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
Logan B
VerifiedJuly 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 071, Loop: UPPR
Very beautiful campground and campsite. Contrary to the description, this is not a full shade campsite. Bring an EZUP for the picnic area and you'll be fine. The restrooms were out during our stay and they had porta-pottys instead. If that's a dealbreaker, just know there are flush toilets and running sinks just 8 minutes up the canyon at Silver Lake by Brighton. Lifesaver for our 8 year old. The picnic area is about 40 feet downhill from the parking spot--it's not a terribly steep incline, but it IS an incline. The main tent area is just next to the parking area--easy access. There is a second tent site down below by the picnic area that can easily accommodate a 6-8 man tent. Be Aware: Big Cottonwood Creek is directly accessible to this campsite so beware if you have little ones. It was pretty shallow during our stay but, I've seen it much higher and swifter at other times. I'd choose an different site if I had littles. There is no wading.
Overall, it's a nice camping spot and we were very comfortable during our 3 night stay.
DENNIS F
VerifiedJuly 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 055, Loop: UPPR
The biting flies were bad again this year and the rest rooms were closed with Honey buckets which detracted from the camping experience.
Corey L
VerifiedJuly 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 060, Loop: UPPR
Great view and scenery. We came at a difficult time of year for flies. Staff was great.
Shelli M
VerifiedJuly 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: LOWR
We love camping in this yurt! Lots of trees so it’s nice & shady. Also perfect for hammocks! The little stream going through the site is a nice touch too! We look forward to more canning trips here!
Jessica I
VerifiedJuly 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 069, Loop: UPPR
It was great. The toilets weren’t working this week we went so we had to use honey buckets. Clean. Semi- quiet. Nice crew.
David S
VerifiedJuly 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 093, Loop: UPPR
OVerall the campground was great, but we were disappointed to find the restroom facilities (site wide) were not open while we were there - with porta-potties provided instead - but this was not mentioned in any of the online information provided.
thomas t
VerifiedJuly 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: LOWR
The restrooms are closed, with no indication when, or if they will be reopened.
Ryan J
VerifiedJuly 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 088, Loop: UPPR
Beautiful! Easy access, well maintained, very nice spot for easy camping
Leslie D
VerifiedJuly 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: LOWR
We got lucky and were able to grab a site when someone left early. What a beautiful campground! Many sites (ours included) have so much privacy and space. Quiet! Well managed and kept up beautifully,
Paul S
July 14, 2025
Beautiful, peaceful setting with creeks running through.
Friendly, helpful personnel - Forest service, camp hosts, Recreation.gov staff
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
