Table of Contents
Introduction
Utah, known for its red-rock canyons, powdery ski slopes and the Great Salt Lake, offers plenty of activities for campers. The state has a variety of stunning parks and campgrounds that offer opportunities for backpacking, hiking and water sports. Here are 11 beautiful campgrounds in Utah that will make your summer camping trip even more amazing.
Goblin Valley State Park Campground
Goblin Valley State Park campground is located in southern Utah. It’s accessible by car, and it’s open year round. The park has a large number of campsites with some sites being right next to sand dunes and others being tucked away amongst junipers. This is one of the few spots where you can camp while driving up to the campsite!
Dixie National Forest Campgrounds
Camping in Dixie National Forest is a great way to spend a summer weekend or fall break. The campgrounds are all located in the national forest and range from small, rustic campsites to full-featured RV parks with amenities such as showers and laundry facilities. Some of the more popular campgrounds are:
- Little Creek Campground
- Scofield Reservoir Recreation Area
- Murphy’s Campground (Quail Creek)
Dead Horse Point State Park Campground
Dead Horse Point State Park is a true hidden gem. It’s one of the most breathtaking places in the state, offering amazing views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. The campground itself is open year-round, and has basic amenities like vault toilets and running water at each site. There are several campsites that have electricity hookups too!
The campground has a maximum capacity of 60 people, 30 vehicles and 12 tents on any given night. Reservations aren’t required but highly recommended during high season (May 1 – Sept 30), especially if you’re looking to stay longer than two nights!
Hatch Point Campground in Capitol Reef National Park
You’re in for a treat if you choose to camp at Hatch Point Campground, located in the southern end of Capitol Reef National Park. From your campsite, you can see the beautiful scenery that surrounds this area—the red rocks and cliffs that line both sides of the Colorado River or perhaps even a few mule deer wandering around as they go about their daily business.
The campground has 28 sites that are spread out among three loops: South Loop (with 11 sites), West Loop (with 10) and North Loop (with 5). All three have access to restrooms with showers, a dump station and potable water. Each loop also has one vault toilet for those who prefer more privacy than a bathroom with a door!
There’s also an RV dump station near Hatch Point if you need it before heading out onto scenic drives through Southern Utah’s most beloved national parks Like Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon National Park
Lake Powell Campgrounds
As you might expect, camping is available year-round at Lake Powell. When it comes to the marinas, you can camp at Wahweap and Halls Crossing. For those looking for a more remote experience, Bullfrog and Halls Crossing campgrounds are both excellent options. There’s also camping available at Bullfrog Marina if you want to be near restaurants and other amenities but not necessarily on top of them.
Antimony Campground in Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
Located 14 miles east of Escalante, Utah, Antimony Campground is a great place to camp during your Utah getaway. The campground is open all year and has a visitor center, petrified forest and group campsites. Just west of the park’s entrance are several day-use facilities including a picnic area and trailhead parking lot. There’s also an RV dump station available for use by those with RVs staying at the park’s developed sites.
Slickrock Campground in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Location: Located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, this campground is a short drive from the town of Page and only 5 miles from Lake Powell.
- What to expect: This campground has 211 campsites that are surrounded by beautiful red rock cliffs, sandstone hoodoos, and towering pines. The views are spectacular! On your next visit, you’ll want to bring your camera for sure.
- What activities are available? There’s plenty to do whether you’re an active person or more on the mellow side. There are hiking trails that take you all over Glen Canyon NRA and just outside of it as well—the Wahweap Hoodoos Trailhead is only 15 minutes away. If you’re looking for something more relaxing, there’s also swimming at Wahweap Beach just around the corner!
- What services are available? Slickrock Campground has restrooms and showers as well as potable water spigots throughout its grounds so no need to worry about bringing too much gear along with you when camping here! All sites have fire pits located at their individual respective spots with designated picnic tables nearby for those who prefer sitting down while eating their food rather than standing up while cooking over an open flame (which can sometimes get messy). In addition there is also one dump station located near Site #34 which will allow any extra trash left behind after using up all their garbage bags provided at check-in time before heading out again tomorrow morning when we return home.”
Red Canyon Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park
Red Canyon Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park is the perfect place to rest after a long day of hiking and exploring. The campground is located at 8,000 feet, so it’s a great place to stop if you’re spending time in other nearby areas like Zion National Park or Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The park itself has plenty of hiking trails as well—there are over 100 miles worth! If you do decide to take advantage of all that Red Canyon has to offer, remember that there will be snow on some parts of the trail until late June or early July.
The campground itself has 74 sites available for tent camping (all first come first serve), but keep in mind that all sites are primitive with no electricity or water hookups available here. Each site does come with picnic tables and fire rings though which makes cooking up your meals much easier! Sites cost $18 per night for adults (ages 18+) and $10 per night for children ages 17 and under who can stay with parents/guardians at no charge whatsoever! Tenters should note though that only two tents per site may occupy them—this helps ensure everyone can enjoy their visit without feeling crowded out by other campers! Campers also have access to pit toilets throughout the area which means no need for trucking out waste afterward either! If toilets aren’t enough consideration then perhaps bathrooms might suit better? There are three available onsite including one handicap accessible unit so let us know if something else would better suit your needs today; we’d love nothing more than helping out however possible today 🙂
Sheep Creek Geologic Loop Road in Dinosaur National Monument
If you live in Utah and want to take a road trip, this one is probably not for you. The Sheep Creek Geologic Loop Road is closed during the winter months, so you’ll need to wait until spring or summer before you can explore it. If your vehicle doesn’t fit any of the following restrictions: 10 feet wide, 20 feet tall (or higher), then this might be a good option for your summer vacation.
There are also no restrooms or water sources along the route; so make sure that if possible before heading out on your journey!
Gooseberry North & South Canyon Rim in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Gooseberry North & South Canyon Rim is located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a vast, remote region of southern Utah that’s home to some of the most spectacular geological features on Earth. This campground offers gorgeous views, wildlife viewing opportunities and access to all kinds of outdoor activities, including hiking and biking trails.
Free campsites are first come first served; if you plan ahead, you can reserve a site here for $10 per night by calling (435) 644-2408 or visiting recreation.gov/camping#gooseberrynorthandsouthcanyonrim.
Head south on Highway 12 through Escalante and continue past Boulder Mail Trail Road until you reach Gooseberry National Recreation Area Road (also known as Gooseberry Road). Turn right onto this dirt road and follow it for about 10 miles until you see the turnoff for South Gooseberry Campground on your left (North Gooseberry Campground is located 1 mile north). The road winds around until it reaches South Canyon Rim Campground; bear left at each junction along this route to find parking spaces near sites A2, B2 or C8—these are among the best spots because they overlooks two beautiful waterfalls from above.
Long Ridge Dispersed Camping Area in Zion National Park
If you’re looking for a quiet campsite, check out Long Ridge Dispersed Camping Area. This spot is located in the Kolob Terrace section of Zion National Park and offers a wide variety of camping spots. The campground is especially popular with cyclists who are passing through on their way to or from the park’s western entrance. The main park road runs right by this dispersed campsite and makes it easy to access all parts of the park.
Long Ridge would be a great option if you want to camp close enough to civilization that you can pop into town for supplies or groceries, but far enough away that no one will bother you while you’re trying to sleep off your hangover from last night’s party at Moab Brewery.
Conclusion
Utah has plenty of different campgrounds to choose from. But if you’re looking for one that offers everything, then Goblin Valley State Park is the perfect fit. From hiking trails to scenic views of the surrounding landscape, there’s no shortage of things to do at this location.
