About Spruces - Big Cottonwood
Number of accommodations: 96
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
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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
Aspen A
VerifiedJuly 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: LOWR
My eight-year-old nephew was really upset they let a moose go through our campsite, but other than that we had a wonderful time. The bathrooms were clean (bring your own soap), there was plenty of room for all of our tents, and we had a lovely three-day camping trip. The pictures of campsites for 19-21 don't do it justice, because it's against the mountain and you pitch your tents up the hill from the fire pit. The kids had a great time exploring the mountainside.
Andrew D
VerifiedJuly 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: LOWR
Beautiful area. Nearby Brighton made for a nice outing.
Ron C
VerifiedJuly 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: LOWR
Nice spot
Steven S
VerifiedJuly 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 067, Loop: UPPR
It is a beautiful - but very a busy, noisy - place. The area is beautiful and the campground is well taken care of. The one big downside is the canyon road is just across the stream and is SO BUSY and NOISY that you don't really feel like you have "gotten away from things". The traffic noise was constant and loud! for the 4 days we were there. There also seemed to be an unending parade of NOISY motorcycles zooming up and down the canyon - well into the nights. Its close, convenient, but not very peaceful. Not our first choice for a getaway.
Emelia A
VerifiedJuly 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 089, Loop: UPPR
We love this campground! It’s super close to home, so full of trees and beautiful plants, close to the river, just lovely. You feel secluded and you barely notice you’re camping by others when you have one of the spots in the deeper loops. We love our spot we get every time! I’m keeping it a secret lol. The only complaint I have is that the men’s restroom in the upper loop that we were closest to was not up to par. The sink didn’t work so my husband and son had to walk back to camp with dirty hands to wash. Plus I think my son said one of the toilets was broken and there was no toilet paper. Otherwise, great campground and we are making this a yearly camping destination!
Matthew O
VerifiedJuly 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 045, Loop: UPPR
Clean sites and beautiful location
Joan K
VerifiedJuly 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: LOWR
This canyon is just beautiful.
Dave Nelson 1
VerifiedJuly 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: LOWR
We stayed in site 35. 1. We showed up to our site and there were people cooking food on the BBQ, provided our paperwork and had to ask them to leave 2. We were never told that a film crew was showing up to film. They took up 2 sites plus ours. We lost that day with our grandson. We should be credited 1 day. 3. The restroom next to the site only had 1 side open, the other was locked all week long. 4. No running water in the restroom to wash your hands. 5. Outdoor lights for the restroom didn’t work at night. 6. Our reservation name and time period we had the spot reserved were not on the the reservation sign on the post. 7. Lots of unused reserved sites. Not fair to the people who want to use the campground.
Rachael W
VerifiedJune 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 073, Loop: UPPR
I loved this site. I've never camped in Spruces so I picked this randomly. I walked around the whole campground, and I think this is probably the best site for single tent campers. The fire pit is next to the picnic table but the tent site is tucked away. It's like 40 ~ 50 feet down a little path. There's no one in front of the great view either. All the other sites I saw were feet from the road. It really felt like I was tucked away from everyone. You could see my car from the road but had to squint to see my tent. Great site. I'll be back just for this site again.
Eva C
VerifiedJune 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 094, Loop: UPPR
Spruces campground is a beautiful place with a variety of fragrant trees and lush foliage. The camp spots are mostly large, private, shady and cool. It's not uncommon to have deer sightings and other wildlife in the campground. The campground is only 20 minutes from the city, but seems a world away. The main complaint is that restrooms are in dire need of maintenance and cleaning. That said, Spruces is still a great getaway spot.
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
| Category | About |
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| General |
This Campground is in Bear Country
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| General |
Dogs are NOT allowed (only service animals) and owner may be fined $650
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Campground Etiquette and Rules
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This is a 'pack it in, pack it out' facility; please bring trash bags |
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There is a 2-night minimum stay on weekends; 3-night minimum stay on holiday weekends |
| General |
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 |
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First Come First Served (FF) sites
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Extra Vehicle -$10 per vehicle, per day (paid on-site cash/check)
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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 |
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Off-road vehicles are not allowed in the canyon. |
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Please understand that camping is an outdoor experience; we do not give refunds or credits for weather or natural conditions
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For more information on visiting Bear Country visit
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Click herefor more info about the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
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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 |
| General |
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 |