Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can't use my reservation?
You have two options. 1) You can cancel your reservation and lose the $7 non-refundable reservation fee and either a $5 cancellation fee or the first night's camping fee, depending on the number of days prior to the arrival date that the cancellation is made. 2) For a $5 transfer fee, you can transfer your arrival date to a future date. All cancellations and transfers can only be done through the Central Reservation Office during call center hours and before your official check in date of your confirmed reservation.

How far in advance can I make a reservation?
Individual campsite reservations are accepted up to 16 weeks in advance from park departure date.

What is the least amount of time required to make a reservation?
If campsites are available, reservations can be made a minimum of 2 days in advance of arrival date.

How much does it cost to make a reservation?
A $7.00 non-refundable reservation fee is charged for each site reserved.

How many reservations can I make at one time?
You can make as many reservations as you would like as long as those are at different parks for different time periods. You may reserve up to three campsites per phone call or Internet session at one park for the same date and time period. Parties requiring additional space are encouraged to reserve one of our group areas.

Group reservations are accepted up to 11 months in advance from park departure date. A $10.25 non-refundable fee is charged for group sites and building rentals. A minimum, non-refundable fee will be charged at the time the reservation is made. The reservation must be confirmed a minimum of two weeks before the event.

What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check - in time at parks is from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Wasatch Mountain). Check-out time is generally 2:00 p.m. (noon at Dead Horse Point).

What if I do not show up or cancel?
If you do not occupy your reserved campsite by 10 a.m. on the day after the scheduled arrival date, the site will be made available to other campers. Many parks do not allow access after 10 p.m. If you must arrive late, notify the park.

What if I leave early?
If you are leaving as a result of a natural emergency or sudden campground closure, all camping fees will be refunded. For any other reasons please check out with a park staff member before leaving the park.

Can I bring my pet?
Pets are welcome at most state parks, however, they must be on a maximum six foot leash and not left unattended. Pets are not allowed in buildings, on beaches, or in the lakes or reservoirs. Please remember to pick up after your pets.

When is the Central Reservation Office open?
The Central Reservation Office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

What hours can I make an Internet reservation?
You can make reservations 24/7. New site availability mirrors the operation hours of the call center.

How many people can camp on my site?
A maximum of eight people are allowed per campsite. (16 people in double sites.)

Do children count towards capacity count?
Yes.

How many vehicles can I have at my site?
Unless otherwise noted on your confirmation, one camping unit and a maximum of eight people are allowed per campsite. A camping unit is one tent, one trailer or one camper, not a combination or multiples of the above. A vehicle and attached in tow equipment is considered one vehicle. An extra vehicle, space permitting, will be charged half the camping fee per night, with any odd amounts being rounded to the next dollar. Campsites that are $8 per night will charge an extra vehicle the full $8.

Can I have a campfire or a portable stove?
Fires may only be built in fire rings, stoves, grills, or fireplaces provided for that purpose. Be sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving. Do not leave your fire unattended. Obey any restrictions on fires, which may be limited or prohibited at certain times.

What are quiet hours in the park?
Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Can I bring alcoholic beverages?
Alcoholic beverages are allowed within state parks, except for visitor centers, museums, and administrative offices. Laws are enforced according to Utah Alcohol Beverage Control and state law.

Where can I set up on my site?
You must camp only in those places specifically provided or marked. All vehicles, RVs, and trailers must be parked on your campsite or driveway. Driving or parking off road is not permitted.

What is the maximum number of nights I can stay in a park?
Length of stay generally is limited to 14 days (five days at Snow Canyon) within any 30-day period.

Are there group campgrounds at the park?
Group camping facilities can be found in most of the state parks. For more information on group camping please refer to our website at stateparks.utah.gov, or call our helpful reservation staff at 1-800-322-3770 (outside SLC), or 322-3770 (in SLC).

