Desert camping in Utah with wildlife watching
From lakes to mountains to desert plateaus, Utah’s great outdoors comes in many flavors.
95% (7711 reviews)
- Utah
95% (7711 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Utah
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Star Hosts in Utah
12 top desert campgrounds in Utah with wildlife watching
97%
(3857)
Zion Wright Ranch Eco-Camp
57 sites · RVs, Tents1200 acres · Virgin, UT
Off Grid eco oriented camp on 1200 acres overlooking Zion National Park. Owned and operated by Bill Wright, a rancher whose family has farmed and ranched the land for several generations. A few minutes from Zion’s backcountry trails in the Kolob Terrace Region and approx. 40 minutes to the main gate of Zion NP. Bill Wright is the father of the legendary "Wright Brothers" the family of Professional Rodeo Saddle Bronc riders. You will often see Bill tending the land and moving cattle and horses from your campsite. This off the grid ranch has some of the most stunning views you'll ever encounter. Want a little adventure during your stay? Reserve a 2-hour horseback ride with Bill. He'll finish your ride with one of the most breathtaking vistas you can find of Zion National Park. Our property features many spaced out sites to choose from with bathrooms onsite. Pets and campfires are also allowed.
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$35
/ night
85%
(651)
Desert Moon Campground and RV Park
5 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Thompson Springs , UT
Setup your tent and enjoy some respite before and after exploring the beautiful canyons and desert landscapes that surround the Desert Moon and beyond. We have 2 showers, bathrooms, potable water, picnic tables, and wifi on site. There is also a covered seating area for guest use by our Inn. There are 5 campsites total.
Please note, the Union Pacific Railroad is right across the street, with trains passing by multiple times a day and night. There will be noise at night.
Campsites are relatively close together so you will likely see other campers during your stay. Also, there is not a lot of shade on the property so be prepared.
Thompson Springs began as a railroad stop on the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad in the mid to late 1800's. It soon became a shipping point and community center for local farmers, cattle ranchers and sheepherders. It is now a ghost-town with a population of 50 people.
The Desert Moon has a true wild western past. The old dancehall on the property, The Cactus Caberet, once served as the town bar and brothel. We are currently in the process renovating the dancehall into a venue for live music and retreats.
There are 8-12 staff members living on site in their personal RV's at all times. We are a small community of artists, builders, and adventurers. We are constantly working to improve this property that came under our ownership in July of 2020. Feel free to come say hello and ask us about what we are building here!
Thompson Springs is a true "ghost town" with no retail or restaurants except a 7-11 off the I-70 exit. The towns of Moab and Green River are only a half hour drive away and are full of regional and eclectic restaurants and shops.
The Desert Moon is located just four miles from the Sego Canyon Rock Art in the Bookcliffs featuring pictograph and petroglyph panels from three different Native American cultures: Barrier, Fremont, and Ute. Be sure to check them out!
There are miles of off-road trails accessible from our property. Some require a 4x4 vehicle or dirtbike, but many are well maintained enough for almost any vehicle.
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$30
/ night
94%
(1386)
The Needles Outpost Campground
55 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Monticello , UT
This Outpost and campground is located on 300 acres of private property surrounded by park and public land. It has been here for over 30 years in some form or another. We are Caleb & Amber who enjoyed managing this little oasis in the middle of the desert from March to June of 2017 when we decided to purchase the business & make it our own. This is a dry, rugged campground with a bathhouse that provides coin operated showers and flush toilets. In addition there is little old rustic camp store placed in the middle of nowhere where we provide fuel, snacks, firewood, ice, showers, cold drinks & more.
If you are looking for a more private site with lots of space and shade, book our Small Group at the Rocks. For a warmer stay during the cooler months book one of our Glamping Tents listed. We have the larger, and spacious tent in the grove of the Juniper Trees (which is also amazing in the warmer season) and rent a heater from us inside the general/camp store.
BE SURE TO GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO CHECK IN NO LATER THAN 5PM. THANK YOU!! DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A SCREEN SHOT OF THE DIRECTIONS HERE, YOU WILL LOSE SERVICE ON YOUR WAY.
