Sitting at 6,800 feet in the Pine Valley Mountains within Dixie National Forest, Crackfoot Campground runs along the east side of a creek that feeds into a nearby reservoir. The elevation brings noticeably cooler temperatures than the surrounding lowlands, with daytime highs in the 90s dropping to the 60s at night during summer months. Campers coming from St. George or after a visit to Zion will find the drive into Pine Valley shifts the landscape considerably, trading desert heat for shade trees and moving water.
The campground has a lived-in feel that comes from attentive hosts. Sites are equipped with fire pits, grills, and picnic tables, and camp hosts are consistently noted for keeping the facilities clean and the bathrooms in good shape. Kevin L. describes it as "neat campground with shade, water (recreation and potable), and fun trails to hike and explore." Sites 19 through 23 require a short walk-in, which adds some separation from the drive-in loops. Wildlife moves through regularly. Julie G. notes that "cows came in to feed before sunset," with deer also common and coyotes audible after dark.
Fishing access at the adjacent reservoir draws anglers, though swimming is not permitted. The Dean Gardner loop sits closest to the water and features large trees well-suited to hammocking. Cell service is limited to spotty at best, and there is no Wi-Fi. Firewood bundles are available from the hosts on-site for $6 each, which saves a trip to the nearest store roughly 20 minutes away. A steakhouse about five miles down the road sells ice and basic supplies.
Reservations are available for some sites, while others are first-come, first-served. The campground fills quickly on weekends. Check-in is at 2 p.m., though earlier arrival may work if a site is vacant. Nightly rates run $17 and up, with discounts available for senior and Access Pass holders. Payment by cash or check is accepted on-site. Pets are welcome, and the campground is ADA accessible. For campers who want a group setting, Effie Beckstrom Group Campground is located just north and may be worth considering for larger parties.
Description
Overview
A location closure has been issued due to a wildfire that started by lightning, the facility is closed at this time. The area and facilities are under rehabilitation and closed to the public. Please consider visiting one of our many other amazing campgrounds on the Dixie National Forest including Duck Creek, Spruces, Navajo Lake, Te-Ah, Panguitch Lake and many more, Please see other locations on Recreation.gov or visit the Dixie National Forest webpage for additional details https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie . Please check back for location closure updates.Pine Valley Recreation Area is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by the Pine Valley Mountains. There are several campgrounds with sites for single families, large groups, motor-homes, and horses. At an elevation of 6,900 feet the valley offers a great escape from the heat of the Southern Utah desert. Visitors enjoy fishing at nearby Pine Valley Reservoir and exploring local trails.
Recreation
Hiking and horse trails are abundant in Pine Valley. Trails vary in length from 2 to 35 miles. Some trails allow mountain biking. Shoreline fishing for rainbow trout is a popular activity on the lake. Flotation devices - canoes, paddle boards, inner tubes, etc. -are not allowed on the lake. Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness is adjacent to the recreation area. Trails in the area include:Brown's Point TrailEquestrian TrailWhipple TrailPine Valley Canal TrailGardner Peak Trail
Facilities
Located within the Pine Valley Recreation Area are six overnight family campgrounds, two overnight group areas, four day-use group sites and an amphitheater. Dean Gardner, Equestrian, and Yellow Pine family campgrounds are available for reservations. Mitt Moody, Crackfoot and Ebenezer Bryce Campgrounds are available on a first-come basis. The family campgrounds offer several single and double-family sites, all of which contain picnic tables, fire rings with grills, utility tables, tent pads and concrete site pads. All group sites, both overnight and day-use are available for reservations. The Effie Beckstrom area offers two overnight sites, accommodating 80 people each. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Thomas Forsyth day-use area offers four picnic areas for groups ranging in size from 35-150 people. This beautiful facility contains large picnic tables, grills and campfire circles. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Volleyball courts and horseshoe pits are on-site. Large parking areas are paved.The Pine Valley Equestrian Campground is designed to support campers traveling with horses. Each reservable site is equipped with corrals to accommodate equestrian needs, offering a safe and functional space for both riders and their animals.To preserve this purpose, campsites in the Equestrian Campground are reserved exclusively for campers with horses until 6:00 PM daily. We kindly ask that non-equestrian visitors respect this window, allowing equestrian users priority access to these specialized facilities. After 6:00 PM, any remaining sites may be available on a first-come, first-served basis.OHV/ATV's including street legal are not allowed within the Pine Valley Recreation Area (they must be trailered at all times).
Natural Features
A beautiful forest of ponderosa pine and oak covers the area, offering partial shade. Mountain mahogany, juniper and sagebrush dot the landscape.
Nearby Attractions
Zions National Park, one of Utah's most famous national parks, featuring dramatic red cliffs, canyon hikes and scenic drives through high desert and river valley.Other nearby attractions include Sand Hallow State Park, St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm, and Snow Canyon State Park.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
A location closure has been issued, and the facility is closed at this time. Please consider visiting one of our many other amazing campgrounds including Duck Creek, Spruces, Navajo Lake, Te-Ah, Panguitch Lake and many more, See the Dixie National Forest webpage for additional details https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie . Please check back for location closure updates.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCrackfoot Campground is located in Utah near Pine Valley
Public CampgroundDirections
From St. George, Utah, go north on Highway 18 to Central. Take a right on Forest Highway 35 towards Pine Valley. Take a left on Main Street and go 3 miles to the recreation area.
Coordinates
37.3766667 N
113.4666667 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 51 min from St. George, UT
- 2 hrs 28 min from Las Vegas, NV
- 5 hrs 1 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 6 hrs 8 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
