These 16 Camping Spots In Utah Are An Absolute Must See
By Catherine Armstrong|Updated on May 14, 2024(Originally published April 07, 2023)
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
It’s no secret that Utah is chock full of gorgeous sights and natural wonders. Camping is one of the best ways to surround yourself with Utah’s natural beauty, and there’s almost no end to the number of gorgeous campgrounds around the state. But contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of places to choose from even outside our iconic national parks, including state parks and beyond. Here are some of our favorite campgrounds in Utah.
This gorgeous spot is located inside the Alta Ski Area, in the Albion Basin. You’ll be surrounded by pines in the clean, crisp air at this site. While some sites are first-come, first-served, you’ll want to make advanced reservations with the U.S. Forest Service.
You’ll find two campgrounds in American Fork Canyon: Little Mill, with 66 campsites; and Granite Flat with 64 sites. Both are very scenic spots, but the Granite Flat sites are more spacious and offer some of the prettiest camping spots in Utah.
You’ll find three campgrounds on Antelope Island with 52 campsites in total. The scenery is amazing, but the sites are pretty primitive with just pit toilets. If you want to shower, you can always head over to the day-use area.
Camp in one of two areas at Bear Lake State Park. Rendezvous Beach, on the south shore, has three campgrounds with modern restrooms and showers. Reserve these well in advance. Eastside campgrounds are primitive, and most are first come, first serve.
Bryce Canyon National Park offers campers two sites: North Campground and Sunset Campground. The North site is near the visitor center; Sunset is located near Bryce Lodge. Both are nice campgrounds with plenty of ponderosa pines to provide shade. They fill up by early afternoon, especially during the summer months.
The Calf Creek Campground is located near the trailhead to Lower Calf Creek Falls in the Calf Creek Recreation Area. You’ll find just 14 sites here, so arrive early. This is one of the best places to camp in Utah.
7. Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park, UT-313, Moab, UT 84532, USA
Camp atop the mesa, 2,000 feet above the valley below. You’ll wake up to a killer sunrise view in the morning. You'll also find some yurts available to rent as well.
You'll find plenty of desert flora at this campground, along with natural arches and fins. Reserve one of the 51 campsites at Arches National Park in advance. With all there is to explore here, this has to be one of the most fun places to camp in Utah.
Want to learn more about Arches National Park? Take a look at this video by @OnlyInYourState:
This is the view from the Fruita Campground at Capitol Reef National Monument, which offers 71 sites with picnic tables and fire pits. The campground has flush toilets and running water. Sites are first-come, first-served.
10. Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park, 18630Goblin, Valley Road, Green River, UT 84525, USA
Spring is the best time to visit Goblin Valley State Park - before it gets too hot. The campground offers 24 sites, modern restrooms, and showers. You won’t find any shade here, but the goblin formations and red rock cliffs are fabulous.
11. Goosenecks State Park
Goosenecks State Park, UT-316, Mexican Hat, UT 84531, USA
The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway has numerous campgrounds, many with little lakes. The snow melts pretty late this high up, so plan your trip for later this summer.
13. Natural Bridges National Monument
Natural Bridge, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT, USA
Get to Natural Bridges early to snag one of the 13 campsites. Each has a grill and picnic table, and vault toilets are available. You can get up to 5 gallons of water per person at the nearby Visitor Center.
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14. Spruces Campground, Big Cottonwood Canyon
Big Cottonwood Canyon, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121, USA
When you camp at Spruces, just 10 minutes from Salt Lake City, you'll feel like you entered another world. It sits at an elevation of 7,500 feet. Book well in advance - these tree-covered sites go fast.
15. Watchman Campground, Zion National Park
Watchman Campground, UT-9, Springdale, UT 84767, USA
Wasatch Mountain State Park offers tons of recreation opportunities and a large, 127-site campground with hookups, showers, and amenities.
What do you think are the prettiest campgrounds in Utah? Let us know!
Not all of the best campgrounds in Utah are just for tents and RVs. Utah has plenty of glamping options as well!
Need new gear for your next camping adventure? Check out what’s available from our friends at REI!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
Camping Spots in Utah & Related Info
Jennifer|April 14, 2023
How many state parks does Utah have?
Utah has 43 state parks and five national parks, each boasting otherworldly natural beauty and sights unlike anywhere else in the country.
What are the best places to visit in Utah?
The Beehive State is renowned for its larger-than-life geological wonders and diverse scenery, so it's fitting that many of the best places to visit in Utah can be found within the state's most iconic landscapes. Of course, such beauty can be found in every corner of the state, but Utah is most notably said to be home to the "Mighty Five" National Parks:
Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Arches National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Beyond Utah's stunning national parks, however, there are a multitude of other natural wonders, lakes, byways, and monuments to see throughout the state, as well as man-made attractions and under-the-radar destinations. Here are just a few beautiful places to see and explore in Utah:
