Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates63 total sites
RV Sites
61 sites
Yurts
2 sites
About Payson Lakes
Number of accommodations: 63
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Parking
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Firewood Available
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Water Access
- Lake Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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63 Sites Available
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Reviews (202)
What Guests Are Saying
Payson Lakes offers a beautiful and well-maintained campground, ideal for family fun with spacious sites and stunning lake views. Many visitors appreciate the friendly hosts and the variety of activities available, including fishing and hiking. However, some concerns were raised about restroom maintenance, noise levels, and the presence of wandering cows, suggesting that improvements could enhance the overall experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Payson Lakes offers a beautiful and well-maintained campground, ideal for family fun with spacious sites and stunning lake views. Many visitors appreciate the friendly hosts and the variety of activities available, including fishing and hiking. However, some concerns were raised about restroom maintenance, noise levels, and the presence of wandering cows, suggesting that improvements could enhance the overall experience.
Review Summary
Jessi R
VerifiedAugust 16, 2026 • Stayed at: GRP-A, Loop: GRP
We loved our stay here! We had 8 couples stay on group A site and it was perfect. Plenty of easy parking and felt like we had our own space. Wish we had sinks in the bathrooms but wasn’t a deal breaker. The one complaint is there was no sign to show us where the group sites were. Every couple had to track down a host or maintenance person to tell us where the group sites were. Why not put a sign up?? Amazing time at payson lakes!
Kristin H
VerifiedAugust 13, 2026 • Stayed at: B38, Loop: B
The pit toilets stunk pretty bad and could be smelled at our campsite. The host moved us with no problems. So greatful for her! Going to the bathroom was awful in the mornings. Maybe it was the time of year (summer) but they are pretty bad.
Justin C
VerifiedAugust 10, 2026 • Stayed at: B10, Loop: B
Been going to Payson Lakes for 40 years. Such a beautiful place. Disappointed in the maintenance of the bathrooms the past few years.
Jammie S
VerifiedAugust 5, 2026 • Stayed at: B24, Loop: B
I like the campsites. I have looked at all three loops. Like any campsite, it's a hit or miss if you're going to have shade or not. Both of my campsites that I had gone to said I had shade, one did and one absolutely did not. But it's a beautiful area. I do plan on going back.
Gregory R
VerifiedAugust 4, 2026 • Stayed at: C03, Loop: C
Had a great time during our stay. Caught a handful of rainbow trout and played in the lake. Campground was well maintained. Gave 4 stars instead of 5 cause we had to clean up some cow pies around the campground. Kids loved watching the cows, but it was a little bit of a nuisance.
Janet P
VerifiedAugust 4, 2026 • Stayed at: B18/19, Loop: B
I love Payson Lakes, and have been going here for over 20 years. The only thing that wasn’t amazing were the cows wandering through the campsites and around the lake. They would tromp right through our camp areas and there were cow patties everywhere. The fence really needs to be maintained so the cows stay out. We had lots of little kids and it was dangerous.
Kathy A
VerifiedAugust 2, 2026 • Stayed at: GRP-C, Loop: GRP
Cows are plentiful
Kyle S
VerifiedAugust 2, 2026 • Stayed at: B12, Loop: B
Payson Lakes is a gorgeous place and I take my family there for a week every year.If it weren’t such a spectacular place I wouldn’t bother. It consistently has the laziest staff that fail to hold up their end of providing the supposed amenities offered. Filthy bathrooms and over packed parking at the lakes are what we’ve learned to expect in exchange for our hard earned money.
Margie Q
VerifiedAugust 2, 2026 • Stayed at: C24, Loop: C
The campground we had was to steep!! Other than that we love Payson Lakes!!
Blaine H
VerifiedJuly 26, 2026 • Stayed at: B11, Loop: B
Fun place well kept site
Location Payson Lakes
Address:
Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest
Salem, UT, 84653
United States
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.
Payson Lakes Campground is accessible via I-15, with the nearest exit (250) located approximately 4 miles away. Travelers can proceed south on Main Street to Highway 198, which leads east to the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway.
Elevation: 2435 feet
16 mi drive to downtown Salem (about 34 min)
Policies & Rules
General
- 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
- Gates open at 7am, close at 10pm; 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
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Last updated: September 4, 2026
