Looking for an adventure where you can explore Bicknell and then fall asleep in your tent? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Bicknell's most popular destinations.
A fishing lake in the North Creek Lakes area. The Department of Wildlife Resourses of Utah (DWR) stocks this lake with Brook Trout. Other fishing lakes near Upper Barker Reservoir are Flat Lake , Yellow Lake , Joe Lay Reservoir , Blue Lake , Lower Barker Reservoir , and Dougherty Basin . To hike to these lakes see the Barker Lakes Loop .
Guide
Tent camping at site 23. $20 for a tent site ($40 for a double site). Cool area to explore. Fire pit and a faucet with a bucket. Bathrooms close by. $5 for a bundle of wood. Nice little spot!
Guide
What a great little campground! We tent camped here after arriving in Escalante late one evening. The staff was very accommodating and helpful. Our site was roomy and flat: everything you want a tent site to be. The bathrooms were very clean and the showers were amazing! We didn’t use the laundry facilities but they are available. We were able to park our VW Beetle right next to our tent pad. We were in the site farthest away from the bathroom/shower but only had about a 30 yard walk to get to them. The showers were so great, we returned to the campground a day after we left the area and paid a small fee to use them again after a night of backpack camping. The multi-agency Grand Staircase Escalante visitors center was next door on on side and a CV store and restaurant was on the other. The Harris Wash/Zebra Slot Canyon trailhead was about 8 miles east and made for a very enjoyable half day hike. Everything was very clean and well kept. Very pleasurable stay and will definitely stay there again when we return to the area!
GuideI spent a night at a tent site here. There were all 5 Sites available. Toilets and showers are just next to the tent sites.
I arrived without reservation and ten minutes before office closing time, still was made feeling welcome.
Scout
We got a tent site. The tent sites are all gravel with a table and water. The good: Location close to Capitol Reef National Park. We used it as a base camp for hiking in the national park. Has water, table, fire pit, and wind break. The small swimming pool was loved by the kids The grassy park area was nice. The views. Red cliffs and Thousand Lakes Mountain to the north and Boulder Mountain to the south. The bad: Not enough trees. There are several small very pruned Cottonwood trees, but it is not a shady place. Small spaces. Like most RV parks, you are very close to your neighbors. Everyone near us was quite and kind though. There is no grass for the tent sites. You put your tent in gravel. About the only grass is very small pieces for the RVs and the grassy park area.
Guide
Each tent site has a pad and a shelter that has a shade panel. There is no parking next to the site, but it is small walk to the site. The tent sites are spaced far apart and some are tucked behind the Goblins.
There is a good restroom facility with running water and showers that do not need a token or coins. There are 4 showers. Overall, this is a great place to stay.
RangerUtah has such a wide variety of geology and Goblin Valley campground is in the middle of it. Sites are a bit close together, but they have shelters over the tables and there are some walk-in tent sites that are more secluded. Nice, free showers too.
GuideThere are only 11 asphalt paved RV camp sites. There are 14 tent sites.
Each site has a covered pavilion with a picnic table, fire ring and a tent site. Drinking water is located throughout the campground. The bathrooms have flushing toilets and hot water in the sinks. They are spotless! The showers are equally as clean. There are no bad views here! The hiking and biking trails are right there.
This one is one of my favorites!
Go!
Scout
Sand Creek is 15 miles from Capitol Reef and 1,500’ higher - much cooler. Good wi-fi, showers, bathrooms and laundry. Firewood and ice are available for purchase. The grounds have not been maintained like they were two years ago in 2019, but that may be due to the drought. Sand Creek has simple reasonable cabins along with 6 tent sites and maybe 8 or 9 RV sites.
Capitol Reef has a great campground but it often fills up. This is a great alternative for $22 a night for a tent site.
LegendWe came in winter this time and got a tent camp easily, only one other group was camping. If you dont want to tent camp in the winter they also have yurts for rent. We had a different approach to Goblin Valley this time around and decided to do the Lair of the Basilisk (Goblins Lair) canyoneering route. We got to hike in and around snow covered hoodoos that culminates in a 100' drop into the lair! It is truly a magical place and worth a visit! You can also get ti the lair by a now popular marked trail around the east side of the park. 60 m rope recommended plus helmets.
Guide
There were a decent amount of spots but it was incredibly windy and there were no fire rings. We made our own and enjoyed a nice fire but the wind makes it brutal when tent camping. All in all, great spot just outside of Capital Reef.
Legend
We stayed at one of the walk in tent sites where were in a large field. The area is very neat with an orchard, wildlife, and beautiful scenery. The sites were not overly secluded, but the park seemed quiet enough for the amount of people there. Capitol Reef National Park seemed less busy than the other Utah National Parks and we really enjoyed our hiking adventures in the park as well as the camping opportunities.
Guide
The tent site were a little tight for our camper van so they pro rated us the tent price for the first night. Very clean showers and bathrooms. Washing machines and dryers available for a fee in an air conditioned room. Very friendly staff!
GuideGoblin Valley is a beautiful area. We camped about 20 minutes from the actual valley. Plenty of space for big groups. Easy to get trailers there. Good for tent camping as long as you have a tarp to lay down first since it’s a bit rocky. Dogs are allowed. It’s a beautiful area.
Ranger
Like this whole area, the geology and views are beautiful. Take the scenic drive any time of year. Pretty small campground area. We couldn’t get a tent site away from an RV though :( Nice basic accommodations, very clean. So many scout groups but still quiet.
GuideGot to stay in a rad tipi site for only $30! They had firewood available by the bundle for $5/armload. Tent sites are $15 and extra cars are $10. It's about a mile from the Fremont Indian State Park and the surrounding area is pure magic.
