Best Campgrounds near Cleveland, UT

The San Rafael Swell region surrounding Cleveland, Utah provides several dispersed and established camping options across diverse terrain. Wedge Overlook offers free dispersed camping along the edge of a scenic canyon with vault toilets, while Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping provides primitive sites with picnic tables and toilets approximately 15 miles southwest of Cleveland. Both areas support tent camping and small RVs. Established options include Huntington State Park Campground with electric hookups and water access, and nearby private facilities like Buckhorn RV Park and Resort, which offers cabins, tent sites, and RV spaces with full hookups.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites requiring travel on unpaved roads. Wedge Overlook is accessed via graded gravel road suitable for most vehicles, though larger RVs may find maneuvering difficult. Elevation changes affect temperatures significantly, with high-elevation areas experiencing cooler nights even in summer. The region has limited cell coverage, particularly in canyon areas and dispersed sites. Facilities range from primitive (no water) to full-service campgrounds with showers. A review noted, "Access is via graded gravel road. We haven't seen any larger RVs but there may be a few places they could fit."

Most campers highlight the dramatic canyon views and geological features as primary attractions. The Little Grand Canyon area consistently receives high ratings for its scenic value, with one visitor describing it as "a mind blowing view" with "gorgeous colors of the clay and white snow" in winter. Several visitors mentioned the solitude available at dispersed sites as a key benefit, particularly during weekdays and shoulder seasons. The region offers excellent stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Facilities at established campgrounds vary widely, with Huntington State Park receiving mixed reviews for maintenance and noise levels. Many campers use the area as a base for exploring nearby off-road vehicle trails, fishing spots, and hiking opportunities throughout the San Rafael Swell.

Best Camping Sites Near Cleveland, Utah (162)

    1. Wedge Overlook

    22 Reviews
    Castle Dale, UT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 636-3600

    "This is a free campground on public lands (BLM) in Utah’s San Rafael Swell. There is one vault toilet and a few campsites along the edge of a beautiful canyon carved by the San Rafael River."

    "This gem, not far out of Castledale Utah is a real treat. It's perfect for a quick weekend or day trip, and has enough to do to support a longer stay."

    2. Castle Gate RV Park

    21 Reviews
    Kenilworth, UT
    21 miles
    Website

    $25 - $150 / night

    "Plus this campground is WALKING distance from the adorable town of Helper, UT. Museums, restaurants, shops, art galleries! There are hiking trails galore near by, and OHV trails too!"

    "Highly recommend this as a small town park - walking distance to a cute downtown - and day driving distance from San Rafael Swell and SLC!"

    3. Huntington State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Huntington, UT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 687-2491

    $30 - $33 / night

    "This is away from the noise of I-70; however, a train runs quite close to the campground, thus the 4 star review instead of 5.  It doesn't come by that often. "

    "Beautiful location, great facilities, superior maintenance. Ranger was friendly and efficient. Spacious campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and trees."

    4. Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Castle Dale, UT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 636-3600

    "This was my favorite camp site of this Utah trip."

    "I camped here for a couple nights around mid March. The weather worked out perfectly. I loved the site I found. I could walk about 30 seconds away the the rim of the canyon."

    5. Buckhorn RV Park and Resort

    1 Review
    Huntington, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 557-0527

    $24 - $148 / night

    6. Swell Retreat

    2 Reviews
    Castle Dale, UT
    12 miles

    $25 - $1000 / night

    "It was so nice to have access to paddle boards, kayaks, and a peddle boat. We loved evening walks to see the horses."

    7. LZJ Ranch's Hiawatha Hideout!

    2 Reviews
    Huntington, UT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 522-8824

    $5 - $7 / night

    "Sleep beneath millions of stars and then go for a walk."

    8. Horse Canyon Road - Dispersed Open Area

    17 Reviews
    Sunnyside, UT
    24 miles
    Website

    "To get to this BLM dispersed camping area you just take the "Rest Area" exit from Highway 6 onto Horse Canyon Road. The area we found to camp was about a mile or so down the road on the right side."

