Backcountry Camping

For many people, camping means time away from the city, the office and all of the stress that’s associated. “Weekend escapes” are very popular for people who grow tired with their everyday lives and are looking for something out of the ordinary to do with some of their free time and saved money.
 
Camping is quality time spent with family or friends. The great thing about camping is choosing who you’re going to go with. Some trips and be great opportunities to spend intimate time with a partner or quality time with friends that you don’t get to see all that often. Then there’s also the large group trip, which takes a lot of planning and is a lot of fun, especially at car camping sites, where the environment is more suitable to late night parties.
 
With so many camping opportunities available, one of the most difficult aspects of Heber Valley camping can be deciding where to go. The easiest way to narrow your selection is to first determine what you want to do there: fish, hike, mountain bike, boat, etc. Some areas, like the national forest, lend themselves more to hiking than fishing. Other camping areas offer both. Many of the camping areas require that you make a reservation or buy a permit to camp there.
 
Next, determine what amenities you want in your preferred campsite. Amenities will vary from campground to campground. Do you want an improved campsite with barbecue grills, running water and toilets? Or would you prefer an unimproved campground with only a fire pit. (Beware: Some campgrounds don't allow open pit fires.) Some facilities may even include hot showers and full utility hookups. The Regional Campground Directory later in this book lists the amenities available at each campground.
 
Tent camping is an enjoyable, affordable way to enjoy the outdoors. The experience can be easily customized to meet virtually any interest level, budget and family configuration.
 
In Heber Valley, tent camping options are almost unlimited. All of our public campgrounds offer tent sites. Dozens of such campgrounds can be found clustered around recreation areas and distributed through national forests and other public land areas. There are many areas through (Lake Creek, Currant Creek, Daniels Canyon) Uinta National Forest and the Wasatch Mountain Range (Little Deer Creek, Snake Creek) to find a hidden spot to pitch your tent. 
 
Much of the public land in Utah is open to tent camping, even if there are no developed campgrounds nearby. Check with the agency managing the land if you have questions.
 
Reservations
Make reservations or arrive early. Many of our campgrounds fill up on summer weekends, and on weekdays associated with holidays. Some public campgrounds do not take reservations and most campgrounds have sites that are only available on a first-come basis. If you can't make reservations, but you can arrive early in the day on a Friday, you can usually find a spot for the weekend. By mid-afternoon on Friday all sites may be full.

You can check availability and book online for campsites in Utah state parks and national forests.A consolidated service has been set up to handle campground and lodge reservations in many National Parks and National Forests. You can book them via telephone (toll free) at 1-877-444-6777 or internationally at 518-885-3639.

Individual campsite reservations are accepted up to 16 weeks in advance from park departure date. If campsites are available, reservations can be made a minimum of 2 days in advance of arrival date. An $8.00 non-refundable reservation fee is charged for each site reserved.

Customers may reserve up to three campsites per phone call or internet session at one park for the same date and time period. Parties requiring additional space are encouraged to reserve one of our group areas. Group reservations are accepted up to 11 months in advance from park departure date. A $10.25 non-refundable fee is charged for group sites and building rentals. A minimum, non-refundable fee, will be charged at the time the reservation is made. The reservation must be confirmed a minimum of two weeks before the event.

Confirmation
A reservation confirmation will be mailed to you with your customer and reservation confirmation numbers, campground information, arrival and departure dates, park rules and reservation policies.
This confirmation number will be used to reference your reservation when making any changes.

Pets
Pets are welcome at most state parks, however, they must be on a maximum six foot leash and not left unattended. Pets are not allowed in buildings, on beaches, or in the lakes or reservoirs. Please remember to pick up after your pets. Pets are not allowed at Rock Cliff (Jordanelle).