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Escalante sits in Garfield County about 45 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park and about 26 miles from Boulder, making it a practical base for a significant stretch of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Escalante Petrified Forest State Park has flush toilets and hot showers, a rarity in this part of Utah. Most other sites within striking distance are BLM dispersed camping with no water, no restrooms, and no trash service.
The Hole-in-the-Rock Road south of town has dispersed sites accessible by standard vehicle on its first 15 miles or so. Further south requires high clearance and becomes impassable for most vehicles after rain. Summer temperatures at lower elevations stay hot through August, and spring and fall bring more manageable conditions. Reservations at the state park go through the Utah State Parks system and are worth making a month or more out for peak season weekends.
Escalante-area dispersed sites cover the full range of no-reservation options spread out from town. Boulder is about 26 miles away along Highway 12 with similar BLM access and a slightly different approach to the monument's northern sections. Boulder's dispersed camping is worth pairing with Escalante when planning a longer route through this corridor. Check road conditions before heading down any unpaved monument road since rain turns the clay surface quickly.
"We stayed here for one night on our way from Escalante through BCNP and back to SLC. We had a spot next to the water. It was calm and quiet."
"A beautiful, small Utah State Park located next to Wide Hollow Reservoir lake in Escalante Utah. Close to Bryce NP without the crowds. Excellent hiking trails. "
from $30 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Located next door to a recommended restaurant and within a half mile of Escalante Outfitters - Espresso, Pizza, Salads and books and gear for your Utah Canyons adventures."
from $37 - $90 / night
Check Availability"*the app says it’s closed for the season but I have just stayed there - it was full, new people arriving and the host on duty… * Anyway … the campground is tucked away at the bottom of the canyon which"
"Lower Calf Creek hike is located in Grand Staircase Escalante, 5 hours away from Las Vegas, Nevada. The hike itself is 6 miles round trip with beautiful scenery and a beautiful waterfall at the end."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Some sites close to others, some distant. Very large area - about 1/2 mile long. Could be windy, no shade. Good cell service."
"However, it was a good distance from everything. The town of Escalante was only a 12 minute drive. 10 minute down the dirt road is the Devil’s Garden. Kids had a great time here."
"Lots of level, open spaces short distance from entrance. Great basic dispersed camping in a 34 ft Class A motorhome with towed vehicle. Had decent cell service with AT&T."
"Awesome dispersed camping with stellar cell service, close enough to Escalante that you can drive in quickly for groceries or water. Just mind the cows!"
"Amazing place to stay in Escalante! The owners and managers are so nice and everything was comfy and perfect! They had kettle corn outside at night and karaoke!"
"The little town of Escalante has several restaurants, a brew pub, a natural market and a general store."
from $55 - $75 / night
Check Availability"We chose one on the cliff edge, and had no one else in site. A short walk away and a slight climb onto a small hill was the perfect spot to see a stunning sunset."
"Very nice dispersed campsites with lovely views on this geologically interesting area in Utah! (Driving a subaru hatchback with 5.1 inches ground clearance.)"
"This spot is now owned by Yonder Escalante. They are opening this fall, 2020. We were able to check out the grounds as we drove through Scenic Byway 12."
"The CG has made more changes since our last visit 2 years ago, including new deluxe cabins that are nearly finished. The West bathhouse has open air showers(in season), which is a really nice touch."
"This campsite nestles on the side of an inviting reservoir forming an oasis in the dry Escalante Staircase."
"Trails through petrified forest were interesting especially trails of sleeping rainbows although there were a couple short strenuous spots."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Easy find just off Hwy 12 outside Escalante. Despite recent hard rain the road was in good shape, and there were several nice, level spots with good space in between."
GuideArrived on a Thursday to an absolutely empty campground. It filled up by Saturday. Beautiful canyon, lovely hike. HOT!!!! Grateful for the creek to cool off in during the hot afternoons.
ScoutQuiet, flat soot, with a rock fire pit that we couldn't use due to the burn bans.
GuideBlocked with with a fence and construction vehicles parked in the area.
GuideWe stayed here for 3 nights in mid-June. The park is beautiful and the rock formations are stunning especially at sunrise and sunset. We were in site K031 with full hookups. It was warm during the day, but the nights were perfect. Be advised, at this campground it is posted that generator use is allowed from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. We were glad we had hookups because we definitely needed a/c outside those hours for us and our pets. We drove in from Page, AZ and google offered us an alternative shorter route on Johnson Canyon Rd that would save 20 minutes. Be advised this has about 33 miles of dirt road. Condition of the road is unknown since we took the route through Kanab and came in from Cannonville. We did not have any cell coverage, but the visitor's center has free wifi, so we just went and checked messages. If you plan on staying here to see Bryce Canyon N.P., it is about a 40 minute drive to Bryce. If you are able, do one of several hikes in Kodachrome. The views of the surrounding area are gorgeous.
