Best Campgrounds In Capitol Reef National Park
Cathedral Valley Campground
With only 6 campsites located near Torrey, this top-rated campground is perfect for tenters or smaller vehicles and features some of the best views in the area. Not to mention, the site is free.
Fruita Campground
Consisting of 71 full-service sites, Fruita Campground is directly next to the Fremont River and is open year-round. The campground features picnic tables, fire pits, and RV dumps. There are no electrical hookups.
Why Youll Love Leeds Rv Park & Motel
During your stay at Leeds RV Park, youll have plenty of amenities to take advantage of. You can have a quiet, relaxing day playing a friendly game of horseshoes with your family, stay connected with the wireless internet connections, and keep comfortable with the clean restrooms and showers. The large trees throughout the park make for peacefully shaded RV sites, which are equipped with full hookups and cable television. And of course, the surrounding areas are filled with opportunities for hiking, fishing, exploring, and more.
Edge Of The Cedars State Park
Its one thing to see ancient Southwestern ruins, but to get a true sense of the ancient peoples who inhabited them, go to the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum in Blanding, Utah.
Along with seeing a rare beetle-leg necklace and 2,000-year-old sandals in pristine condition, youll learn about people like Blandings infamous Earl Shumway who looted thousands of sites in the 1980s and 90s, leaving behind a trail of empty Mountain Dew cans and cigarette butts. His DNA on one of the cigarettes led to his arrest.
If you want to ask some of the big questions of humanity like how do we become farmers, city dwellers, crucibles most of us on the planet have passed through, this is the best place to do it, says Jonathan Till, curator of Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum. Its because the number of sites here, the dry environment that lends itself to preservation and the fact we have descendants of those folks who we can talk to to find out how these things came to pass.
Theres even a 1,000-year-old kiva you can climb into outside the museum. But dont miss the stunning 850-year-old scarlet macaw feather sash found on the very southern edge of Canyonlands National Park. Because the scarlet macaw is found in Mexico and Central America, researchers think the more than 1,000 feathers on the sash must have arrived in the area through a long-distance trade network.
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Best Free Camping Near Kanab
Utah Campsite #3: N 37°3.200, W 112°15.581
Kanab is home to some of the most slot canyons in the world. Miles of winding slot trails, amazing wave rock formations, and the beginnings of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument can all be found in the heart of Kanab.
But also lying in the heart of Kanab are some of the most alluring, quiet campsites in the world and some of the best free campsites in Utah!
Spanning from Lake Powell to Hurricane and beyond, Highway 89 is home to hundreds of dispersed Utah campsites that are totally free for campers to enjoy.
If youre looking to hike the Peekaboo Slots, or grabbing that infamous Instagram picture at The Wave , Seamens Canyon Road off Highway 89 is the perfect middle ground for your southern Utah adventure.
Located 32 miles west of The Peekaboo Slot Canyon trailhead, Seamens Canyon Road offers multiple pullouts underneath the cliffs of Grand Staircase-Escalante.
How Do They Stack Up
Camping in Utah is one of my favorite activities and one that is wildly available. Not only are there 5 national parks in Utah, there are also 43 state parks and 329 campgrounds. To say that camping in Utah is a little thing would be a lie.
Utah loves its campers, and we love Utah. With all of the beautiful landscapes to explore, the great biking trails, ATVing, fishing, and more who wouldnt want to come RV camp in Utah? It is completely unforgettable.
All of these parks are stunning and range in their levels of comfort. Some RV resorts have full WIFI and pools for those who love to camp within comfortable means, and then there are some campsites that are so rustic that there arent assigned spots for those who prefer a more rustic camping approach.
With all that in mind, we are going to start our introductions off with the absolutely beautiful Capitol Reef National Park. This stunning campground and national park is just the way to get this camping party started.
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Camping In Utah: Kayenta Campground
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
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Zion National Park/watchman Campground
Zions unique array of plants and animals will enchant you as you absorb the rich history of the past and enjoy the excitement of present-day adventures.
If you want an unforgettable RV camping trip in Utah then what better place to go than Utahs first national park? Zions national park offers hiking and trails that will allow you to walk in the footsteps of the ancient native people.
