Lake Camping Near Salem, Utah, US: 12 Best Lake Campsites 2025

Camping by the lake in Salem hits different—there’s over 2,000 spots here, and every one’s within striking distance of the water. You’ll find campsites right on the shore, tucked under cottonwoods or set back for a quieter vibe. Reviews point to Sandy Beach (225 reviews) for mellow swimming coves, Strawberry Hideout (10 reviews) for fishing off the dock, and The Boneyard (3 reviews) for a secluded spot to watch wildlife. Bring your dog, light up a campfire, and keep your binoculars handy—wildlife-watching here is legit, especially at sunrise. Average price per night sits at $40, but you’ll find options as low as $20 if you keep an eye out. Toilets are common, and snow sports pick up when winter rolls in. If you want lake camping with campfires and pet-friendly spots, Salem’s got you covered.

98% (269)

Top-rated campgrounds

Camping by the lake in Salem hits different—there’s over 2,000 spots here, and every one’s within striking distance of the water. You’ll find campsites right on the shore, tucked under cottonwoods or set back for a quieter vibe. Reviews point to Sandy Beach (225 reviews) for mellow swimming coves, Strawberry Hideout (10 reviews) for fishing off the dock, and The Boneyard (3 reviews) for a secluded spot to watch wildlife. Bring your dog, light up a campfire, and keep your binoculars handy—wildlife-watching here is legit, especially at sunrise. Average price per night sits at $40, but you’ll find options as low as $20 if you keep an eye out. Toilets are common, and snow sports pick up when winter rolls in. If you want lake camping with campfires and pet-friendly spots, Salem’s got you covered.

98% (269)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Sandy Beach

91%

(436)

48mi from Salem · 73 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Scipio, UT

17 RV sites available for reservations. Easy to access 55 foot long sites. Each site has incredible lake views. Access to private sandy beach with kayak, and paddle board rentals available. Fishing, water sports, views, and star gazing. Just a short distance from I-15 but worlds away from the hustle an bustle.

2. Soldier summit camp

100%

(2)

32mi from Salem · 1 site · RV · Scofield, UT

Learn more about this land:Beautiful property right next to the tree line lots of wildlife, amazing views, only about 30 mins away from diamond fork hot springs. Some two wheel drive cars can get to it or you can park on the road and walk to it. Ride motorcycles and four wheelers, hunting, hiking. Gas station right down the road.

3. Strawberry Hideout

100%

(12)

48mi from Salem · 1 site · Tent, RV · Tabiona, UT

Come and spend a relaxing weekend out at Strawberry Hideout where you have lakes, rivers, and hundreds of miles of ATV trails to explore Utah, located just east of Heber City! With a massive 10ft x 16ft deck, a picnic table and a smokeless cinderblock firepit you can lounge around to your heart's content! Here are the key features of the surrounding area: Strawberry Reservoir 20 minutes west Gas Station/Convinience Store/Restaurant 4 minutes away (The Big G) Starvation Reservoir 20 minutes east Slot canyons 15 minutes south Hundreds of miles of ATV Trails Outdoor privacy but not too remote (amazing cell reception!) Stargazing Occasional wildlife crossing!

4. Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

90%

(94)

2666 sites · Levan, Utah

2.1 million acres of unique wilderness scenery just begging to be explored.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

5. Utah Lake State Park

97%

(16)

49 sites · Orem, Utah

Discover the allure of Utah Lake State Park's aquatic adventures.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

6. Lakeside RV Campground

100%

(4)

13mi from Salem · 95 sites · Provo, UT

Lakeside RV Campground stands out as a unique, family-owned destination that offers a full range of services and year-round accommodations for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation. Nestled in a serene country setting, our campground serves as an ideal retreat or convenient stop for RV enthusiasts. Our prime location strikes the perfect balance between proximity to local attractions and the tranquility of nature. Guests can easily explore nearby natural features, enjoy refreshing swimming holes, and partake in a variety of outdoor activities. Additionally, a selection of restaurants and shops is just a short drive away, ensuring that all your needs are met during your stay. As we celebrate 34 years of successful ownership, we are grateful to our loyal guests who have made this journey possible. Come experience the charm and hospitality of Lakeside RV Campground, where unforgettable memories await.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

7. Manti-La Sal National Forest

100%

(16)

