Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Big Water? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Utah tent camping excursion.
Camping overnight is not allowed at the Buckskin Gulch Trailhead, but there are some dispersed sites along House Rock Valley Road
Do not boat below the cable downstream from the Lees Ferry launch ramp. There are dangerous rapids below the cable. Downstream waters are restricted. A permit is required from Grand Canyon National Park to float this section of the river.
Camping is limited to 14 days. Camping is permitted in designated areas only. There are five designated areas, marked with signs, on a first-come, first-served basis. Upriver campsites are provided with toilets and fire pits. All campsites are located well above the river and require a short walk from your boat. This is to prevent camps from being damaged by high water releases.
Fires are permitted only in the fireplaces provided or in portable fire pans. No ground fires are allowed. If portable fire pans are used, all burned charcoal must be carried out. Collection of wood is prohibited.
Carry out all litter and garbage. There is no regular garbage collection upriver. Plastic litter bags are available free of charge at the ranger station. Dumpsters are available at the launch ramps for garbage disposal.
Federal law prohibits the disturbance, defacement, or removal of historic or archeological sites. Do not deface rocks and cliffs. Do not disturb plants or animals, and do not feed wildlife.
There are no fees or permits required to camp upriver. Entrance fees and vessel use fees apply.
You must have a permit to visit Paria Canyon. All permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Paria Canyon's outstanding scenery, desert wildlife, colorful history, and opportunities for primitive recreation are protected for future generations. Its 112,500 acres beckon adventurers who enjoy experiencing the scenic splendor of wilderness and the chance to explore one of the longest and deepest slot canyons in the world. To protect these areas, in 1984 Congress created the Paria Canyon – Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
Overnight Use Permits
You must reserve a permit in advance for overnight use. There is a limit on overnight use in the canyon to 20 people per day. Overnight users must display the permit on the outside of their backpack, and on the dashboard of their vehicle.
$5 / night
You must have a permit to visit Paria Canyon. All permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Paria Canyon's outstanding scenery, desert wildlife, colorful history, and opportunities for primitive recreation are protected for future generations. Its 112,500 acres beckon adventurers who enjoy experiencing the scenic splendor of wilderness and the chance to explore one of the longest and deepest slot canyons in the world. To protect these areas, in 1984 Congress created the Paria Canyon – Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
Overnight Use Permits
You must reserve a permit in advance for overnight use. There is a limit on overnight use in the canyon to 20 people per day. Overnight users must display the permit on the outside of their backpack, and on the dashboard of their vehicle.
$5 / night
You must have a permit to visit Paria Canyon. All permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Permit Details here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/lotteries-and-permit-systems/arizona/paria-canyon
Overnight Use Permits
You must reserve a permit in advance for overnight use. There is a limit on overnight use in the canyon to 20 people per day. Overnight users must display the permit on the outside of their backpack, and on the dashboard of their vehicle. Regulations
Campfires are prohibited. Dogs are allowed, but they must be included on the permit. They must be kept under control at all times and be leashed within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Dog waste and dog waste bags must be packed out. You must use human waste bags throughout Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon. You must pack out all trash, including toilet paper and human waste bags. Group size cannot exceed 10 people in the same permit area on the same day. Use existing campsites at least 200 feet from a water source.
$5 / night
Guide
Enough room for two vehicles, three at a push. It was just us so no problem, fairly level and a great nights sleep.
Scout
Very quite, Camped in a Tesla doing a road trip and this was very close to the city of Page, and Glen Canyon NRA! $14 for a camping permit you can use the kiosk machine if after hours. You pick and choose your spot anywhere you want on the beach! Just be cautious of areas of sand but most of the beach is easy to drive on! There are Park police the roam the area and where very helpful if you had questions!
Guide
Stayed here for a week to hit up most of the scenic hikes, Coyote Butte North and South, White Pocket, Buckskin Gulch
Scout
Very nice campground. Clean. Is as described---no electric or RV hookups. Most picnic tables have shade structures and there are privacy barriers between many of the campsites. There are flush toilets(!!) and bathroom has lighting. There are no showers. There is no soap but there was an air hand dryer. I see some complaints about the bathrooms but man, I am always delighted when there are clean(and these were) flush toilets after many, many campsites with pit toilets. The camp host said the bathrooms are cleaned every day.
The river is right below the campsite. You can hear it at night (once the generators for the RVers go off). Be sure to check out the trails down by the Lees Ferry boat landing. We saw big horn sheep on the river trail. Close by in the other direction is Cathedral Wash trail. wow, wow, wow. It is challenging in that there are 3 points where one needs to climb down (then back up) a 30 ft drop in the wash. Lots of hikers on the trail. The walk down the wash is magical because as you descend you are going through the layers of sediment that you can see in the Vermillion Cliffs. Also, take time to check out Navajo Bridge Monument. The condors hang out on the bridge structures. You will be able to capture amazing pictures.
Guide
Big open land with a choice of roads to find your spot. Some minimal highway noise but it didn’t bother us. The road in is a bit bumpy but our Class C had no problem. Definitely recommend a stay here.
Traveler
A beautiful camp to set up RVs, vans, and tents. Plenty of space. There were several others here and did not feel close to anyone. Fire pits are available, but they are just slightly dug holes with small rocks. Recommend reinforcing the rocks before use.
TravelerThe area was very easy to find and very quiet. I arrived as sunset and only saw one camper. I know it is the end of the season, but other places right now are packed.
Make sure you camp in a designated spot, marked with posts and numbers.
