Dixie National Forest dispersed camping areas provide pet-friendly accommodations with minimal restrictions. Located at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 feet, the forest creates a high-altitude camping environment with temperature drops of 30°F between day and night. Free campsites typically have primitive fire rings while designated campgrounds offer more structured facilities.
What to do
Hiking with dogs: Most forest trails welcome pets, unlike nearby Bryce Canyon where pets are restricted. A camper at Red Canyon Campground shares, "The hiking paths behind the campground are easy and fun, with spectacular views and NO crowds!"
Mountain biking access: Several forest roads provide connections to established bike routes. At Toms Best Spring Road, a reviewer noted, "Close to Bryce Canyon and easy access to Thunder Mountain trail loop, awesome moderate mt biking trail."
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: Forest roads often lead to open meadows where deer congregate. One camper at FR 090 - dispersed camping observed, "Lots of wildlife walking around our tent area at night. It's very clean with a few fire pits and is a great temperature in early August."
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Most dispersed sites provide quick access to popular destinations while avoiding crowds. A camper at Great Western Trail Dispersed explained, "The distance back to the National Park was about 10-15 minutes from our camp spot, well worth it to stay outside the park and save some money as well as have a nice quiet and private area."
Cell connectivity: Unlike many remote areas, most Dixie Forest campsites maintain decent coverage. At Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed, a camper reported, "I also had full bars with Verizon so that was a plus."
Temperature regulation: The forest's pine coverage helps moderate summer heat. A visitor at Dave's Hollow noted, "Beautiful with woods surrounding our site... It's very clean with a few fire pits and is a great temperature in early August."
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Forest roads can become difficult after rain or snow. A visitor to FR 090 commented, "It's a beautiful area but with the recent weather the road into the camping area was closed. Very wet and slick mud."
Seasonal closures: Many forest roads close from late fall through mid-spring. At North Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park, a winter camper noted, "You have to book through the reservations.gov website which proved to be problematic as they only open up a week or two due to weather changes this time of year."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack any amenities. On the Great Western Trail, a visitor advised, "Due to fire restrictions, you need to drive 1173 or other older interstate dirt roads to find eligible camping areas. We found a great one about 50 yards back from the dirt road."
Tips for camping with families
Best dog-friendly campgrounds in Dixie National Forest: While all forest sites allow pets, established campgrounds offer more structure. One family at Red Canyon Campground shared, "We got the chance to wonder and explore Bryce on foot and with our car. The trip was so amazing we plan on coming back but next trip we will have our bikes!"
Arrive early for weekend camping: Popular forest roads fill quickly on Fridays. A camper at FR 090 advised, "I'd say get here by 4P for a guaranteed spot on the weekend. Beautifully shaded open sites. About 3-5acres/site."
Pack for temperature swings: High elevation causes significant temperature drops at night. A tent camper noted, "We stayed in September and by the middle of the night it was about 20 degrees so bundle up!"
Tips from RVers
Level site availability: Many forest roads have naturally level pullouts. At Hitch-N-Post RV Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "Utilities conveniently located and easy to use. Sites were a bit tight but workable."
Rig size limitations: Not all forest roads accommodate larger vehicles. An RVer at Tom's Best Spring Road reported, "We couldn't go very far down the snow covered road due to only having a two wheel drive but it would be cake for any four wheel drive while there is snow. The road seems easy to navigate for a two wheel drive if there was no snow."
Solar panel considerations: Many sites balance tree cover with solar exposure. A boondocker at FR 090 observed, "Great solar gain for such a nice wooded spot."