GuideFor being right next to the road it was a pretty private spot. Access to the river! We were able to back in our little camper trailer and be blocked by trees.
GuideA beautiful campground with plenty of variety of sites to stay at. There are some horses to watch, too! It's very green and lush, the hikes are relaxing and not too hard. It's nestled in the middle of Capitol Reef which makes it a highly competitive campground. I stayed in the walk in sites, the walk is actually super short and easy to do. There are a LOT of caterpillars in the spring, keep that in mind. When you lift your tent they will be there. Good news is you can feed them to the robins.
GuideGreat place to stay. Quiet and beautiful. No 4x4 needed.
GuideThis app in general doesn’t do a good job filtering out areas you need clearance for or 4x4. I’m in a ram pro master. This is the 5th option I tried and couldn’t get into any of them. Frustrated!
GuideI spent a single night in the Willis Creek bunkhouse at KBSP. This is a well maintained and fairly new cabin with most of the amenities you would want. There is a double bed with a single bed above it bunk style, plus a futon that can be folded into a double bed. The cabin also has a table with three chairs, and a small refrigerator and a microwave. The cabin has electricity and lights.
Outside, there is a full size picnic table and a firepit. Restrooms are right next door in the laundromat, where running water is also available. Showers are found a few hundred feet away at the Oasis group site camp area.
There is a wooden bench for two on the front porch. This is great for stargazing and also watching wildlife (mostly birds, squirrels and the occasional jackrabbit). There is a very nice view of the park's red rock walls to the east, Just across the driveway is access to the Grand Parade trail.
There are only two bunkhouses here, making the site very close to private.
The Willis Creek Bunkhouse is listed as ADA compliant, but that really only means there are no steps to climb to get into the cabin. There are no specific modifications to the facility.
Dispersed camping areas near Escalante, Utah offer alternatives to established campgrounds throughout Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. With elevations ranging from 5,500 to 6,500 feet across this region, camping conditions vary significantly through the seasons. Sand can be a particular challenge at many sites, especially when winds pick up in spring and fall.
Hiking to waterfalls: A 6-mile round trip hike at Calf Creek Campground rewards with stunning views and swimming opportunities. "Lower Calf Creek hike is located in Grand Staircase Escalante, 5 hours away from Las Vegas, Nevada. The hike itself is 6 miles round trip with beautiful scenery and a beautiful waterfall at the end. Go during the summer time when the water is warmer so you take a dip in the waterfall," notes Alex B.
Petrified forest exploration: The short but steep Petrified Forest Trail at Wide Hollow Campground offers unique geological features. "We loved the hiking. Unhooked and drove to Devil's Garden and then 6 mile hike to waterfalls. Did hike in campground next day," shares Carol J. Another camper advises: "I followed signage in a counterclockwise direction and it was very well marked until I reached the top and then…it wasn't. I got lost twice and ended up backtracking the way I came. If you hike this, I recommend taking a map."
Slot canyon adventures: Several slot canyons accessible from Hole in the Rock Road provide memorable hiking experiences. "Plenty of spots. It's accessible by low clearance vehicle. Dumpster is the only amenity. A little hard to find private place to relieve yourself in the desert. Hole in the rock road gives access to several slot canyons. We did Zebra Canyon," explains one camper.
Privacy between sites: At Haycock Ranch Road BLM, campers appreciate the spacing. "Lots of spots and lots of tall shrubbery around for privacy when car camping!" notes Peyton M. Another visitor shared, "Great view. Lots of choices. This was a great place. Some had fire rings, some didn't, but not much else. Just how I like it. Not far from escalate if you need supplies."
Clean facilities: Canyons of Escalante RV Park maintains exceptional cleanliness. "This family run business knows what travelers need and will do whatever possible to accommodate them. Super clean bathrooms and showers, with ample washers and dryers, too. All of this and a great location," writes Kate B. Another camper adds, "Sweet little camp. This is a cute little campground with a family feel. There is a community fire pit and when we got here the hosts had a nice fire going."
Wildlife sightings: Camping spots near creeks often provide wildlife viewing opportunities. "We stayed at camping spot 6 which is right next to the creek. We were visited at night by a baby owl and in the morning we were visited by some yellow birds. Dark enough to see a show of shooting stars," shares Geraldine G. about her experience at Calf Creek.
Weather extremes: Winter camping requires preparation. "We were planning on staying at this campground the night before but a ranger at the BLM visitor center in Escalante told us that the access road to the campground was likely not plowed and since we just had a major snowstorm we decided to stay in Escalante instead," reports Emma A.
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require caution with vehicle selection. At Spencer Flat Dispersed Camping, "Spencer Flat Rd well marked. You may need to drive two or three miles down the dirt road to find an open site, but keep going there are some nice sites further in. Road was very passible in our 2WD RoadTrec 190 van," explains Brendan B.
