Dispersed camping options surround Alton, Utah, with nearby forest service land offering free sites along Hwy 9 near the eastern entrance of Zion National Park. The area sits at around 7,000 feet elevation, creating significant temperature variations between seasons, with summer highs in the 80s dropping to near-freezing overnight temperatures in spring and fall. Winter access becomes limited after October in most locations due to snow and mud conditions.
What to do
Explore off-road trails: Duck Creek Campground provides access to an extensive OHV network. "If you are looking for 800+ miles of OHV trails, this is the place to go! ATV's, dirt bikes and side by sides galore!" notes Ryan V. The area maintains designated motorized routes connecting multiple recreation areas.
Visit Cedar Breaks National Monument: Located just 25 minutes from Duck Creek Campground, this stunning formation offers Bryce-like views with shorter crowds. "It's like seeing Bryce but VERY close to the edges! Awesome!" says Jennifer N. The monument sits at over 10,000 feet elevation, providing cool relief during summer months.
Fish mountain streams: The Riverside Ranch offers riverside sites with surprisingly productive fishing. "Fishing in this little creek was great. Even though the creek was small there were some BIG trout!" reports Laura F. Utah fishing licenses are required and available in nearby towns.
Winter stargazing: The high elevation and minimal light pollution create exceptional night sky viewing. "You truly can see a million stars above," notes Sam S. from Riverside Ranch. The clearest skies typically occur on cold winter nights when temperatures drop below freezing.
What campers like
Affordable yurt options: Yurt camping near Alton provides an ideal balance of comfort and wilderness access. Bryce Canyon RV Resort offers climate-controlled yurts with nearby amenities. "We really enjoyed this campground after a few days travel. Well maintained and very helpful staff," notes Charli S.
Free dispersed camping: Zion Hwy 9 Dispersed Camping provides no-cost camping with surprising proximity to national parks. "So close to Zion this is a great free camping spot. The access road is a bit bumpy as the pavement is potholed but no trouble in our Class C," reports Julie M. No facilities are available, so campers must bring water and pack out waste.
Seasonal pools and recreation: Several campgrounds maintain heated pools extending the swimming season. "A nice heated pool area with hot tub. Some areas have nice shade trees and grass areas," says Ben B. about Zion River Resort. Most pools operate from April through October, weather permitting.
Multi-park access: The Alton area serves as a central hub for visiting multiple parks. "Perfect location to do Bryce Canyon (45 min) and Zion (90 min to East entrance)," notes Ron A. This strategic location reduces driving time for visitors planning to see multiple parks.
What you should know
Extreme temperature swings: High-elevation camping brings dramatic day-to-night temperature changes. "Ended up at Duck Creek mid May where nights got down to 25 degrees. Besides getting a little chillier and windier than we anticipated, it was a great campsite!" says Shalynn S. Pack layers even in summer months.
Limited winter operations: Most campgrounds close or reduce services from November through March. "Summer time can bring a lot of people in and you can't camp there during winter," explains Eric P. about Duck Creek. Snow typically blocks forest service roads from December through April.
Yurt availability constraints: Yurt camping around Alton requires advance planning. Reservations for yurts at Bryce Canyon RV Resort often fill 3-4 months in advance for summer weekends. "We stayed in a teepee along the highway. Traffic was very light after dark so that did not bother us at all," shares Jeanene A. about alternative glamping options.
Road noise considerations: Highway-adjacent campgrounds experience traffic noise. "Very dusty - too bright, no nature experience. Too crowded," reports Brandon H. about Zion Canyon Campground. Sites further from main roads offer significantly quieter camping experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Off-season for fewer crowds: Camping with kids works best during shoulder seasons. "Nice campground with decent bathroom facilities. It was only half full when I was there but very quiet and enjoyable," notes Tom C. about Duck Creek. May and September typically offer pleasant temperatures with significantly reduced visitor numbers.
On-site activities: Look for campgrounds with built-in entertainment options. "Stay more than 2 days. So much to do and experience we had an amazing time," advises Desiree L. about Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. Their activities include "mini-golf, pad boards, cabins, tents and RV sites."
Kid-friendly hiking options: Several nearby trails accommodate younger hikers. "We did the Watchman 8 am hike with a ranger was easy but informative," shares Mary S. These ranger-led programs typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day and require no advance registration.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "A nice little playground, used pretty regularly by little ones. Lots of space to walk dogs out back," notes R E. Children's playground equipment is typically designed for ages 4-12.
Tips from RVers
Water management: RVers should arrive with full tanks when choosing non-hookup sites. "We choose duck creek due to the proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon and it was an hour or so from each. This was a nice quite spot, but at the end of June it was freezing!" reports Deborah C. Most forest service campgrounds lack dump stations, requiring planning for waste management.
Leveling requirements: Many RV sites throughout the region require significant leveling. "Some sites are not very level. Fire pits and picnic tables. A few sites had a nice brick patio with table & chairs," shares R E. Carrying extra leveling blocks helps accommodate uneven terrain common in forest service campgrounds.
Winter road access: RV camping becomes challenging after October due to road conditions. "The road is a bit bumpy as the pavement is potholed but no trouble in our Class C," notes Julie M. about accessing dispersed camping areas. Forest service roads typically don't receive winter maintenance, restricting larger RV access.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites book quickly during peak season. "Washers are $6.50!" notes R E. about laundry costs, highlighting the premium placed on conveniences. Reservation windows typically open 6 months in advance for most commercial RV parks in the region.
