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Best Tent Camping near Cedar City, UT

2,072 Reviews

Primitive tent camping is abundant near Cedar City, Utah, with options ranging from remote dispersed sites on BLM land to established walk-in tent campgrounds. Kolob Road BLM Dispersed camping offers creek-side tent sites with established fire rings and decent site separation, while Lambs Knoll Climbing Site provides 8 designated walk-in tent sites with access to a vault toilet. Additional options include Candy Loop Camp and Leeds Canyon for those seeking more secluded backcountry tent camping experiences.

Most tent sites near Cedar City feature dirt or gravel surfaces with minimal site development. The primitive areas typically lack amenities, with Lambs Knoll being one of the few tent camping areas providing vault toilets and trash service. Campers should pack in all water, as most locations have no drinking water available. While fires are permitted at many dispersed camping locations, seasonal fire restrictions frequently apply during summer months. At established walk-in tent sites, space is often limited, with one camper noting that Lambs Knoll "has about 8 very small walk-in tent designated sites for free camping." Roads to primitive camping areas often require high clearance vehicles, and some locations have steep access roads not suitable for larger vehicles.

Areas farther from town offer deeper seclusion and less noise pollution. The BLM sites along Kolob Road provide access to creek-side camping with natural sound barriers. "Surrounded by the beginning mountains of Zion, I had the campground to myself with multiple sites next to the creek," one visitor shared about Kolob Road BLM Dispersed. Temperature variations can be extreme, with reports of overnight temperatures dropping into the 30s even during June at higher elevations. Many tent camping areas serve as convenient basecamps for nearby hiking trails, including those leading into Zion National Park. Tree coverage varies significantly between sites, with pine forests providing natural shade and privacy at locations like Uinta Flat Dispersed Camp, while other areas offer more exposed settings with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

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Best Tent Sites Near Cedar City, Utah (40)

    1. Candy Loop Camp

    2 Reviews
    Brian Head, UT
    14 miles

    "Standard dispersed camping, non designated camping. Level spots and good tree coverage. Minimal road noise and 5G service on T-Mobile"

    "I saw a few spots at the marker but in driving further to find a turnaround spot for my long van I found a few other spots. Found an open space with rock fire spots and was great."

    2. La Verkin Creek Trail Campsites — Zion National Park

    4 Reviews
    Kanarraville, UT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 772-3256

    "Also make sure you carry your permit with you, we were stopped by park rangers along the trail."

    "Hiked in via Hop Valley, easy in, tough out. But the Campsite is nestled in some ponderosas up off the bank of the stream, which you have to cross from the trail."

    3. Kolob Road BLM Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    30 miles

    "It was just off the road, but not too much traffic noise. The little river by the site is very pretty. We only had 2 neighbors, but the spots are decently spaced apart so nobody was too close"

    "Road was easy to pull down and turn around in my Ford Transit. Nice views and access to creek. Quiet except a bit of road noise."

    4. Lambs Knoll Climbing Site Camping

    4 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    25 miles

    "This is a new very nice parking area with a vault toilet that has been developed by the BLM for folks climbing the nearby rock features."

    "This campsite was very quiet except on nights when a stargazing guide group came to meet up there around 9/9:30 PM. They weren’t super loud and only met there and then left shortly after."

    5. Kolob Terrace Road

    11 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    33 miles

    "A large space, others joined us as the night went on and we weren’t bothered by noise and were close to the stream."

    "There were a couple of other vans there but the trees and campgrounds offered a fair bit of privacy. Close to the road without having to hear all the freeway traffic."

    6. Uinta Flat Dispersed Camp

    2 Reviews
    Duck Creek Village, UT
    27 miles

    7. Leeds Canyon Dispersed #1

    9 Reviews
    Leeds, UT
    33 miles

    "It was only a 1-2 block walk to Leeds Creek to sit on a rock and soak feet in creek. “Children’s Forest at the Kiln” maybe 1/4 mile down from site. A sweet little trail leading to a historical kiln."

    "Camp in designated spots, camping free for 16 days. No water, no trash, no toilets. Sites are along a well maintained FS gravel road so dust may be a concern."

    8. Great Western Trail Dispersed

    28 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, OR
    47 miles

    "We decided to ask a park ranger where else we could camp, he handed us a map (in the pictures) and sent us on our way."

