Top 5 Glamping Destinations near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

It's easy to over look the gem of an area as it sits between the mega attractions of Bryce Canyon and Arches National Parks, but if you do you are depriving yourself of a real treat. This campsite nestles on the side of an inviting reservoir forming an oasis in the dry Escalante Staircase. The lake side pitches are cool and airy, the facilities are clean and modern (free wifi) and the camping fee entitles you to climb the hill behind the camp site and stumble into a jewel like land scape of a petrified forest where it is impossible to take a step without treading on what looks like rubies and sapphires. There's even a full sizes petrified tree laid out in the car park! Nearby there are waterfalls and petrographs and beavers' dams and fossil beds. It's just magic!

Just beyond the Bullfrog marina, there are tons of little coves and canyons just waiting to be explored. Camping is allowed in most of these secluded spots off of the main channel of Lake Powell and offer quiet refuges from the main shores that can tend to get quite busy. We found a wonderful cove that was about a 40-minute boat ride from the marina and were totally secluded in our campsite, minus just a few fishermen that stopped in during the day. This area offers water sports and hiking galore and is ideal for camping with a large group or solo if looking for seclusion. Some drive up campsites exist, but those looking for more privacy and freedom, having a boat is crucial. We had a houseboat and a speed boat which allowed us to have a main home base and the ability to explore. Our group was quite large (20+) so some camped on the houseboat while others slept in tents on the shore. Camping just in sleeping bags and on pads directly on the rocks was a treat under the cloudless starry skies. With that being said, the weather can change quite rapidly at Powell so proper precautions and gear should be taken in preparation for large storms or cold winds. Also, I would recommend wearing some sort of water shoe or sandal, as the Zebra Mussels along the shore can really do some damage on bare feet!

I reserved site 16, which is described on the Park's website like this: 

"Dirt area will accommodate 1 12x12, 1 12x15 and 1 10x12 tent.

Morning shade over table, evening shade over the driveway.

Popular site."

The site was nothing as described. They have clearly been upgrading the service road that borders the site  and the construction has had a major impact on this site, which people should be aware of. With room for 3 large tents, I thought this site would have plenty of room for my one tent. I was incredibly upset when I arrived and found the entire site (with the exception of the concrete picnic table pad) is a slope down to the service road. One of the flat areas pictured on the Park's reservation site was covered in some sort of construction debris or a large pile of dirt/mulch. There was nowhere flat to pitch a tent except MAYBE at the bottom section which borders the service road. I stood there in disbelief as  I watched a front-end loader and other service trucks rumbled up and down the service road and couldn't imagine pitching my tent a few feet from all that noise. I paid $58 for two nights and was beyond upset to find a campsite with no place to camp.

This is a New KOA during our stay the had some working being done still, they have just finished the bathrooms and showers, the road was still also being worked on, but was fine to drive in my car. It's very close to the actual park entrance only a few miles away, the wifi is spotty at best, and our electrical on our tent site was not yet up and running, they only had fire would for sale, as they were putting a small store together, and the road noise is not bad but it's right by the main roadway, with that all being said, all can easily be put aside as the VIEW.....AMAZING!!!

The bathrooms and showers had very nice materials in them, they were also putting together the kids playground, I plan to come back next year when hopefully it's complete. For the 3 night stay Under $120 it was perfect, which included our grass site for two tent's a fire ring with grill insert and a picnic table. There's another cool rock structure called Mexican hat which is about 30 minutes east and if you drive a little over an hour you can visit the four corners.

We were able to stay on the short pull through row& got a view to die for! Those with small class c, truck camper& tent sites got the front row, which is completely unobstructed. Road noise at night was not an issue. There are big rig sites too. The bath house looked brand new. Very clean. New laundry room too. Very nice, courteous staff.

 This campground has an outstanding view of Monument Valley! Due to covid Monument Valley scenic drive was closed. We didn't feel we missed much. Every night a spectacular sunset. Every morning a fabulous sunrise. This is a low light campground, so a star filled night sky not tainted with mercury vapor lights. We used this as a base camp for the area& were not disappointed. I enthusiastically recommend! We camped at Monument Valley KOA Journey in a Travel Trailer