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
Suzanne W
VerifiedJune 23, 2026 • Stayed at: B22, Loop: B
This year it was so crowded we couldn't even get in the water. People leaving trash and food laying around. Not packing out. A little frustrating that some people can be so disrespectful.
Jay S
VerifiedJune 21, 2026 • Stayed at: B16/17, Loop: B
Great stay.
Victor G
VerifiedJune 21, 2026 • Stayed at: B21, Loop: B
We stayed from Thursday to Sunday. Thursday and Friday was really great. We enjoyed the lake kayaking. Then Friday it was so crowded at the lake. We couldn’t launch our kayaks. Saturday was even worse. I know it should be open to everybody and they all have an opportunity to be there. But it was so crowded. It made Friday through Sunday miserable because of the lake.
Kellie C
VerifiedJune 21, 2026 • Stayed at: C20/21, Loop: C
Such a beautiful campground!! The lake is absolutely gorgeous and has plenty of spots all around the lake to set up for your family. The camp sites actually are pretty sparse on trees. Not a lot of big pines around. More like small aspens that don’t give a lot of shade. Definitely bring a shade canopy. Would come here again and again though!
Kevin W
VerifiedJune 21, 2026 • Stayed at: C14, Loop: C
Payson lake campground is very clean and has plenty of shade. The restrooms were very clean and well stocked. The lake experience is so pristine and beautiful. It does get real busy Saturday, but the rest of the week is peaceful.
Cami R
VerifiedJune 19, 2026 • Stayed at: GRP-C, Loop: GRP
We had a great experience at beautiful Payson Lakes! The group campground was clean, beautifully maintained and more than big enough for our group of 50. We loved the cooking area with both a grill and dutch oven stand - we used both multiple times. The staff was super helpful and kind. Thanks for making our camping experience so enjoyable! Can't wait to go back!
Richard E
VerifiedJune 15, 2026 • Stayed at: B20, Loop: B
Great spots at the end of loop B.
Julie M
VerifiedJune 14, 2026 • Stayed at: C03, Loop: C
We love staying at Payson lakes. We love the privacy we get at the campsites. One thing to improve on is enforcing the rules you list. Someone across the campground was playing music so loud and nothing was done.
Keith V
VerifiedJune 14, 2026 • Stayed at: B30, Loop: B
The campground was nice and well maintained. Beautiful scenery and nice campsites.
MARVIN L
VerifiedJune 2, 2026 • Stayed at: B07, Loop: B
Most relaxing time I have had in a long time. Paved walkway around the lake. The trail to and from the lake was dirt and a good climb but doable.
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
