Duck Creek Village sits at an elevation of 8,500 feet in southern Utah's high country, where the terrain transitions between pine forests and the red rock landscapes of nearby national parks. Established campgrounds in the area operate primarily from May through September due to winter snowfall, with night temperatures dropping significantly even during summer months. Camping sites around Duck Creek Village provide access to fishing spots, OHV trails, and several nearby natural attractions.
What to do
Fishing at Navajo Lake: Located about 15 minutes from Duck Creek Village, this popular fishing spot offers rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout. "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! Bathrooms were cleaned twice a day- cleanest campground bathrooms I've used," notes a camper at Duck Creek Campground.
Explore Cedar Breaks National Monument: Just 20 minutes away, this natural amphitheater showcases colorful rock formations similar to Bryce Canyon. "This campground is Prestine! It's close to Navajo lake - 25m from Cedar Breaks NM-don't skip out! (It's like seeing Bryce but VERY close to the edges! Awesome!)" shares a visitor to Duck Creek.
Day trips to national parks: Camp at Duck Creek Village as a base for exploring both Zion and Bryce Canyon. "We choose duck creek due to the proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon and it was an hour or so from each. This was a nice quite spot," explains a camper from Duck Creek Campground.
What campers like
Cool summer temperatures: The high elevation provides 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," notes a reviewer at Cedar Canyon Campground.
Well-spaced campsites: Many campgrounds offer adequate separation between sites. "Nice campground with decent bathroom facilities. It was only half full when I was there but very quiet and enjoyable," reports a visitor to Duck Creek Village.
Proximity to multiple recreation areas: The central location provides access to several destinations. "We stayed in the tent sites... Located to plenty of outdoor adventures," mentions a camper at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, one of the glamping options near Duck Creek Village.
What you should know
Extreme temperature fluctuations: Prepare for cold nights even in summer. "In the mornings it was around 37 degrees, I had to jump in the truck to warm up! No showers or cell service, the bathrooms had running water and were clean," cautions a camper from Duck Creek.
OHV activity: This area is popular for off-highway vehicles. "If you are looking for a quiet relaxing camping trip, this is not the place to go. If you are looking for 800+ miles of OHV trails, this is the place to go! ATV's, dirt bikes and side by sides galore!" explains a reviewer.
Limited cell service: Connectivity is sparse throughout the region. "No cell reception (which I appreciate, but some might not). It is close to the highway and you hear cars going by all day. However, it quiets down at night," reports a camper at Cedar Canyon.
Tips for camping with families
Camp at higher elevations in summer: The Duck Creek area provides comfortable temperatures when lower elevations are scorching. "Great location with a few different sets of single (8 people max) or double (16 people) sites. The sites are spread out so you're not right up on each other," notes a Cedar Canyon camper.
Look for campgrounds with amenities: Some resorts offer activities beyond standard camping. "Lots of fun for kids. Horseback riding, putt putt golf, pad boards, cabins, tents and RV sites," recommends a visitor to Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, which offers glamping near Duck Creek Village.
Consider glamping for first-timers: For those new to camping, glamping provides comfort with outdoor experience. "We finished out our Spring Break Outdoor recreation trip by glamping in one of the canvas tents at Ponderosa. I'd never been so excited to sleep in a bed. We slept with 5 people in each tent," shares another Zion Ponderosa visitor.
Tips from RVers
Check site leveling before booking: Some campgrounds have uneven sites. "So I really liked the location of this campground. Only an hour or so from either Bryce Canyon or Zion National park... One of the few drawbacks that I had was our campsite did not have a level section to put a tent," notes a reviewer at Panguitch Lake Campground.
Pack for all weather conditions: The mountain elevation means conditions can change rapidly. "Ended up at Duck Creek mid May where nights got down to 25 degrees... Bathrooms were cleaned twice a day- cleanest campground bathrooms I've used. Beautiful views."
Seek sites with concrete pads: Some campgrounds offer better RV parking. "We had a great stay! The campground is well-kept with clean restrooms, and the camp host was super friendly and welcoming. We loved the convenience of having a little town just 5 minutes away for anything we needed."
