Diamond Fork Canyon
Region: Wasatch Front & Uinta Mountains | Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service (Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest) | Cost: Free
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Forest terrain representative of Diamond Fork Canyon. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Diamond Fork Canyon is the closest dispersed camping to Provo with a real destination attached: the Fifth Water hot springs trailhead sits right up the canyon, making this a popular basecamp for a soak as much as a place to just pass through.
Quick Facts
| Distance from Provo | From I-15 exit 258, about 9 miles up Spanish Fork Canyon to FR 029, then 6 miles into Diamond Fork Canyon |
| Road & Clearance | Paved and graded, suitable for most vehicles |
| Rig Suitability | Tents, vans, and most RVs at pull-offs along the canyon |
| Amenities | None at dispersed sites; vault toilets near the developed campground and hot springs trailhead |
| Cell Signal | Limited |
| Best Season | Spring through fall; lower elevation keeps it accessible longer than the high Uintas |
| Stay Limit | 14 days |
Map
Getting There
From I-15, take exit 258 and head east into Spanish Fork Canyon. After about 9 miles, turn onto Forest Road 029 into Diamond Fork Canyon and continue roughly 6 miles, dispersed pull-offs appear along the canyon road on both sides.
What to Expect
A forested canyon with the Diamond Fork River running alongside, and easy access to the Fifth Water hot springs trail, one of the most popular hikes in Utah County. Expect company, especially on weekends, this is a well-known destination, not a hidden one.
Good to Know
Because of the hot springs' popularity, parking and camping spots near the main trailhead fill fast; arriving early or looking further down-canyon improves your odds. There's a developed campground in the canyon too if the dispersed pull-offs are full.
A post-hot-springs basecamp is even better with a fridge and lights that just work. See what an off-grid power system looks like