    "You do have to drive back a little ways (see map) but quite a few spots of varying sizes, pretty spread apart. There were a handful of other people there."

    9. Vermillion Castle Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Parowan, UT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 865-3200

    10. Mitt Moody Campground

    3 Reviews
    Pine Valley, UT
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 652-3100

    $19 - $38 / night

    "Secluded tent only campground. Camp host Sherie-lee was great, very friendly and informative. Camped at site #5 ($19 per night) that was at the top of the hill."

    "It was a huge site with some shade.  Campground is part of the Pine Valley recreation area.  "

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cedar City, UT

33 Photos of 40 Cedar City Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Cedar City, UT

2072 Reviews of 40 Cedar City Campgrounds

  • Rose B.
    Aug. 9, 2018

    Cedar Canyon

    Huge Group Site!

    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. 1 other table near campfire. 1 campfire. I wish the site had its own water spigot. Near highway and near cute little creek. Zero cell service but no one seemed to notice. 15 minutes from Cedar City. 20 minutes from the lake for fishing and boating. No showers. Great time was had by all! Will definitely go back!

  • Jeff K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2020

    Coal Creek Dispersed - Cedar City

    Great for Dirtbagging!!!

    Quiet tent/truck camping. 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. Large dirt parking area. Dispersed tent sites or truck bed/van life in the dirt lot. Go slow going in, pot holes and rocks. Two entrances both from highway. 4-star only because local kids use this as their bonfire/drinking spot and as such tend to make late night noise.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Tom's Best Spring Road Dixie National Forest

    Lots of spots off this road!

    Plenty of spots (though we were here on a weekday) and SO CLOSE to Bryce NP! The stars were beautiful at night - even got some photos with my phone. There were some cows but they mostly stayed clear of the road. Road was pretty level and easy for cars to get back (and there were spots right off the road). I already want to come back!

    There was a fire ban in July so bring your camp stove and leave no trace!

  • B
    Jun. 21, 2023

    Watchman Campground — Zion National Park

    The best campground in Zion

    As an avid nature enthusiast, I recently had the pleasure of visiting Watchman Campground in Zion National Park, and I must say it was an unforgettable experience. Nestled amidst the breathtaking red rock landscapes and verdant canyons, this campground offers a peaceful retreat for outdoor lovers seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty of Zion.

    Location: Situated in the heart of Zion National Park, Watchman Campground boasts a prime location that provides easy access to the park's renowned hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and natural wonders. Its proximity to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, just a short walk away, is incredibly convenient for obtaining information, permits, and maps.

    Campsites: The campground features a variety of campsites, including tent sites, RV sites, and electric hookup sites. The sites are well-maintained, spacious, and thoughtfully arranged to provide a semblance of privacy and tranquility. The campsites are equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and ample space for parking. Although the sites do not have hookups for water or sewer, the centrally located restrooms with running water and flushing toilets are clean and easily accessible.

    Scenic Beauty: The awe-inspiring beauty surrounding Watchman Campground is nothing short of mesmerizing. Towering sandstone cliffs, vibrant foliage, and the tranquil Virgin River create a picturesque backdrop that embodies the essence of Zion National Park. The campground itself is enveloped by lush vegetation, providing a serene atmosphere and enhancing the feeling of immersion in nature.

    Amenities and Facilities: Watchman Campground offers a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for campers. The Visitor Center nearby offers a well-stocked store where you can find camping supplies, snacks, and souvenirs. Additionally, the campground provides drinking water stations and a dump station for RVs. The presence of a shuttle stop within the campground allows for convenient transportation to explore various trails and viewpoints throughout the park.

    Accessibility: Watchman Campground strives to accommodate campers of all abilities. Several campsites are designed specifically to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, featuring accessible picnic tables, fire rings, and restroom facilities. This commitment to inclusivity is commendable and enhances the overall camping experience for everyone.

    Reservation System and Availability: To secure a spot at Watchman Campground, it is strongly recommended to make a reservation well in advance. The campground is in high demand, especially during peak seasons, and availability can be limited. The reservation system is user-friendly, ensuring a seamless booking process.

