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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Payson Lakes.
Rates, Sites & Availability
63 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
63 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (159)
What Guests Are Saying
Payson Lakes boasts beautiful scenery, clean campsites, and friendly hosts, making it a great spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Many guests enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, lake access for activities like fishing and kayaking, and well-maintained facilities. However, noise from nearby campers and the proximity of sites can detract from the experience, with some guests reporting disturbances during quiet hours.
What Guests Are Saying
Payson Lakes boasts beautiful scenery, clean campsites, and friendly hosts, making it a great spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Many guests enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, lake access for activities like fishing and kayaking, and well-maintained facilities. However, noise from nearby campers and the proximity of sites can detract from the experience, with some guests reporting disturbances during quiet hours.
Review Summary
Jennifer J
VerifiedAugust 16, 2022 • Stayed at: B18/19, Loop: B
Great time and fun place to visit.
Jesse B
VerifiedAugust 16, 2022 • Stayed at: B29, Loop: B
It was a great campground. We felt the sites were a bit close to each other, primarily because of all the dogs barking and generators humming. Because of the thick vegetation we could see them but the noise was disappointing.
Terry H
VerifiedAugust 16, 2022 • Stayed at: B15, Loop: B
The camp host for Loop B was great. He was friendly and helpful.
Hunter W
August 14, 2022
Na
Steven D
VerifiedAugust 12, 2022 • Stayed at: C03, Loop: C
We had a large family group. We felt the workers treated us great.
Zachary R
VerifiedAugust 5, 2022 • Stayed at: B34/35, Loop: B
The camp hosts were friendly and kept the bathrooms very clean.
Some of the other guests were a bit lout and up late and the camp hosts didn't help ask them to quiet down. This was a bit frustrating for small kids trying to fall asleep.
The trash bins were overflowing and spilling out which seems a bit dangerous in bear country.
We didn't notice the very small sign telling us not to swim in the algae bloom. That caused a bit of a panic for some of my kids.
Ken K
VerifiedAugust 4, 2022 • Stayed at: B07, Loop: B
The campground was beautiful and well cared for. The large Payson lake itself was overrun with algae and people were asked not to swim, but only one sign was posted, which was a problem.
Jessica C
VerifiedJuly 25, 2022 • Stayed at: C27/28, Loop: C
This site is big enough for a lot of tents which is great for friends. The toilet was clean the whole time. However, this site is mostly in the sun until evening and in the middle of summer it was too hot to sit and enjoy the day there. Bring an EZ up for the tables. The hosts weren’t as accessible as we’re used to at National parks and finding firewood wasn’t easy. It’s sold in the first circle just past the host RV. What’s great about this campground is how easy it is to get to the lake. You can walk from the campsite or go just down the road and park and bring your kayak. Bonus there are flush toilets at the day use area.
Steven H
VerifiedJuly 14, 2022 • Stayed at: GRP-C, Loop: GRP
We camped for three nights in GRP-C site. We have camped here seven or eight times over the last fifteen years but this summer was probably the very best. Excellent tent sites for more than five tents. Large parking lot to fit several trailers and family cars.
The camp hosts were Judy and Jim Tharp. They were exceptional. We enjoyed them and invited them to dinner two different nights. They attended to all of our needs. Twenty grandchildren enjoyed biking, lake swimming and parking lot games.
Callie W
VerifiedJuly 13, 2022 • Stayed at: B20, Loop: B
These campsites are very squished together. We weren’t sure what area was ours, and in trying to figure it out, we upset our “neighbors”. I will say the campground people in charge were great to work with and they helped us out a lot. The lake parking lot was full and lots of people attending up there. Not sure if we will go again.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 39.9297 / -111.642
Elevation: 2435 feet
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
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 4, 2026
