Campers using Washington as a base have straightforward access to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and the trail corridors connecting to the broader Dixie National Forest to the north. Washington sits on the east side of the Saint George metro, which means slightly more distance from the main commercial strip but no real penalty in terms of access to public land. Washington's BLM dispersed options cover the primitive sites on BLM land in this corridor.
Elevation here stays low, below 3,000 feet at the valley floor, which means summer heat between June and September makes camping genuinely uncomfortable during the day. Spring and fall are the practical camping window. Most developed campgrounds in this area take reservations through recreation.gov and fill quickly during March through May. Saint George-area cabin campgrounds are worth checking when a structure with shade and a bed during warmer months.
$28 - $40 / night
"Beautiful location! All camp sites overlook the lake. There are flush toilets and outdoor coin showers. If the camp ground fills, they allow primitive camping in the parking lot for a minimal fee."
"The big pro is that you are really close to a lake where you can go for a swim, quite a rare feature for a campground in Utah. Beautiful surroundings, new showers and restrooms."
$50 / night
"It’s fun of all sorts, kayaking, lake beach, boating, cliff jumping, bbq, off-roading everywhere!!! And the beauty that surrounds is unreal!!"
"It’s always a family favorite when we go to Southern Utah"
$40 - $200 / night
"2.5 mike hike in, 300 ft elevation gain, easy trail to beautiful overlook of southern Utah. Camp is a sandy open area next to the overlook and cliffs of Snow Canyon State Park. Free to camp."
"Snow Canyon is a still relatively unknown place near St George, Utah. There is SO much to do around there and there are great hikes that leave from this campground which makes it even better."
"At the site we were on there was a creek behind us which we loved and so did our dogs! Friendly neighbors! Beautiful place. Located close to Zion park. A lot of off road adventures near by"
"The park is 10minutes away from Zion National Park and about 2hrs from Bryce Canyon. The park is adjacent to the Virgin River. Walking path to the river is great for kids."
$35 - $130 / night
"Sites were typical National Park, small and close together but well positioned. We had close access to a modern restroom that was clean and well maintained. "
"Watchman is conveniently located within walking distance of the Zion National Park south entrance. The camp sites are shaded with trees and red gravel/sand ground structure."
"We had a fun trip to Utah this past weekend for an off-road event. We found the KOA and set up camp for a few days. Internet connection wasn’t great and the weather was moody since it was March."
"This KOA is located about ten minutes outside of St George and right off the I-15 freeway. It was all the amenities that your typical KOA has; dog park, hookups, cabins, and store."
$5 - $15 / night
"Stopped here late on my way through Utah. Short drive off the highway and easy to find. Very clean sites, I was only there in the dark but area was quiet and easy to setup camp."
"Water spigots are everywhere, and there are trash cans close by. Plus, there are two vault toilets not too far away. The roads and campsites are all paved."
$52 - $67 / night
"We were on a road trip around Utah and decided to stop in the town of Saint George to get a bite to eat. We ended up taking our time to eat."
"This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."
$65 - $85 / night
"Fantastic location just off the main road. Easy access to so much of what Southwest Utah has to offer. Some full-time residents here. Lots of friendly people. The nights are quiet and dark."
"The satellite friendly spots are in the back of the RV park, and the aisle behind us had newer/younger trees that would not block satellite (but also would provide no shade)."
"Sandy and right off road. Road noise minimal if any after dark."
"Great access to Zion. There were a bunch of open sites when we got there (4pm) some were along the stream too. We have a Honda Fit and we’re able to camp just fine. Saw a few smaller pull behinds."
ScoutIm currently tent camping out of my car and managed to make the place work. Sand obviously made it more difficult, but was doable. Accessible by RWD but be careful of patches of deeper sand. If you drive far enough away, highway isnt much of an issue past midnight- plus the moon makes the place look great at night.
TravelerI imagine this campground is busy in the colder Mon when the nearby mountains to the east are inaccessible. Here the last week of May and have the place virtually to myself. Large nicely spaced campsites and clean vault toilets. Lots of hiking opportunities. There are also a lot of OHV trails and the area surrounding the campground looks well used at times by those vehicles. That said, very quiet when I have been here (3 nights). Beautiful views to the east of the mountains and the lights of Cedar City do not interfere with great star gazing.