    Visitor Experience: The staff at Watchman Campground is knowledgeable, friendly, and always willing to provide guidance and assistance. Whether you're seeking recommendations for hiking trails or seeking general information about the park, they are there to make your stay enjoyable. Additionally, the campground observes quiet hours, creating a peaceful ambiance that allows visitors to truly connect with nature and relish the serenity of the surroundings.

    In conclusion, Watchman Campground is a hidden gem within Zion National Park. Its idyllic setting, well-maintained facilities, and convenient location make it an ideal base for exploring the park's wonders. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a nature photographer, or simply seeking solace in the embrace of Mother Nature, this campground is a must-visit destination that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

    Note: As with any outdoor adventure, it is essential to adhere to park regulations, practice Leave No Trace principles, and respect the fragile ecosystem to ensure the preservation of this remarkable natural treasure.

  • Stephanie L.
    Sep. 2, 2018

    South Campground — Zion National Park

    Rough camping

    To enter the South-Zion National Park camp grounds you have to go through the park entrance and the camp grounds are just behind the parks entrance. There is drinking water, flush-able toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, flat places for a tent, dump stations. There is not however, showers, shade which can get hot on 100 degree days, there is no power, the ground is too hard to stake down tents, no trees for hammocks, the bathroom have huge spiders and filthy, there are plenty of rocks to sleep on!

    This is not the best camp site on the planet it is ok. It currently costs $35 to get into the Zion National Park and then it costs to camp at this site. With the amount of traffic this area gets and the amount of money flowing in they could put in a decent bathroom, one without bugs.

    I have good news there are lots of trails for backpacking and biking. If you'd like to go for a stroll to shower there are showers a little less than a mile away that cost $15 for 12 minutes. They aren't wonderful but they get the job done. They are however also filthy! Thank goodness I had my Oofos Oolala flip flops on hand to save my feet from whatever nasty germs were living in the shower floor that was covered in hair. There are some great places to eat close by to this camp grounds and great coffee! If you need any souvenirs there are plenty of places to shop!

    The South-Zion National Park campgrounds have a shuttle close by that drives guests to the trail for the well known, "Narrows". The shuttle comes with your park pass and is a hop on hop off transit. It is the easiest way to see some of Zions most precious wonders!

    Pros:

    Close to popular trails

    River runs next to camp

    Close shopping and food

    Potable water

    Places to throw away trash

    Cons:

    Bad bathrooms (rather go outside) + small stalls

    No showers

    Rough grounds

  • Stephanie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2024

    Lava Flats Dispersed Camping

    Nice location in the trees

    This location has a handful of spots on both side of the main road. We saw some larger RV/motorhomes as well as basic tent camping. Fire rings are already set up for you and there is a dumpster for trash down the road next to the horse trail ride company going back towards duck creek village. Close enough to the village for buying basics, grabbing food or renting an atv. Drive to Navajo lake to swim or boat, 35 min to Cedar breaks, 35 min to red canyon, 45 min to Brian head, less than an hour to Bryce Canyon and 1.5 hrs to Zion. Only bad was the atv noise that starts super early. VERIZON COVERAGE!!! we were able to make calls, access the internet and watch steamed videos.

  • Jennifer T.
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Cedar Canyon Retreat RV Park and Campground

    Loved Cedar Canyon Retreat

    We stayed five nights at this campground.  It is a smaller, family ran campground.  There are large pull thru's and back-in sites.  They even have a few tent sites.  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.  Each time we would use one, the toilet would be spotless.  They do offer WIFI however the connection is hit and miss.  This was a nice place to stay that was in between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.  It's about 1.5 hours to Bryce and about 1 hour to Zion with only being a few minutes from Cedar City.  We enjoyed the more campground feel vs a large gravel lot that most RV Parks offer.  We would definitely stay here again.

  • Armaan M.
    Jan. 3, 2020

    Sheep Bridge BLM Area (Hurricane Cliffs Trail System) - Utah

    Remote but accessible primitive camping

    Tldr: A 4wd dirt road out to the canyon with primitive (open dirt) campsites and a few fire rings.

