Bear Canyon

Campground · Utah · 3 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

418029 Roadless Area (Roadlessarea Rule (2001)) · Open Access

3
Bookable sites
99 ft
Max rig length
up to 75
People per site
6
Accessible sites
6,624 ft
Elevation
Bear Canyon Campground
Photo: Utah Recreation Company · Recreation.gov

Overview

Bear Canyon Campground is situated on the boundary of the Mount Nebo Wilderness Area just off the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway at an elevation of 6,800 feet. Visitors enjoy hiking and fishing in this quiet canyon.

Recreation

Salt Creek runs along the edge of campground, offering rainbow trout fishing. Bear Canyon Trail, for hiking, biking and horseback riding, begins at the campground entrance.

Facilities

The campground contains three large group sites with picnic tables, serving tables, grills and campfire circles.

Site A can accommodate up to 60 people, Site B can accommodate up to 40 people, and Site C can accommodate up to 20 people.

Group A has Porta Potties, all other sites vault toilets are provided.

This is a pack-in-pack-out campground, come prepared.

No water is available at this campground, water can be obtained at Ponderosa Campground filling station.

Roads, parking spurs and walking paths within the site are paved. 

Natural Features

Each campsite within Bear Canyon offers beautiful views of the surrounding Wasatch Range. Aspen and fir trees line the edges of the campground, which sits in a large grassy meadow. Few trees are located within the campsites, so shade is very limited.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (385) 273-1100.

Nearby Attractions

The Mount Nebo Wilderness Area is adjacent, brimming with beautiful mountain scenery, pristine waters, abundant wildlife, vibrant summer wildflowers and numerous trail opportunities.

The Nebo Loop Scenic Byway stretches 37 miles through high alpine terrain, dense forests and colorful meadows. Devil's Kitchen Geological Area can be found along the loop, just 6 miles from Bear Canyon. It offers a 1/2-mile round-trip trail to interesting red rock hoodoos.

Charges & Cancellations

Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees

  • Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation.
  • Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
  • You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Late Cancellations

  • Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.
  • Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.
  • Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
  • Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
  • Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge.

No-Shows

  • Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date.
  • If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.

Refunds

  • Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure.
  • Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location.
  • Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.
  • Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.
  • Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.

Recreation.gov Billing Information

  • Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777."

Changes to Policies and Procedures

  • Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 2018.

The facts

  • 3 bookable sites
  • 16 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • 6 accessible sites
  • Vehicles up to 99 ft
  • Up to 75 people per site
  • Loops: BEAR CANYON, MANAGEMENT SITES, S&P

Site types

  • 13 Management
  • 2 Group Standard Nonelectric
  • 1 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Picnic tables
  • Pets allowed
  • Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, grills, shade.

Book on Recreation.gov

16 campsites at Bear Canyon

Check-in 3:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceAccessMax rigPeople
ABEAR CANYONGroup Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft60♿ 🐾
BBEAR CANYONGroup Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft40♿ 🐾
CBEAR CANYONGroup Tent Only Area NonelectricBack InPaved—25 ft20♿ 🐾
001MANAGEMENT SITESManagement—————
002MANAGEMENT SITESManagement—————
003MANAGEMENT SITESManagement—————
004MANAGEMENT SITESManagement—————
005MANAGEMENT SITESManagement—————
006MANAGEMENT SITESManagementPull ThroughGravel—99 ft8♿ 🐾
1MANAGEMENT SITESManagement—PavedHike In—8 🐾
2MANAGEMENT SITESManagementBack InPavedHike In—8 🐾
3MANAGEMENT SITESManagementBack InPavedHike In—8 🐾
4MANAGEMENT SITESManagementBack InPavedHike In—8 🐾
5MANAGEMENT SITESManagementBack InPavedHike In—8 🐾
Group StandardS&PManagementBack InPaved—30 ft75♿ 🐾
Group TentS&PManagementBack InPaved—25 ft50♿ 🐾

Getting there

From I-15, take Nephi exit 225. Travel about 5 miles east on Highway 132 to the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway. Turn left onto the byway and travel 3.5 miles to the Bear Canyon turnoff. Turn left. Bear Canyon Campground is located at the end of the road, just past Ponderosa Campground.

39.78750, -111.72972 · 39°47'15.0"N 111°43'47.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 90°F in Jul, down to 37°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F374253607082908778644937
Low °F202431364453616050382820
Precip in1.31.21.41.61.50.80.60.70.91.31.11.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Cash, Check, or Scan & Pay (with recreation.gov app) 1 tent only group site (C) - $103.00, capacity - 50 people + 10 vehicle 2 group sites (A & B) - $143.00, capacity - 75 People + 15 vehicle Day Use in a campground site - $15.00 Extra Vehicle Fee - $10.00 per vehicle (paid on-site cash/check) Firewood $9.00 (located at Ponderosa Uinta Campground)

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Bear Canyon

Can you reserve a site at Bear Canyon?
Yes, Bear Canyon is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Bear Canyon have?
16 sites in total, of which 3 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Bear Canyon?
99 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Bear Canyon?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bear Canyon.
Does Bear Canyon have hookups?
No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Bear Canyon?
Campfires are allowed at Bear Canyon. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Bear Canyon also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Bear Canyon's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

    Restrictions:

    • 16 day stay limit. Gate closes at 10 pm.

    USDA Forest Service's own page

    Camping near Bear Canyon

    Comments

    Contact

    Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

    Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.