    "I stopped in here late one night while traveling, and the location is quiet, not hard to find, and has ample area to be away from anyone else."

    9. Nine Mile RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Wellington, UT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (385) 567-6583

    $44 - $79 / night

    "Still under construction, but when finished it will be a very nice and convenient park between Salt Lake to Moab. They only have two rows open at this time but offered a discount to our stay."

    10. Esquire Estates Mobile Home and RV Park

    1 Review
    Castle Dale, UT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 749-4920

    "Our kids are 9, 7 and 3 1/2 so it makes things very convenient and easy for us to go there and we can rent ATV's locally as well and there is a lot of close by site seeing.  "

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Recent Reviews near Cleveland, UT

441 Reviews of 162 Cleveland Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Green River State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground

    We have been to a lot of campgrounds in the past 30 years if camping and this campground is amazing. It's absolutely beautiful. One of my favorite so far.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Athena Slabs at Green River

    Easy access with nice views

    Easy access to and from the highway. Distant Cliffs provide a nice view. High enough from the road that you don't really hear it. Use caution as there is rebar sticking up from the ground here and there, and there was a sharp steel plate near where we parked.

  • Julie K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Rochester Rock Camping

    Great Spot with Big Views

    A handful of spots, some with fire rings. Easy in/out. Camping is only 5 mins down the dirt road that is very good for 2WD. So the hike to the petroglyphs, it’s 1 mile RT.

  • Patrick M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Goblin Valley Rd BLM

    Simple dispersed camping site

    Got it at 9PM night, pitch black outside but we were able to quickly get a place to camp. Setup was super quick, almost completely level.

  • Cindy M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Rock Reservoir

    Okay for night stay

    Found level spot just off the road. Not gorgeous, but nice distant views. Perfect for overnight.

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Manti - La Sal KOA

    Perfect Location to jump on the Arapeen trail

    This KOA is daily straight forward. Has everything you will need. Laundry only had on machine working but I was able to get all mine done while we were here. Has a game room with a family room area and a large TV. We were able to ride our side by side from this location right onto the Arapeen trail. The main office will give you a simple map on how to get there and they also sell the trail maps for $10.50. Wanted to use the pool but it was closed for the season.

  • Julie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Canyon Rd Dispersed

    Great location for an overnight or a day or two

    It was great for a quick stop close to two Maverick truck stops. Restaurants and tourist attractions. Industrial trucks up and down the main road but not very bothers. Able to let the dogs from free.

  • Nikki Y.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Athena Slabs at Green River

    Wide Open Spaces & Solitude

    Stayed here for a week and enjoyed the solitude of this wide open space. The Sunsets and moonrise's are spectactular. Worked on my art while out here. Met Mr. Steve and that was a fun evening. My flying hound-dog loved the freedom. The site is not far from the highway but cannot really hear it up here. Green River is just a short ways away. I recommend it for peace, quiet, amazing sky views and bring a Razor. :-)  Nomad Nikki Mobile Art Studio@NomadNikkiMobileArtStudio on YouTube.  https://www.facebook.com/NikkiYeomansAbstractArt/


Guide to Cleveland

The San Rafael Swell area surrounding Cleveland, Utah ranges from 5,000 to 7,000 feet in elevation, creating significant temperature variations between day and night. During summer months, daytime temperatures typically reach 85-95°F while dropping to 50-60°F at night. Most camping areas require at least 20-30 minutes of travel on graded dirt roads, with limited cell service outside town centers.

What to do

Horseback riding trails: Several campgrounds near Cleveland offer access to equestrian-friendly terrain. At Swell Retreat, campers report "evening walks to see the horses" as a highlight of their stay.