328 sites · Ferron, Utah

Trivia time! Which part of Utah contains the densest black bear and largest elk population? The Manti-La Sal National Forest, of course! How about this one: where does most of the coal mined in Utah come from? Well, 85% of it is mined right here in the Manti-La Sal. This special forest is full of natural surprises, like lofty mountaintops, lush meadows, cavernous sandstone canyons, plus plenty of water. If it sounds like there’s a ton of diversity here, that’s because there truly is! All of this diversity means that there’s a lot to do out here. Near Moab, the forest is home to the La Sal Mountains with their tall peaks and narrow canyons. To the north, on the Wasatch Plateau, you’ll be yearning for your next road trip along the Huntington and Eccles Canyons National Scenic Byways (also called the Energy Loop). And when it comes time to hit the hay at night? You guessed it—there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

8. Scofield State Park

72 sites · Scofield, Utah

Once upon a time, the town of Scofield had over 6,000 residents. Once the mining boom slowed down, that number shrank to less than 100. But, this small town draws in huge visitor numbers, thanks to the Scofield Reservoir. You could be one of them! If you’d like to spend your outdoor getaway camping, fishing, hiking, and swimming, then come discover what Scofield has to offer. In the winter, this is also one of the best places around to ice fish for rainbow and cutthroat trout. Oh, but we almost forgot to mention the best part! Thanks to the park’s prime real estate up in the Manti-LaSal Mountains, the scenery is hard to beat. Take it all in at one of three day and overnight use spots.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

9. Ashley National Forest

88%

(13)

1000 sites · Whiterocks, Utah

Choose some majestic highlights in this mountainous national forest.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

10. Jordanelle State Park

83%

(7)

220 sites · Hideout, Utah

This place is well-stocked and ready for some outdoor fun.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Salem

Maple Bench Campground

6.4mi from Salem · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Maple Lake Campground

6.7mi from Salem · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

83%

(3)

Payson Lakes Campground

8.7mi from Salem · 65 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Whiting Campground

9.4mi from Salem · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Tinney Flat Campground

11mi from Salem · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

100%

(1)

Blackhawk Campground

11mi from Salem · 38 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Diamond Campground

13mi from Salem · 68 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Close to town and perfect escape for a quick overnight camping trip.

Cherry Campground

13mi from Salem · 18 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

97%

(16)

Utah Lake Campground

13mi from Salem · 49 sites · Tents, RVs · in Utah Lake State Park

Rock Canyon Campground

16mi from Salem · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Spot 008. Plenty of green all around. Noisy as hell. Lots of biting flies.

Hope Campground

17mi from Salem · 24 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Balsam Campground

17mi from Salem · 25 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Stories from the community

Zach

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Sandy Beach

We loved our time at Parker's beach site! We camped at Beach Site 1 and had a great time. Would recommend bringing bug spray, as we started to fight some mosquitoes after the sun went down, but beyond that, the night was great. Parker was a great host and was very responsive - We bought firewood from him and had a nice big fire in one of the big firepit bowls. The bathroom house was awesome, just a bit of a walk from the beach. Our sleep was excellent, and we had a great drive into SLC the next day. Would absolutely recommend camping here!

K

Kelly

September 2025

2 nights at Sandy Beach

I had a really great time at Sandy beaches I was prepared for camping, pod nine was beautiful. I was ready to care for my trash, I knew I needed to keep my food cold. They figured out how to cool it down, slept well. I was glad to have a beautiful fire on the beach. Super cool. There were a lot of flies. I wasn’t ready for that. I look forward to going again.

T

Terry

September 2025

24 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Sandy Beach

Wonderful… clean , some what warm water. Dog heaven… peaceful… Loved it so much. Would definitely go back. We had it all to ourselves. (Bonus) Great for hiking and riding Electric Bike…

C

Carola

September 2025

18 ft travel trailer

1 night at Sandy Beach

Directions were good site is very unique beautiful surroundings wide open space. It gets pretty windy and at at dusk, we were dealing with a bunch of bugs. They didn’t sting, but there were lots of them. There’s a bathroom and a shower. It’s fairly basic no hot water but of course you are very remote there. Host was very responsive and informative. Would definitely stay there again as it is so very unique to wake up and be on a beach!

Jerrod

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sandy Beach

Sandy Beach had incredible views, and the water was gorgeous! Easy to find, and very communicative hosts. They were accommodating and easy to talk to. The space is private and clean. I have suggested this to friends. I’m excited to come back!

