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Payson Lakes

FSU.S. Forest Service — Salem · Utah · Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

AgencyFSU.S. Forest Service
AreaUinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
LocationSalem · Utah · Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest · 39.92972, -111.64194 · Map
Sites86 public sites counted from the federal listing — 80 standard nonelectric; 3 group standard nonelectric; 2 yurt; 1 rv nonelectric
Getting a siteReservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below.
HookupsElectric at 0 of 86 sites
Water hookups at 0 of 86 sites
Sewer hookups at 0 of 86 sites
Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 86 sites
Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way.
Max RV lengthLongest reported site fits 128 ft
Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 87 sites · 30 ft: 75 sites · 35 ft: 62 sites · 40 ft: 47 sites
Months openNot in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov.
FeesCash, Check, or Scan & Pay (with recreation.gov app) 71 single sites - $31.00 , capacity - 8 people + 1 vehicle 10 double sites - $62.00 , capacity - 16 people  + 2 vehicle 2 glamping sites - $119.00 , capacity - 8 people (deposit required) + 1 vehicle 1 group site (A) - $305.00 , capacity - 100 people + 20 vehicle 2 groups sites (B & C) - $214.00 , capacity - 75 people + 15 vehicle Day Use - $15.00 Extra Vehicle - $10.00 per vehicle (paid on-site cash/check) Firewood - $9.00 Payson Lakes Season Day Use Pass - $60.00
Check-in / outIn 3:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing)
PetsAllowed at 93 sites, as reported
Accessible sites23 marked accessible in the listing
AccessibilityN
Amenities, as reportedCampground hostFirewood availableVault toilets
PhoneSPANISH FORK RANGER DISTRICT 801-798-3571 OR UTAH RECREATION COMPANY 385-273-1100

Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →

This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-08-11.

From the official listing

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.

Directions, from the listing

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.

Nearest federal campgrounds

FSU.S. Forest ServicePayson Lakes Guard Station
1 mi straight-line · Payson Utah
FSU.S. Forest ServiceBlackhawk
3 mi straight-line · Fairview Utah
FSU.S. Forest ServiceMaple Lake Campground
3 mi straight-line · Payson Utah
FSU.S. Forest ServiceMaple Bench Campground
4 mi straight-line · Payson Utah
FSU.S. Forest ServiceTinney Flat
5 mi straight-line · Payson Utah

Trip Card — Payson Lakes

Salem · Utah · Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

AgencyFS · U.S. Forest Service
LocationSalem · Utah · Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
FeesCash, Check, or Scan & Pay (with recreation.gov app) 71 single sites - $31.00 , capacity - 8 people + 1 vehicle 10 double sites - $62.00 , capacity - 16 people  + 2 vehicle 2…
Getting a siteReservable
HookupsNone reported
Max RVUp to 128 ft
Months openNot in federal data
Sites86 sites

Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232228 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.