Camping in Utah

A complete guide to camping in Utah

Majestic Zion National Park in Utah, captured by Solo Travel Goals

Photo Credit: Solo Travel Goals

Overview

Utah concentrates five national parks within a state roughly the size of Michigan, creating one of the densest landscapes of public-land camping in the country. Moab anchors the southeast, providing access to both Arches and Canyonlands national parks. Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion spread across the south-central and southwest regions. Between them, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument adds millions of acres of dispersed camping on BLM land.

Northern Utah offers a different experience. The Wasatch Range rises east of Salt Lake City with alpine camping above 8,000 feet near Heber City, Kamas, and the Uinta Mountains. The state's highest terrain reaches 9,600 feet in the camping zones. Winter transforms the Wasatch into ski country, while the southern red rock parks enter their peak season. This seasonal split means Utah camping rotates geographically through the year, with most travelers heading south in spring and fall and north in summer.

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Best Seasons to Camp in Utah

Spring

Mar-May

High 55°F · Low 43°F

The best season for southern Utah national parks. Moab, Zion, and Bryce Canyon have comfortable daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Northern Utah campgrounds remain closed under snow through May. March and April are the least crowded months in the red rock parks.

Summer

Jun-Aug

High 76°F · Low 64°F

Southern Utah desert exceeds 100 degrees. Camping shifts north to the Wasatch Range and Uinta Mountains where elevations keep temperatures manageable. Moab campgrounds empty as heat sets in. Monsoon thunderstorms arrive in July bringing flash flood risk to slot canyons.

Fall

Sep-Nov

High 55°F · Low 43°F

October is peak season in southern Utah as temperatures cool and crowds thin from summer's mountain exodus. Moab and Capitol Reef see their best camping conditions. Northern mountain campgrounds begin closing by mid-October as snow returns. The most popular window statewide.

Season	Months	Avg High	Avg Low	Conditions
Spring	Mar-May	55°F	43°F	The best season for southern Utah national parks.
Summer	Jun-Aug	76°F	64°F	Southern Utah desert exceeds 100 degrees.
Fall	Sep-Nov	55°F	43°F	October is peak season in southern Utah as temperatures cool and crowds thin from summer's mountain exodus.
Winter	Dec-Feb	35°F	23°F	Southern Utah parks stay accessible but cold, with freezing nights and shorter days.

Source: NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals

Camping Regions in Utah

Region	Terrain	Key Areas
Moab and Canyonlands	Desert	Moab, Monticello, Blanding
Zion and Southwest Corner	Mountain	Springdale, Cedar City, St. George, Hurricane
Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef	Mountain	Torrey, Escalante, Tropic, Boulder
Wasatch Range and Uinta Mountains	Mountain	Heber City, Kamas, Park City, Vernal
Northeastern Plateau	Mountain	Vernal, Duchesne, Dutch John, Roosevelt

Moab and Canyonlands

Desert · Moab, Monticello, Blanding

Red rock desert at 4,000 feet centered on Moab. Arches and Canyonlands national parks define the terrain. BLM land along the Colorado River and Highway 128 provides extensive dispersed camping. Mountain biking, four-wheeling, and river rafting drive activity beyond campground stays. Hot summers push the season to spring and fall. Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown and Red Desert RV Park anchor the in-town options, while Mountain View RV Park and Campground in Monticello serves the southern Canyonlands Needles access.

Zion and Southwest Corner

Mountain · Springdale, Cedar City, St. George, Hurricane

Zion National Park draws the heaviest visitation in the state. Watchman and South Campground sit along the Virgin River on the canyon floor. Cedar City and St. George provide private campground alternatives. Lower elevations than the rest of southern Utah, with milder winter temperatures. Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort in Springdale sits closest to the park entrance, while Cedar City RV Resort by Rjourney provides a base for Cedar Breaks and Bryce access.

Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef

Mountain · Torrey, Escalante, Tropic, Boulder

The middle tier of southern Utah parks. Bryce Canyon sits at 8,000 feet with cold nights year-round and genuine winter. Capitol Reef is lower and drier, sitting along the Waterpocket Fold. Grand Staircase-Escalante lies between them with vast BLM dispersed camping. Less crowded than Zion and Moab. Wonderland RV Park and Thousand Lakes RV Park in Torrey serve the Capitol Reef corridor, while Canyons of Escalante RV Park anchors the Grand Staircase access.

