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Best Campgrounds near Escalante, UT

1,384 Reviews

Camping options around Escalante, Utah include established campgrounds, RV parks, and dispersed sites across BLM land and national monuments. Lake View and Wide Hollow campgrounds within Escalante State Park offer lakeside sites with partial hookups, while dispersed areas like Haycock Ranch Road and Spencer Flat provide free primitive camping within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Several private facilities like Canyons of Escalante RV Park and Escalante Cabins & RV Park accommodate tent campers, RVs, and offer cabin rentals.

Road conditions vary dramatically between developed campgrounds and backcountry areas. Most dispersed camping requires high-clearance vehicles to navigate unpaved roads, particularly after rain when surfaces become muddy. While sites near town offer amenities like water and electric hookups, dispersed camping locations provide solitude but require self-sufficiency with no facilities. Summer temperatures can be extremely hot, making higher elevation sites more comfortable. Winter brings cooler temperatures but fewer crowds. A camper noted, "The drive on Highway 12 is incredibly scenic and beautiful. The ranger at the visitor center in the town Escalante told us this area is called 'Tin Can' because of all the RVs that are sometimes there."

Campers consistently praise the region's dramatic landscapes and dark night skies. Sites at Escalante State Park provide convenient access to the petrified forest trails and Wide Hollow Reservoir for swimming and paddle sports. Dispersed sites along Hole in the Rock Road serve as excellent basecamps for exploring slot canyons and remote hiking trails within Grand Staircase-Escalante. One review emphasized, "Great place to stay. Some sites close to others, some distant. Very large area - about 1/2 mile long. Could be windy, no shade. Good cell service." Most campers recommend Escalante as a strategic base for exploring nearby attractions including Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and the numerous hiking opportunities within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

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Best Camping Sites Near Escalante, Utah (216)

    1. Lake View Campground — Escalante State Park

    29 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 826-4466

    $30 - $100 / night

    "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. "

    2. Canyons of Escalante RV Park

    18 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (435) 826-4959

    $37 - $90 / night

    "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."

    3. Calf Creek Campground

    25 Reviews
    Boulder, UT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 826-5499

    $15 / night

    "*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."

    4. Haycock Ranch Road BLM

    18 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    5 miles

    "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."

    5. Escalante Cabins & R.V. Park

    14 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (435) 690-0819

    $25 - $250 / night

    "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."

    6. Spencer Flat Dispersed Camping - Grand Staircase Nat Mon

    17 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 644-4300

    "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.)"

    7. Hole in the Rock Road Dispersed at Utah 24

    12 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    5 miles

    "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!"

    8. Wide Hollow Campground — Escalante State Park

    9 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 826-4466

    $30 / night

    "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."

    9. Head of the Rock dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 644-1215

    "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."

    10. Rubys Inn RV Park and Campground

    77 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, UT
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 834-5341

    "Campground Review

    Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground Definitely the closest campground outside of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah with all the amenities (absolutely positively everything) and even"

    "Our camper was nestled in the trees with a hill behind the camper, where we could also explore."

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Recent Camping Photos near Escalante, UT

390 Photos of 216 Escalante Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Escalante, UT

1384 Reviews of 216 Escalante Campgrounds

  • Polly A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Road to the Sun Ranch

    Astrid the Griff’s Oasis

    I’m Astrid, a Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon. I need lots of room to run and roam and chase sticks. I lived it here at the ranch racing around the pasture in the morning and evening golden light. And seeing the Bluebirds greet me every morning. My hoomans lived the full hookups a little piece of paradise with no neighbors. Great location to run me in National Forest and to hike Capital Reef while I went to a friendly doggie daycare in Torrey. 5 Star for Griff’s and their humans!!!🤩

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Cook’s Messa Trailhead Dispersed Camping Site 2

    Easy pile in spot

    Right off highway but a very short rocky road, be careful if in a car but should be okay. Good cellphone signal and close to the park and right outside town so from a location perspective ita an A+ for proximity. But this is a pile in spot. The main area here is not secluded its a large oval with some little branch offs, nothing is very defined. At night people juat pile in where they can fit and go to sleep. If you venture around and have 4x4 you might be able to find some better spots but dont try it in the dark. Its VERY dark out here. Overall no issues even with others very close by maybe I was lucky but on my night everyone just wanted a safe place to sleep and we all were respectful