Traveler
Beautiful location with endless summer mountain activities. Water taps and vault toilets, no hook ups. Mixed pull through, back in, and tent sites. Perfect for under 30' campers. The area has several lakes, ATV trails, hiking trails, and scenic drives. Lakes have trout, some allow small motorized boats.
TravelerThis is an older, smaller RV Park that has several cabins and a few tent sites. The RV sites are typically pull through and both 30 AMP and 50 AMP are available. Nothing hyper here, but a well maintained park with nice restrooms and showers and a laundry. Located next door to a recommended restaurant and within a half mile of Escalante Outfitters - Espresso, Pizza, Salads and books and gear for your Utah Canyons adventures. Also a half mile to the Official Visitor Center: BLM, NPS and USFS - to answer all your wandering questions.
Traveler
These sites were awesome! Super close to Capitol Reef and amazing views all around. Easily accessible and not too crowded when we visited. The only downside for us was the wind was crazy strong so we ended up having to sleep in our car. It’s pretty wide open so it’s hard to escape the wind if you’re tent camping or cooking outside. Other than that we loved it!
Scout
Really love the vibe of this place. There is plenty of space for tent camping although they offer bus stays if you prefer. Reservations are required in advance. There are bathrooms with showers and toilets all running water.
Only complaints. There are some cats that meow, loudly. All night and the garbage man comes at 5 am Wednesday morning and it's quite noisy. All in all a good stay.
TravelerFantastic deal, although in hindsight there are hundreds of BLM spots within 2 miles so we would have boondocked had we known. The campground is fantastic - we chose a tent spot for our 24 ft camper and spent $33 for a beautiful spot hidden away in the trees. Free potable water and FREE showers in a beautiful facility (use the tent camping bathroom). Did 3 massive loads of laundry and dried for $20. Super friendly, convenient, would definitely go back
GuideThe main Capitol Reef campground was our second stop on a weekend getaway. It's first come first served which makes getting a site very difficult on weekends. We were at a walk in site in Loop A and it was beautiful. We had a huge tree to pitch the tent under and we felt far enough from our neighbors. Overall the campground was a little crowded and the sites were kind of on top of each other. The walk in tent sites were a nice alternative to the RV pads. We frequented the orchards and picked apples and bought pie and coffee everyday from the Gifford House. Would definitely go again! Capitol Reef remains my favorite Utah park.
GuideReally enjoyed this campground! Went with friends and had a great time tent camping. The campground was nothing special- nice sites, good restrooms, pretty quiet while we were there. The Capital Reef park is fabulous! Great views of rock formations :) The fruit orchard is something different and has a cool vibe. Staff were extremely friendly. Lots of good hiking in the area- it was easy to spend a week with friends here exploring the fantastic flora and fauna!
GuideStayed in an old bus turned into cute little camp spot. Stayed here in the dead of winter and was very comfy and cozy. Bus had heated blankets and was thoughtfully set up. There was also option for tent camping. Clean facilities. Mystic Hot springs was perfect. Just a short walk from the camping spot up to the hot spring that is open 24/7. Would recommend this to anyone as the perfect weekend getaway. Great prices as well.
LegendGeneral: Small campground with 24 sites, and two yurts. Sites are designated as RV or tent with the main difference being that the tent sites have multiple vehicle pads right next to each other. We did see some vans in the tent sites and in November, that was not a problem. All camping is dry camping. Each site has a covered picnic table with side shelters, not needed when we were there in November but a necessity in the warmer months, and a fire pit.
Site Quality: All camper pads are paved and level. Some were pull-thru and others back-in. The ones on the exterior of the loop have the best views IMO.
Bathhouse: (automatic) flush toilets, two sinks, paper towels, and soap. There were showers but they were closed for the season as of November 6.
Activities: There are three valleys filled with hoodoos. No distinct trails so you can wander freely among the hoodoos. Several moderately challenging hiking trails, including one directly from the campground (Entrada). We did the Caramel Canyon Loop which included several scrambles in narrow canyons (but doable for two seniors – 65 and 71 years old in good physical shape). There are also designated biking trails and horseback riding is allowed in the Red Canyon Primitive area.
We were last here 35 years ago, but it was so much fun to explore the area again. Utah State Parks are getting pricey (not the only expensive state) but this one is worth it IMO. It is a photographer's dream!
Traveler
This is a RV site mainly. We tent camped here and it was not great at first. Ants are everywhere and you can’t get rid of them. Plenty of free dispersed in the same area. Also. The directions are iffy that they send you. You want to turn on the road going to Lower Bowns reservoir. Go all the way to the end and you will find the site on your left. But I wouldn’t bother. Plenty of dispersed camping.
Guide
Stayed here awhile back with a group on an environmental science trip. Had an awesome time! Tent campsites were nice with shade areas perfect to set up a hammock. There were several other groups at the campground and everyone was respectful. There is a dock that can be used for kayaking at the reservoir which is highly recommended!
TravelerThis is a wonderful campground next door to some of the prettiest hikes Capitol Reef has to offer. However, our site (B40) did not seem appropriate for tent camping. There is no tent pad, the area surrounding the parking bay is not leveled, and it has no grass or gravel, only red dirt which turns into mud very quickly. Additionally, the site is downhill from the surrounding sites so any amount of rain will turn the site (including the blacktop) into a mud bath. At the same time, it must be a good RV camping spot as the bay is huge with lots of shade during most of the day.
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.
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 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 31 tent camping locations near Bicknell, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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