Cedar Canyon Campground offers a cooler alternative to Brian Head's summer heat, with temperatures dropping up to 20 degrees within just 12 miles of Cedar City. Located within Dixie National Forest, most camping areas maintain moderate temperatures even during summer months when lower elevations exceed 90°F. Weather can change quickly in this mountainous region, with temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night common in spring and fall.
What to do
Fishing at Panguitch Lake: Located about 30 minutes from Brian Head, this lake offers excellent trout fishing opportunities. At Panguitch Lake, you'll find "Great trout fishing area and camping ground for RV. Market and restaurant. Cheap prices!" according to Danny P.
Off-road adventures: The area features extensive trail systems for ATV enthusiasts. Duck Creek Village provides access to hundreds of miles of trails. One reviewer noted, "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!" Ryan V. warns that "It is a fun place to camp if you are expecting the noise."
River relaxation: The Sevier River provides a peaceful setting for anglers and those wanting to cool off. A visitor to The Riverside Ranch mentioned, "Fishing in this little creek was great. Even though the creek was small there were some BIG trout! Super clean and quiet in this vast valley with beautiful sunsets."
What campers like
Temperature relief: Many campgrounds sit at higher elevations, offering escape from summer heat. One camper at Cedar Canyon shared, "Cedar City was 92F in July and this campground was 72F just 12mi away. What a relief from the heat on our road trip out West."
Dark night skies: The remote location provides excellent stargazing opportunities. A visitor to The Riverside Ranch described the experience: "Backed right up to the Sevier river with amazing views of the mountains. And to make things even better, at night it felt like you could see a million stars above."
Proximity to national parks: Several campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring both Zion and Bryce Canyon. According to one visitor, Ruby's Inn is "Only 1 mile outside the park and you can take the Shuttle from there... Some spots are shady and some spots are not... $46 a night for full hook ups."
What you should know
Weather fluctuations: Mountain weather can change rapidly and nights get very cold, even in summer. A camper at Duck Creek warned, "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! In the mornings it was around 37 degrees, I had to jump in the truck to warm up!"
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. For South Campground in Zion, "The campground used to be first come, first serve but is now reservable, with sites opening on a rolling basis two weeks in advance. This is great for a semi-spontaneous trip at a busy time of year."
Site selection matters: Review campsite details and photos before booking. A visitor to Ruby's Inn RV Park advised, "Campground has sites for all kinds of campers from tent/dry camping to huge sites for big rigs. Some are shaded and in the trees and some are open. Make sure you check with the staff as to which kind you are getting if that's important to you."
Tips for camping with families
Consider resort-style glamping: For families wanting both outdoor experience and amenities, Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort offers various accommodations. As one reviewer shared, "We finished out our Spring Break Outdoor recreation trip by clamping in one of the canvas tents at Ponderosa. I'd never been so excited to sleep in a bed. We slept with 5 people in each tent. The tents were accommodated with 4 beds (2 twin, 1 Queen, and 1 pull-out couch)."
Look for kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities. A visitor to Zion Ponderosa noted, "Lots of fun for kids. Horseback riding, putt putt golf, pad boards, cabins, tents and Rv sites."
Group site options: For larger family gatherings, Cedar Canyon offers spacious group sites. One camper described, "Campsite was HUGE! 12 kids, 8 adults, 5 cars, 2 nights. We set up 9 tents and there was still room for more. Vault toilets and 2 water spigots were a very short walk away. 2 big picnic tables."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: RV parks vary considerably in how sites are arranged. At Zion River Resort, one RVer mentioned, "The lots are huge. Very wide and with lovely grass and gravel. Everyone gets a grassy area. The concrete pad is very level."
Hookup locations: Pay attention to where utilities are positioned at each site. A visitor to Ruby's Inn noted, "The hookups on our sites were more to one end of the site and not so much in the middle of the site which was not a problem for any of us. It seemed most sites had great shade trees in the area we were in."
Weather preparation: Be ready for temperature swings and wind. An RVer at The Riverside Ranch cautioned, "Can be very windy at times so awnings stayed in the whole stay(4 nights). Pretty level sites on gravel."
