Utah’s amazing diversity of landscapes offers campers a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities and many different kinds of camping experiences. If you want to explore the extraordinary rock formations in places like Arches National Park there are several primitive campsites located close to Moab, where you can set up your base camp and enjoy days of hiking, biking and water sports and cozy nights around the campfire. The mighty Colorado River winds its way through a maze of canyons and cliffs – you can find an ideal riverside campsite at Drinks Canyon Campground, Hals Canyon Campground or Goose Neck Island. Dixie National Forest offers wonderful hiking and boating opportunities which you can explore from your base at one of 26 popular campgrounds.
1. Anderson Cove Campground
Nestled on the banks of Pineview Reservoir in the beautiful Ogden Valley, the Anderson Cove Campground is a great choice for campers who can do without water and electric hookups. There are around 70 campsites suitable for tents or RV and 4 group campsite which can occupy up to 100 guests. Most people come to Anderson Cove to enjoy the excellent water-sports on the lake, which include canoeing, kayaking, water-skiing, boating, swimming and fishing. The campground has a boat launch and a pleasant beach where you can relax while the children paddle. Near-by attractions include the beautiful Ogden Rover Scenic Byway which meanders through 44 miles of scenic landscape.
Anderson Cove Campground, 6702 UT-39, Huntsville, UT 84317, Phone: 801-625-5112
2. Arches National Park
Arches National Park showcases an other-worldly landscape of weird rock formations, natural stone arches and startling colors, making this park a must-see destination for any visitor to Utah. One of the best ways to appreciate the park is to bring along your tent or RV and spend a few precious nights under the starry Utah sky at the Devils Garden Campground. The campsite does not offer any hookups but can accommodate RVs up to 40 foot. There are flush toilets and drinking water on site but no showers. Any home-comforts you may be missing will be more than compensated for by the astonishing landscape and the wonderful star-gazing you will enjoy.
Archest National Park, Moab, UT 84532, Phone: 435-719-2299
3. Bridger Bay Campground, Utah
Located close to the Bridger Bay Beach and Day Use Area, the Bridger Bay Campground is a popular choice with campers visiting Antelope Island on the Great Salt Lake. Although this is a primitive campground which does not offer any form of hookup, you will be able to have a hot shower and access to flush toilets. The scenery on the island is unique and spending time here is a wonderful way to shake of the shackles of the city. After setting up camp you can spend your days hiking along the lake shore, swimming in the salty waters and doing some excellent bird and wildlife watching/photography.
Bridger Bay Campground, Antelope Island, Utah, Phone: 801-773-2941
4. Bryce Canyon Pines Campground
The Bryce Canyon Pines Campground provides campers with an excellent gateway to the wonders of the magnificent Bryce Canyon. If you want a true back-to-nature experience you can pitch your tent amidst soaring Ponderosa Pines and wake up to bird song and marvelous canyon views. If you prefer a few more creature comforts you can bring your RV or trailer to one of the comfortable serviced campsites which have water, electric and sewer hookup. There are good restrooms and hot showers available to all campers, and each campsite has a picnic table and fire pit. Activities in and around the campground include horse-back riding, hiking, biking and nature walks.
Bryce Canyon Pines Campground, UT-12, Bryce, UT 84764, Phone: 800-892-7923
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5. Dead Horse Point State Park
Campers planning to spend some time exploring the dramatic scenery in the Dead Horse Point State Park have two campsites to choose from. Kayenta Campground is a pleasant, lightly shaded campground with 21 campsites equipped with electrical hookup. There are several hiking trails which lead directly from the campground including the West Rim Trail and the East Rim Trail. The Wingate Campground offers far-reaching views and can accommodate 21 RV’s or tents and 11 Hike-in tent sites. Both campgrounds offer modern restrooms. Dead Horse Point State Park is one of the best places in the world for star-gazing and regular star-gazing activities are offered by the park.