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$49.30
/ night
98%
(859)
Ranchito Feliz
6 sites · RVs, Tents9 acres · Cannonville, UT
When booking please add in your note the type of camping you are doing, ie. tent, car, van, or larger RV and please, only texts...NO calls.
In the middle of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument; adjacent to Bryce Canyon National Park; within walking distance of Kodachrome Basin State Park; and an easy drive to Zion and Capital Reef National Parks, as well as Lake Powell National Recreational Area, this unique site is an opportunity not to miss. The pet/horse friendly property (approximately 9 acres/3 ha/64 sq. m) boasts private designated single tent sites, and a mix car camping and larger RV sites, as well as paleontological, geological, biological, astronomical, and historical interests of the ranch. The equestrians will find a two-acre pasture, three paddocks, a round pen, as well as beautiful places to ride from the ranch.
This secluded location has a small town of about 175 (Cannonville) three miles/5 k distant where there is a small store, gas, and a Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center. And, bonus, the in town campground has: high speed internet, and cell phone service and laundry. This ranch and campground is an off the grid, passive/active solar voltaic, so no electricity, no internet and only Verizon works here. In Tropic 12 miles distant all carriers get service.
Potable water, shower, dish washing station and composting toilet (This means that all campers count when booking, even the kids...their poops add up too).
The views are spectacular from any site where the xeroscaped landscape uses indigenous material and plants to complement the quintessential Pinon/Juniper ecosystem the campground sits in. On three sides you are surrounded by red cliffs in the Carmel Formation which can give shelter from wind and sun, but campers can also look out over the Paria River (you can hear the river from camp as well as its amphibians) which runs south in front of the property and eventually meets the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry where most put-in to raft the Grand Canyon. Looking north, one sees the meaning of the term “Grand Staircase” by viewing The Entrada, Tropic Shale, Straight Cliffs, Wahweap, Kaiparowits, and Pink Limestone Formations capped by late Tertiary Volcanism; or, the “steps” of Promise Rock, Sand Point, Powell Point, and the Aquarius Plateau (highest forested mesa in North America at over eleven thousand feet.).
The biological diversity here is also astounding:
Birds: 140 species and counting including the tiny Costa’s Humming Bird all the way up to the enormous California Condor.
Plants: 2 species of Sagebrush, 4 species of trees, numerous grass species, and a plethora of beautiful wildflowers and cacti.
Reptiles: Many species of snakes and lizards. Unfortunately, this includes the occasional rattlesnake. It is advised that you have your pets vaccinated.
Amphibian: Toads and Salamanders
Insects: There are very few mosquitos. There are a few biting Deer Flies, and worse yet, those damn gnats. These “no-see-ums” are temperature dependent so are not a bother in the shade, early mornings, late evenings and at night. It is recommended that you bring some kick ass insect repellant and a “bee hat” if you are out and about in the sun during the day between May and July.
Fossils: Bivalves, snails, petrified wood (many types) and various other corals, insects and plant fossils abound and are often incorporated into the ranch infrastructure. The nearby area is considered the hottest paleontological spot on the planet.
Astronomy: The area is widely considered to be under the darkest skies in the lower 49. The Milky Way and Presides are common sights without the unsightly annoyance of any neighbor’s lights.
The climate is varied and interesting. All four seasons are here and occasionally all in one day. Winter snows melt quickly though temperatures can dip into the sub-zeros. The 5,900 ft./1800 m. elevation keeps the summer temps reasonable and always gives a chilly summer evening to cool things off. If you want climatic extremes, you can, within an hour or so, be at Lake Powell and its 100+ F/38+ C heat or on the Aquarius Plateau at 65 degrees F/18 C in midday June.
Recreation on many levels is all within proximity. From canyoneering, “free” climbing on an established nearby crag composed of a welded tuff capping the Aquarius Plateau (see Mountain Project and “The Aquarius Plateau”) and many aid lines on Entrada Formation towers within walking distance (see Mountain Project and “The Grand Staircase”), water sports of Lake Powell and the Colorado River as well as fishing in the cool temps of Pine Lake 35 minutes distant. Then of course, there is the Monument, National Park and the State Park only a short drive away.
