This remote high desert Utah town is a gateway to Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Remote and surrounded by the rugged high desert wilderness of south central Utah, the town of Boulder may be tiny, but it packs a punch when it comes to scenic vistas and outdoor recreation options, from slick rock hiking and road cycling to fishing and boating, and much more. Located at the intersection of Scenic Byway 12 and the Burr Trail, and at the base of Boulder Mountain, Boulder is a gateway to Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and two national forests. Camping options are diverse, and include amenities-filled RV parks and cabins to developed and dispersed campgrounds with views of desert, mountain, or water.
Boulder and Escalante Area
Set up camp at the developed Calf Creek Recreation Area Campground and Deer Creek Campground or at a primitive backcountry site, and be well-placed to explore the slot canyons and waterfalls of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. At Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, look for petrified trees and dinosaur fossils, fish or boat on the reservoir, and stay at one of two developed campgrounds.
Capitol Reef National Park and National Forests
Explore the massive Waterpocket Fold, and go hiking, biking, rock climbing, and mountaineering at Capitol Reef National Park, one of Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks. One developed campground, two primitive campgrounds, and plenty of backcountry options are available within the park. Additional recreation and camping options can be found within the nearby Fishlake National Forest and Dixie National Forest, including numerous alpine lakes and primitive campgrounds on Boulder Mountain.
Bryce Canyon National Park and Kodachrome Basin State Park
An hour and a half southwest of Boulder, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its surreal landscape of sandstone hoodoos or fairy chimneys. Stay at one of two developed campgrounds and hike the rim trail for easy views, or venture into the backcountry for solitude and your choice of 10 campsites. Nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park offers even more scenic vistas, with a landscape of colorful chimney rocks and two developed campgrounds.
Spring and summer offer the best weather for outdoor recreation such as hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing, while summer is ideal for various water activities and canyoneering. Summer daytime temperatures can soar in the desert areas. Winter activities can be enjoyed in many nearby parks and forests, though some facilities and campgrounds will be closed. Fishing season on Boulder Mountain runs from late April through October.