Looking for tent camping near Dixie National Forest? Find the best information on tent camping near Dixie National Forest, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Utah tent camping excursion.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a developed campground. In some popular dispersed camping areas, camping is limited to designated sites only. Dispersed camping is free, therefore no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables and fire pits, are provided.
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you go camping. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Rules for Dispersed Camping Motorized vehicle use for the purpose of dispersed camping is only allowed 150 feet from any designated route to limit resource damage. Use existing campsites. Groups of over 75 people, who wish to use the forest, need to obtain a special use permit. There is no fee and permits can be obtained at the nearest Forest Service Office. You need to be self-contained. No amenities are provided; such as water, restrooms or trash cans. You may camp in a dispersed area for up to 16 days. After 16 days, you must move at least 10 miles for camping in another dispersed area. Please place your campsite at least 200 feet from any stream or other water source. Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. Follow Leave No Trace principals. Contact a local Forest Service office to see if any fire restrictions are in place.
$15 - $40 / night
NESTled in the mountains near Panguitch, Utah, and is a prime location for camping with a great many places to visit nearby. All 2W Drive. Those being Bryce Canyon 23 miles, Zion Canyon 56 miles, Panguitch Lake 18 miles, Kodachrome Basin 32 miles, Petrified Forest 40 miles, Coral Pink Sand Dunes 63 miles, and many more.
$35 / night
This site is on the Riggs Spring Loop 1.6 miles (2.6 km) from Rainbow Point. There is reliable water in the stream below the pumphouse that is just below the campsite. There are Aspens, Ponderosa Pines and Blue Spruce at the site as well as good views of the pink cliffs and out into the Grand Staircase.
*Bear Canister required and storage site for it.
Beautiful campsite on your way to pine lake
$35 / night
Betenson Flat Trailhead. Forest Road 151.
Traveler
Nice KOA with great camp sites. Beautiful panoramic Mountain views. Nice place to bring the family. Campfires highlight the interesting landscape. The sunrise on the mountainside was absolutely beautiful! The colors were amazing! We camped in a tent site, but there are RV and cabin sites available as well. There’s a little convenience store where wood is available. Very clean and lovely place!
Guide
This campround is mostly for RV's but there are 6 tent sites, 3 of which sit close to the main road. The bathrooms have flush toilets, sinks and showers. They are well maintained and very clean. Tent campsites have fire rings.
Traveler
We were tent camping at this campground which is the only reason it will not get 5 stars from us. The campground itself is great, especially the bathrooms are surprisingly amazing. And here comes the but: the tent sites are right on the street without much of a barrier (a small wooden fence on one site, but nothing else). Everybody can just walk on the site. The noise is also awful if you're staying there during the main season. If you're staying with a camper you're probably ok.
Guide
What a great little campground! We tent camped here after arriving in Escalante late one evening. The staff was very accommodating and helpful. Our site was roomy and flat: everything you want a tent site to be. The bathrooms were very clean and the showers were amazing! We didn’t use the laundry facilities but they are available. We were able to park our VW Beetle right next to our tent pad. We were in the site farthest away from the bathroom/shower but only had about a 30 yard walk to get to them. The showers were so great, we returned to the campground a day after we left the area and paid a small fee to use them again after a night of backpack camping. The multi-agency Grand Staircase Escalante visitors center was next door on on side and a CV store and restaurant was on the other. The Harris Wash/Zebra Slot Canyon trailhead was about 8 miles east and made for a very enjoyable half day hike. Everything was very clean and well kept. Very pleasurable stay and will definitely stay there again when we return to the area!
Scout
We stayed here for about 68$ for two nights, if I remember correctly. For that price, can’t complain about much. There are showers, although they are far away from the tent sites. The tent site bathrooms are porta Jon’s, with no hand sanitizer. And the tent sites are not easily maneuvered, it’s kinda hard to tell where each site ends. But hey, there are showers. Another con is the highway noise is very loud.
GuideI spent a night at a tent site here. There were all 5 Sites available. Toilets and showers are just next to the tent sites.
I arrived without reservation and ten minutes before office closing time, still was made feeling welcome.
Guide
Tent site are not marked. The map is incorrect that is given to you. Clean bathrooms and showers. Walking distance to general store and gift shop. The two things keeping it from 5 stars is the unmarked tent sites and (in my opinion) the people are weird in the area
TravelerTent camping is first come first serve, we arrived about 5:30 and was able to get a spot pretty easily however as we watch people arrive later there were less spots with fire pits and picknic tables. If you will be arriving late this may not be the spot for you. However the site did have showers and a cool conievence store. Overall a nice site just have to get there earlier if you are tent camping
TravelerGot a tent site at Ruby’s for a night. It’s all that you’d expect from an RV Park; toilets, showers, laundromat, pool, etc. The tent sites are condensed to two open areas where all tent campers must squeeze into. You’re not guaranteed a fire pit or picnic table, so there’s that. It is located right outside Bryce Canyon NP entrance, making it very convenient to come and go. Overall a good experience.