Seclusion, security, water, and views all within a short walk or drive of exiting destinations, make this worth the stop.
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$40
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96%
(529)
Sunset Campground on Ruin Road
10 sites · RVs, Tents19 acres · Blanding, UT
Watch the sun come up over the Sleeping Ute Mountain in Colorado and enjoy a gorgeous sunset as the sun sets over the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. We are off the grid and have no electricity or water. Our graveled camping sites are easy to access. We are located next to a paved road. You do not need high clearance vehicles or 4-wheel drive.
Camp in a natural high desert environment consisting of cedar and pinion trees, Brigham tea, sagebrush, etc. Great views of the night sky. An ancient Indian mound is on site. The Five Kiva Ruin and Nations Natural Bridge are within hiking distance. Minutes away is the town of Blanding with restaurants, hospital, gas stations and a dump station.
Its only a short drive to five different National Monuments: Bears Ears, Natural Bridges, Rainbow Bridge, Hovenweep, and Canyon of The Ancients. Take a scenic drive over the Blue Mountain and Elk Ridge.
Southeastern Utah is full of archeology history to hike and explore.
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$25
/ night
91%
(355)
Sandy Beach
46 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents350 acres · Scipio, UT
17 RV sites available for reservations. Easy to access 55 foot long sites. Each site has incredible lake views. Access to private sandy beach with kayak, and paddle board rentals available. Fishing, water sports, views, and star gazing. Just a short distance from I-15 but worlds away from the hustle an bustle.
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$25.20
/ night
92%
(138)
Red River Camp - Capitol Reef
6 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Teasdale, UT
Welcome to Red River Camp! Our camp sites highlight the beautiful red cliff backdrop infamous in southern Utah. Only 10 minutes from Capitol Reef National Park!
Come relax and stay the night before you go out to hike, sight see, climb, off-road, fish etc. The opportunity for adventure is endless.
Our family built the Red River Ranch many years ago and we are excited to share the beautiful surroundings with people that share our love for the outdoors.
Guests will have a private camp site and access to their own fire pit, shared picnic table, shared trash, and shared toilet. No access to water, electricity, or sewer. Cell phone service should work great!
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$34
/ night
95%
(65)
Paria River Ranch
20 sites · RVs, Tents26 acres · Kanab, UT
Paria River Ranch is a working ranch that offers access to world class trails and some of the most unique riding in the Paria Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. We offer a limited number of 30 AMP Hookups and have an RV dump. Please come visit us at this magical place.
Check out our other site accommodations to find the best stay for what you are looking for! We offer dry camping and also RV camping options. Look for our other sites to book!
Bring your horses and mules and enjoy the beautiful trails. We offer 12x12 pipe corrals and have some larger corrals for 2 or 3 horses/mules. You provide everything. We will pick up manure outside of your corral once a day.
*Horses and Mules have an additional charge of $15 per animal*
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$40
/ night
94%
(133)
Field Station Moab - showers, pool
5 sites · RVs4 acres · Moab, UT
Van life spot at camping hotel
20ft long with 120 volt - 110 standard outlet
free washer/dryer
showers
pool
fire pit
cafe & general store
gear rental
Home of Arches and Canyonlands, Moab has long been a destination for travelers of all kinds. Field Station Moab is the ideal location for any adventure, offering a range of accommodations – rooms for two to eight guests, spots for van lifers – paired with our Little Station Coffee & Kitchen. Grab a mountain bike from our partners and explore the rocky terrain, or opt to raft down the iconic Colorado River.
Park your home in one of our Van Life posts and enjoy all of the amenities Field Station has to offer. With 120 volt - 110 standard outlet power and communal space available to spread out, you’re welcome to stay and enjoy a hot shower, take a dip in the pool, or just relax with a beverage after a long day of driving. Each Van Life reservation comes with access to our showers, Wi-Fi, communal areas, guiding services, and rentals.
Our van life spots are parking spots that are 20ft long with 120 volt - 110 standard outlet. These spots are only designed for vans and van like vehicles (no stand alone tents). Please check in with Guest Experiences before parking your vehicle.
