Swimming Campgrounds in Utah

Swimming Campgrounds in Utah

Discover the best swimming campgrounds across Utah. Beat the heat at campgrounds with pristine swimming spots. Lakes, rivers, beaches, and swimming holes just steps from your campsite.

20+ Campgrounds4.5★ AverageBest: Summer (June-September)
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Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

1
Calf Creek Recreation Area Campground
Photo coming soon
Star
4.6
(140)
Calf Creek Recreation Area Campground
Escalante

Exceptional 4.63 sentiment with perfect 100 greenbook vibe score. User reviews explicitly mention swimming in the creek, and the Lower Calf Creek Falls hike leads to a swimming hole. Provides unique desert canyon swimming experience in Grand Staircase-Escalante.

Tents
RVs
2
Red Fleet State Park
Photo coming soon
Star
4.5
(155)
Red Fleet State Park
Vernal

Strong 4.50 sentiment with excellent 94.32 greenbook score. Reservoir offers designated swimming areas, kayak rentals, and cliff jumping. Reviews mention swimming as a primary activity with a large wakeless area perfect for families.

Tents
RVs
3
Washington Lake
Star
4.5
(364)
Washington Lake
Kamas
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

High alpine lake at 10,000 feet with 4.49 sentiment. Description explicitly lists water activities and swimming. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway location provides pristine mountain lake swimming experience with excellent scenery.

Tents
RVs

About Swimming Campgrounds in Utah

Swimming camping Utah offers an extraordinary diversity of aquatic experiences, from desert canyon oases to alpine mountain lakes and warm reservoir beaches. Utah's unique geography creates swimming opportunities unlike anywhere else in the American West, where you can cool off in a creek-fed swimming hole beneath towering red rock walls one day and dive into a pristine high-elevation lake surrounded by pine forests the next.

Best Time

The prime swimming camping season in Utah varies significantly by elevation and region, creating opportunities from late May through early September. Southwestern reservoir campgrounds like Gunlock State Park offer the longest season, with swimmable water temperatures from May through October and peak conditions in June through August when air temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.

Activity Highlights

  • Lake and river swimming access
  • Natural swimming holes
  • Beach and waterfront sites
  • Family-friendly swimming areas

Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Swimming Campgrounds in Utah

Map of campgrounds near Swimming Campgrounds in Utah
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Map Key
1
Calf Creek Recreation Area Campground
2
Red Fleet State Park
3
Washington Lake
4
Gunlock State Park
5
Lower Meadows Campground
6
Otter Creek State Park
7
Ken'S Lake Campground
8
Moon Lake Campground
9
Willows Campground (Ut)
10
Upper Meadows Campground
11
Mackinaw
12
Joes Valley Reservoir
13
Navajo Lake Campground
14
Maple Lake Campground
15
Red Canyon (Ashley National Forest)
16
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
17
Greendale
18
Orange Olsen
19
Big Bend Group Sites
20
Gold Bar Group Sites
View all 103 campgrounds on interactive map

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Swimming in reservoirs, alpine lakes, and desert swimming holesCliff jumping at designated reservoir areasKayaking and paddleboardingRiver tubing on Wasatch Front streamsHiking to remote swimming holes and waterfallsFishing for trout, bass, and perch

Tips & Recommendations

  • 1Reserve popular reservoir campgrounds like Red Fleet and Gunlock State Park at least two weeks ahead for summer weekends, as swimming access makes these highly sought-after destinations.
  • 2For alpine lake camping, call ranger stations in late June to confirm road and trail access before making the drive, as lingering snowpack can delay openings.
  • 3Bring water shoes for rocky reservoir beaches and canyon creek beds, as Utah's geology creates sharp, uneven surfaces that can be uncomfortable barefoot.
  • 4Pack sun protection aggressively—Utah's high elevation and low humidity create intense UV exposure, so bring reef-safe sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-protective swim shirts.
20 campgrounds ranked
Based on real camper reviews
Curated for Swimming Campgrounds in Utah

Swimming Campgrounds in Utah FAQ

We've ranked 20+ swimming campgrounds in Utah based on water access, swimming areas, safety, and user reviews. Top options include campgrounds on lakes, rivers, and beaches with designated swimming areas.
Swimming safety varies by location. Many campgrounds have designated swimming areas with lifeguards during peak season. Always check for posted warnings, water conditions, and currents before swimming. Never swim alone.
Summer (June-September) is the best time for swimming camping in Utah. Water temperatures are warmest and swimming areas are typically staffed. Some mountain lakes may be too cold for swimming even in summer.
Availability Alerts

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Calf Creek Recreation Area Campground
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