There are amazing views of massive sandstone cliffs that are balanced against the beautiful blue sky. The wildlife and wilderness in this park alone will make it one of the best and unforgettable RV camping trips of your life.
There are 3 campgrounds within Zion National park, but we will be focusing on the Watchman Campground which is located near the parks south entrance and just a short walk away from Zion National Parks main visiting center.
Watchman Campground is a short drive from the town of Springdale, which opens up a lot more activities for you and your family. Plus, it is just a short walk away from the shuttle system that takes you to the trails that you would like to hike.
During the spring, summer, and fall the camping sites are up for reservation, but during the winter months, they switch to being first come first serve. With all of the outdoor activities and the beautiful sites, taking your family on an RV camping trip here will become one of the most memorable experiences you have camping.
Watchman Campground Amenities-
- Canyoneering
- Climbing
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Have A Blast Camping In Utah
Theres something truly special about Utah whether youre visiting Salt Lake City, its five national parks, or any of its other natural areas.
And, in my opinion, the absolute best way to enjoy all of its beauty is by dispersed camping off the beaten path in a quiet, remote, and uniquely beautiful free campsite.
If youre on a larger camping road trip, or just want to check out free campsites in other states, our other free camping state guides are well worth a look.
Please Respect The Places You Find On The Outbound
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures. Be aware of local regulations and don’t damage these amazing places for the sake of a photograph. Learn More
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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Best Campgrounds In Arches National Park
Devils Garden Campground
A top-rated campground in Arches National Park, Devils Garden is a full-service campground that is close to hiking trailheads and some incredible scenery. This campground does get full fast though, so book ahead.
Kens Lake Campground
Consisting of 31 full-service sites, Kens Lake Campground is great whether youll be visiting with an RV or a tent. There are vault toilets on site, and Kens Lake is just a short walk away.
Incredible Free Campsites In Utah
Utah is home to thousands of campgrounds dispersed all over the state. With nearly 75% of the land being public, campers have an unlimited option when it comes to free campsites in Utah! Yes, free!
Sure, Utahs State Parks and National Parks have their own beautiful campsites but if you truly want to live life elevated and experience what Utah has to offer then these dispersed campsites are guaranteed to take your adventure to the next level.
No more reservations, lucky lottery drawings, or squeezing your tent in between a mass of loud campers . With this article on the best free campsites in Utah, you will be armed with the coordinates to avoid camping chaos.
These coordinates are a simple navigational tool to help you locate a generalized area that allows dispersed camping. Simply plug it into your GPS or smartphone and go!
If youre not sure how to find the best free camping in the USA, I suggest checking out this guide to free camping in the USA which lists some of the best apps and tips for finding epic campsites that are completely cost-free.
In this article, I will outline the 5 best campsites in Utah. that just happen to be totally free! These campsites are typically unknown, lying just on the outskirts of the most popular tourist destinations like the Mighty 5 and the best part is they are 100% free!
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What People Are Saying About Temple View Rv Resort
This is a family run campground. Very friendly and clean. The pool was great. Level sites. We will stay here again. Rhonda, Google reviews
Location
Image Source:https://www.zionriverresort.c…
Imagine camping next to the tranquil sounds of a trickling river, surrounded by the unforgettable views of a picturesque mountainscape this is exactly what you can look forward to with a stay at Zion River Resort. You can experience the best that Utah has to offer, as this campgrounds location allows you to easily visit Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon North Rim, and much, much more!
Where To Find Year
Growing up in Central Oregon, my version of desert camping varied greatly from the desert seen when camping in southern Utah, the region I now call home. I grew up with tumbleweeds and cheatgrass and the short western juniper, and dust storms were far more likely than sandstorms, unless you were along the temperamental Oregon coastline.
The love I cultivated from living and exploring in Oregons High Desert has remained and deepened to a love of all desert environmentsthe arid, vast, suffocating expanse that reminds my soul that I am home.
In the southern reaches of Utah, snowbirds and winter-enthusiasts alike find respite in the 255 sunny days the red rock desert receives each year on average. With ample hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and sunbathing, youll want to pack up the kids and find camping in southern Utah surrounded by the cryptobiotic soil, sandstone arches, and uninterrupted swath of desert landscape. And who knows, you might fall in love with the desert, too.
