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Wasatch/Tanners Flat Campground
Overview
Tanners Flat Campground offers a serene escape nestled within the breathtaking Little Cottonwood Canyon of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Located just outside Sandy, Utah, this facility serves as a gateway to high-altitude adventures and rugged mountain scenery. It is a traditional forest service site that emphasizes a connection with nature over modern luxuries. Visitors are often captivated by the towering granite peaks and the soothing sounds of the nearby creek, making it a premier destination for those seeking a rustic camping experience near the Salt Lake Valley.
Location & Surroundings
The campground is situated at an elevation of approximately 7,200 feet, providing a cool reprieve from the summer heat of the valley below. It is tucked into a dense forest of aspen, pine, and fir trees, which offers significant shade and a sense of privacy for many sites. The dramatic landscape is defined by the steep canyon walls and the Little Cottonwood Creek, which flows adjacent to the campground. This location provides a perfect balance of mountain seclusion while remaining remarkably close to the urban amenities of Sandy and Salt Lake City.
Amenities & Park Features
As a Forest Service facility, Tanners Flat prioritizes a primitive experience. There are no hookups for RVs, meaning travelers should arrive with full water tanks and empty waste tanks. However, the campground does provide vault toilets and seasonal drinking water at central spigots. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate. The interior roads and parking spurs are paved, which helps with leveling smaller rigs. It is important to note that there are no dump stations on-site, so self-contained travel is essential.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities just minutes from their campsite. The area is world-renowned for rock climbing on the canyon's granite faces and features numerous trailheads for hiking and mountain biking. Popular destinations like Snowbird and Alta Resorts are just a short drive up the canyon, offering summer activities like tram rides and alpine slides. For a more relaxed afternoon, the Temple Quarry Nature Trail provides an accessible walk with historical significance, while wildflower viewing in the nearby basins is a must-do during late summer.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is ideal for adventurous RVers who prefer a natural, off-grid setting over a resort-style environment. Because of the tight canyon turns and specific site lengths, it is best suited for owners of smaller travel trailers or camper vans. It is the perfect choice for hikers, climbers, and photographers who want to wake up surrounded by the Wasatch Range. If you value mountain silence, starry nights, and immediate access to alpine wilderness, Tanners Flat provides an authentic Utah mountain experience.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Audrie King
We loved this campground for our family campout last year, so much so that we booked it again this year! It's so nice to have access to affordable camping grounds on public lands. Tanners Flat has a bunch of trees that provide nice shade and views. We saw wildlife while we were there, including a doe that frequented the campground! It's also close to some good hikes, like Gloria Falls. It is much cooler up there than it is in the city, so it was the perfect place to camp in the middle of the summer. It's also the perfect location because it's pretty close to the cities nearby in case you forgot to buy something, but still tucked in the canyon so much that you can't see or hear the cities at all. Due to damage from a 2023 avalanche, there is still no water access as of the summer of 2025. The lower campsites are still all closed as well. There are porta-potties, and you have to pack your water in If you have little kids, I would recommend getting a campsite that's not right by the river. One site is gorgeous and basically has its own personal waterfall (site 33), but it is so close to the river that it would be dangerous for little kids because it would only take a few seconds if looking away for them to get to the river. If you can go ahead of time to check out the campsites, that may be best since the map doesn't accurately show the distance in relation to the river. We were at site 34 with our little kids, and it felt far enough away to be safe.
Ariane Tomlinson Ashby (Ari)
Camped here over father's day '25. No running water currently due to avalanche damage, but the honeybuckets were well maintained. The camp host was very friendly. She even recommended a path around the damaged loop that had wonderful views of the river!
Mervin Stoltzfus
This is a more modern campgrounds. Easy access off of paved road. Paved driveway, running water, toilets. Campsites 1-19 are close to the river which was rushing in mid June. Go to sleep with the sound of rushing water. Campsites are well spread out and secluded with trees and underbrush. No pets allowed which is a big plus. Hosts were super friendly and helpful. The only downside was the occasional noisy truck and motorcycle from the road. Host did mention that it gets really full in the summer time so be sure to reserve.
Elisha Murawski
EXCELLENT!! Camp host is so nice! Bathrooms are old, but spotless! Even the vault toilets were clean and didn't smell weird. We only stayed one night and cannot wait to return! Kids loved throwing pebbles into the creek (more like a raging river this time of year!) and I loved the peaceful ambiance. Don't hesitate on this one...a true gem.
Josh Thomas
Beautiful little campground something like 30 different sites with rivers nearby and lots of available hiking and other cool stuff. Was 26 bucks for a single site. I think it could contain about 8 people. Improved bathroom facilities nearby and running water. Hardly felt like camping and was wonderful! I loved all the trees and the isolation from the city and couldn't really see or hear anybody else.