Wasatch Range and Uinta Mountains

Mountain · Heber City, Kamas, Park City, Vernal

Northern Utah mountain camping east of Salt Lake City. The Uinta Mountains are the highest east-west range in the lower 48, with alpine lakes above 10,000 feet. Heber City, Kamas, and Park City serve as access towns. Season runs June through September at high elevations. Winter transforms the area into ski resort territory. Mountain Valley RV Resort in Heber City and Ledgefork Campground near Kamas provide Wasatch and Uinta access from the east side of Salt Lake City.

Northeastern Plateau

Mountain · Vernal, Duchesne, Dutch John, Roosevelt

Dinosaur National Monument and the Book Cliffs define the remote northeastern corner. Vernal and Duchesne serve as supply towns. The Green River cuts through deep canyons. Fewer visitors than the southern parks with more dispersed camping on BLM and Ashley National Forest land. Fossil Valley RV Park in Vernal serves the Dinosaur National Monument area, while Lakeview Cove RV Campground in Duchesne provides a base for the Uinta Basin.

Camping Tips for Utah

National park campgrounds in Utah fill months ahead for spring and fall. Watchman at Zion, Devils Garden at Arches, and Fruita at Capitol Reef all require early booking. Check Recreation.gov as soon as the window opens.
Flash floods kill people in Utah slot canyons every year. Check weather forecasts before entering any narrow canyon. Avoid slot canyons entirely if rain is in the forecast anywhere in the drainage.
Water sources are scarce in southern Utah backcountry. Carry all the water you need. Many BLM camping areas have no water. A gallon per person per day is the minimum for desert conditions.
BLM land surrounding Moab, Escalante, and Capitol Reef offers extensive free dispersed camping. Popular areas have established pulloffs. The 14-day stay limit is enforced in high-traffic zones.
The Uinta Mountains in northern Utah provide alpine camping above 10,000 feet. Snow lingers into July. A high-clearance vehicle is helpful for accessing remote trailheads and campgrounds.
Cryptobiotic soil crusts cover much of southern Utah's desert surface. These living soil formations take decades to recover from a single footstep. Stay on established trails and rock surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to camp in Moab?

March through May and September through November. Spring and fall daytime temperatures range from 60 to 85 degrees with cool nights. Summer exceeds 100 degrees and camping is uncomfortable. Winter camping is possible but nights drop below freezing. October is the single best month.

Is dispersed camping easy to find in Utah?

BLM land covers vast areas of southern Utah and dispersed camping is widely available for free. Popular areas near Moab, Escalante, and Capitol Reef have established pulloff sites. The 14-day stay limit is enforced. Northern Utah has less BLM land but national forest campgrounds in the Wasatch and Uintas provide alternatives.

How dangerous are flash floods in Utah?

Flash floods are a genuine life-threatening hazard in southern Utah. Narrow slot canyons can fill with water from storms miles away. Deaths occur every year. Never enter a slot canyon if rain is forecast anywhere in the watershed. Even dry washes in open desert can flood rapidly during summer monsoons.

Do I need a high-clearance vehicle for Utah camping?

Many developed campgrounds are accessible by passenger car. However, dispersed BLM camping areas and backcountry roads in the Moab area, Grand Staircase, and Uinta Mountains benefit from high clearance or four-wheel drive. The most popular paved-access campgrounds at national parks do not require special vehicles.

How cold does it get at Bryce Canyon campgrounds?

Bryce Canyon sits at 8,000 feet and freezes most nights from September through May. Summer nighttime lows drop into the 30s and 40s even in July. A sleeping bag rated to at least 20 degrees is recommended for spring and fall visits. The campground stays open year-round but winter conditions are severe.

Camping in Utah

Overview

Best Seasons to Camp in Utah

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Camping Regions in Utah

Moab and Canyonlands

Zion and Southwest Corner

Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef

Wasatch Range and Uinta Mountains

Northeastern Plateau

National Parks in Utah

Zion National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Arches National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Canyonlands National Park