M

Maggie

September 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Sandy Beach

I stayed here in the middle of the week and had the whole beach to myself!! I can see why some guests mention the wind, but regardless, the views are beautiful and I loved my time here. The host was also super communicative and let me stay on a different night than I originally booked.

Misty

August 2025

2 nights at Sandy Beach

The property was more run down on the outside then the photos but we all know we post pictures at our best, lots of over grown prickly bushes which is a Yuba thing but the listing just doesn't reflect that so fyi. It was hot as Hades in that box when I arrived and there is a portable swamp cooler but it mostly just made it humid and smell funny so I turned it back off and just opened windows and the sliding door. I was happy to have a bed and not tent it, that was my goal and this fit that perfectly, but it's still "camping" so be realistic in expectations. Bathroom was a smidge further than I imagined, it's a walk back down the road and up a hill. There were outlets by the bed and bar top but I couldn't get anything to plug in, just would not insert, luckily the ones by the bed had a USB port and the charger I had worked for that. The view in the morning was amazing overlooking the lake and since I was there in August it cools down a lot at night with windows open. Overall it was pleasant. The listing also said wifi available but when I searched for a network none were found, not even password protected ones. Closest gas station is back towards nephi just FYI so no quick stop for snacks, do it on the way or plan for the outting.

b

brad

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Sandy Beach

Awesome camp ground. Very fun. My kids loved it. If tent camping be prepared for the wind. It comes and goes but still definitely worth the stay.

D

Dave

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Sandy Beach

We tent camping for 2 nights. Great place. Very big and spacious. Water fun and 4 wheelers camp type area. Sand everywhere. Stars at night are amazing. No shade, suggest bringing your own shade. (Canopy or open tent you can tie down) Careful of windy days. First day and night was very windy. My kids didn't care, they love being outside. Best thing to bring to counter the wind is a mosquito net head cover. Worked wonderfully to protext the eyes during the day and night. Paddle board rental available. Wood is available for a great deal for the size of wood you can choose.

A

Andi

August 2025

21 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Sandy Beach

The RV sites have lots of room, so you don’t feel like you are closed in. You are steps away from the water.

m

mardie

July 2025

2 nights at Sandy Beach

I had the most relaxing stay at Sandy Beach. This was such a hidden gem!! I was traveling on my own as a 28 year old girl and felt very safe. I met so many kind people, and Parker was an amazing host. I ended up extending my stay and hope to be back as soon as possible!

R

Robert

July 2025

28 ft Class C

With kids

Weekend Trip to Sandy Beach

As always this place never disappoints. Great location, everyone is always friendly and the location is one of our go to’s for the summer

K

Kathy

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Sandy Beach

Ranger helpful and responsive Swamp cooler helpful Needed to know where to get kayaks etc and process But ranger Parker helpful

D

Doug

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Sandy Beach

It is a great set up. You can have a campfire, it’s beautiful, soft sand, lake isn’t too cold, etc. I would check the weather to make sure it’s not windy though or the fine sand will pelt you the whole time. It’s also a long walk to the bathroom. Lake has a clay bottom it feels and you have to walk out awhile for it to get deep.

A

Abner

July 2025

16 ft car

With pets

Weekend Trip to Sandy Beach

Awesome spot to camp in front of the lake. Tons of people use this location and it was still clean. Would stay again.

A

Adam

July 2025

15 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to Strawberry Hideout

Great campsite, plenty of space and amazing location. Daniel was super helpful in giving us recommendations in the area. Campsite was clean. Will definitely be camping here again!

E

Erik

July 2025

19 ft pop-up camper

4 nights at Sandy Beach

Excellent camping spots right next to the water with soft sand. We had a really good time with our pups.

R

Raegan

July 2025

2 nights at Sandy Beach

Great place! I stayed in pod 9 which felt more secluded than some of the other pods. The beach was clean and quiet. Only thing to be aware of is that it does get quite stuffy/hot in the pods. It was bearable with the fan on but at times it felt cooler outside than inside. This is to be expected though as it’s Utah in the Summer!

R

Robert

June 2025

38 ft Class C

With kids

Weekend Trip to Sandy Beach

Spot 19 was great. This time of year we can easily take our Class C 30ft RV down to the beach with no issues. Been here multiple times and will keep coming back.