Spruces - Big Cottonwood

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Spruces Campground is located in scenic Big Cottonwood Canyon at an elevation of 7,500 feet. Salt Lake City is conveniently close. Visitors enjoy hiking, biking and fishing.

This large campground contains several group overnight campsites and day-use picnic sites, as well as numerous single and double-family campsites. All sites have picnic tables, campfire rings and grills.

Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. A baseball field, volleyball court and horseshoe pits are located within the campground. Firewood is available for purchase from the host. All roads, parking areas and parking sites are paved and all walkways are concrete or paved.

Notifications and Alerts

Campground Closed For Season: Gates are locked, no facilities (bathrooms, water, trash) are available, entry is prohibited and may result in citations. Campground will reopen in May 2025

Need to Know

This Campground is in Bear Country

- Always store food and trash securely to avoid attracting wildlife

- Failure to comply may result in fines up to $5,000, removal from your campsite and/or imprisonment

- Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear; your actions can save lives
Dogs are NOT allowed and owner may be fined $650

This is a watershed area;

-Visitors will be fined for bringing domestic pets or livestock into the area

-Wading and playing in the water is not allowed
Campground Etiquette and Rules

Gates open at 7am, Gates close at 10pm

Quiet Hours are 10pm to 6am No generators after 10pm

Camping is allowed only within the designated space provided. Do not go beyond the boundaries of your site

Maxoccupancy is 8 people per single site

Reserved campsites will be held until 12pm on the day following your scheduled arrival date

Horses/Off-road vehicles are strictly prohibited in the campground

Leave No Trace

-Put all trash in dumpsters, when provided, or properly stored in your vehicle or bear box

-Remove all personal property and trash when leaving

-Unclean campsites will be reported to the District Ranger LEO

-Leaving food/trash in an unoccupied campsite may result in a $5,000 fine

Cleaning fish, animals, or bathing where drinking water is supplied is strictly prohibited

Fireworks or other explosives are prohibited. Discharging of a firearm in the campground is not allowed

No fighting or boisterous behavior. Be courteous to your fellow visitor. Keep noise at a reasonable level

No amplified music is allowed in USDA Forest Service campgrounds and facilities. People come to the campgrounds for peace and quiet

Max Vehicle Length includes tow vehicle
This is a 'pack it in, pack it out' facility; please bring trash bags
There is a 2-night minimum stay on weekends; 3-night minimum stay on holiday weekends
Trailers/Campers and RVs: Come with your RV/trailer water tank filled. Hooking up to spigots or the power in the restrooms, even for medical devices is strictly prohibited
First Come First Served (FF) sites

For reservable sites, reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance

You must claim a FF site in person on the day you wish to check-in

A site listed as FF does not guarantee availability, Recreation.gov does not update FF occupancy

The only way to know if an FF site is available is to arrive at the campground on the day you plan to check-in

Availability cannot be predicted

Many sites are in remote locations, we cannot contact camp hosts about availability

Recommended arrival times vary by day. Weekends and holidays typically fill more quickly

To claim an FF site, you must be present, occupy the site, and pay at that time

There is no waiting list for FF sites
Extra Vehicle -$10 per vehicle, per day (paid on-site cash/check)

Firewood -$9
If you booked at a discount without a Senior or Access pass, you'll need to pay the difference in cash/check upon arrival. Only Senior or Access passes qualify for discounts and proof of ownership upon arrival is required
Off-road vehicles are not allowed in the canyon.
Please understand that camping is an outdoor experience; we do not give refunds or credits for weather or natural conditions

Cancellations within 24 hours prior to arrival date will forfeit the entire use fee and a $10 cancellation fee

No-shows, early departures, or cancellations after the arrival date are not entitled to a refund

If a guest does not arrive at the campsite by 12pm the day after scheduled arrival and does not cancel the reservation, will be charged a $20 service fee and forfeit the first-night use fee
For more information on visiting Bear Country visit

wildawareutah.org

wildlife.utah.gov

For campground Rules and Regulations visit gocamputah.com/rules
Click herefor more info about the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

-For more info, call Salt Lake Ranger District at 801-733-2660 opt 3 or Utah Recreation at 385-273-1100

-Visit our website gocamputah.comor Facebook facebook.com/letsgocamputah

To reserve a campsite call Recreation.gov reservation line 1-877-444-6777
Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood within 10 miles of your destination and burning it on-site. For more information click here
Please note: Utah Recreation is not responsible for accident or injury to any person or property resulting from the use of this facility and is not responsible for the loss of money or valuables of any kind. The user of this permit assumes full and complete responsibility for the conduct and actions of all members in their party

Natural Features

The campground is set among a forest of shady spruce and aspen trees. Vivid summer wildflowers are abundant and autumn leaves put on quite a show.

Nearby Attractions

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a beautiful area known for its soaring peaks, pristine hidden lakes and cascading streams. Numerous hiking and mountain biking trails are in the area. Rock climbing is a popular activity as well.

Solitude Mountain Resort is 3 miles up-canyon, offering scenic chairlift rides, hiking, a few dining options and a challenging 18-hole disc golf course.

Silver Lake is another mile past Solitude. Fishing and canoeing are popular activities. An easy trail loops around the small lake.

Recreation

Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities on canyon trails, including the Donut Falls Trail, which begins in the nearby Jordan Pines Campground. Fly-fishermen enjoy casting on Big Cottonwood Creek.

Changes & 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.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

564 W 700 S Ste.305, Box #5 Pleasant Grove UT 84062

Physical Address

Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd Salt Lake City UT 84121

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: SALT LAKE RANGER DISTRICT OFFICE 801-733-2660 OR UTAH RECREATION COMPANY 385-273-1100

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From I-215, take the 6200 South exit and travel a mile east to Wasatch Blvd. Take Wasatch Blvd a mile south to junction with Big Cottonwood Canyon/Highway 190. Make a left at the junction and travel up Big Cottonwood Canyon 9.7 miles to the campground.

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

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