About Spruces - Big Cottonwood
Number of accommodations: 96
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Fishing
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
96 Sites Available
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Site Details
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96 Sites Available
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Reviews (312)
What Guests Are Saying
The campground at Spruces in Big Cottonwood Canyon offers beautiful scenery, friendly staff, and well-maintained sites, making it a popular choice for campers. Many visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, great hiking options, and clean facilities, despite some complaints about the restroom situation and water availability. While there have been issues with locked bathrooms and high traffic on weekends, overall experiences highlight the campground's charm and natural beauty.
What Guests Are Saying
The campground at Spruces in Big Cottonwood Canyon offers beautiful scenery, friendly staff, and well-maintained sites, making it a popular choice for campers. Many visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, great hiking options, and clean facilities, despite some complaints about the restroom situation and water availability. While there have been issues with locked bathrooms and high traffic on weekends, overall experiences highlight the campground's charm and natural beauty.
Review Summary
erin g
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 093, Loop: UPPR
Nowhere did I read that dogs were not allowed. Would’ve been nice to know prior to paying for our reservation only to be turned away.
Mike Y
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: LOWR
Spruces Campground had nice clean facilities and nice campsites. It was a tough hike from the campground up to Silver Lake because you were unable to drive up to Silver Flat Lake Recreation area.
The hiking trails were difficult to hike on because the trails are not being maintained.
Dominique W
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2022 • Stayed at: GRP6, Loop: GRUP - OVERNIGHT
Spruces was the perfect place for my son's 1st birthday! It was a beautiful late summer day, a great way to escape the city heat and be surrounded by the beauty of Big Cottonwood Canyon! The campsites are not too close to each other and are so clean and accommodating. Bathrooms are close, trash bins supplied at the sites as well as large dumpsters close to the exits. I always recommend Spruces for a quick getaway from SLC!
Janet H
VerifiedAugust 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: LOWR
We enjoyed getting away and enjoying nature close to home. We walked around Silver lake and hiked to Donut Falls. We saw a mama and baby moose next to our campsite! It was nice to relax and enjoy nature.
Emma R
VerifiedAugust 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 048, Loop: UPPR
reserved an RV/trailer spot and when we got there there was no way anyone could get an Rv/trailer in at the angel it was at. Total waste of money and a bummer of a night
Ryan Q
VerifiedAugust 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 043, Loop: UPPR
The yurt was very clean and in a perfect location near the stream. The only downfall was the mens restroom sink did not work so there was no where to wash hands.
Susan R
VerifiedAugust 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 071, Loop: UPPR
We loved being able to hike to Donut Falls from our campsite! Although we had technical difficulties with our travel trailer, Camp Manager Jo Deen and the two maintenance guys were kind and super-helpful in getting our problems fixed so we could return home. We will be booking Spruces again!
Tom N
VerifiedAugust 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 096, Loop: UPPR
Great campsite. Plenty of shade and paved walkways. Beautiful area to rest, relax, and recreate!
Dale H
VerifiedAugust 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 051, Loop: UPPR
The campsite was clean and well taken care of. We camped in a tent and the only complaint I have is those prickly weeds tat stuck in my socks and pants while setting the tent up. We loved to watch and experience the squirrels, chipmunks and different birds. We hiked to Donut Falls and just spent time relaxing around the campfire.
Donald D M
VerifiedAugust 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 077, Loop: UPPR
The site was fine. Bathrooms, fire pit, water around the corner. Not really camping in my book but for people who can only go so far or do so much it’s fine. Lots of geocaches for the kids. LOUD! The main canyon road is close and the other campers can be very loud at times with no regulation. Sad. Bring a saw or hatchet for wood, the fallen wood will be scavenged so you’ll need to find dead trees still standing to cut down. Don’t worry it is allowed. It’s forest fire prevention believe it or not. Again it’s great for the elderly and kids and large groups but it’s not for the mega outdoorsy type.
Location Spruces - Big Cottonwood
Address:
Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Salt Lake City, UT, 84121
United States
Latitude & Longitude: 40.6406 / -111.636
Elevation: 2251 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check out time
12PM
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 campsite and/or imprisonment - Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear; your actions can save lives
- Dogs are NOT allowed (only service animals) and owner may be fined $650 This is a watershed area; -Visitors will be fined for bringing domestic pets or livestock into the area -Wading and playing in the water is not allowed
- Gates open at 7am, close at 10pm. Camping is allowed only within the designated space provided. Do not go beyond the boundaries of your site. Max occupancy is 8 people per single site. Reserved campsites will be held until 12pm on the day following your scheduled arrival date. Horses/Off-road vehicles are strictly prohibited in the campground. Leave No Trace. Cleaning fish, animals, or bathing where drinking water is supplied is strictly prohibited. Fireworks or other explosives are prohibited. Discharging of a firearm in the campground is not allowed. No fighting or 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.
- This is a 'pack it in, pack it out' facility; please bring trash bags
- There is a 2-night minimum stay on weekends; 3-night minimum stay on holiday weekends
- Trailers/Campers and RVs: Come with your RV/trailer 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 For reservable sites, reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance You must claim a FF site 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 campground on the day you plan to check-in Availability cannot be predicted Many sites are in remote locations, we cannot contact camp hosts about availability Recommended arrival times vary by day. Weekends and holidays typically 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
- Off-road vehicles are not allowed in the canyon.
- Please understand that camping 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 are not entitled to a refund. If a guest does not arrive at the campsite by 12pm the day after scheduled arrival and does not cancel the reservation, will be charged a $20 service fee and forfeit the first-night use fee.
- For more information on visiting Bear Country visit wildawareutah.org wildlife.utah.gov For campground Rules and Regulations visit gocamputah.com/rules
- Click herefor more info about the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest -For more info, call Salt Lake Ranger District at 801-733-2660 opt 3 or Utah Recreation at 385-273-1100 -Visit our website gocamputah.comor Facebook facebook.com/letsgocamputah To reserve a campsite 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 information 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: June 4, 2026
