360 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Glendale, Utah area serves as a strategic base for exploring Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, with a mix of developed facilities and dispersed camping areas. Bryce Zion Campground provides RV, tent, and cabin accommodations with full hookups, while Bauers Canyon Ranch RV Park offers similar amenities in a more compact setting. Both established campgrounds accommodate various camping styles including tent sites with picnic tables and fire pits. The higher elevation camping areas around Glendale provide cooler temperatures compared to lower desert regions, making this area particularly appealing during summer months when temperatures soar elsewhere.
Seasonal planning significantly affects camping experiences in this region, with most developed campgrounds operating from spring through fall. "Perfect spot to camp for visiting Zion and Bryce parks. An added perk is that the bathrooms are some of the cleanest you will find at any campsite anywhere," noted one camper about Bryce Zion Campground. The region sits at moderate elevation, providing relief from summer heat while remaining accessible most of the year. Campgrounds between Glendale and Mount Carmel function as convenient midpoints for park exploration, with most sites situated 30-50 minutes from major park entrances. Several dispersed camping options exist on BLM land along scenic byways, though these lack amenities and require self-sufficiency.
Campers consistently mention the strategic location between major national parks as a primary advantage of staying near Glendale. The developed campgrounds feature clean facilities, with multiple reviews highlighting well-maintained bathrooms and shower areas. A visitor remarked, "We stayed at this campground for 3 nights when we went to Zion National park & Bryce Canyon. It was easy to get into our site." Horse pastures adjacent to some camping areas add rural ambiance that appeals to families, with one reviewer noting that children enjoy feeding the horses. While cellular service can be limited throughout the region, some campgrounds provide WiFi access. The combination of mountain views, moderate temperatures, and central positioning between iconic national parks makes Glendale an efficient hub for exploring southern Utah's remarkable landscape features.
"Sites were typical National Park, small and close together but well positioned. We had close access to a modern restroom that was clean and well maintained. "
"Watchman is conveniently located within walking distance of the Zion National Park south entrance. The camp sites are shaded with trees and red gravel/sand ground structure."
from $35 - $130 / night
Check Availability"It’s next to a creek and has a lot of private room to camp. It’s only 14 miles out of Zion national park! The creek is dry right now as it’s middle of July."
"Close to the road but not too noisy. It's about 45 minutes to the Zion visitor center. Gas stations & restaurant close by."
"Site was easy to find and a great stop right outside of eastern entrance to Zion. Was close to road but traffic noise was minimal and not too distracting."
"Great spot close to the back entrance of Zion National Park. Lots of camping sites, some already have fireplaces made by previous goers."
"Also a nice little restaurant within walking distance (right across the street)."
"Pool, laundry, snacks and not to mention walking distance to everything in town. There is a nice river running behind the camp ground"
from $40 - $54 / night
Check Availability"Small RV Camping Park, Just enough distance from Highway, lawn and trees, very friendly staff, clean and appropriate restrooms."
"Overall a very positive experience and would recommend if in the area"
"Clean restrooms, water on taps, close to Duck Creek Reservoir. Friendly hosts & very affordable. Close to many hiking trails. Love Utah's Forest Service Campgrounds!"
"Great Camping if you can get away from all the tourist and their off road toys. Lots of trails to ride, if that's your thing."
from $30 - $160 / night
Check Availability"The campsite was calm and easy to drive into. Zion and Bryce are both close by too."
"There is a bit of garbage and stuff dumped over the edges if you look for it. No odour no flies. Nice breeze. Felt safe. Quiet as its buffered from the highway."
"Perfect location just a short walk away from the visitors center where you catch the shuttle into the park, or exit to catch the shuttle to Springdale. Clean bathrooms. No shade at site 125."
"The drive in from the Eastern entrance is simply incredible and full of epic photo ops. Zion reminds me of Yosemite Valley in some ways."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Lovely spot with a river running along one side, but only people with river spots have access to it! Conveniently within the nice town of Springdale and very close to park entrance."
"The location is definitely a highlight, it’s just a short walk to the park entrance, which made getting in and out of Zion really convenient. "
"Its the perfect spot situated 1/2 way between Bryce and Zion, we stayed 6 much needed nights. Staff small but extremely friendly and helpful. Nice laundry. Nice bathrooms and showers."
"Horses just feet away from you. The best part about this location is that it’s between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. FREE hot showers and Amazing host."
TravelerThe owner, Dan, works very hard keeping Range RV neat and tidy. The bathrooms are very clean, and handicap accessible. The pool has a chair hoist to raise and lower mobility impaired folks into it, and the hot tub can seat 8 or more butts!
The sites near the sound barrier seem to have better internet.
ScoutWe are flat has beautiful views in all directions. Pine trees and Aspen are everywhere surrounding a large meadow that overlooks the valley with mountains in the distance. There are not a lot of spots to camp, but if you can get one, they’re all really good. Easily accessible by a car and sites are flat and usable. I even saw a few trailers as well. Only negative would be road noise since it’s very close to the main road in and there are a lot of side-by-side and ATVs using the forest service road for exploration. there is actually a bathroom here, I didn’t check it out, but that’s a plus. Weather is beautiful about 85° this time of year, a little windy no rain so far. Altitude is about 9700 feet.
ScoutNice showers
Good pool.
Laundromat and store.
River access not great.
Friendly staff.
A bit pricy.
TravelerPreface - this place is secluded and is not necessarily easy to get to. The road is dirt and pretty washed out in places. I just took it slow.
Stumbled upon this place. It’s off of a longish branch of the road that goes out to a point that overlooks a valley. Incredible views of the sunset. Very secluded. Can hike down a little and find some nice rocks to sit on.
