Best Cabin Camping near Capitol Reef National Park

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.

Located in Torrey, Utah this RV park was a great place to stay when visiting Capitol Reef National Park. The National Park was a 10 minute drive away from the park. They’re still open in the Winter, but we didn’t find out they closed their showers and bathrooms until we were told upon arrival. (They close 10/31)

The night sky was magnificent and may have made up for our inability to shower for a couple days. We were the only ones in the park, Winter camping. It’s located in a dark sky area, so the skies are clear and the air is clean. The surrounding views of the mountains and red rock were also gorgeous. The WiFi was good as well.

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.