Open
Open for the season May 8 through September 20. All sites are first-come, first-served. Gate hours 7am to 10pm. Quiet hours 10pm to 6am.
About
Maple Bench Campground sits at 5,800 feet along the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway in Utah's Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. This small, 10-site campground is perched on a dramatic bluff overlooking the deep canyon carved by Peteetneet Creek, with views stretching all the way to the town of Payson. White fir, Pinyon Pine, and Gambel Oak create an open forest canopy providing shade and shelter.
Rainbow and brook trout fishing is popular in the creek below the campground, while Maple Lake lies just half a mile away for canoeing, kayaking, and non-motorized boating (powerboats prohibited). The Red Lake trail departs from the upper camping areas near the lake. The adjacent Mount Nebo Wilderness offers pristine mountain scenery, wildlife, wildflowers, and additional trail opportunities. Devils Kitchen Geological Area along the Nebo Loop features red rock hoodoos accessible via a half-mile trail.
This is a primitive campground with vault toilets and potable water. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with grill. No hookups are available. Due to narrow roads, tight turns, and small site pads, RVs, trailers, and large campers are not permitted. Pack out all trash. Bear-resistant food storage is required.
Directions
From I-15 take exit 250 (Payson). Go south on Main Street to 100 North (first traffic light) and turn left. Continue east to 600 East then turn right in front of Peteetneet Academy. Go south on 600 East for 3.5 miles to the mouth of Payson Canyon. Maple Bench Campground is approximately 1.5 miles from the canyon mouth on the right side of the road.