Legend
Particularly challenging for those who camp in tents due to the uneven grading and poor site maintenance. Loops C & D are for tents except in the off season where allRV's and tents are lumped together in Loop A--- or A & B --- which is a loop best suited to RV's. Many tent sites are very small.
Flush toilets are good in this campground.
If you are in a tent, problems abound in this campground. Decent tent sites in Loop D are 93, 95, 97,98,99, 101. D is better than Loop C.
Guide
Such a beautiful spot. Right next to Mammoth Creek surrounded by Dixie National Forest. Lots of sites and pull offs. No hookups or water but there are pit toilets. New favorite campsite!!
Guide
I stayed in a tent site. Can hike right from campground.
Scout
I tented here so can’t speak for RVs. Nice tent sites, trees around. Bathroom and shower is clean.
Guide
Tent camped with an amazing meadow view. Trails from camp to the visitor center and trail heads. Shower and restroom facilities available. Definitely recommend!
Scout
Spacious spots with trees all around. We tent camped. All spots pretty flat. Tables and fire rings at each site. Very short drive to the lake.
Ranger
I drove through just to check out the tent camping. They really pack them in there. I would not enjoy being so close to other campers. Feels unnatural.
ScoutFeet from an extremely busy and noisy intersection under a street light. Only consider this campground for tent camping if absolutely desperate. And, in that case, consider a hotel.
LegendPoor grading for tent sites. Tent sites are in Loop B and Loop C.
Many sites have no privacy. Many sites are poorly graded and badly sloped which is not critical for RV's but is a problem for tents. Loop C is slightly more desirable than Loop B.
B 269 & 268 seem fairly level, but across the road sites 270, 267, 266, 264 are very sloped.
Loops B & C have very small parking pads...bring your VW to park in Loops B & C
In Loop A many sites get wet in bad weather but for RV's that may not matter.
toilet facilities are decent.
Traveler
We stayed in the tent sites, some of the sites were small. But we had a ton of room
ScoutGreat facility with plenty of amenities. Everything from tent camping all the way to cabins. we go back every year if not twice a year. Located to plenty of outdoor adventures
ScoutEasy in and out basic campground. Check in at the Chevron station General store where you can buy wood take showers use flush toilet. Tent camping area is fairly open and there is some highway noise.
ScoutHeavily treed to give a sense of privacy. Tent sites are well thought out. Convenient to the Rim Trail, which gives access to many others.
Guide
Went early November and the weather was a little cold. This campground is smaller which I prefer and quiet. Very dark at night time. Good camp site for tent camping. Gravel road to get to the site.
Ranger
I tent camped at Duck Creek in Aug. 2020. It was cool and fresh. I could’ve camped around Kanab but an elk bowhunter in a bar in Alpine AZ recommend Duck Creek instead because Kanab would be hot.
Scout
This campsite was really nice! They have a gas station by the lodge, and it was perfect for a last minute campsite. We had a gorgeous view of the stars and a site to pitch our tent away from other guests. The lodge employees were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the park. The only downside was that the tent sites are right along SR-9 so you hear all of the traffic and see the lights of passing cars. We paid $34 per night for a tent site, and it was much cheaper and quieter than staying in Springdale by Zion’s main entrance. The drive down through the park to Springdale was breathtaking!
GuideLocated on the East end of Zion National Park. You'll find less traffic and quieter area opposed to the campgrounds located near Springdale, Utah on the south end of the park. Full RV hook-ups, tent sites available as well. Laundry facility to refresh you sweaty & dusty gear. Showers to enjoy after a day of hiking and sight seeing. Short drive to Bryce Canyon National Park.
GuideStayed here one night in our camper van. Not a lot of rv spaces (completely full when we showed up late on a Saturday night) so we opted for a tent site which was cheaper anyways and they had plenty of open slots for a Saturday. It probably helped that it was rainy for the tent sites.
Good location, about 5 minutes down the road from Zion's east entrance. And zion is just amazing! Highly recommend taking a few days here!
The grounds have nice showers and restrooms along with coin-op laundry and foosball tables. Decent wifi (writing this review here) and nice couches in lounge area.
And the view is amazing to wake up too here! See photos.
Dixie National Forest in Utah offers a fantastic backdrop for tent camping, with a variety of options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dixie National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dixie National Forest is Great Western Trail Dispersed with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Dixie National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 33 tent camping locations near Dixie National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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