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$69
/ night
97%
(577)
Adventure Haven RV
8 sites · RVs1 acre · La Sal, UT
Hello! Please note we are RV's only, and that we do not have restrooms. ALL five sites have FULL hookups and strong WiFi. We are 27 miles south of Moab. Please read to the bottom of this description, we are open about what this place is like and we care about your experience.
What kind of people LIKE the Adventure Haven? Those who like peace and quiet and dark skies. Relaxed full-time RVers, work-at-homes who need strong and fast WiFi, folks on a budget, those who like to support Hipcamp hosts, people looking for inside local information, solo travelers who want to feel safe yet not in a crowded place - like they’re near someone they know, and in a quiet, small town where unusual things are noticed.
What kind of people DON’T like the Adventure Haven? People on high-pressure vacations who did not read the listing and expected a commercial RV resort. People who are uncomfortable with rural eye-sores (old cars, and slow projects). People who like street lights, sidewalks and curb appeal. Party people and special event groups (not allowed here).
Let’s have a pretend conversation to make sure this place is a good fit for you!
James and Linda: Hello Hipcamper, did you read our listing? We are overstating things because we care about your experience and we know your trip is important. We are located in a funky rural subdivision that has a wonderful view of beautiful nearby mountains.
YOU: Yes we did read it and a rural, working class Utah vibe is fine with us. We’re not expecting a RV resort, we just want to be away from the noise and hustle of Moab, and we’re looking for a good value. What a great view of the mountain! (We’ll just ignore that old trailer across the street in the other direction.) The park has so much open space and only five spots! It is really relaxed. Wow - the WiFi is solid! We can work from home here; it is so reliable and fast (fiber optic). Your insider information on the area will be a great help to us; who could put a value on that? You say the night skies are some of the darkest anywhere? We already feel the freedom here. This place is great! The funky neighborhood is just part of the adventure.
James and Linda: Good, we want you to be happy! We like it here, and many other people have grown to love it too; just look at our reviews!
****If you want a long stay and the calendar shows we are full, please contact us because we might be able to work it out!
The Adventure Haven is a five site mini-RV park located in an old and sparsely occupied town with a population of about 300. A uranium boom town in the 1950's, La Sal is now a shadow of past times (and littered with artifact trailers and structures). But we are in beautiful high desert country and we are at the foothills of the La Sal Mountains and the park has a completely unobstructed view of this range!
All sites have water, sewer, WiFi, and 30 amp electric service (two have 50amp). We also have two fire rings with a view to the mountain, and two portable fire pits. All sites have tables. Our park is new, clean and open with a solid road base surface. Sites can accommodate 40 foot plus units, but all require some backing.
The La Sal vibe: as in any rural community, old junk is seen as valuable assets, and "curb appeal" is not in the local vocabulary (actually we don't have curbs or street lights here, and half the town has dirt roads). But it is peaceful here, a refreshing get away. We have some of the darkest skies anywhere, and hours can go by with no traffic at all. Welcome to rural Utah!
We have built a tall privacy fence so you don't have to look at our treasure. Looking north and west, the Adventure Haven feels fairly secluded: houses are mostly obscured or out of sight in these directions. A row of large aspen trees is along one side of the camp with our neighbor obscured (when the trees have leaves), but not far away. Two funky old house trailers are visible to the south (just across the street), but camps face North with unobstructed views to the mountain. We are on the very northwest edge of this old community.
This is not a place for a late night party, but it is a good place for normal gatherings. (You can stay up late and enjoy the night sky and talk, but if you get wild we will talk with you about it.)
People in general find it to be quite nice as well as a good value. The Adventure Haven feels open, public and safe to most people. Funky and rural, in high pristine desert with a sweet view of the mountain is the overall vibe.
The Needles district of Canyonlands is about 1 hour from Camp; Moab and Arches National Park are only 35 minutes away, and there are exciting features to explore right in our neighborhood.
• Looking Glass Arch, Lopez Arch and Wilson Arch are all about 15 minutes away!
• The world-famous motorcycle route, Colorado 90, begins just 12 miles away, with fine scenery all the way.