Water recreation: Cool off during hot summer days at established campgrounds with water features. "The pond was a great way to cool off and have fun, our family loved the zip line into the water and the giant floating water park! It was so nice to have access to paddle boards, kayaks, and a peddle boat," notes a Swell Retreat visitor.

Mountain biking: The region offers excellent trails for cyclists of various skill levels. A visitor to Castle Gate RV Park mentioned, "Stayed here a weekend to get in some mountain biking in nearby Price. Downtown Helper is just a short walk away. Cute little area that looks like there is quite a bit of restoration/renovation underway."

What campers like

Seasonal weather patterns: Winter camping offers unique experiences in the San Rafael Swell. At Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping, one visitor noted, "Mid-January was perfect for me as I like the colder weather and the gorgeous colors of the clay and white snow."

Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. "You will never see a more beautiful night sky," reports a camper at Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping who visited in May.

Access to multiple scenic areas: The region serves as a convenient base for exploring several attractions. "After two days of camping and biking here we took Buckhorn Draw Road down to I-70 and then Temple Mountain to Goblin Valley. Very scenic drive. National Park quality stuff," notes a camper from Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping.

What you should know

Seasonal weather considerations: Temperature fluctuations can be significant. A Castle Gate RV Park visitor observed, "In April, still a bit chilling in the evening/morning. Warmed up nicely in the afternoon."

Road conditions: Access to many campsites requires appropriate vehicles. At Horse Canyon Road - Dispersed Open Area, a camper advised, "Sedans use caution, as the dirt trails to the camp sites are not the greatest."

Wind patterns: Evening winds can affect camping setups, particularly in exposed areas. A visitor to Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping reported, "Around dusk the wind picked up and almost destroyed our camp and sent it into the canyon. Tie everything down or be in camp for the show! The ground is hard for tent stakes."

Limited services: Prepare for minimal facilities at dispersed sites. "This area is really just designated dispersed camping. No developed fee CG, NO WATER, no dumpsters. Vault toilets at wedge rim," noted a camper at Wedge Overlook.

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly dispersed sites: Many areas provide accessible dispersed camping experiences. "Very easy to get to, with some rocky roads getting to campsites. Get there early (Friday or first thing AM) to get a prime spot with a view," reports a visitor to Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping.

Swimming options for children: Water features provide relief from summer heat. A Buckhorn RV Park and Resort visitor mentioned they offer "spacious pull-through RV spots, luxury cabins and Tipis(Teepees), as well as tent sites and a group area for rent."

Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer well-spaced sites for families. A Swell Retreat camper noted, "Plenty of room between sites to give a sense of privacy. Ben was very helpful and great to work with."

Food storage planning: Consider local shopping options to minimize cooler space. "Tip for next time: shopping is close, and the townspeople were great. We will buy food in town vs. trying to keep it cold. Camping with a large group made cold food a bit of a challenge."

Tips from RVers

Hookup quality varies: Water pressure can differ significantly between campgrounds. At Nine Mile RV Resort, a visitor reported, "The sites are very level with full hook ups and great wifi. We will definitely come back on our way to Moab for another night stay."

Site layout considerations: Some campgrounds have unusual utility arrangements. "The sewer hookup is located at the back of the site which is a little different but works fine!" noted a Castle Gate RV Park visitor.

Highway noise levels: Proximity to transportation corridors affects some sites. "While we can't see the highway we can hear it," mentioned a camper at Horse Canyon Road dispersed area, while another noted, "There is a train track nearby so that may matter if you're a light sleeper."

Riverside spots: Some RV parks offer premium waterfront locations. "Site was super level for us. Great space between neighbors on our side of the park. We took our chairs down to the river bank each evening. So tranquil and relaxing!" shared a Castle Gate RV Park visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cleveland, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cleveland, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 162 campgrounds and RV parks near Cleveland, UT and 52 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Cleveland, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cleveland, UT is Wedge Overlook with a 4.5-star rating from 22 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cleveland, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 52 free dispersed camping spots near Cleveland, UT.