Dead Horse Point State Park, Moab, UT 84532
6. Dixie National Forest
The enormous Dixie National Forest covers nearly 2 million acres, stretching for 170 miles across southern Utah. The forest offers a myriad of recreational possibilities and is a very popular destination for camping enthusiasts. There are not less than 26 campgrounds to choose from and dispersed primitive camping is also allowed in several areas. If you choose one of the campgrounds near Panguitch Lake, Enterprise Reservoir or Navajo Lake you will have access to boating, paddling and fishing. Although hiking is by far the most popular activity within the forest, many people visit during winter to enjoy cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Dixie National Forest, Cedar City, UT 84721, Phone: 435-865-3700
7. Drinks Canyon Campground
Campers who relish the idea of getting back to basics and camping right on the banks of the Colorado River should add Drinks Canyon Campground to their wish-list. The campground operates on a first-come-first-served basis and has 17 campsites which fill up very quickly during popular times. You will need to bring in your own water (and everything else you need) as there are few facilities on site – just you and nature in abundance. You will find picnic tables, fire pits and toilets, but no showers or drinking water. The campground is surrounded by the brightly colored walls of the canyon – a wonderful sight to greet you in the morning.
Drinks Canyon Campground, Highway 128, Moab, UT 84532, Phone: 435-259-2100
8. Goose Island Campground
Goose Island is located along the banks of the Colorado River, just 10 minutes from the Arches National Park. The campground offers striking views and two group campgrounds for outdoor enthusiasts interested in exploring the exceptional landscape on foot or by bike. There is a paved cycle track between the campground and the entrance to the national park and activities in and around the campground include hiking, biking, 4X4 exploring and white-water rafting on the river. The campsite has a picnic shelter, fire rings and vault toilets but there is no drinking water or showers on site and you will need to carry in everything you need.
Goose Island Campground, UT-128, Moab, UT 84532, Phone: 435-259-2100
9. Goosenecks State Park Campground
Feel as though you are on top of the world as you stare down at the San Juan River as it twists and turns through a tortuous 6-mile gooseneck. To properly explore the remarkable landscape of the Goosenecks State Park you need a least a couple of days. Campers can set up camp in a spectacular campsite on the canyon rim and spend some time communing with nature in an extraordinary setting. The campsites can accommodate RV’s up to 30 foot and tent campers are welcome. There is no electrical hookup but each campsite has a picnic table and a fire pit and there are vault toilets on site.
Goosenecks State Park Campground, Hwy 316, Mexican Hat, UT 84531, Phone: 435-678-2238
10. Grandstaff Campground
You are going to have to plan an early arrival if you wish to secure a campsite in this popular first-come-first-served campground on the banks of the Colorado River, near Moab. The rustic campground is only suitable for tent campers and offers dazzling views of the river and massive sandstone cliffs. You will have direct access to the river for paddling and there is easy access to hiking and biking trails. Another advantage of choosing this campground is that it offers lightly-shaded campsites – a very important perk during the hot Utah summers. There are a total of 16 individual campsites with picnic tables and fire pits and there are toilets on site.
Grandstaff Campground, UT-128, Moab, UT 84532, Phone: 435-259-2100
11. Hal Canyon Campground
Another of the beautifully positioned primitive campgrounds located along the banks of the Colorado River, Hal Canyon has just 11 individual campsites. You will need to get there early to stake your claim – the campground operates on a first-come, first served basis and does fill up quickly on weekends and holidays. Your secluded campsite offers beautiful views of the Colorado River, some shade and a fire pit. The campsites are suitable for tent campers and can also accommodate small RV’s or trailers. You will need to bring your own water but there is a toilet on site. The campground is located close to the Porcupine Rim Trail and the Negro Bill Trail.
Hal Canyon Campground, UT-128, Moab, UT 84532
12. Horsethief Campground
Horsethief Campground is one of the largest campgrounds close to Moab, offering 56 individual campsites and one group campsite. The individual sites are tucked into some light pine and juniper forest which provides some shade and some privacy. Each of the campsites can accommodate a tent or a small RV and has a picnic table and fire pit. The campground does not offer any hookups and you will need to bring your own water and supplies, but there are pit toilets on site. Horsethief Campground has its own 1-mile trail and is perfectly positioned to serve as a base for exploring Dead Horse State Park and parts of the Canyonlands National Park.
Horsethief Campground, 82 East Dogwood Ave, Moab, UT 84532, Phone: 435-259-2100
13. Kayenta Campground, Utah
Beautifully positioned in a grove of junipers, the Kayenta Campground in Dead Horse Point State Park provides a comfortable and well-situated base for exploring the park. The 21 campsites offer campers a shady respite from the surrounding desert landscape and each campsite has electric hookup, a picnic table and a fire pit. You will need to fill your water containers before you arrive as there is no water inside the campground but there are facilities for washing dishes, etc. You can hike and bike along designated paths inside the campground and the West Rim and East Rim hiking trails both leave from the campground.