ScoutThe dogs from the house kept barking until 3 AM. At one point we woke up and one was 20 feet from our tent just barking at us. Couldn’t sleep at all
TravelerMultiple turn offs from the Kolonial road with multiple sites at each. Some of the other turn offs would have been challenging to access in a minivan but the first one was fine just a bit bumpy. Pretty quiet on a weekday. Some flattish areas. Pretty dusty. Some wood lying around for fires.
ScoutThis campsite is great for a quick stop if you’re needing somewhere to sleep and can’t find dispersed camping. Each site is well spaced apart but not far. The sites are mostly level so it’s decent for roof tent camping. We reserved our spot the afternoon of and had a few options to choose from so it wasn’t too busy. It was However extremely windy and we did not get much sleep. But this seems to be circumstantial and not a common occurrence. Overall good experience
RangerRanch type setting with friendly cows and horses! Trails that lead to the Valley overlook. Close to Zion Natl Park, very enjoyable stay here!
GuideBeautiful views and stars. Easy to get to location convenient for Zion day trips. Only downside was lots and lots of gnats. Bring citronella :)
TravelerLovely NEW campground with all the amenities you need and a reasonable commute to Zion. Has a shuttle bus that runs to the park so you don’t even need to drive. Setting is beautiful with large grassy spaces and level concrete pads.
TravelerThis was our first night camping in our Subaru. It was a great spot though no trees, just sagebrush. There was a fire pit but we didn’t use it. The views around us were absolutely amazing! The road getting to our spot was a bit rough (washboard & dust) but to be expected. We could see the lights of Virgin after the sun went down. I can imagine had we stayed there in June or July it would be much hotter. We only stayed one night but so glad we did!
Camping options around Washington, Utah range from riverside BLM sites to modern RV parks with full hookups. Located in Washington County at approximately 2,800 feet elevation, the area experiences very hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F while winters remain relatively mild. The camping landscape includes sites nestled among red rock formations, along creek beds, and near reservoirs where water levels can fluctuate significantly depending on seasonal precipitation.
Creek exploration: North Creek Dispersed Camping offers access to a seasonal creek that provides cooling relief during hot months. Sites are positioned along both sides of the creek with multiple water access points. "This site has numerous spots, most are close together but the campground was not full at all allowing plenty of space and privacy. There are sites on both sides of the creek. The drive to Zion is around 20 minutes. It does get very hot and there is not a lot of tree cover but the stream is a great place to put some chairs and cool off," notes a camper who visited in July.
Red rock hiking: Red Cliffs Campground provides direct access to hiking and mountain biking trails. The campground serves as a trailhead for several routes that showcase local geology. A visitor mentioned, "What a gem, this little campground has so much to offer! From the striking red rocks, to the oasis of trees that straddle the creek and all of the meandering trails that all converge here, this place is truly magical. Apparently, you can hike through the slots to see petroglyphs and even dinosaur tracks."
Water activities: Campers can rent paddleboards and kayaks at Quail Creek State Park Campground for water recreation. The reservoir provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. "The dock for non-motorized water craft is easy to access from the parking lot next to the camp ground. If you do not have gear with you, there is a rental shop on site," explains one camper who stayed in April.
Shade cover in hot climate: Trees provide crucial relief during hot months at several campgrounds. At WillowWind RV Park, campers appreciate the temperature difference created by vegetation. "This is one of the best kept RV parks I have ever been to. Despite basically being in a desert, the park had lush grass in every spot and a dense tree cover. It was about 10 degrees cooler in the park because of the shade from the trees," shared a January visitor.
Non-crowded alternatives to Zion: Campers seeking fewer crowds find Washington area campgrounds provide quieter alternatives. One North Creek Dispersed Camping visitor shared, "Great location with lots of space and premade firepits." Another noted it's "Nice spot about 20 minutes from Zion there are a few different entrances and places to park."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities rank highly in camper reviews. A visitor to WillowWind RV Park commented, "It may be because we had just come off of 5 days of dispersed camping but we found WillowWind to be an oasis. The grounds are beautiful, the staff is polite and helpful, you get a concrete pad and a nicely sized grass area, and the restrooms/showers were the nicest I've ever seen."
