Cedar City, Utah serves as a base for diverse camping options within the Dixie National Forest and surrounding public lands. Established campgrounds like Cedar Breaks RV Park and Cedar City RV Resort by Rjourney provide amenities including full hookups, showers, and WiFi access for RVs and tent campers. Several sites offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping, while Coal Creek provides free dispersed camping opportunities approximately 4 miles from Interstate 15. The mix of private, state, and federal lands creates varied camping experiences from developed resorts to primitive backcountry sites.
Road conditions and seasonal availability significantly impact camping options in the Cedar City area. Point Supreme Campground in Cedar Breaks National Monument operates only from June through September due to high elevation and snow conditions. "The park is clean, mostly level, and has a nice dog park. Our site was near the entrance, which meant we were close to Main St and quite a bit of traffic noise," noted one visitor about Cedar Breaks RV Park. Dispersed camping areas like Coal Creek feature sandy, rutted roads that may require four-wheel drive vehicles during wet conditions. Temperatures vary considerably with elevation, with higher sites offering cooler conditions during summer months when temperatures in Cedar City can exceed 90°F.
Campers report mixed experiences with noise levels throughout the region. Sites closer to town and highways experience traffic noise, particularly tent sites at Cedar City RV Resort described in reviews as "right on the street without much of a barrier." More remote locations provide greater tranquility but may lack amenities. The Coal Creek dispersed area attracts visitors seeking budget-friendly options with natural features. As one camper noted, "Loved having the window cracked and listening to the creek as I slept." While some dispersed areas can become crowded during peak seasons, the region generally offers sufficient space for various camping styles, from fully-equipped RV parks to primitive tent sites along forest roads.
$35 - $130 / night
"Sites were typical National Park, small and close together but well positioned. We had close access to a modern restroom that was clean and well maintained. "
"Watchman is conveniently located within walking distance of the Zion National Park south entrance. The camp sites are shaded with trees and red gravel/sand ground structure."
$25 - $250 / night
"It is right off of Highway 14 and can be noisy, however we didn't have any issues sleeping. The restroom/showers were extremely clean. It seemed they were cleaned several times a day. "
"Right off the 15 - Cedar City nearby - an easy overnighter as you head into Tetons, Yellowstone or Glacier from Southern California."
$12 - $30 / night
"1 MTB trails are awesome right out of the campground
2 close to Cedar City which we really liked especially the SUU athletic part and swimming pool
#3 hardly any ATV activity Only downside is a bit"
"And decided on Cedar city. Almost all RV sites in town were >$60/night, so we opted to dry camp. Pyramid Ridge was exactly what we wanted."
$30 / night
"One member of our group got mild altitude sickness and had to go down to Cedar City. Camp is above 10000 feet. Nice facility. Bathrooms are a little tired."
"You know all those calendar photos of Utah you’ve seen your whole life? This is that part of Utah."
"We booked Cedar City KOA as our first trip to a KOA. The park is on the edge of town but close to anything you might want or need."
"The showers weren't that great, very close to main road and I'm surprised at how bumpy and angled the entrances are considering. Wifi works well, tmobile and Verizon service."
"Not far from Cedar City (15min). Medium cell signal on T-Mobile. Right off of highway but plenty of tree cover to dampen road noise. Waterfall and creek noise to lull you to sleep."
"Bummer, it’s right off the highway, but late at night it’s pretty quiet. Just have to checkout all the pullouts for a walking trail down to a camping spot. Not too shabby."
$53 / night
"They charge 25$/night for WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH residents plus others (military etc). 50$/night for non-residents We booked our sites online at bookyoursite.com ."
"Love the Deer 🦌 Eagles 🦅 and Ducks 🦆 on Lake. Small boats 🚣♀️ only but quite because of it."
"The park is conveniently located whether you want to ride the East or West side/s of Cedar City. The park is clean, mostly level, and has a nice dog park. "
"Clean bathrooms and close to everything cedar city has to offer. Nice dog park too."
"There was a creek nearby that my dogs loved playing in and lots of trails to off road on. The place was very clean and please help keep it that way if you go."
"Spots scattered around, more so on the left side when you drive in - towards and around marathon trail head. Bring extra bug spray!"
"Close to town for anything you need. It was a little crowded but the heavy presence of evergreen trees allows plenty of privacy. We actually didn’t hear any other campers the whole night."
"Most of the place is better for tents but if you're an experienced driver you can navigate the spot off to the right next to the creek. Wouldn't recommend without 4wD if raining and wet tho."
