Out on the eastern edge of the vast Utah Lake, where the water stretches out to meet the sky, you’ll find the Lake Shore Campground. This spot, located within Utah Lake State Park, serves a dual purpose for RVers exploring the Provo area. It’s not only a campground with a mix of back in and pull through sites, but it also functions as the park’s primary dump station hub. With 31 sites offering water and 30 amp service, along with shared sanitation facilities, it’s a popular stop. The price can change with the seasons, but many road warriors, myself included, have used this as a strategic pit stop just to empty the tanks and refill with fresh water before heading up into the breathtaking Provo Canyon. It’s the perfect staging ground for your Wasatch mountain adventures.
The energy in and around Provo is all about the great outdoors. The city sits in a valley that is just humming with opportunities for adventure. You can have a picnic beside the stunning, cascading Bridal Veil Falls, a truly iconic sight. You can tackle the challenging hike up the "Y" on the mountain overlooking the city for some incredible views of the entire Utah Valley. For the anglers among us, the Provo River offers some of the best fly fishing in the state. And the best part is that all of this is within a quick fifteen minute drive from the state park. If you’re in the mood for a bit of culture, the Brigham Young University campus is home to a fantastic quartet of free museums that are well worth a visit. And when you get hungry, downtown Provo has a surprisingly vibrant and growing dining scene, with plenty of farm to fresh options that will satisfy any foodie. It’s a region that beautifully blends rugged nature with a touch of urban sophistication.
Navigating to and using the facilities at this state park is quite simple. You’ll follow Center Street west from Provo, heading out past the airport toward the lake. Just before you get to the main campground loop, you’ll see the dump station. It’s a well designed, two lane setup, which is always a welcome sight as it helps keep things moving. You’ll need your park day use pass or card to swipe for access. From there, it’s the familiar routine: pull your rig forward, drain the gray and black tanks, and then you can conveniently top off your potable water at the adjacent spigot. One of the best perks of this particular location is the presence of free showers located in the building right across from the dump lane. After a dusty day of travel or a few days of boondocking, being able to rinse off before hitting the road again is a simple but wonderful luxury. The stalls are unisex and part of the main bathhouse.
When it comes to the amenities, this campground is pretty well equipped, but there are a few very important details to be aware of. Every campsite has a water and electric hookup, and as mentioned, there's also a potable water spigot right at the dump station. A subset of the sites even offer full hookups, including sewer. If you’re lucky enough to snag one of those, you can spare yourself a trip to the station altogether when it’s time to leave. Now for a critical point: the campground has a strict no pets policy. This rule is in place to protect the shoreline birds and the sensitive local ecosystem. If you are traveling with a qualified service animal, you should absolutely call the park office ahead of time to confirm their specific policies and procedures. The free showers and restrooms are a huge plus, and you’ll find dumpsters conveniently located at the entrance to the bathhouse, which makes it easy to dispose of your trash after you’ve completed the dump process. You won’t find any gas or propane for sale in the park, so make sure you fill up your tanks in downtown Provo before you make the drive west toward the lake.
The cost of camping and services at Utah’s state parks is based on a dynamic pricing model, so it can vary. However, recent campers have reported paying around $40 per night for a full hookup site, with dump station access included in that fee. If you’re just visiting for the day to use the dump station, you’ll typically pay the park’s day use entrance fee, which is usually around $20 and covers your access to the sanitation facilities. As always, it’s a good idea to call the park directly to confirm the current fees before you go. To make your visit a success, always check the park’s website for any “Know Before You Go” alerts. High water levels on Utah Lake can sometimes lead to the closure of the lakefront camping loops, so it’s best to be informed. Another pro tip: the mosquitoes can be quite enthusiastic here, especially on warm evenings. If possible, plan to do your dumping midday to avoid the worst of them. I’d also recommend carrying some longer hoses, as the dump inlets are set back a little bit from the pavement. And before you leave, take a moment to swing by the free interpretive kiosk near the entrance. You can learn about the endangered June sucker fish, which is native to the lake. It’s a quick and interesting lesson in local ecology. In the end, Lakeshore Campground is a fantastic resource. Its dual lanes, fresh water fill, and free showers make servicing your rig a total breeze before you start your ascent into the beautiful Provo Canyon. Just be mindful of the no pet rule and check for any closures, and you’ll be good to go.
Provo, UT 84601
(801) 375-0731
Cost: Price not available
Category: Campground
Has Water
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/utah-lake