car camping in utah?

[bYuPride]

I believe that's the correct terminology... don't want to hike, just want to drive into the woods and set up camp. anyone have any good places for an overnight camp with some bathroom facilities nearby... not too important, but would be nice to have. I'm trying to get my wife into camping and I'm close to getting her to commit to an overnighter. I just have to find a place that's reasonably close and organized.. We live near the mouth of Big Cottonwood canyon, but would be willing to go through American Fork canyon or wherever.... Thanks!

[il Padrino Ute]

There is a campground just east of Timpanogos Cave that is a nice place for an overnighter. I go there with my kids quite a bit.

[bYuPride]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

There is a campground just east of Timpanogos Cave that is a nice place for an overnighter. I go there with my kids quite a bit.

Cool thanks.. i found this website about camping in Happy Valley if anyone is interested...

http://www.utah.com/database/campgrounds/?id=3014

Here is the one for Salt Lake

http://www.utah.com/database/campgrounds/?id=4

[bYuPride]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

There is a campground just east of Timpanogos Cave that is a nice place for an overnighter. I go there with my kids quite a bit.

What activities do your kids like to do when there? I've never been down there..

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by bYuPride

What activities do your kids like to do when there? I've never been down there..

We go fishing at Tibble Fork (it's a nice little reservoir that is perfect for kids) and we do a bit of hiking. If you've never been to the cave, I'd suggest to do so. It's an easy hike. You can take your bikes and ride farther up the canyon toward the Alpine Loop.

It's a nice, relaxing place.

[bYuPride]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

We go fishing at Tibble Fork (it's a nice little reservoir that is perfect for kids) and we do a bit of hiking. If you've never been to the cave, I'd suggest to do so. It's an easy hike. You can take your bikes and ride farther up the canyon toward the Alpine Loop.

It's a nice, relaxing place.

We'll definitely have to hike up to the cave as she nor I have been up there... plus she likes hiking anyway and if it's easier, then great! The bike ride sounds like a fun activity and she has like fishing with me in the past... Thank you for your ideas.

As far as making reservations for a site? Do I just pay when I get there? What if a few other couples want to come with us? Do we pay by the car? Sorry... the only campouts I've been on where scout camps and up at my parents old farmhouse they used to own in Cache Valley.

[Venkman]

Originally Posted by bYuPride

We'll definitely have to hike up to the cave as she nor I have been up there... plus she likes hiking anyway and if it's easier, then great! The bike ride sounds like a fun activity and she has like fishing with me in the past... Thank you for your ideas.

As far as making reservations for a site? Do I just pay when I get there? What if a few other couples want to come with us? Do we pay by the car? Sorry... the only campouts I've been on where scout camps and up at my parents old farmhouse they used to own in Cache Valley.

check out reserveamerica.com. You can reserve a spot for Tanners Flat up Little Cottonwood. Usually you pay for the site and the site allows a max # of people and cars. It's usually 10-12 people and 2 cars, but each campground/site is different.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by bYuPride

We'll definitely have to hike up to the cave as she nor I have been up there... plus she likes hiking anyway and if it's easier, then great! The bike ride sounds like a fun activity and she has like fishing with me in the past... Thank you for your ideas.

As far as making reservations for a site? Do I just pay when I get there? What if a few other couples want to come with us? Do we pay by the car? Sorry... the only campouts I've been on where scout camps and up at my parents old farmhouse they used to own in Cache Valley.

Sorry for the late reply.

I've always just paid when I got there rather than make a reservation. I can only think of one time that there were no sites available. I don't hink it's much of a destination for those in Salt Lake and Utah Counties because it's so close, which is why it's usually easy to get a spot. It wouldn't hurt to call and get a reservation. I don know that you have to pay the $3 fee to get into the canyon, but you pay it right there at the station as you enter the canyon

The campground is Little Mill. It's about 1 or 2 miles past the cave. Here's the number:877-444-6777

I looked it up online and see that it doesn't open until 5/15.

Enjoy.

[bYuPride]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

Sorry for the late reply.

I've always just paid when I got there rather than make a reservation. I can only think of one time that there were no sites available. I don't hink it's much of a destination for those in Salt Lake and Utah Counties because it's so close, which is why it's usually easy to get a spot. It wouldn't hurt to call and get a reservation. I don know that you have to pay the $3 fee to get into the canyon, but you pay it right there at the station as you enter the canyon

The campground is Little Mill. It's about 1 or 2 miles past the cave. Here's the number:877-444-6777

I looked it up online and see that it doesn't open until 5/15.

Enjoy.

Awesome! Thank you!

[hyrum]

Originally Posted by bYuPride

I believe that's the correct terminology... don't want to hike, just want to drive into the woods and set up camp. anyone have any good places for an overnight camp with some bathroom facilities nearby... not too important, but would be nice to have. I'm trying to get my wife into camping and I'm close to getting her to commit to an overnighter. I just have to find a place that's reasonably close and organized.. We live near the mouth of Big Cottonwood canyon, but would be willing to go through American Fork canyon or wherever.... Thanks!

The obvious answer is the Natl Parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon). Don't know what is set up in Escalante, but that is a beautifull area. Maybe not close enuf for you??

A neat little park for car camping is Goblin Valley in Capitol Reef area near Hanksville. Its a State Park.