Best Tent Camping near Bicknell, UT

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Bicknell. Bicknell is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Bicknell, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Best Tent Sites Near Bicknell, Utah (29)

    1. Elkhorn Recreation Site

    2 Reviews
    Fremont, UT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 836-2800

    "This is a really nice campground it is primitive with some out houses and picnic tables. You are in the quackies and in the trees. It is higher elevation so make sure you bring your coat."

    2. Polk Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Fremont, UT
    12 miles

    "Some are very well shaded while others have lots of sun.

    This spot is large and shaded. Rock fire pit."

    3. Fremont River Dispersed Site

    3 Reviews
    Torrey, UT
    24 miles

    "Nice sandy area for my tent with a little fire ring someone had made with rocks. No other amenities."

    "Right outside of capitol reef national park. Camping right on the water, plenty of room & some privacy."

    4. Hells Backbone / 153 (large site)

    1 Review
    Boulder, UT
    26 miles

    "There’s plenty of space and nice trees. Even though Escalante was hot, it was nice up here."

    5. Spencer Flat Dispersed Camping - Grand Staircase Nat Mon

    17 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 644-4300

    "In the beginning of March during the week I was the only one around. I would agree that there aren’t many spots available on this road; I counted like 6-8ish spots."

    "After staying in a couple National Park campgrounds on our Utah trip this was a great surprise of seclusion :) It was well maintained and just an all around great experience."

    6. Burr Trail Rd Dispersed Camping

    6 Reviews
    Boulder, UT
    35 miles
    Website

    "Found a great spot with a bit of a trail right from our site. Pack it out. No services. Great hiking from ATV trails, lots of dispersed sites with shade and privacy. Beauty all around you!"

    "The location is close to the road but we found a beautiful spot surrounded by incredible views. Even though it was a holiday weekend, there were only two other jeeps far away from us."

    8. Barker Reservoir Area

    1 Review
    Escalante, UT
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 826-5400

    9. Durffey Mesa

    2 Reviews
    Boulder, UT
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 644-4300

    "Just below two big rock formations and beside a dry creek bed."

    "Good location to have a few group camp next to small Butte.  I think the location on the map is off slightly.  Our cords were 37.84858,-111.37018."

    10. Fish Lake National Forest

    5 Reviews
    Salina, UT
    41 miles

    "It had a pull through and trees and was a bit more private, although no privacy needed as we didn’t see a soul. We took a short walk and did encounter a small herd of cows near the road."

    "Minor I70 noise, had cell service- T-Mobile. Private, only had 3 cars drive by in 18 hours. Loved it!"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 29 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Bicknell, UT

826 Reviews of 29 Bicknell Campgrounds


  • R
    Jul. 18, 2018

    Cathedral Valley Campground — Capitol Reef National Park

    A small scenic campground at the north end of the Park

    This campground is situated at the north end of the Park at a high elevation. It's free and has picnic tables, fire rings and a vault toilet but no water. If you want to make a fire, you must bring your own firewood. There are excellent views of the valley below only a short walk from the campsites.

  • E
    Apr. 17, 2019

    Canyons of Escalante RV Park

    Beautiful backpacking trip

    Did an awesome 3 day hike of the hurricane wash. Hiked in, set up camp, explored further, slept first night. Left our tents and gear and did a day pack hike totalling 16 miles down and back up the canyon. Third day was back out. It was amazing...other than the extreme leave no trace rules (ALL waste carried out).

  • Bubble G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 22, 2024

    Castle Rock Campground — Fremont Indian State Park

    Great location, quiet, semi private

    The site we camped had a private walk to the little creek, fire ring and picnic table. Well built bathrooms and a garbage dump available for use. $5 for all you can carry in your arms in fire wood… felt private without anyone parked on either side but later people came and the noise went up a little, but overall cute camp. Got one of the first come first serve sites, payment in cash only $20 for the night (established site, no water, no electric, no sewer) Pets allowed-leashed.

  • Bob K.
    May. 30, 2019

    Fruita Campground — Capitol Reef National Park

    Beautiful, Convenient Location in Wooded Area

    Fruita Campground is well laid out with plenty of room, giving the feeling of some privacy, despite the number of people around.  The tent-only walk-in area is a very large grassy area with trees for shade, picnic tables, grills, and fire pits.

    There are plenty of restrooms spread out throughout the campground and the facilities are kept clean.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2024

    Rosebud Atv

    Rosebud ATV cg

    Good all season gravel road into the CG. Only 4 sites but nice tables and fire rings. One vault toilet. This is a fee CG, $20/$10 senior. No water or trash at CG but just before the main Hwy there is a pullout with potable water spigot and a small dumpster. Water was shut off Sept 28 on my visit. No cell signal though.

  • Jessica N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2018

    Fruita Campground — Capitol Reef National Park

    One of my favorite campsites to date!