Can I reserve a picnic shelter or group campground?
Group reservations are accepted up to 11 months in advance from park departure date. A $10.25 non-refundable fee is charged for group sites and building rentals. A minimum, non-refundable fee, will be charged at the time the reservation is made. The reservation must be confirmed a minimum of two weeks before the event.

How do I get a hunting or fishing license?
At: http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/licenses or some designated park offices sell licenses or you can call the Division of Wildlife at 801-538-4700.

How do I register a boat?
Boats are registered through the Division of Motor Vehicles. Visit http://dmv.utah.gov/register for more information.

Where can I get an annual state parks pass?
State parks passes are available at any state park, region office, or the Salt Lake office located at 1594 West North Temple, Suite 116. Passes can also be purchased over the phone with a Visa or Mastercard by calling (801) 538-7220.

I'm having problems reaching someone at the park, how can I get a hold of a park staff member?
If you can't reach a park staff member, please contact the Salt Lake office at (801) 538-7220 or toll free at 877-UTPARKS for further assistance.

Why can't I make a reservation at a park during the winter?
Some parks are in operation and accept reservations year-round. Other parks close for winter conditions and offer no camping.

Can you look up my friend's reservation or tell which site they are in?
To protect the privacy of our customers we don't release any account information to anyone other than the account holder. In this situation we would recommend that you contact your friend to gather this information.

Can I make a check payment over the phone?
Check payments are accepted by mail only if your arrival date is at least 30 days from the day you make the reservation. All payments are due at the time of reserving the site, so checks need to be mailed the same day the reservation is made, and received within 5 business days. If checks are not received by the due date your reservations will be cancelled and you will still owe the reservation fees.

Is it faster to make an Internet reservation than through the Central Reservation Office?
During opening mornings, it will be faster to make reservations over the phone. The average phone reservation takes approximately three minutes to complete reservations for up to three sites. Depending on your Internet connection it may take up to 5 minutes to book a single site.

Hints to make reserving online faster:
Set up an account ahead of time.
Familiarize yourself with the process of making an online reservation before trying to book on a busy opening date.

How many amps are your electrical posts?
They are either 20 or 30 amps depending on the park. For more specific information please contact the park.

Where are your offices located?
Salt Lake Office
1594 West North Temple, Suite 116
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114

How can I get a job with your division?
Hiring is done through a skills match program. A Utah Skills Match packet may be obtained by visiting: http://www.dhrm.state.ut.us/Employment/fullpage.htm, or by contacting the Department of Human Resource Management at 801-538-3062.

Does Utah State Parks and Recreation manage Timpanogos Cave or Zion National Park?
No, these are national parks. For more information on national parks in Utah, please see http://www.nps.gov, or contact each park directly: Timpanogos Cave (801) 756-5238; Zion National Park (435 772-3256).

Where may I ride my off-highway (OHV) vehicle?
Off-highway vehicle riding is not allowed in Utah State Parks, except for Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park near Kanab. The USDI Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service manage many trails and areas throughout the state, which are open to OHV riding. It is best to contact the land manager of the area in which you would like to ride, and contact that agency for their up-to-date recreation map, which will show trailheads, openings, and closures. For more information, you can visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/parks/ohvrule.htm or call the USDI Bureau of Land Management at (801) 539-4001 or USDA Forest Service at (801) 524-3900.

Where may I find topographical, OHV, snowmobile, and other types of maps?
The Department of Natural Resources bookstore is located at 1594 West North Temple in Salt Lake City. Please contact them at (801) 537-3320.

Planning a vacation to Utah and need information on hotels, national parks, mountain biking, hiking, rafting, and skiing?
Please call the Utah Office of Tourism at 800-200-1160 for a vacation planner or visit www.utah.com.

How can I get in touch with Utah State Parks and Recreation for additional questions?
Please call us at (801) 538-7220. Write or visit us at 1594 West North Temple Suite 116, P.O. Box Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6001. Or email us at parkcomment@utah.gov.