• Hook and Ladder OHV Trail system is less that five miles from the Adventure Haven, the dirt starting in only 2. The Rim Rocker Trail can be accessed from here as well by driving a few miles on pavement.
• Forest Service access to the La Sal Mountains is less than 7 miles away for an escape into alpine coolness, with fishing at Medicine Lake 15 miles from here.
Note: Only mellow, quiet, and controlled pets are allowed here, and only two per site. Pets must be on a leash and owners must pick up after them. Please tell us about your pet in the booking request.
Please consider that this place may not be suitable for your children. The perimeter is well marked, but is not child proof and there are hazards, such as an irrigation ditch, beyond it (running now). We also lack a play area, but there is a nice one at the elementary school 2.5 miles away. Thanks for reading this!
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$47
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95%
(434)
High Sage Hogans
4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · La Sal, UT
Situated at 7,000 feet, campers are surrounded by the snow covered LaSal Mountains overlooking the deep Canyonlands NP of the Colorado River escarpment, and only 30 minutes from Moab, Utah. Summer temps are much cooler here than in the surrounding canyons and valleys of the Moab area, a very pleasant retreat from the heat! Virtually ALL outdoor sporting adventures are found around here in nearly limitless abundance, including winter sports, snowmobiling, off-roading, dirt-biking, 4-wheeling, and more. Campground has outdoor-potty, free firewood with pits.
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$39
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94%
(361)
Desert Oasis
4 sites · Tents5 acres · Hildale, UT
Best campsites in the area. No matter what experience your after Water Canyon Campgrounds will help make it a great one.
Pets
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$50
/ night
Dog-friendly getaways
Under $50
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Desert camping in Utah with wildlife watching guide
Overview
With a wide variety of terrains ranging from dense forest to arid plateaus, Utah has been attracting campers, backpackers, and hikers for generations. It's home to five national parks, plus dozens of state parks and national forests and monuments (not to mention plenty of BLM land), making it easy to find a Utah camping experience that suits you best. While the southern and eastern parts of the state attract lovers of the great outdoors with their massive rock formations and abundance of recreation activities, you’ll also find plenty to do up in the north, from skiing and snowboarding in the winter to getting out on one of the region’s many lakes and reservoirs come summer.
Where to go
Northwest Utah
Northern Utah is where you'll find some of the state's lushest areas, with plenty of lakes and mountains, a stark contrast to the rockier, arid regions to the south. Salt Lake City is one of the region's biggest draws, and its easy access to outdoor recreation areas, such as Antelope Island State Park on the Great Salt Lake, makes it a reasonable base for those wanting to explore the region. Camping areas abound in this region—the tent-only Cottonwood Campground at Bear Lake State Park is a particularly good choice.
Eastern Utah
Eastern Utah offers some of the best opportunities for outdoor recreation in the state, and that's not just because two of Utah’s five national parks—Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park—are here, a short drive from Moab. Spots worth visiting include Dead Horse Point State Park (popular for mountain biking) and Natural Bridges National Monument, where you’ll see three natural bridge formations carved from the earth millennia ago. This area is also great for archaeology fans. Hovenweep National Monument is a great place to check out the ruins of 13th-century pueblos, while Bear Ears National Monument is full of beautifully preserved ancient cave art.
South-Central and Southern Utah
South Central Utah offers a mix of high desert and dense forest, with plenty of spots to go out and play. You can hike through the slot canyons of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, explore the fairytale-like hoodoos at Goblin Valley State Park, or try your hand at canyoning at Capitol Reef National Park. This region is also home to Lake Powell, on the Colorado River, right on the border with Arizona.
Southwest Utah
Home to both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, southwest Utah offers fantastic hiking and camping options, with a mix of beautiful rock formations, vast forests, and desert sand dunes. While the national parks are the main draw, this region offers plenty to do, from ATV/OHV riding on the massive golden dunes at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park to checking out the red rock formations at Kodachrome Basin State Park. You'll find some of Utah's best camping spots and hiking trails all through the region, and the lack of light pollution makes this area ideal for stargazing under the night skies.
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