Best Tent Camping near Page, AZ
Tent camping near Page, Arizona centers around the dramatic landscapes of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Paria Canyon Wilderness. Several backcountry tent campsites are accessible only by boat, including the highly-rated Horseshoe Bend 6 Mile and 9 Mile Campsites within Glen Canyon. For hikers seeking primitive tent camping experiences, Paria Canyon Wilderness offers designated backcountry sites like The Hole and the Final Designated Campsite before Lee's Ferry. Buckskin Gulch Dispersed camping provides tent-only options near Kanab, with eight numbered dispersed sites along House Rock Valley Road.
Most tent campsites in the region require careful planning for water access. The boat-in sites at Horseshoe Bend have basic toilets and allow fires, but lack drinking water and other amenities. Backcountry tent camping in Paria Canyon requires permits and complete self-sufficiency, including packing out all waste. According to reviews, hikers should carry at least 2 gallons of water per person when traversing dry sections of Buckskin Gulch. Weather conditions vary dramatically by season, with summer bringing intense heat and potential for flash floods in slot canyons. Winter camping requires preparation for cold nights, while spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures.
The tent-only camping experience around Page offers exceptional night skies and solitude. One camper at Horseshoe Bend 6 Mile noted it was "super remote and totally worth it" with "the best night sky because there is no light pollution." Walk-in tent sites in Paria Canyon provide a true wilderness experience, though reaching them requires significant effort. As one visitor to the Final Designated Campsite before Lee's Ferry reported, "Getting here is no easy chore. Several miles of the hike prior to arrival here is boulder scrambling." For those seeking more accessible tent camping, Buckskin Gulch Dispersed camping offers "beautiful spots tucked in along the red rock walls" with relatively quiet surroundings and proximity to hiking trails.