Kayenta Campground, Ut-313, Moab, UT 84532, Phone: 435-259-2614
14. Ken’s Lake Campground
If you are planning a group camping excursion to the Moab area, Ken’s Lake Campground may be just what you are looking for. The campground has two group-camping areas, both of which can accommodate tents and RV’s (one of them also has a horse corral) and the good news is that you can book your site well in advance. Each of the sites offers a picnic shelter, fire pits and vault toilets but there are no hookups or dump stations. Ken’s Lake is just a short hike away and offers boating, swimming and hiking and you are also close to 4X4 roads.
Ken’s Lake Campground, Ken’s Lake Campground Rd, Moab, UT 84532, Phone: 425-259-2100
15. Mahogany Grove Campground, Utah
Open from mid-May to mid-October, the Mahogany Grove Campground is a popular vacation destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The campground nestles in a grassy meadow along the Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway and is perfect for groups wanting to spend time together in the great outdoors. There is one large group campsite with picnic shelters and a camp-fire circle and six other individual campsites with their own facilities. If the entire camp has not been booked out, the individual sites are available on the first-come-first-served basis. On-site activities include hiking and biking, nature observation and trout fishing in the nearly Beaver River.
Mahogany Grove Campground, UT-153, Beaver, UT 84713, Phone: 435-438-2436
16. Mount Timpanogos Campground
Scenically located amidst beautiful mountains along the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness, the Mount Timpanogos Campground beckons nature lovers and hikers to come and commune with nature. The campground is suitable for tent campers and RV’s up to a maximum of 20 feet (the narrow winding access roads are not suitable for larger rigs). Although there are no electrical hookups at this campground there is running water and nice clean restrooms with flush toilets. Once you have set up camp you can look forward to spending your days exploring a variety of scenic hiking trails. You will also be well placed to enjoy the Alpine Scenic Loop Cycling Trail.
Mount Timpanogos Campground, UT-92, Provo, UT 84604, Phone: 801-785-3563
17. Panguitch Lake North Campground
Located in the Dixie National Forest, Panguitch Lake North Campground promises a peaceful getaway for nature lovers and ardent anglers. The campground is situated just half a mile from Panguitch Lake, which is rumored to be home to some of the largest and feistiest trout in Utah. If you are not into fishing, you can still spend many happy hours enjoying swimming, boating, canoeing or kayaking on the lake. The campsite offers 39 individual campsites with picnic table and fire ring, suitable for tents or RV’s. Other facilities include drinking water, flush toilets, dump station and garbage disposal. There are good hiking, mountain biking and ATV trails close to the campground.
Panguitch Lake North Campground, UT-143, Panguitch, UT 84759, Phone: 435-865-3700
18. Point Supreme Campground
The Point Supreme Campground in the Cedar Breaks National Monument is a wonderful place to escape the Utah summer heat and do some exceptional star-gazing, at an altitude of 10,000 feet. The campground is only open from mid-June to mid-September and most of the campsites are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. (There are 10 sites which can be reserved in advance if you want to avoid disappointment). Your campsite will have a picnic table and fire pit and there are restrooms and showers on-site. If you visit during July you can witness the magnificent annual wild flower spectacle. There are good hiking trails for all levels of fitness and expertise.
Point Supreme Campground, 2390 UT-56 #11, Cedar City, UT 821, Phone: 435-586-9451
19. Rock View Campground
Offering nature lovers of all ages a very special environment, the Rock Cliff Recreational Area on the banks of the Provo River attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Make the most of your visit by bringing along your tent and spending a few nights in the Rock View Campground while you explore this unique habitat. The campground has 48 tent-only campsites with picnic tables and fire pits and two group campsites suitable for day use or overnight camping. After a busy day of exploring the various nature trails and hiking routes you can return to camp in anticipation of a nice hot shower in the modern restrooms. Other on-site facilities include a boat launch for canoeing and kayaking, a fish-cleaning station and drinking water.
515 UT-319, Heber City, UT 84032, Phone: 800-322-3770
20. Singletree Campground
Do not be put off by the misleading name of this campground; Singletree Campground is actually located in a lovely ponderosa pine and aspen forest close to Capital Reef National Park in the Dixie National Forest. Here campers will find spacious campsites, some of which can accommodate large RV’s and trailers. There are 31 individual primitive campsites of which 13 can be reserved in advance. Although no hookups are available, there are toilets and drinking water on-site. The area is ideal for hiking and mountain biking as well as bird watching and you can easily access National Scenic Byway 12, one of the country’s most interesting and beautiful “All American Roads”.