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Thousand Lakes RV Park

    Clean with awesome scenery

    Nice campsite with great views of spectacular scenery. Clean toilets and showers. Friendly staff. Great location with easy access to Capitol Reef NP

  • Adam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Tom's Best Spring Road Dixie National Forest

    Peaceful

    Great location around 10 miles to Bryce. Cell reception is great Verizon and Att. Nice bike path through red canyon and up to Bryce. Lots of dirt trails in the Dixie Forest. Pronghorn deer come every day morning and afternoon.

  • L
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Old Highway 89 Dispersed Riverside

    Multiple spots

    There’s multiple great spots, we were a bit further down the road. Love that you have access to the river. We had a nice calm night!

  • Jennifer N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park

    Love this spot!

    Sunset CG is a great spot! (a lot better than North CG - IMO) - I’ve camped here a few times now - clean, spacious sites create privacy - There’s almost always sites available - Great location! Don’t forget to head to Sunset point for Sunset!

  • Terry M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Singletree

    Wonderful place. Would go again.

    Just west of capitol reef. Very nice campground. Well definitely be going back to this area again.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Deer Creek Lake Trail

    Deer Creek Trailhead

    Nice little sites. Fire pit. Some rock in the road. 9250 elevation. Near trailhead for hiking tomorrow. Spooked a few deer as I drove up. Quiet!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite Near Capital Reef National Park

    Breathtaking and Secluded

    This is one of the best dispersed sites I have ever had the privilege to stay at! It’s very easy to get to, when I was there in mid March, the roads were dirt and a little narrow, but relatively smooth. We were there on a Wednesday night and the only campers present. Gorgeous view, great temperatures, and room to explore. The site we stay at is located in a sort of cul-de-sac of sites, so it’d be good for a small group too, but if you don’t want neighbors maybe skip the weekend and come on a weekday.

Guide to Escalante

Camping near Escalante, Utah, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a base for exploring nearby attractions, there are plenty of options to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: The area is known for its beautiful trails. Many campers enjoy the scenic hikes, like the one from Calf Creek Campground to Lower Calf Creek Falls. One visitor mentioned, "The hike is really beautiful, and there's lots to see along the way to the falls."
  • Fishing: If you love fishing, the creek at Calf Creek Campground is a great spot. A reviewer shared, "Loved the hike and spot 6 was right on the creek. Loaded with trout."
  • Stargazing: The clear skies around Escalante make it perfect for stargazing. Campers at Toms Best Spring Road noted, "The stars were unbelievable though."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One visitor at Basin Campground said, "Our site had a great view of the colored rock hills."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peacefulness of the campgrounds. A reviewer at Tom Best Spring Road mentioned, "Very quiet first week in Sept."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and showers are a big plus. A camper at Basin Campground noted, "The showers were spa-like!"

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Toms Best Spring Road, don’t have drinking water or toilets. A visitor pointed out, "No bathrooms but there are put toilets across the street from the entrance."
  • Seasonal Access: Check the season before you go. For example, North Campground is open from May 6 to December 31.
  • Reservations Recommended: During busy seasons, reservations are often required. A camper at Sunset Campground mentioned, "It is to be a first come first serve but now during the busy season reservations are required."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with amenities. Ruby's Inn RV Park and Campground has a lot to offer, with one reviewer saying, "Loads of activities and tons to do for everyone."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of family-friendly hikes. A visitor at Calf Creek Campground said, "The campground is tucked away at the bottom of the canyon which protects it well from the wind."
  • Pack Snacks and Games: Keep the kids entertained. A camper at Basin Campground suggested, "There are several enjoyable trails nearby."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some sites may be small. A reviewer at Basin Campground mentioned, "We were originally in site 4, which was so small our tent would not fit."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need them, Ruby's Inn RV Park and Campground offers full hookups. A visitor noted, "Well appointed with everything you would expect from an RV park."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy. A camper at Sunset Campground said, "I was worried it would already be packed since I was visiting over Labor Day weekend."

Camping near Escalante, Utah, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, there's something for everyone.

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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