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Payson Lakes Campground in Utah
Moderate to BookNational Forest

Payson Lakes Campground

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah

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As of October 2026, Payson Lakes Campground is a campground in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah with 63 campsites. Payson Lakes Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Payson Lakes Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Payson Lakes Campground is located at 39.9297° N, 111.6419° W.
people allowed on 53 of 63 sites
8
people allowed on the largest site
100

Payson Lakes Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

  • Taxes apply
  • Reservations close: 4 day(s) prior to arrival
  • Book up to: 4 Months

Published by Recreation.gov for Payson Lakes Campground, read on September 28, 2026.

Campsites at Payson Lakes Campground

  • Standard 57
  • Group 3
  • Yurt 2
  • RV 1
  • Accessible 18
  • Hookups 1

What an RV fits

  • 20–24 ft4 sites
  • 25–29 ft9 sites
  • 30–34 ft12 sites
  • 35–39 ft10 sites
  • 40–44 ft11 sites
  • 45–49 ft13 sites
  • 60–64 ft1 site
  • 70–74 ft1 site

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain · Access: Paved road.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife, photography.

All sites at Payson Lakes Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

SiteLoopTypeSleepsMax RVHookupsAccess
B02BStandard826 ft--
B03BStandard826 ft--
B04BStandard832 ft--
B05BStandard844 ft--
B06BStandard830 ft--
B07BStandard838 ft--
B08BStandard825 ft--
B09BRV860 ft--
B10BStandard836 ft-Accessible
B11BStandard845 ft-Accessible
B12BStandard842 ft--
B13BStandard830 ft-Accessible
B14BStandard831 ft--
B15BStandard838 ft--
B16/17BStandard1628 ft-Accessible
B18/19BStandard1625 ft-Accessible
B20BStandard840 ft--
B21BStandard830 ft--
B22BStandard839 ft--
B23BStandard825 ft-Accessible
B24BStandard848 ft--
B25BStandard826 ft--
B26BStandard836 ft--
B27BStandard842 ft--
B28BStandard842 ft--
B29BStandard840 ft-Accessible
B30BStandard835 ft--
B31BStandard830 ft-Accessible
B32BStandard828 ft--
B33BStandard845 ft--
B34/35BStandard1644 ft--
B36BStandard830 ft--
B37BStandard871 ft--
B38BStandard845 ft--
B39BStandard835 ft-Accessible
C01CStandard845 ft--
C03CStandard845 ft--
C04CStandard829 ft--
C05CStandard845 ft--
C06/07CStandard1644 ft--
C08CStandard830 ft--
C09CStandard845 ft--
C10CStandard835 ft--
C11CStandard845 ft--
C12CStandard845 ft--
C13CStandard820 ft--
C14CStandard845 ft--
C15CYurt8---
C16/17CStandard1632 ft-Accessible
C18CYurt8---
C19CStandard837 ftElectric-
C20/21CStandard1642 ft-Accessible
C22CStandard830 ft-Accessible
C23CStandard830 ft--
C24CStandard840 ft--
C25CStandard845 ft-Accessible
C26CStandard845 ft--
C27/28CStandard1642 ft-Accessible
C29CStandard830 ft-Accessible
C30CStandard835 ft--
GRP-AGRPGroup10020 ft-Accessible
GRP-BGRPGroup7520 ft-Accessible
GRP-CGRPGroup7520 ft-Accessible

About Payson Lakes Campground

Overview

Payson Lakes Campground is a local favorite, located just 12 miles from Payson, Utah. Visitors love the campground for its great fishing and canoeing opportunities, pretty scenery and close proximity to town.

Recreation

Payson Lakes offers great canoeing and kayaking. Anglers enjoy fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Powerboats are prohibited.

A popular day-use area is located on the shore of Big East Lake, with a small swim beach, picnic tables and flush toilets. A paved nature path begins at the parking area and circles the lake.

Facilities

This large campground contains single and double sites with picnic tables and campfire rings. Three group sites are also available, equipped with picnic and serving tables, grills, dutch oven cooking surfaces, campfire circles, water spigots and cement site pads. Group sites are in an area separate from single sites and the day-use area.

Vault toilets are provided near Group Site A; flush toilets are provided between Group Sites B and C. Vault toilets are provided in the single and double site loops. Campground hosts are on-site and firewood is available for purchase. Roads and parking spurs are paved.

Natural Features

The campground is nestled in a forest of aspen, fir and pine trees at an elevation of 8,000 feet. The Payson Lakes area is made up of McClelland, Box and Big East Lakes. Summer wildflowers are abundant. A variety of wildlife makes its home around the lakes.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (385) 273-1100.

Nearby Attractions

The Mount Nebo Wilderness Area is adjacent, brimming with beautiful mountain scenery, pristine waters, abundant wildlife, vibrant summer wildflowers and numerous trail opportunities.

The Nebo Loop Scenic Byway stretches 37 miles through high alpine terrain, dense forests and colorful meadows. Devil's Kitchen Geological Area can be found along the loop. It offers a 1/2-mile round-trip trail to interesting red rock hoodoos.

Charges & Cancellations

Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees

  • Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation.
  • Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
  • You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Late Cancellations

  • Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.
  • Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.
  • Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
  • Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
  • Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge.

No-Shows

  • Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date.
  • If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.

Refunds

  • Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure.
  • Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location.
  • Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.
  • Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.
  • Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.

Recreation.gov Billing Information

  • Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777."

Changes to Policies and Procedures

  • Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 2018.

Rules and notices at Payson Lakes Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Payson Lakes Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

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

Campground Etiquette and Rules

Gates open at 7am, close at 10pm

Quiet Hours are 10pm-6am 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 is an outdoor experience; we do not give refunds for weather or natural conditions

Cancellations within 24 hours prior to arrival date will forfeit the entire use fee. Group Site Cancellations within 14 days will forfeit entire use fee

No-shows , early departures, or cancellations after the arrival date are not entitled to a refund

Failure to arrive at the campsite by 12pm the day after scheduled arrival and does not cancel the reservation, will forfeit site and 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

Payson Lakes Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Payson Lakes Campground?

Payson Lakes Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 63 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Payson Lakes Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Payson Lakes Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Payson Lakes Campground have?

Payson Lakes Campground has 63 campsites.

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