Best Campgrounds near Kayenta, AZ

We weren't sure what to expect traveling through mostly desert but after turning off 160 on to the road in it was clear the landscape was changing. By the time we arrived at the campground we were so hoping there was space available as the views and surroundings were incredible. The visitor center is very cool with information about the Navajo history and culture, and trails are remarkable if a bit challenging. We are so grateful to the Navajo Nation for sharing this with us, we will be back!

The views were great, and the night sky was amazing. For only $10. I got a ring side seat, amazingly, clean, restrooms, and very quiet. Highly recommend.

This was such a great spot! The lot was paved, running water at the toilets, quiet site and the stars were AMAZING! We’ll most defiantly come back if we’re ever out this way.

Crazy and scary drive coming from Mexican Hat to the south climbing up Moki Dugway to get here. It is not for the feint of heart. 11% grade, 15mph limit and gravel with some washboards. You have to go down the way you came up unless you are going north to Blanding. There are road restrictions for vehicle size. I would not attempt when road is wet. We did our homework and were able to make it in a 22’ 2wd camper van. Huge payoff at the end with views of Valley of the Gods, Goosenecks State Park and Monument Valley. Sites are FCFS. We found a pretty level spot that was easy to back into. So quiet. It could get very windy as you are at 6300ft and no cover. But when it is calm, words don’t describe. Perfect dark sky area.

Arrived at East Gate about 3:30 pm, 10% of sites filled. Camped between Sitting Hen and Rooster Buttes, and saw nobody until dawn. No cell phone service where I camped and sporadic on road which was just as well. Easy road with few must-slow-down-below-3-mph-because-of-rocks areas. For me, rubbernecking with a camera out the window is the most dangerous driving hazard and it is plentiful along this drive 😜.

It's a breathtakingly beautiful spot with a fair amount of simple pull offs for camping.  Unless it's raining or just finished there won't be any water.  There is precious little vegetation as well, but a fair amount of rock outcroppings to block the wind, which howls come spring and is far more common than precipitation.

Speaking of which, don't push your luck if it has rained recently, as the clay softens and becomes slick, packing around tires, and everything else.  Plus even if your vehicle can handle the soft soils you'll wreck the road for everyone once the deep ruts dry out and harden.

Some sites have fire rings but that's the extent of facilities, although there might be a port-a-potty by the western entrance to the road, closer to the Moki Dugway.   Summers get hot, and I'd head up to Cedar Mesa if so. 

There ample dispersed camping on Cedar Mesa, as well as plenty of scraps to get a fire going.  This is one of the greatest concentrations of smaller Ancestral Puebloan (formerly Anasazi, which is controversial and regarded as insulting by today's Pueblo tribes) villages, so there are a life time of ruins to explore.  

Researching ahead of time will pay off, but both the BLM station by the Kane Gulch trailhead and the Natural Bridges National Monument visitor center have maps, guidebooks, and advice.  Please follow the regulations, as this is a sacred ancestral site for numerous indigenous peoples. 

The Recapture Lodge at the east end of Bluff has decades worth of old maps to hidden sites for those who want a hotel (I recommend them highly, having visited off and on since the 1990s).  They'll give great advice if asked. 

Both Natural Bridges and Hovenweap offer something precious in short supply across southern Utah, amazing and beautiful hiking, abundant ruins, and few visitors (this is the rare part).  Both are far more enjoyable than Arches or Zion, which are now overrun by tourists. 

Valley of the Gods, Cedar Mesa, and the nearby national monuments (also Canyonlands, which isn't as packed as the other famous national parks) offer a chance to experience Utah's red rock country without standing shoulder to shoulder with other visitors.  That's getting increasingly difficult to find as the beauty of the region is well known by now. 

p.s. Those wanting even more solitude should ask about the off site ruins managed by Hovenweap: you'll often have these to yourself.