ScoutThis is right next to the highway so I could hear cars all night and the camo sites are very close together so no privacy (especially when poppin a squat). I personally wouldn’t recommend this one
ScoutMy family and I have done a ton of traveling. Like a ton! You can tell this place a was built by rv people. They have thought of everything, easy pull throughs, well-kept grass to play on, full hook ups, clean shower rooms, clean laundry station, pools and hot tubs, a shop in walking distance to get anything you need. Its seriously perfect, its just outside zion and just off the freeway but still super quite. We will for sure be back the next time we are going through the area. Thanks for the awesome stay :)
GuideThe main road (dirt) is in great condition. Big spot for multiple vehicles (we are traveling together). Plenty of sky for solar and Starlink.
ScoutIt is right by the road, but if you don’t mind it, it’s perfect! Porta potties, showers, and fire pits. Super cute and quiet.
TravelerWe've stayed at a few dispersed sites over the past few days in Southern Utah, and this was by far the quietest so far. Easy to dig to leave no trace. Pretty views in the distance. Be careful if it's been wet or snowy, the last little bit uphill to the site was pretty slick with our Outback.
TravelerThis site was close to the road, but in our quieter season, it wasn't too loud. You can hear the main road noise in the distance, but not too bad. There was lots of space at this site. You could easily group camp here. There's sand every where, so it's very easy to dig a pit for your fire and latrine to leave no trace. The site was level enough for is to car camp. We walked back to find there is at least one site back away from the road farther if this one is full. If you go much farther the sand road gets a little looser. I'd worry if you didn't have at least AWD going back there.
GuideAbsolutely would stay there again. No facilities. Very quiet and dark
ScoutThe campground was quiet, we were with an 23ft RV and the road was easy accessible. It is more difficult to level your rv
ScoutLoved our stay with Hidden Springs RV Resort in Ivins, UT. My parents drive an RV so we like to try to find places that accommodate them but also allow us to visit in the same campus but without a rig. We stayed in a suite and a tiny home over the course of our stay. Both were very nice but the tiny home was extra magical for my 7 year old daughter. We loved the pool, hot tub, fire pit, and all the thoughtful details that made life a little bit easier. The suite and the tiny home were both well appointed and had everything you could need. It was also great that we could get pizza delivered. Convenient to Snow Canyon State Park. Also, I was traveling with just my daughter and I felt very safe, this is a family-friendly, family-focused RV park. Their showers and laundry room are very nice. It's an elevated, luxurious experience in many ways. If we are ever back in Ivins, we will stay here again. Thank you!
Cedar City, Utah offers camping options across diverse elevations from 5,800 to 10,000 feet, creating a significant temperature difference between valley and mountain sites. In summer months, valley temperatures often reach 95°F while higher-elevation campsites maintain cooler conditions in the 70s. Cedar Breaks National Monument's Point Supreme Campground sits at 10,000 feet, making it one of the coolest summer camping destinations in the region.
Mountain biking access: The area around Bear Flat provides excellent mountain biking opportunities with trails connecting to Brian Head resort. "Great spot for a quick stop. Close to ceeder breaks and Zion," reports Ryan A. The dispersed camping area features a grove of aspen trees with easy trail access, as Stefanie I. notes: "Our go-to campsite for MTB…as Brian Head reaort is only a couple of minutes away."
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Kolob Reservoir offers water-based recreation with equipment rentals available onsite. "SUP and kayak rentals right there at the lake front so no hauling yourself, affordable rentals. And the most friendly people," shares Tanya D. The reservoir provides calm waters ideal for beginners and families with "amazing camping, just drive along the banks until you find an open spot."
Stargazing at higher elevations: Cedar Breaks National Monument provides exceptional dark sky viewing opportunities due to its remote location and high elevation. Brian P. describes Point Supreme Campground as having "some of the darkest skies in all of the country." The 10,000-foot elevation puts you above much of the atmospheric disturbance, creating ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
Creek access for cooling off: Many campers appreciate natural water features during hot summer months. At Coal Creek dispersed camping area, Jeff K. mentions that the "waterfall and creek noise to lull you to sleep" creates a peaceful atmosphere despite being near the highway. The creek offers a refreshing spot to cool off when temperatures in Cedar City climb.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The transitional zones between desert and mountain ecosystems support diverse wildlife. At Watchman Campground near Zion, Bonnie M. reports: "We had deer strolling through our campsite in the morning." While this campground is farther from Cedar City, it demonstrates the wildlife viewing potential throughout the region's public lands.
Cooler temperatures at elevation: Higher elevation campgrounds offer relief from summer heat. At Kolob Reservoir, Oguz notes: "Stayed one night 8k feet (2500 meters) elevation in a cool weather. 70-50 Fahrenheit in September." These moderate temperatures allow for comfortable camping when valley locations experience intense heat.
