Many visitors to the Grand Staircase-Escalante region choose camping as an affordable accommodation option. The area sits at elevations between 5,000-6,000 feet, creating moderate daytime temperatures in spring and fall with cooler nights. Most campgrounds in the Escalante area remain open from April through October, though some offer year-round access with reduced amenities during winter months.
What to do
Slot canyon exploration: 20 minutes from town. Visitors staying at Canyons of Escalante RV Park can find information about nearby slot canyons. "Did an awesome 3 day hike of the hurricane wash. Hiked in, set up camp, explored further, slept first night. Left our tents and gear and did a day pack hike totaling 16 miles down and back up the canyon," shares one adventurous camper.
Capitol Reef day trips: 40-minute drive. Campers use Torrey-area sites like Wonderland RV Park as a base for exploring Capitol Reef National Park. "Right at the main junction in town. A couple food options right across the street with Capitol Reef National Park very close nearby," notes one visitor. The park offers orchards where visitors can pick seasonal fruit for a small fee.
Mountain biking on Highway 12: Accessible from multiple campgrounds. The scenic byway provides excellent road cycling opportunities. "Highway 12 runs in front of this location and is great for road cycling in either direction," mentions one visitor to Bryce Valley Ranch RV & Horse Park.
What campers like
Clean shower facilities: Consistently mentioned. Bryce Valley Ranch RV & Horse Park earns high marks for bathroom cleanliness. "Best camping we've stayed so far. Super friendly staff, clean and modern amenities, beautiful view. Serene and quiet," reports one satisfied camper. Another adds, "Level sites, cleanest spacious bathhouses ever, FHU, camp sink, dirty dog sink!, strong CG wifi."
Winter camping options: Limited but available. Escalante Cabins & R.V. Park provides year-round access. "We arrived here in a winter storm and were very happy to find an open RV park as most campgrounds and other RV parks were closed for the season," reports one winter visitor. "Lots of snow fell during the afternoon/evening but maintenance person plowed in the morning."
Pet-friendly accommodations: Dog areas available. Several campgrounds accommodate pets with designated areas. "This family run business knows what travelers need and will do whatever possible to accommodate them. I asked for a larger space as I have a rescue dog that's reactive, and they accommodated me," shares a visitor to Canyons of Escalante RV Park.
What you should know
Cell service variations: Campground-dependent. While the existing description notes spotty coverage in outlying areas, visitor reports provide additional detail. "Wifi was weak even right by the office but, if you're patient (or have a booster) it's fine," notes a camper at Escalante Cabins & R.V. Park. Another adds, "Wifi and excellent cell coverage on Verizon, spotty on AT&T."
After-hours check-in: Available at some locations. Several campgrounds offer systems for late arrivals. "Showed up at 9pm with no reservation but we were easily able to book a spot using their digital kiosk," reports one camper about Canyons of Escalante RV Park.
Electrical capacity: Variable by location. Some RV parks struggle with power during peak periods. "When all the large RVs returned for the night, our electricity browned out and we couldn't run our AC. Our power also cut out during the night," notes a camper at Thousand Lakes RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Limited but available. Bear Valley RV and Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "There is a playground, and the Staff is the nicest I've ever met," shares one visitor. Multiple campgrounds feature central grassy areas for children.
Swimming pools: Seasonal operation. Several campgrounds offer pools during summer months. "The small swimming pool was loved by the kids. The grassy park area was nice," reports a visitor about Thousand Lakes RV Park. Another camper notes about Bryce Canyon: "This is a good location for visiting Capitol Reef. The sites were nice. Gravel with trees. Bathrooms were good and clean. The pool was nice."
Educational opportunities: National parks nearby. "Bryce Canyon National park was about 40 mins away. Zion National Park was a little over an hour. Cedar Breaks National Monument was around those same times too," shares a Bear Valley RV camper, highlighting multiple educational opportunities within driving distance.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing concerns: Variable across campgrounds. Many campgrounds have tight spacing between rigs. "Sites are all dirt and gravel (which I'm fine with) however they are so tight if you have a slide out your awning is in your neighbors area," notes a visitor to Canyons of Escalante RV Park.
Weather preparations: Seasonal disconnects required. Winter campers should prepare for freezing temperatures. "We were here for 7 nights mid-November. It was very cold so we had to disconnect water at night but hook-ups were easy to use and worked well," reports an Escalante Cabins & R.V. Park visitor.
Site surface considerations: Mostly gravel. RV campers should expect unpaved sites. "The tent sites are all gravel with a table and water," notes a Thousand Lakes RV Park visitor. Another adds, "All sites have a dividing fence with plenty of room in between. The owners know how bad RV parks could be."