Summer heat limitations: Activities become restricted during peak summer heat. Daytime temperatures frequently reach above 100°F between June and August, making morning and evening the only comfortable times for outdoor activities. A camper at Snow Canyon State Park Campground noted, "We reserved several nights here, based on the expectation of cell reception and electric. If you're able to go without power and internet, the tent sites were fairly nice. But if you need either, look elsewhere."
Variable water levels: Reservoir levels can change dramatically throughout the year. A visitor to Quail Creek State Park Campground commented, "The state park itself is stunning—loved the trails! The campground, however, is lacking. The shower/restroom facilities weren't clean, old-looking, no electrical outlets, and offered little privacy. The shower requires holding down a chain to operate."
Road access challenges: Some dispersed sites require higher clearance vehicles. A North Creek Dispersed Camping visitor mentioned, "Road in was just a little tough but short. Did fine with a 25ft travel trailer. Riverside spots are mostly for vans/tents."
Activity options for children: Multiple campgrounds offer family-friendly amenities beyond hiking. A camper at Zion River Resort reported, "This RV resort is breathtaking!! The spaces are gravel and maintained well. They do have fire pits, which we enjoyed using every evening. The resort also has a big, beautiful pool and hot tub, a general store, and nice facilities."
Space between sites: Family groups benefit from campgrounds offering adequate spacing. A visitor to Red Cliffs Campground noted, "The campsite itself has water abundant with a spigot at every sight. Some sites have a covered shelter, while others are right up against the rocks. We stayed in 11 and it was perfect for us. It overlooks the creek area and is really close to the trash bin."
Accessibility considerations: Choose campsites based on proximity to restrooms and water sources when camping with small children. At Watchman Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "Camped in C loop. Sites were typical National Park, small and close together but well positioned. We had close access to a modern restroom that was clean and well maintained. Parking for an extra vehicle was close by and convenient."
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are limited and book quickly during peak seasons. At Snow Canyon State Park Campground, one RVer advised, "First time camping here. The non-hookup sites are MUCH better than the ones with hookups. The hookup sites are VERY narrow (some as little as 10 feet wide) and difficult to pull into. I would not recommend staying in them."
Concrete pad levels: RVers note significant variability in site levelness across parks. One camper at Zion River Resort stated, "Only spent a night while passing through the area, but it looked to be a very nice place to stay. We were in a riverside back in with full hookups. Very quiet at night."
Internet reliability: Working remotely requires careful campground selection. A WillowWind RV Park visitor shared, "We needed stable, steady Internet for a month. While we regularly travel with two hotspots for Internet coverage, we barely needed to use them."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping spots in Washington state?
Based on the information provided, it appears there's confusion about which Washington is being referenced. The reviews and campground data are for Washington County, Utah - not Washington state. In Washington County, Utah, some highly-rated options include Watchman Campground — Zion National Park with its convenient access to Zion's visitor center and shuttles, and Kolob Resevoir which offers scenic camping opportunities. For accurate Washington state camping information, you would need to search specifically for Washington state campgrounds.
Which campgrounds in Washington are currently open year-round?
The reviews indicate this page is about Washington County, Utah - not Washington state. In Washington County, Utah, year-round camping options include Sheep Bridge BLM Area near Hurricane, which offers free camping on public lands with spectacular views of mountains. Black Rock Road Dispersed is another year-round option located at the Arizona/Utah border with great sunset views. Many BLM areas in this region remain accessible throughout the year, though facilities may be limited during winter months.
Where can I find RV parks in Washington, Utah?
Washington County, Utah offers several RV-friendly options. McArthur's Temple View RV Resort in St. George provides full amenities for RVers. Zion RV and Campground is another option located on the main highway heading to Zion National Park, featuring convenient facilities with a gas station and cafe across the street. For state park options with RV access, consider Sand Hollow State Park, which offers both primitive camping and developed sites suitable for recreational vehicles.
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