T-Mobile work...2 bar LTE
Guide
Calf Creek campground was full and the host told us about this spot. Up a dirt road you end up just below the radio tower. Very private and quiet
Guide
We stayed here four nights while visiting Grand Canyon National Park. The site was spacious, well separated from other sites, level, and directly adjacent to a network of easy hiking trails that we took our dog on every day. Water nearby, clean vault toilets, and a very short hop across the highway for gas, food, and essentials. Hosts were very friendly.
Scout
We were able to reserve a spot online. We arrived after the office was closed-The office left our paperwork on the cork board out in front of the office. Bathrooms are really clean, almost look like they were recently remodeled. Grounds were clean. Sites are pretty close together. Dog wash and park on site were nice for after hiking for the pup! We will stay again-
TravelerWe rented a van from Escape camper vans and this spot of easy to find and get to! We saw a lot of people with campers and vans. We kept driving until site 10 which was the first one that was empty at about an hour before sunset. Very private and lots of fire wood! Right outside of Bryce NP. As we left early in the morning people were pulled off the side of the rode. Looked like they were just looking for a place to park overnight.
TravelerBumpy dirt road going in. Large area with plenty of private dispersed camping spots.
Guide
~$13.50/night to park in the gravel lot. I’ve got a RTT so it worked out perfectly. Full access to shop/restaurant, laundry, dish sink and shower (very hot, which was awesome).
Covered picnic tables and a communal fire pit nearby. Great alternative to the numerous BLM sites in and around town.
Scout
Worst imaginable experience.
Staking in the tent was almost impossible. Apart from sharp gravel for a base, it nearly seemed like concrete to get a stake in. After bending four thick, steel stakes to barely get them in the ground, a gust of wind blew the tent and pulled all of the stakes out.
Not only is there zero option to request a refund, there is likely no recourse for paying me for wasting 1 1/2 hours at their site trying to set things up.
Someone has to be the worst in the industry. Clearly, that's their goal and they achieved it.
Ranger
Stayed in spot#51 in Arch Campground with water/electric hookup. Showers only available in Basin and Oasis group sites, which are down the dirt road to the main road and then further into the park from where we stayed (not walkable). Showers were good though, free and unlimited time. Took a trip over to check out Bryce View and sites 53, 57 and 59 were best. Site mostly level, has interesting views of surrounding natural features. Only one toilet bldg and it's at the entrance so not particularly convenient.
Food aside: Had dehydrated egg with chorizo, bacon, hash brown and cheese on hatch tortillas, mmm.
Guide
The campground map on their website indicated cable tv on some site, but they do no offer cable tv anymore. The wifi was the worst I have ever experienced, got there at 3 PM and could not even open an email. The park was just bought by an LLC and the on-site manager seems to have no authority as once I figured out the cable and wifi situation I requested a refund for my second night so we could move, but he could not make a decision until he talked to his manager the next morning. I would definitely stay somewhere else until they can improve this location. They have an indoor pool, but in early October is was closed for the season. Why have an indoor if you close it that early? We stayed here 2 years ago and it was better, but will not return again!
Traveler
No host seen in 3 days. Sites were over grown with weed, restrooms were dirty. Same for shower but it had hot water. No shade. Made it work!
Guide
Very pretty spot. Clean and level campsites. Had a very hard time finding a site, very crowded. But once we did we loved it. BEWARE! Someone stole our trailer break emergency breakaway cord, it was a pain in the butt. Hopefully it was just a one time thing.
Guide
Ruby’s tent area was separate enough for the hordes of RVs to make it an okay place to stay. Lots of car campers in this area (like us) and enough elbow room that you are not on top of each other. They advertise free WiFi, but it is a weak throttled network that is frustrating to even open email on. The good news- great cell service in Bryce!
It was a decent choice to be able to book in advance. The people were nice at check in and the Bryce shuttle runs from this location.
Scout
Very clean and well kept. Staff goes above and beyond to ensure your comfort. $40 with discounts.
GuideRoads good. Views killer. Remote, though not much cover for privacy.
Guide
Although the sand wasn’t a surprise, i was shocked at how much it stuck to everything LOL! But the site had lots of dedicated spots for camping and went on the quite a few miles. The view was beautiful, but we were nervous about mountain lions as we noticed a lot of tracks when we arrived, and saw even more next to our car in the morning as we were leaving. The road in isn’t very rough, just lots of sand and small bumps. Would stay here again!
GuideTent site are not marked. The map is incorrect that is given to you. Clean bathrooms and showers. Walking distance to general store and gift shop. The two things keeping it from 5 stars is the unmarked tent sites and (in my opinion) the people are weird in the area
GuideWe enjoyed the stay at Ruby‘s Inn. Clean Facilities, a lot of options to do laundry and a lot of space. There is a free shuttle to get to Bryce Canyon NP.
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!
Traveler
This family run business knows what travelers need and will do whatever possible to accommodate them. I asked for a larger space as I have a rescue dog that’s reactive, and they accommodated me. And as I was getting ready to leave I checked my tires and noticed they were low. The young woman at the front desk called around and found a place where I could get air in them! Super clean bathrooms and showers, with ample washers and dryers, too. All of this and a great location. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay again.
Guide
The campground is well kept, and the bathrooms are nice and clean, there is water, but no electricity. Spots are close together, no privacy and generator noise every morning and every evening
Tent camping near Big Water, Utah offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning landscapes and enjoy the great outdoors. With a variety of well-reviewed spots, campers can find the perfect place to set up their tents and explore the natural beauty of the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Big Water, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Big Water, UT is Buckskin Gulch Dispersed with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Big Water, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Big Water, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
