Utah / Utah County / Provo / Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Rock Canyon

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates seasonally, typically from late spring through fall, and is currently closed for winter. Reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance through Recreation.gov.

About

Rock Canyon Campground is a primitive group camping facility located high above Utah Valley at 6,500 feet elevation on Squaw Peak Road. This isolated campground features four group sites named after notable figures in U.S. Forest Service history: Albert F. Potter, Vivian West, Gifford Pinchot, and Aldo Leopold. The campground sits within dense stands of maple, scrub oak, and fir trees, providing ample shade and scenic views of Rock Canyon and Utah Valley. The campground serves as an excellent base for outdoor recreation. Rock Canyon is renowned among climbers, featuring hundreds of climbing routes. The Rock Canyon Trail begins at the campground and offers hiking and mountain biking opportunities down to Provo. The Squaw Peak Trail to the summit is accessible just outside the campground, and the entire Squaw Peak Road is open to mountain biking. The area showcases grassy meadows and seasonal wildflowers, with proximity to the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness. This is a reservation-only facility requiring bookings at least 5 days in advance through Recreation.gov. The campground offers no water or modern amenities, so visitors must bring all water needed for their stay. Access requires driving 9.5 miles up Squaw Peak Road from Highway 189 in Provo Canyon, with the first 5 miles paved and the last 4.5 miles on maintained dirt and gravel. The road is narrow, steep, and winding in sections. Gates open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m. daily during the operating season.

Directions

From I-15, take exit 272 toward 800 North/Highway 52. Proceed east on 800 North to the mouth of Provo Canyon. Turn left into the canyon on Highway 189 for 2 miles to the Squaw Peak Road turnoff. Turn right onto Squaw Peak Road and continue 9.5 miles to the campground. The first 5 miles are paved; the last 4.5 miles are maintained dirt and gravel.

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