Home to Brigham Young University but encompassing thousands of years of history, Provo is a thriving city of more than 100,000 people located an hour south of the Utah capital and ringed by breathtaking mountains, a freshwater lake, and scores of shopping and dining locations. The native Timpanogos people thrived in the sheltered valley, taking advantage of the fish-filled river and lake to support a large population for generations. The Spanish explorer, Father Escalante, was the first European to enter the valley in 1776, and mountain men interested in trapping furs in the area followed not long after. Mormon pioneers settled the area permanently nearly 100 years later, in 1849, building Fort Utah not far from the enormous freshwater lake of the same name.
Today Provo offers an excellent base for exploration of the many national parks and areas of natural beauty located in the northern and central regions of Utah. The city itself offers shopping, dining, a quaint and historic Center Street, and ample hiking in the nearby mountains. There are art and history museums attached to the university that are open to the public and offer a rotating array of exhibits. In the winter, nearby ski resorts like Sundance and Alta offer plenty of downhill adventure, while the summer months are perfect for boating, hiking, rafting, and rock climbing. The summers are warm and dry, but winter brings the occasional snowstorms and below-freezing temperatures that make the state’s license plate motto of “The Greatest Snow on Earth” possible.
Campgrounds Near Provo, Utah
Utah Lake State Park Campsite offers RV drivers 30 back-in or more convenient pull-through sites with water and electrical hookups. Each campsite can hold up to eight people, and small pets are also allowed. With boat launches and easy access to Utah Lake or the city of Provo, this campground offers both convenience and outdoor entertainment options.
Lakeside RV Campground is open all year and offers RV drivers excellent amenities, including sites accommodating rigs up to 65 feet in length, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, propane refueling, bathrooms, a general store, a pool, and a dog park. Its location makes a trip into town convenient while also offering a natural setting next to Provo River and Utah Lake.
Mountain Valley RV Resort is a popular campsite featuring an outdoor pool, a game room, a dog park, fire pits, children’s play equipment, and a putting green. There are 193 RV sites offering full hookups and laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, amenities for adults only, and a general store. The site is conveniently close to shopping while offering a beautiful natural setting complete with rugged mountains and a nearby reservoir.
State Parks Near Provo, Utah
Wasatch Mountain State Park offers activities for every month of the year, from stargazing free from light pollution to hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, golfing, and areas for off-road vehicles. With over 23,000 acres, there’s plenty of room to explore, with campgrounds offering RV facilities when it’s time to take a break. Campsites offer bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, and other necessities, although they are closed to visitors during the winter months. Highlights of the preserve include Deer Creek Reservoir for boating, kayaking, and water sports and the Huber Grove site complete with a historic farmhouse to explore.
Utah Lake State Park encompasses a large freshwater lake adjacent to the city of Provo. Nestled between hills to the West and the city, it provides 148 square miles for boating or enjoying motorized personal watercraft, kayaks, or rowboats. The Provo River flows into the lake and offers tubing, kayaking, or an enjoyable nature walk along its paved Provo River Trail. The park offers picnic facilities and plenty of RV camping with hookups, showers, and bathrooms. The wetlands along the edge of the lake harbor many species of waterfowl, and the river and lake are both home to several species of fish for avid sportsmen to try their hand at catching.
Jordanelle State Park includes a sparkling reservoir and miles of hiking trails, allowing visitors to cool off with some water sports after a day of hiking, biking, off-roading, and exploring. The RV campsites offer hookups, firepits, picnic areas, and bathrooms with showers. There are also laundry facilities, a dump station, and a playground. During the winter, campsites are closed, although visitors can still make use of some areas of the park for winter activities.
National Sites Near Provo, Utah
Pony Express National Historic Trail showcases the fascinating history of mail delivery along the Frontier. The trail stretches across northern Utah from the Wyoming border to the Nevada border, with areas of special interest including the Bonneville Salt Flats, Hogsback Summit, and the Grassy Mountain Rest Area. Much of the Trail follows modern highways, offering an easy route for RV drivers that includes plenty of campsites, convenient refueling, and a variety of restaurants and grocery stores for stocking up on supplies.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument is a fascinating site for kids and adults alike. Located halfway up the beautiful Timpanogos Mountain, it’s an easy hike from the parking lot to the cave entrance, where the naturally cool interior provides a respite on a hot day. Inside, visitors will find intricate stalactites and stalagmites as they wind through the cave’s interior on a guided tour. Visitors will learn the legend of the mountain along with facts about the area’s history. The parking lot for the site accommodates RVs, but drivers should be sure to take the main route to get there, as the scenic loop road does not allow vehicles more than 30 feet in length.
Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail offers insight into the 1,300-mile route taken by Mormon settlers across the Plains, with this section focusing on events after the settlers entered Utah. The section of trail stretches from the Wyoming border into the Salt Lake Valley, with the main points of interest including the This is the Place Monument and Echo Canyon. As many stretches of the trail line up with modern highways, it makes an ideal road trip for RV drivers, who can camp along the route and have easy access to fuel, restaurants, and other necessities in towns and cities along the way.
National Forests Near Provo, Utah
Fish Lake National Forest offers pristine natural beauty, with the highlight of the park being its clear lake that lives up to its name by supporting a thriving population of fish. Fishing in both summer and winter tops the list of activities, joined by stellar hiking opportunities, horseback riding, hunting, and camping. There are close to a dozen campgrounds in the park that offer hookups for RVs and basic facilities for washing up and entertainment.
Manti-La Sal National Forest covers both central and southeast Utah before extending all the way into Colorado. This mountainous stretch of terrain provides a home for wildlife like golden eagles, elk, and black bears, while its valleys and protected areas offer historic ruins of the people who called it home thousands of years ago. Its mountain slopes are perfect for hiking, biking, and photography, while its many waterways provide ample fishing opportunities. There are several campgrounds in the park that offer facilities for RV drivers.
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest encompasses more than 2 million acres of territory, much of it featuring breathtaking snow-capped peaks and pristine forests. It’s the perfect setting for hiking, biking, fishing, riding ATVs, bird-watching, photography, and camping. Several of the camping areas offer hookups and facilities for RV drivers. The scenic loops and areas of outstanding beauty make it the ideal setting for an RV road trip. Wildlife flourishes here, offering glimpses of native hawks, mountain sheep, deer, and smaller herbivores. The winter season offers cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, although RV drivers will want to pay close attention to road conditions in the event of a snowstorm.
