Cedar City sits at an elevation of 5,800 feet in southwestern Utah, serving as a gateway to both high mountain terrain and desert landscapes. Summer temperatures average 90°F during day but drop to 55°F at night, creating significant temperature fluctuations for campers. Most Cedar City camping and glamping options operate seasonally between mid-May and mid-October with limited winter accommodations available.
What to do
OHV trail exploration: Duck Creek serves as the hub for hundreds of miles of OHV trails through Dixie National Forest. "I love duck creek. Great Camping if you can get away from all the tourist and their off road toys. Lots of trails to ride, if that's your thing," notes one Duck Creek visitor.
Fishing at Panguitch Lake: Located about 30 miles from Cedar City, this high-elevation lake offers excellent trout fishing. According to a camper at Panguitch Lake, "Great trout fishing area and camping ground for RV. Market and restaurant. Cheap prices!"
Temperature escape hiking: Cedar Canyon provides instant relief from summer heat. "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," explains a Cedar Canyon camper. The temperature drops approximately 20 degrees in just 12 miles of elevation gain.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds around Cedar City maintain high standards for bathrooms and amenities. At Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, campers appreciate the upkeep: "The cabin itself was clean and cozy! The facilities are likewise clean and there are tons of activities right on property."
Winter yurt camping options: While most Cedar City camping operations close seasonally, yurt camping remains available year-round at select locations. "We stayed in one of the 'Cowboy Cabins'. The cabin itself was clean and cozy! The facilities are likewise clean and there are tons of activities right on property," reports a winter visitor to Zion Ponderosa.
Family-friendly recreation: Many campgrounds offer dedicated children's activities. At WillowWind RV Park, one camper noted, "They had a really fun cabin with a pool table and games and movies that all the campers were allowed to use."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most camping facilities close during winter months. "Ended up at Duck Creek mid May where nights got down to 25 degrees. Besides getting a little chillier and windier than we anticipated, it was a great campsite!" explains a camper about shoulder season conditions.
Highway noise concerns: Some campgrounds sit close to roadways with traffic noise. At Cedar Canyon, "The road was a bit noisy during commuting hours but absolutely silent by nightfall."
Early arrival recommended: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "We highly advise getting there very early in the AM. We got there around 8:00AM," suggests one Cedar Canyon visitor regarding securing non-reserved spots.
Cold nights year-round: Even summer camping requires warm sleeping gear. A Duck Creek camper warns: "Ended up at Duck Creek mid May where nights got down to 25 degrees. Besides getting a little chillier and windier than we anticipated, it was a great campsite!"
Tips for camping with families
Recreation centers for rainy days: Several Cedar City area campgrounds offer indoor facilities when weather doesn't cooperate. At WillowWind RV Park, "There is a rec center with a pool table. The staff was awesome & very helpful."
Site selection matters: For tent camping families, look specifically for level sites. One Panguitch Lake camper advised: "One of the few drawbacks that I had was our campsite did not have a level section to put a tent. I think if you are reserving a tent spot there should be spot that is level to place your sleeping area."
Kid-friendly yurt camping: Alternative accommodations provide comfort for families new to camping near Cedar City. A visitor to Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort shared: "Lots of fun for kids. Horseback riding, putt putt golf, pad boards, cabins, tents and RV sites."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Most major campgrounds offer complete services for RVs. At Zion Canyon Campground, "We had a full hook up site. I would visit again."
Wi-Fi considerations: Internet connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "My only real complaint is the WiFi. It's an 'Access code' WiFi so it works fine on a device but won't work on a smart TV, Roku, Apple TV, etc because they don't have access to a browser," notes a WillowWind RV camper.
Temperature management: Cedar City's significant elevation changes mean temperature planning is essential. "Despite basically being in a desert, the park had lush grass in every spot and a dense tree cover. It was about 10 degrees cooler in the park because of the shade from the trees," observes a WillowWind visitor about managing desert heat in an RV.
