Tent camping near Big Water, Utah provides access to remote desert landscapes in the Colorado Plateau. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing, requiring proper seasonal preparation. Most camping areas sit at elevations between 4,000-5,000 feet, creating significant temperature swings between day and night.
What to do
Backcountry hiking in Paria Canyon: Access challenging but rewarding slot canyon adventures through Paria Canyon Wilderness. "The trek was long, but not overly difficult compared to the other days of hiking on this adventure," reports one camper at Paria Canyon Wilderness - The Hole Backcountry Campsite. Permits required for overnight stays.
Slot canyon exploration: Visit Buckskin Gulch, one of America's longest and deepest slot canyons, with multiple access points. A camper at Buckskin Gulch Dispersed noted, "We were able to find a climbing area and hiking all within a mile from each other." The hike costs $6 per vehicle and $6 per dog.
Stargazing: Take advantage of minimal light pollution at campsites throughout the region. A camper at Horseshoe Bend 6 Mile Campsite described it as "Super remote and totally worth it. Great dispersed campsite with beautiful views and the best night sky because there is no light pollution."
What campers like
Private campsites with panoramic views: Many sites offer unobstructed canyon vistas with minimal neighbors. At Spencer Flat Dispersed Camping, a camper advised to "Keep driving until you find the most epic spot on the ridge. There are dozens of them, so plenty to choose from. Perfectly dispersed and quiet, as we prefer!"
Easy access to water recreation: Camp near Lake Powell for swimming and boating opportunities. At Horseshoe Bend 9 Mile Campsite, a visitor enjoyed the "Amazing view from bottom up but was even better from the top down, water is amazing."
Solitude and quiet surroundings: Many sites offer peaceful camping experiences with minimal crowds. "Stayed just 0.3 miles prior at a turnout because it was a bit too sandy for our van to get through," noted a camper at Buckskin Gulch Dispersed, appreciating the relative isolation.
What you should know
Water sources and planning: Natural water sources are unreliable. One camper at Paria Canyon Backcountry - Confluence Site emphasized preparation: "We hiked this in June and the slot canyon was completely dry. We each carried 2 gallons of water per person to be absolutely safe (per the advice of the Ranger)."
Weather challenges: Roads become impassable during rain. A visitor at Rock Springs Bench cautioned: "Dirt access road that can get impassable when it rains (and believe them when they say impassable!)."
Sand management: Sandy surfaces affect tent setup and general comfort. A camper at Spencer Flat Dispersed Camping observed: "Although the sand wasn't a surprise, I was shocked at how much it stuck to everything! But the site had lots of dedicated spots for camping and went on for quite a few miles."
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible sites: Some areas require significant hiking that may be challenging for younger children. A camper at Paria Canyon Wilderness warned: "Getting here is no easy chore. Several miles of the hike prior to arrival here is boulder scrambling. Not just any boulders, but giant ones - super human sized."
Plan for wildlife encounters: Wildlife sightings are common in the area. One Spencer Flat camper noted: "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."
Seek out connected campsites for groups: Some areas feature linked camping areas. At Rock Springs Bench, "Several campsites on SR410 very private, great views of Kodacrome Basin in Grande Staircase Escalante." Another camper noted: "No problem with access for our 20' BaseCamp. About 5 or 6 sites in the area, several with pull through."
Tips from RVers
Road condition planning: Many access roads have challenging sections. A Spencer Flat Dispersed Camping visitor advised: "The road in isn't very rough, just lots of sand and small bumps. Would stay here again!"
Size limitations: Larger RVs will find limited suitable sites. At Rock Springs Bench, one RVer shared: "We've camped here several times during the spring, summer and fall in our 26 foot toyhauler. Gets pretty hot in the heat of the summer but great in the shoulder seasons."
Seasonal considerations: Shoulder seasons provide most comfortable temperatures for RV camping. One camper at Spencer Flat Dispersed Camping reported: "Our first night out on our trip. Heading down to Bryce Canyon NP after spending the day in Capital Reef NP. Road was very passible in our 2WD RoadTrec 190 van."
