Camping opportunities near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area span both established campgrounds and dispersed sites across varied desert terrain. The region sits at elevations ranging from 3,700 feet at Lake Powell to over 5,000 feet in surrounding areas, creating significant temperature variations between seasons. Most campsites have limited or no shade, making portable shade structures essential during warmer months when ground temperatures can exceed 100°F.
What to do
Water activities at Stanton Creek: Camp directly on Lake Powell's shoreline with easy water access. "There are no designated campsites. Find a suitable spot on the lake and set up camp! The amount of available campsites changes year-to-year with changes in lake levels," notes Shannon C. at Stanton Creek Primitive Campground.
Hiking to canyon arches: Access Jacob Hamblin Arch through Coyote Gulch for impressive geological formations. Robert W. warns about preparation: "The 36 miles of Hole in the rock road to get to the trail head is the bumpiest road ever. Took a solid 2 hours to drive it in a Wrangler. Then about a 2.5 mile hike through the desert before getting to your decent."
Boat camping in secluded coves: Explore remote sections of Lake Powell from Bullfrog. "We drove a houseboat and moored/anchored in Good Hope Bay, which is a 2-3 hour houseboat ride (averaging 8.4 mph). There were quite a few beautiful canyons that had rock slides and small beaches that you could anchor a houseboat to," reports Brendan A. from Bullfrog RV & Campground.
What campers like
Panoramic canyon views: Burr Trail Road offers elevated views over the water. DL M. reports from Burr Trail Road Dispersed Campsite: "Best, panoramic view of Lake Powell. Fire rings on flat bedrock. A little bit windy. Good cellular service."
Beach camping with swim access: Camp on sandy beaches with direct water entry. "We took our camper and found a spot on their dispersed camping area. The water was warm and clear. Kids had a blast on the beach and my brother was able to park the boat right on our beach," shares Preston G. about Stanton Creek.
Solitude in off-peak seasons: Visit during shoulder seasons for fewer crowds. Nicole B. states about Bullfrog: "This was a favorite spot on our 2 week trip around the southwest. We were here a week before opening season (the first week of March). Some people may not like it during this time because it's a ghost town. For us, it was perfect. No crowds... we had the place to ourselves."
What you should know
Sand driving challenges: Soft sand requires proper vehicles and driving techniques. Mikki S. advises at Lone Rock Beach Primitive Camping Area: "Would definitely scout out an area and how you want to approach it before barreling in. Might save you a headache or two."
Waste management requirements: Pack out all waste in some backcountry areas. Carrie C. notes: "This is a backpacking trip. No amenities in the canyon and you must pack out your poop. WAG bags are required, Rangers will check for your permit (free at the trailhead) and for your WAG bags, so be prepared."
Limited cell service: Many camping areas have minimal connectivity. At Isolated Dispersed Pull-Off Burr Road, DL M. reports: "Beautiful isolated dispersed campsite small distance off Burr Road. Weak cell service. Interesting rock formations. Panoramic views 360° little bit of evergreens."
Tips for camping with families
Easy access beach sites: Choose locations with gradual water entry. Cortlan S. recommends: "It costs $12 per night to camp here (you just pay with self serve envelopes). The road in is a little rough, but most SUVs should be able to handle it. There's tons of shore line available to camp at, just keep driving around until you find a spot!"
Avoid extreme temperature periods: Plan for moderate weather windows. Josh F. from Isolated Dispersed Pull-Off Burr Road notes: "Great sized camping area so you have plenty of space between you and your neighbor. There is an upper shelf of campsites about 100 yards from the water at the edge of a gentle slope."
Wildlife awareness: Be alert to local wildlife activity. Cortlan S. warns: "We could hear coyotes howling all night, so be careful if you have smaller dogs with you and keep your trash out of reach. We saw lots of other wildlife, too! Herons, peregrines, and little lizards everywhere."
Tips from RVers
RV park limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs equally. Mike B. cautions: "This RV park is different than the campground that you drive by on the main road on the way in. This is down past the residential area and the lodge by the marina. Many of the sites were out of order or had problems with their water/and or electric."
Upper terrain advantages: Position RVs on higher ground to avoid sand issues. Francois T. suggests at Bullfrog Canyon Overlook: "We stayed on the top level but for those that can brave the soft sand there are spots on the water. When we were there to winds were 40mph gusting to 50mph so sand was all over the place."
Dump stations and water access: Plan water and waste management carefully. Bethany W. notes: "The camp host is located here along with a huge dumpster for your trash, RV dump, and fresh water which is all included in the price of your campsite."