Road conditions vary significantly: Many dispersed camping areas require navigating unpaved roads. At Pyramid Ridge Campground, Jared K. notes: "The road in, Shirts Canton Road, is starting to washboard pretty good." Coal Creek access also presents challenges as Will describes: "Easy to miss pulloff and extremely rough road. I was able to get a 24ft class C up and off the road a bit but was definitely nerve racking."
Fire restrictions change seasonally: Fire regulations fluctuate based on conditions, particularly during dry months. As Johanna A. notes about Point Supreme Campground: "Starting August 1, no fires are allowed." Always check current fire restrictions before planning your trip, as they may differ between federal, state, and private lands.
Weather changes rapidly at high elevations: Mountain camping requires preparation for sudden weather shifts. Amber N. experienced this at Kolob Reservoir: "We stayed in our RV camper And it was absolutely freezing thank God we had that our friends stayed in tents in the dispersed camping area...and they came and crashed in our RV it was so cold!!"
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: For families with children, recreational facilities are valuable amenities. Lane H. recommends Cedar City RV Resort by Rjourney: "Our site was directly across from the playground and 50 steps from the off-leash dog park. Both the kids and the dog greatly appreciated both." The proximity to town also provides access to additional family activities and supplies.
Consider cabin options for weather flexibility: When camping with children, having weather contingency plans is important. Cedar Canyon Retreat offers cabin accommodations alongside tent sites. Taleah U. notes: "My partner and I tent camped here with our two dogs for 2 nights and it was such a great trip! The tent area we stayed in was a little closely packed and kinda awkward to get to because we had to walk through our neighbors campground."
Choose campgrounds with clean facilities: When traveling with children, clean restrooms become essential. Jennifer T. comments on Cedar Canyon Retreat RV Park: "The restroom/showers were extremely clean. It seemed they were cleaned several times a day. Each time we would use one, the toilet would be spotless." This attention to cleanliness makes the camping experience more comfortable for families.
Understand site layouts and access: Many RV parks have specific access considerations. Michele H. notes about Sand Hollow State Park's Westside Campground: "The campground is on a hill, the spaces at the top have the best view, the lower spaces are below the level of the reservoir so don't have a water view."
Secure reservations well in advance: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, particularly those in national parks. For Watchman Campground in Zion, Brittany S. advises: "You MUST make reservations online 6 months in advance to get a spot and they go SO FAST!" This principle applies to many established campgrounds in the region during peak seasons.
Consider site location relative to noise sources: Site selection impacts the quality of your stay. At Cedar City RV Resort by Rjourney, Aaron notes: "Our site was near the entrance, which meant we were close to Main St and quite a bit of traffic noise. Next time, I'd look for a place more towards the back of the park." This insight applies to many campgrounds near highways or urban areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Cedar City, Utah?
Cedar City offers diverse camping options for every preference. Cedar Canyon provides spacious sites with vault toilets and water spigots, perfect for large groups with multiple tents and vehicles. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Coal Creek Dispersed - Cedar City offers quiet tent and truck camping with the soothing sounds of a waterfall and creek, located just 15 minutes from town. The area features both developed campgrounds with amenities and dispersed options for those wanting more seclusion. Cedar City's camping options benefit from the area's natural beauty and moderate climate, making it a great base for exploring southern Utah's attractions.
Is RV camping available near Cedar City, Utah?
Cedar City offers excellent RV camping options with full amenities. Indian Peaks RV Park is conveniently located just off I-15, offering special rates for veterans ($30/night with cash payment) and is only 6 miles from Cedar City's services. Cedar Canyon Retreat RV Park and Campground features large pull-through and back-in sites with extremely clean restrooms and showers. Other options include Cedar Breaks RV Park with its dog park and convenient location for mountain biking, and Red Ledge RV Park which offers free showers and laundry facilities. Most RV parks in the area provide full hookups, level sites, and easy access to Cedar City's attractions.
How far are Cedar City camping areas from popular attractions?
Cedar City's camping areas provide convenient access to numerous attractions. Camp Lutherwood of Utah is ideally positioned about an hour from both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, offering a strategic basecamp for exploring Utah's natural wonders. Temperature differences can be dramatic - while Cedar City might reach 95°F, Navajo Lake Campground at higher elevation might be a comfortable 75°F, with good hiking trails around the lake. The Kanarraville waterfall hike is extremely close to some campgrounds, and Cedar City itself, with all its amenities and cultural attractions like the Shakespeare Festival, is typically within a 15-minute drive from most nearby camping areas.
Keep Exploring