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How To Find Even More Free Camping In Utah
- Apps My go-to apps for finding free campsites include FreeCampsites.net, iOverlander, Campendium, and the Dyrt.
- Online Maps Google Maps is a great tool for finding dispersed camping opportunities. I also like FreeRoam.app and Gaia GPS. Both let you turn on national forest and BLM boundaries to help make sure potential campsites are indeed on public land.
- MVUM Maps Both national forest and BLM ranger stations offer paper motor vehicle use maps to visitors. Dont be afraid to ask rangers for dispersed camping recommendations. Ive found some awesome campsites just by asking a ranger.
Yet another free camping option is to try out blacktop boondocking. Some stores, including Walmart and Cracker Barrel, allow free overnight parking for campers and boondockers. This does vary by locale so make sure to call ahead.
Although casino parking lot camping is another alternative in most states, its not an option in Utah. The state outlaws all forms of gambling, including tribal casinos. But you might be able to find a decent spot for casino camping just across the border in a neighboring state, such as Nevada.
My final recommendation is stealth camping. Although I personally only use this as a backup plan, a lot of campers swear by it. But, Utah has so many places for dispersed camping that you shouldnt have a problem finding a free campsite.
Free Camping Near Park City And The Wasatch Range
Utah may tout itself as having the greatest snow on earth, but that snow wouldnt be too useful without the gorgeous mountains it gets trapped on. These mountains are beloved by skiers in the winter and adventure-loving campers in the summer.
Check out Salamander Flat or Heber Mountain for beautiful boondocking and tent camping on national forest lands. Mud Creek Road BLM dispersed camping near Strawberry Reservoir is another option near the Wasatch.
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Visit Utah On Your Next Trip
No matter how you like to travel, there is an option for excellent camping in Utah. Want to get away from the crowds and rough it? Want to be seated in the lap of luxury at an RV resort? Or do you want to find a spot that puts you close to all the fantastic wonders Utah has to offer?
Whatever you are looking for, there is a Utah camping option for you. And now you know what to expect wherever it is you want to go. So start planning that next grand adventure!
Perfect Fall Camping Spots In Utah
Camping in Utah is an absolute delight no matter the time of year, but in the fall, it rivals the very best. The alpine ambiance of the Beehive State is breathtaking. Forget the summer heat, capitalize on the ideal weather by pitching a tent under the stars when the seasons change. Here are five perfect camping spots in the state!
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Red Cliffs Campground Red Cliffs Conservation Area
One of the more primitive southern Utah camping options on this list, Red Cliffs Campground, located in Red Cliffs Conservation Area, is run by the BLM and costs the standard $15/night. There are eleven sites that operate on a first-come first-serve basis, each of which has a shaded picnic area, running water, and a fire pit.
Our campers comment on how secluded the area feels, even though its not far from the freeway. There are opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, rappelling, and spotting dinosaur tracks.
Really love this campground! Its small but nice. Good distance between sites and its a really beautiful place with great hiking. The Dyrt camper Natalie B.
Capitol Reef National Park/fruita Campground
The Capitol Reef National Park is a national park located in stunning southern Utah. Archaic hunters and gathers used to migrate through the cannons, making the Capital Reef a homeland to people for the past thousands of years.
The National Park Service preserves the beautiful history of the Capitol Reef National Park. There are amazing painted hieroglyphics/pictographs and carved petroglyphs that tell the stories of the Indians who used to inhabit these lands long ago.
Around the 1800s, pioneers for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came and settled in this area planting beautiful apple, pear, and peach orchards that thrive even to this day.
When visiting here you can stroll through the lanes of the unlocked orchards and view the immense beauty of the over 3,100 different peach, pear, apple, plum, cherry, mulberry, almond, walnut, and apricot trees.
If the fruit is ripened and signs are posted that the orchard is ready for harvesting, you can even harvest and take some fruit home with you.
The Fruita Campground is often described as an oasis within the desert.
The Fruita Campground is the only campground in Capitol Reef National Park. It is more of a rustic campground with 64 RV/tent sites that dont have any hookups. There is running water in the bathrooms though, as well as flushing toilets.
So, staying here with your family can be unforgettable and incredible as you hike, bike, and stroll through this amazing national park.
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