Wildlife caution: Be prepared for local wildlife. "Beware of mice! Have some traps on hand, just in case," warns Meghan B. Another camper noted, "We were nervous about mountain lions as we noticed a lot of tracks when we arrived, and saw even more next to our car in the morning as we were leaving."
Water activities: Wide Hollow Campground offers reservoir access perfect for kids. "I love all of the near trails, it is very private and clean. The reservoir is great to cool down from the heat, it offers options for fishing, Kayaking and swimming," shares Lea S.
Easy trails: Choose family-friendly hikes for younger explorers. "The Visitor Center was not open while we were there, it's a new building and I don't believe it was completed yet, but it looks really nice. The trails around the park were a great way to start our morning and they were well taken care of," notes Ashlee W. about camping with a toddler.
Playground access: Escalante Cabins & R.V. Park provides designated play areas. "We enjoyed two nights at this park with our travel trailer. The washrooms and laundry facilities were kept very clean and wash shower had a cloth and bath mat. The office staff were friendly and helpful when planning our trip to the local gulches. There was a small playground for the children as well," reports Ian S.
Site selection: Choose RV sites carefully at Wide Hollow Campground. "I originally booked spot 12, which was listed as not suitable for larger rvs. I have a 18' travel trailer and assumed we could fit but I misunderstood the description. It's really only suitable for very small travel trailers (like 8' long) or vans," cautions Jen B.
Driving strategies: For dispersed camping near Escalante, scouting helps. "Amazing views of the cliffs from this area. All campsites have a fire pit and you do need a free permit to camp here. We acquired ours at Devil's Garden just down the road. We brought our 26ft Class C motorhome with a Nissan Altima and while we did do some scouting of the road paths that we should take, we found an accessible route for our vehicles," explains Bethany W.
Hookup limitations: Understand utility constraints when boondocking. "Super convenient with easy access off Route 12. Lots of level, open spaces short distance from entrance. Great basic dispersed camping in a 34 ft Class A motorhome with towed vehicle. Had decent cell service with AT&T. There are, of course no amenities or even pit toilets, although there are two dumpsters for trash and the town of Escalante is nearby with groceries and other necessities," notes Tim H.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp at Wide Hollow Reservoir near Escalante?
Yes, camping is available at Wide Hollow Reservoir through Lake View Campground — Escalante State Park. This beautiful, small Utah State Park offers campsites right next to the reservoir with some spots directly adjacent to the water. The campground features clean, well-maintained facilities including immaculate bathrooms. Visitors particularly enjoy the Petrified Forest Trail which provides outstanding views of the lake and valley. The reservoir setting offers a peaceful camping experience that's less crowded than nearby national parks while still providing excellent access to regional attractions. For those seeking higher elevation camping with cooler temperatures while still being near Escalante, Hells Backbone / 153 offers a forested alternative just up the mountain.
Where are the best campgrounds near Escalante, Utah?
Escalante offers excellent camping options for every preference. Lake View Campground — Escalante State Park provides waterfront sites next to Wide Hollow Reservoir with immaculate bathrooms and a scenic mile-long hiking trail. The park serves as an ideal base for exploring nearby attractions. For those seeking dispersed camping, Haycock Ranch Road BLM offers free sites just 10 minutes from town with good cell service and dumpsters available. The area spans about half a mile with varying levels of privacy between sites. Other notable options include Hells Backbone for cooler temperatures at higher elevation, Escalante Heritage Center for convenient facilities, and Kodachrome Basin State Park campgrounds for stunning scenery.
Are there RV parks or campgrounds with amenities in Escalante, Utah?
Yonder Escalante offers one of the area's premier RV experiences with modern amenities. This recently developed property provides a stylish and comfortable base for exploring the region. For those seeking more traditional options, Escalante Heritage Center provides a convenient county-run campground just east of town. While it's primarily dry camping, it does offer potable water and 24-hour restroom facilities, making it a practical home base for exploring Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Utah's Petrified Forest State Park. A bit further afield, Ruby's Inn RV Park provides full hookups and amenities, though it's more tourist-oriented. Most campgrounds in the immediate Escalante area tend toward the rustic side, so plan accordingly.
Is camping allowed in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument?
Yes, camping is allowed throughout Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument with several options available. Hole in the Rock Road at Grand Staircase-Escalante offers free dispersed camping on BLM land. The site is easy to find—about a quarter mile south on Hole in the Rock Road from Highway 12—with open, clean areas for setting up camp. Another option is Henrieville Creek, though this requires a high-clearance vehicle as the road is overgrown and eroded. Dispersed camping rules apply throughout the monument: pack out all trash, practice Leave No Trace principles, and be prepared for primitive conditions with no amenities. Most monument camping is free but expect no facilities, so bring everything you need including water.
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