We are planning a family campout for the summer of 2015. Need a spot not far from the Salt Lake City/Provo corridor area. I have looked at Rockport and Jordanelle Res. areas also at Wasatch-Cache forest campgrounds. I have never camped in those areas so I am not familiar with which ones would work the best for a group of about 15 to 20. I am the only one with a camper (5ver) the rest will be tent camping. Hookups would be nice but really don't need them. The only requirement is to keep it to the lower elevations, no 7000/9000 feet as my DH has trouble breathing at higher elevations. So for those of you that have camped in those areas pros cons pointers would sure help.

We stayed at Jordanelle State Park a few years ago. I would recommend it, big sites, some with e & w, some with full hookups. They also have bathrooms, a laundry facility and a dump onsite. Nice views from the sites and easy access to SLC. Maybe they have a group site you could reserve. You would have to google the elevation, not sure about that.

You didn't say what you wanted to do while in the area or time frame. I don't care for Jordanelle as it is way over crowded weekends. Utah Lake has a campground but lake has ZERO beaches unless you want to crawl in mud or over busted up, used concrete they use as berms. Depending on how far you want to travel from campsite to SLC/Provo area, Palisade state park about 80 miles from Salt Lake City has full hookups, showers, fishing lake, golf course, ATV and group areas. Maybe let us know what it is you want to do would narrow choices and location for you.

Thanks for the responses. Trails to hike, water to play or swim in should do, anything else would be a bonus, we don't need to be entertained. I don't think any of us have ATV's. Everyone likes sitting around the campfire just catching as we don't get to see each other that often. Thanks for the info about Jordanelle being crowed on weekends, I was afraid of that. Please keep ideas coming.

One problem with staying at lower elevations would be the heat. SLC isn't particularly cool in the summer. I was going to recommend the group site at Timpooneke CG above American Fork, but that's around 7500'. It is a gorgeous area and if some are interested, Timpanogos Cave NM makes for a nice mid-day excursion. Being a group site, one can reserve a year in advance and spots are already gone for some weekends in the summer.

Utah camping help | Good Sam Community

c_traveler2
Nomad
Nov 05, 2014
grandma lynn wrote:
We are planning a family campout for the summer of 2015. Need a spot not far from the Salt Lake City/Provo corridor area. I have looked at Rockport and Jordanelle Res. areas also at Wasatch-Cache forest campgrounds. I have never camped in those areas so I am not familiar with which ones would work the best for a group of about 15 to 20. I am the only one with a camper (5ver) the rest will be tent camping. Hookups would be nice but really don't need them. The only requirement is to keep it to the lower elevations, no 7000/9000 feet as my DH has trouble breathing at higher elevations. So for those of you that have camped in those areas pros cons pointers would sure help.

here's a link toCampground Photos showing site photos of campgrounds at Rockport.
UtahBluegrass
Explorer
Nov 05, 2014
Another alternative would be the group site at Little Mill campground in American Fork canyon. Lower altitude (around 6000 ft) than the others mentioned but still cool in summer. Timpanogos cave is worth seeing. Tibble Fork reservoir is nearby. Alpine loop is a nice drive. Campsites are right on the river. The group site is seldom used so it should be easy to reserve.
grandma_lynn
Explorer
Nov 05, 2014
2gypsies, thanks. I think Jordanelle does have a group site. I will have to check their website again.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Nov 05, 2014
We've been to Jordanelle and it would be very nice for you. Not sure if they have group sites but wherever you decide to stay, that would be the best way to do it. You could have a central campfire and more room to spread out without other campers around you. The kids could play in the central area without disturbing other campers. Most also have shelters and your own toilet facilities.
4runnerguy
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
One problem with staying at lower elevations would be the heat. SLC isn't particularly cool in the summer. I was going to recommend the group site at Timpooneke CG above American Fork, but that's around 7500'. It is a gorgeous area and if some are interested, Timpanogos Cave NM makes for a nice mid-day excursion. Being a group site, one can reserve a year in advance and spots are already gone for some weekends in the summer.
grandma_lynn
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
Thanks for the responses. Trails to hike, water to play or swim in should do, anything else would be a bonus, we don't need to be entertained. I don't think any of us have ATV's. Everyone likes sitting around the campfire just catching as we don't get to see each other that often. Thanks for the info about Jordanelle being crowed on weekends, I was afraid of that. Please keep ideas coming.
22_Over
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
You didn't say what you wanted to do while in the area or time frame. I don't care for Jordanelle as it is way over crowded weekends. Utah Lake has a campground but lake has ZERO beaches unless you want to crawl in mud or over busted up, used concrete they use as berms. Depending on how far you want to travel from campsite to SLC/Provo area, Palisade state park about 80 miles from Salt Lake City has full hookups, showers, fishing lake, golf course, ATV and group areas. Maybe let us know what it is you want to do would narrow choices and location for you.
donkeydew
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
utah lake state park in provo
missourijan
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
We stayed at Jordanelle State Park a few years ago. I would recommend it, big sites, some with e & w, some with full hookups. They also have bathrooms, a laundry facility and a dump onsite. Nice views from the sites and easy access to SLC. Maybe they have a group site you could reserve. You would have to google the elevation, not sure about that.

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