    We got really lucky and were able to book a tent site day-of in the National Park... There are a ton of campsites here, plenty for RVs and tents alike. The site we got was a walk-in (there were 4-6 of these available). The walk-in sites have assigned parking spots and you have to walk a very short distance to get to your spot. All of them had a table and flat spot to pitch your tent, and the spots were far enough apart that you still felt like you had privacy. The bathrooms were super clean (I didn't see any showers). It was such a beautiful place to camp – the sunset over the cliffs above us was spectacular, and there was a group of deer that wandered through the sites during the evening. I would absolutely stay here again!

  • B
    Sep. 18, 2020

    Sand Creek RV, Cabins, Tents

    Might be adequate, if you are not picky

    We spent a single night in one of the tent sites, which are immediately behind the office/owner's residence. Sites have a parking space, fire ring with grill attachment, a picnic table and a gravel tent pad. They are small, and not separated from one another, so if you're looking for any level of privacy you won't find it here. On the other hand, if you like sharing space with other campers you may enjoy it. You also may experience those staying in the RV section walking through your site in order to get to the restrooms/showers.

    The campground has both firewood and ice available for purchase. The remainder of the campground store is currently closed due to Covid regulations.

    If you have any concerns about Covid (this is being written in September 2020), SC is not a site I would recommend. While the owners have placed signs suggesting social distancing guidelines, including masks while in the restrooms/shower area, compliance among the campers in a nearly full campground was minimal. One unmasked female camper was loudly discussing all the airports she had passed through on her way to the area, including Chicago and Denver. 

    Even little details were missed, like the soap in the restrooms being organic and not antibacterial.

    Sand Creek is located on Hwy 24, and the road noise didn't quiet down until around 11 PM. Probably not a good choice any time for a light sleeper.

    If you have a self-contained RV and are just looking for a place to park for the night, Sand Creek is likely to fit your needs. For a tent camper, its main recommendation is the ability to reserve a site in advance, as most of the other campgrounds in the area are first come, first serve.

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Forsyth Reservoir

    Quiet place to camp along Hwy 72

    We were there 10/11/2020 during hunting season It was around 20° the night we stayed. This is a free campground for hunters or for the few people traveling on highway 72. There was a clean vault toilet and rock fire rings but no water, garbage, or picnic table. There could be fishing there as we saw lots of fish jump.

    It is a scenic quiet place and the night skies are phenomenal. There is mouse infestation there as the first site we stopped at had dead mice everywhere. One got in our camper but we soon chased it out, The USFS person who cleaned the vault toilet confirmed this.

    I rated it 3 stars due to mouse problem otherwise it would be 4 stars.

    It opens in May but their website didn’t say which date. I am assuming this depends on the snow level at 8000’. It was still open when we camped in October.

  • Terry K.
    Jul. 8, 2023

    Goblin Valley State Park Campground

    Other worldly scenery

    Only 24 sites makes this one of the hardest campgrounds in Utah to book. If you’re lucky enough to get in then you are going to love Goblin Valley. All of the sites come equipped with a shade structure, picnic table & fire ring. Best sites are on the out side of the loop, with the cliffs right behind you. No hook ups, but the is potable water & dump station. Small visitor center/store offers a few essentials. Very hot & windy when we were there in June. Dark skies offer amazing star gazing. Clean bathrooms and free, private showers.


Guide to Bicknell

Tent camping near Bicknell, Utah, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning natural landscapes while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed spots nearby, campers can find the perfect setting for their next adventure.

Local Activities to Enjoy While Tent Camping

  • Experience the beauty of nature at the Fremont River Dispersed Site, where you can camp right by the water and explore the nearby Capitol Reef National Park.
  • The Elkhorn Recreation Site provides access to hiking trails and is a popular spot for elk hunting in the fall, making it ideal for wildlife enthusiasts.
  • For those looking to combine camping with fishing, the Otter Creek, Fishermans Beach Rec Site offers a serene environment perfect for casting a line.

Tips for Tent Camping Near Bicknell

  • Always pack essentials like water and food, as many sites, such as the Burr Trail Rd Dispersed Camping, do not provide amenities like drinking water or trash disposal.
  • If you're camping at the Durffey Mesa, be prepared for a rugged experience with no facilities, ensuring you leave no trace behind.
  • For a more comfortable stay, consider the Barker Reservoir Area, which features picnic tables and toilets, making it a great choice for families.

Some Prices for Tent Camping

  • Many sites, like the Hells Backbone / 153 (large site), are free, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank.
  • The Elkhorn Recreation Site offers a primitive camping experience with a small fee for reservable sites, typically around $20 per night.
  • Expect to pay around $10 for a night at the Horse Canyon Camping, which provides a peaceful setting away from the crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bicknell, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bicknell, UT is Elkhorn Recreation Site with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Bicknell, UT?

TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Bicknell, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.