We chose this CG off of TheDyrt and gave it a try. Rolled in around 2PM, it was nearly empty. Great CG. Staff at the Visitor Center was very friendly. Spot 14, as you can see had a great view and the sunset on this mid fall cold evening was outstanding.

The “but” part. It is a tight fit. I’d estimate that half the sites are single parking and will only accommodate a van or small Class C motorhome. At least three that I saw have a pretty steep slope front to back. Tents no problem. The pull through spaces will not permit a slide to be out due to blocking the road. We have a 26 ft trailer and a 3/4 ton truck. I wouldn’t try anything larger than this. Heed the warning sign at the entrance, 27’ trailer, 28’ motorhome, nothing larger. Essentially if it were busy and your equipment is on the larger end, your space choices will be limited.

I’ll close on a positive note. It’s still FREE! The cave dwellings and history are not to be missed. ✌️Out!

This has to be one of the the best free campgrounds I have ever been too. Paved roads , paved sites and a bathhouse . Plus a fabulous view

Be prepared for no water unless there has been recent rains, and even then there likely won't be any. 

It can get windy, so be ready for that, and you'll need to bring your own firewood as well.  It's beautiful but there aren't any amenities beyond (maybe) a fire pit. 

I'd argue there are better spots on Cedar Mesa itself, but the Valley of the Gods is a beautiful alternative to the more famous Monument Valley. 

Both Natural Bridges and Hovenweap are worth the short (an hour at most) drives from camp, and both have developed campgrounds for those looking for toilets or other aspects of civilization.

Very easy to drive on road, we took a 2WD car and had no issues. Plenty of spots so you’ll always find a place to camp for the night.

Great views at every spot and barely any road noise from the highway. Good AT&T coverage.

No fires allowed here so keep that in mind

So beautiful. Plenty of dispersed sites. Even on a Friday at 5pm! Sacred. Revenant. Be respectful of this beautiful land!

Camping is rustic but very quiet and sites are very close with little privacy. Host is very nice and helpful.

Gorgeous Views literally camping on the rim of a 1000 foot high cliff overlooking the goosenecks of the San Juan river below. No designated campsites. Just pick your spot along the canyon rim. Great place for trailers / campers. I wouldn't want to camp here in tent. 

Pros:

Easy drive in and pull up to a spot. 

Dark sky area so you can get some amazing night photography shots

Close to other attractions including Valley of the Gods, Muley Point (which would also be a fun campsite), Monument Valley (a bit further afield), etc. 

The canyon below is stunning and the goosenecks are quite remarkable

Cons: 

This is not a site for small children. You are literally camping several feet away from a 1000 foot cliff. 

You are on top of a mesa and we had some strong winds blowing across. 

The terrain is very flat, but is also rocky. I would not want to set up a tent on the rocks and/or fight the wind with a tent. 

The pit toilets are reasonably clean, but only located by the park entrance gate. So if you park further along the rim, you either need your own facilities, you have a very long walk, or you are driving back and forth over the rocky road (disturbing all of the other campers along the way). 

The last observation is that while the goosenecks are truly incredible, especially from the main lookout spot, the color of the rocks in the canyon aren't as varied as other places (i.e., compared to Dead Horse Point State Park). As a photographer, I kept hoping the coloring would be more captivating once the light shifted, shadows moved, etc., but that never happened. Go in with the right expectations and you won't be disappointed.

Surprise! Free camping at an incredible national monument…not to be missed.

Not free anymore but still an enjoyable experience. I was the only camper there on a weekday.

Nice secluded place. Was very quiet with no one around. Went in July, only complaint is it was hot with almost no shade.

Great, easy stop on way to monument valley. We came in at night in a campervan. The roads are all paved so no issues at all even at night. Flush toilets and water is available. The visitors center has a quick walk to view an amazing cave dwelling. First come first served, but the vast majority of spots were open. Lovely spot to rest for the night.

This campsite was great. Perfect for popping in and out. We stayed one night and it was extremely quiet and peaceful.