pretty busy in the summer with girl's groups and scouts (which were noisy fairly late into the night!).

The road up to the lake is pretty windy, and watch out for the cows. No joke. There are a ton of free range cows all over the hills.

There is also some great mountain biking & hiking!

If we recall right, we barely boosted in some Verizon. Enough that we had some internet, but no T-Mobile cell service.