Singletree Campground, Dixie National Forest, Forest Rd 4218, UT 84701, Phone: 435-896-1020
21. South Fork Campground
Scenically positioned next to the south fork of the Ogden River, about 7 miles east of Huntsville, the South Fork Campground is popular with water-sport enthusiasts. There are 35 individual campsites, some of which can be reserved well in advance, while the others are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Each campsite has a fire pit and picnic table but there are no electric or water hookups in this campground. The river-side location of South Fork Campground means that you have excellent access to Ogden River for swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, rafting and fishing. In addition, there are a number of hiking trails which begin near-by.
South Fork Campground, UT-39, Huntsville, UT 84317, Phone: 801-625-5112
22. Tanners Flat Campground
Beautifully located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Tanners Flat Campground is a great place to spend a few days admiring nature. The campground is surrounded by maple, oak, aspen and pine trees, which provide a very pretty show in fall, while spring and summer bring a profusion of wild flowers. There are 31 individual campsites, 3 double sites and a group site suitable for up to 50 people. The group campsite is only suitable for tents but the other campsites can also accommodate RV’s up to 35 foot. Although there is no electric or water hookups, there is drinking water and toilets on site. The campground is close to several good hiking trails and visitors can also enjoy fishing and biking.
Tanners Flat Campground, Little Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Sandy, UT 84092, Phone: 801-236-3400
23. The Needles Campground
Located in the heart of the Canyonlands National Park, The Needles Campground makes a great base camp for outdoor enthusiasts who don’t mind getting back to nature in a primitive campground. There are a total of 29 campsites (24 of which are suitable for RV’s), of which 3 are group campsites. There are no hookups or showers in this campground but water is available and there are toilets on site. The main draw-card of the Canyonlands National Park are the amazing rock formations – visitors come from near and far to enjoy hiking and backpacking, mountain biking, four-wheel driving, boating and so much more in this pristine natural environment.
The Needles Campground, UT=211, Moab, UT 84532, Phone: 435-259-4711
24. Watchman Campground, Utah
Watchman Campground is located close to the South Entrance of the beautiful Zion National Park where it provides a comfortable and scenic base from which to explore the park. The campground is suitable for both tent campers and those who would like to bring their RV or Trailer and there are several sites which have electric hookup. In addition there are 6 group campsites which can only accommodate tent campers, and seven wheelchair accessible camp sites and six accessible restrooms. Zion National Park offers a wide range of exciting activities for outdoor enthusiasts including hiking and backpacking, mountain biking, rock-climbing and canyoneering river excursions.
Watchman Campground, UT-9, Springdale, UT 84767, Phone: 877-444-6777
25. Camping Near Me: Yellow Pine Campground
Outdoor enthusiasts who would like to spend a few days exploring the expansive Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest near Mirror Lake can set up camp in the Yellow Pine Campground, which has 33 individual primitive campsites. This campground does not offer reservations so you will need to get there early if you want to secure one of the first-come-first-served sites. You will also need to bring in everything you need for your stay as the campground does not have water or any kind of store, but there are vault toilets available. Each of the campsites can accommodate either tents or RV’s and has a picnic table and fire pit. The foremost activities in the forest are hiking, bird watching and fishing or boating on Mirror Lake.
Yellow Pine Campground, Wasatch Cache National Forest, FR048, Kamas, UT 84036, Phone: 435-783-4338
What are the Best Utah Camping - 25 Perfect Spots?
The Best Utah Camping - 25 Perfect Spots according to local experts are:
- Anderson Cove Campground
- Arches National Park
- Bridger Bay Campground, Utah
- Bryce Canyon Pines Campground
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Dixie National Forest
- Drinks Canyon Campground
- Goose Island Campground
- Goosenecks State Park Campground
- Grandstaff Campground
- Hal Canyon Campground
- Horsethief Campground
- Kayenta Campground, Utah
- Ken’s Lake Campground
- Mahogany Grove Campground, Utah
- Mount Timpanogos Campground
- Panguitch Lake North Campground
- Point Supreme Campground
- Rock View Campground
- Singletree Campground
- South Fork Campground
- Tanners Flat Campground
- The Needles Campground
- Watchman Campground, Utah
- Camping Near Me: Yellow Pine Campground
