Tent camping near Page, Arizona centers around desert terrain at elevations between 4,000-6,000 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F during daylight hours but drop significantly at night. Limited shade makes sun protection critical, while dust storms occasionally impact visibility and comfort during spring months.
What to do
Canyon hiking from basecamp: Use Buckskin Gulch Dispersed as a strategic base for canyon exploration with permits required for overnight hiking. "We took a look at all of them and ended up at the last one, #8, up a spur road just past the cattle guard around 4.3 miles off the highway," notes camper Jo.
Photography excursions: Set up camp at Horseshoe Bend 9 Mile Campsite to capture unique perspectives of the famous bend. "Had an awesome time camping out at the bottom of Horseshoe Bend! It was somewhat weird having people always taking pictures and looking down at the camp a couple hundred feet up, but they were so far away that we got used to it," shares Joffrey H.
Rock scrambling: Access the remote camping areas along Paria Canyon for technical rock adventures. One camper at Rock Springs Bench notes, "Several campsites on SR410 very private, great views of Kodacrome Basin in Grande Staircase Escalante," making it a good staging area for exploration.
What campers like
Group-friendly layouts: The Horseshoe Bend 6 Mile Campsite offers unique connectivity between sites. "This area is super cool because each site has a walkway connecting each site to each other. It was awesome being able to have a large group camp out, but also have everyone in their own space!" explains Joffrey H.
Geological diversity: The landscapes surrounding Rock Springs Bench provide distinctive camping experiences near Page. "We came here on a Friday night in mid-June before exploring Kodachrome Basin State Park. I could not believe how close we were to the state park without having any other people around," reports Hawkin S.
Digital detox opportunities: Most backcountry sites offer minimal connectivity. At the Paria Canyon Backcountry - Confluence Site, one camper notes, "PLBs have difficulty transmitting anything at all... The reward of the beauty and solitude of this hike is well worth the effort."
What you should know
Water management strategies: In Paria Canyon and surrounding areas, water access varies dramatically by location and season. At Paria Canyon Wilderness - The Hole Backcountry Campsite, Amy G. advises, "When we were here in June, from here toward Lee's Ferry we had access to water (to filter and/or pull from a spring). It was only on day 1 we had to carry 2 gallons of water where it was 'dry'."
Permit requirements: Best tent camping near Page, Arizona often requires advance planning. For Buckskin Gulch, Mack C. notes permits "can be acquired at blm office in Kanab," while Paria Canyon overnight trips require backcountry permits for all designated sites.
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas have limited access during wet conditions. Jeff R. warns about Rock Springs Bench: "Dirt access road that can get impassable when it rains (and believe them when they say impassable!). Not a lot of dispersed camp sites, maybe 6 or 7 in this immediate area."
Tips for camping with families
Staging camp locations: Set up a basecamp at more accessible sites before attempting strenuous hikes. "FS road #257 is on the Kaibab NF motor vehicle use map as open to public. It is a good graded gravel road but does have some clay so beware after wet conditions," notes Greg L. about FS Road #257 Dispersed Camping.
Spring access points: For families with younger children, timing matters for the best tent camping near Page. Kodachrome Basin area camping works well in shoulder seasons. "We've camped here several times during the spring, summer and fall... Gets pretty hot in the heat of the summer but great in the shoulder seasons," advises Jeff R.
Site privacy considerations: Choose locations based on weekend traffic patterns. At Buckskin Gulch site #8, Jo cautions about Saturday crowds: "Solitude...till Saturday morning when petroglyph hunters traipse through camp because the trail starts just beyond your fire pit."
Tips from RVers
Connectivity for remote workers: Choose sites with reliable signals if working remotely. Kristen S. from FS Road #257 reports: "I chose this spot for the ease of jumping back on 89A, and the clear open space in the first spot for my Starlink. However, it reboots often while I am working... Great AT&T signal."
Technical access limitations: For RVers seeking tent camping near Page, vehicle specifications matter. At Pump Canyon Springs, Scott V. notes it's "Only really space for one small group... Road in may be impassable when raining."
Seasonal road planning: Grant B. found Rock Springs Bench accessible for medium-sized rigs: "No problem with access for our 20' BaseCamp. About 5 or 6 sites in the area, several with pull through. Beautiful views all around."