    The sheeps bridge road that gets out through the campsites has camping options from right off the highways to deep into the fields by the virgin river canyon. All are primitive, and many have fire rings. I did see some RVs near the highway, but no hookups or dump sites. A number of hiking and off roading shortcuts can get you in and around the area. While there are no large rocks to worry about, after the first couple miles its best to have a four wheel drive high clearance vehicle, as the roads get rutted and in rain very muddy. I made it around easily in a Mitsubishi outlander sport with 4wd. Many campsites are clearly visible by the signage as well as visible fire rings. The fire rings have spikes and mounts for convenience. Due to the elevation and canyon, this area is slightly warmer in the winter, and was not snowed over when the rest of zion was, so it made for good camping (the ground was still frozen). My friend and I had no trouble staking down, and the local gas stations (less than 30 min drive in any direction) all had firewood in the winter. We drove and hiked into the canyon easily from the campsite. Overall a fantastic primitive campsite for good canyon access, nearby hikes, and a few non sandstone climbs/boulders during rainy seasons.

  • India S.
    Jul. 13, 2017

    Watchman Campground — Zion National Park

    Conveniently Located, Buggy and Open

    I was very excited to secure a campsite at Watchman on a crowded holiday weekend in July (yes, that one). You just can't beat a central location where you can park your car and not have to use it at all for a few days.

    Location: The campground is very conveniently located in walking distance to the shuttles and the town (and market most importantly for late night ice cream cravings). You do have to walk across an unsightly (and hot) parking lot to reach the shuttles, but after seeing the holiday crowds at Zion ANYTHING is better than having to drive/find a parking space.

    Exposure: The campground also has nice tree cover so you're not constantly exposed to the harsh summer sun. However the foliage is not dense enough to give campsites privacy from their neighbors. The sites are located close together and everyone can see/hear/smell everything happening next to them. Not the best site for privacy.

    Comfort: One of the more uncomfortable campsites I've ever stayed at. The ground is hard and gravelly, sleeping pad STRONGLY encouraged. The site was also INFESTED (EMPHASIZE INFESTED) with ants; not the kind that bite but it was a nag to try and do things around camp and constantly feel ants crawling up your legs...or to try and enter your tent to discover it's covered in ants. Bees were also very curious, but otherwise no other insect issues.

    The site stayed hot well into the night for those who have issues sleeping in the heat. It started to cool down around midnight when the strong winds arrived. Tent placement can probably alleviate the winds, but they were VERY strong and VERY noisy. The cool temperatures lasted until around 9 AM.

    Amenities: The site included a grill and picnic table, which was great! Didn't get to use the grill however due to fire restrictions.

    Bathrooms: The bathrooms are kept very clean! I was impressed. The water pressure was great. There are no showers or trash cans (save sanitary disposal trash cans) but there's a fantastic river running through Zion to make up for the lack of showers. The bathrooms were small for the amount of people they were meant to service; there were times I had to wait to use the sinks. And rarely was I ever alone in the bathroom.

    Views: Obviously fantastic! Great views of the peaks right out your "front door"

    Overall: It's okay for a place to sleep at night if you're desperate and won't be spending a lot of time in the campsite. The ants were a huge issue for me personally and really dampened my enjoyment of time at the campground. But really I spent most of my time in the park so it wasn't a huge deal. The price is good, the location was convenient and I had a place to put my head down every night even if it wasn't comfortable.

Guide to Cedar City

Cedar City, Utah, offers a fantastic array of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. With stunning landscapes and well-maintained sites, campers can enjoy a memorable experience.

Tips for tent camping near Cedar City

  • For a serene experience, consider staying at La Verkin Creek Trail Campsites, where you can enjoy the tranquility of ponderosa pines and a nearby stream.
  • Make sure to secure a permit in advance if you plan to camp at Trout Fishing In Dixie, as spots can fill up quickly during peak seasons.
  • Pack a water filter or treatment system, as many sites, like Mitt Moody Campground, provide access to natural water sources.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Some prices for tent camping range from $19 to $38

  • At Mitt Moody Campground, you can enjoy spacious sites for $19 per night, perfect for families or groups.
  • The Effie Beckstrom Group Campground offers a great option for larger gatherings, with rates starting at $38 for double sites.
  • For a unique experience, Zion Under Canvas provides glamping-style accommodations, allowing you to enjoy nature without sacrificing comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cedar City, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cedar City, UT is Candy Loop Camp with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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TheDyrt.com has all 40 tent camping locations near Cedar City, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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