TravelerWe were driving through on a road trip and stopped here because it was along our route. It’s very easy to hop off of 15 and get to this site. The site is however dirty with trash and fairly crowded. Wouldn’t recommend for anything more than pulling over and sleeping
TravelerWe could not find a way to access the camping spots…there’s a lot of new development and I think that’s closed the access points?
GuideGreat camp sites, spacious and clean. Super clean bathroom with shower! Gracious host. Amazing views!
TravelerI love this part of the world — the brush and the red buttes. The road, like others have said, is fine (albeit pretty bumpy). At least until the first turnoff. That’s as far as I needed to go. Big space to turn the rig around as well at the first turnoff. Places like this are why I got an RV.
GuideWatchman Campground was the perfect home base for our visit to Zion National Park. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we weren’t able to finalize our trip until just a few weeks beforehand, so the only electric campsite we could reserve was for a single night. Even with the limited availability, we made the most of every minute.
We arrived right at noon, quickly got set up, and hit the trails. We were able to hike three trails that afternoon, then left our camper at the campsite the following morning while we drove to hike the Canyon Overlook Trail before heading back, packing up, and being on the road by 10 a.m.
Even though our stay was short, the campground was clean, the restrooms were well maintained, and the convenience of staying inside Zion National Park was hard to beat. Being able to walk or shuttle to the trails instead of dealing with park entry traffic and parking made our visit much more enjoyable.
If you can only get one night here, don’t hesitate to book it—you can still experience a lot of Zion with a little planning!
The Glendale, Utah area sits at approximately 5,800 feet elevation, providing a high-country camping experience with dramatic temperature swings between day and night. This central location between major national parks offers camping options that range from 5,000 to over 8,000 feet in elevation. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach the 80s while nights can drop into the 40s, creating ideal conditions for campfire gatherings.
Explore slot canyons nearby: Located minutes from Twin Hollows Canyon, the Belly of the Dragon tunnel provides an accessible adventure. "When we found this spot we were thrilled! It's next to a creek and has a lot of private room to camp. It's only 14 miles out of Zion national park!" notes Diana V. The nearby Peekaboo Slot Canyon is another popular attraction.
Visit Cedar Breaks National Monument: This stunning formation resembles a miniature Bryce Canyon and sits about 25 miles from Duck Creek. "25m from Cedar Breaks NM—don't skip out! (It's like seeing Bryce but VERY close to the edges! Awesome!)" advises Jennifer N. The monument offers spectacular viewpoints and hiking trails at over 10,000 feet elevation.
Hike to Observation Point: For those staying closer to Zion Canyon Campground, this challenging trail provides rewarding views. "Observation Point from Weeping Rock shuttle stop is an 8 mile roundtrip and has 2100+ feet of elevation change but is worth the effort," shares Mary S. This trail is often less crowded than other park highlights.
Convenient shuttle access: Staying at South Campground eliminates parking hassles. "The convenience of staying in the park and walking to the shuttle is worth it; at least you eliminate parking and waiting to get into the park," reports Carly E. The Pa'rus Trail connects many campsites directly to the visitor center and shuttle stops.
Free dispersed camping options: BLM lands near Glendale offer no-cost alternatives. "We found a beautiful spot right next to the Virgin River and we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. There was an old corral across the road from where we spent two nights and it just added to the ambiance of the area," explains Liz R. about Mt Carmel Old 89 Dispersed Camping.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance at many Glendale area campgrounds. "Perfect spot for a trip between Bryce and Zion, the bathrooms were cleaned every day at noon. There's a laundry mat on site and a small playground and dog park," notes Stephani K. about Bryce Zion Campground.
Campground elevation affects temperatures: Higher elevation camping areas like Duck Creek experience significantly colder nights. "We chose duck creek due to the proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon and it was an hour or so from each. This was a nice quiet spot, but at the end of June it was freezing! In the mornings it was around 37 degrees," reports Deborah C.
Road conditions for dispersed camping: Not all vehicles can access the free camping spots. "You need very high clearance to get to this camp site. Very rough road to get to it. Could not get all the way there," warns Christine J. about Twin Hollows Canyon. 4WD vehicles have more options for remote camping near Glendale.
Limited services: Cell coverage varies dramatically between camping sites near Glendale, Utah. "No cell phone reception (Verizon). WiFi in the main building but doesn't reach the campsites unless you are super close," shares John D. about Zion RV and Campground. Prepare for limited connectivity throughout the region.
Consider horse-adjacent camping: Children particularly enjoy the animal encounters at Bryce Zion Campground. "Great view of the mountains from camp and the kids loved feeding the horses," writes Christopher W. Multiple reviews mention bringing carrots and apples for the horses as a highlight for children.
Explore accessible trails: The Pa'rus Trail offers a paved, flat option suitable for all abilities. "The Pa'rus trail (paved walking trail that leads to a shuttle stop and the visitor's center)...there was a path to the river right across from our site as well, which was a nice place to relax," mentions Carly E. about site 82 at South Campground.
Plan for extreme weather: The region experiences afternoon thunderstorms in summer months. "On this backpacking trip we encountered a thunderstorm every night at 5pm and with it came rain, hail, wind and whatever else nature decided would be a great addition!" shares Stephanie L. Plan indoor activities or shelter options during late afternoon hours.
Check site dimensions carefully: Many campgrounds have tight spacing. "Sites were large, staff is friendly and helpful by you are remote so minimal amenities," notes Melissa F. about Zion RV and Campground. Review site maps or call ahead, as many sites have length restrictions under 30 feet.
Arrive early for dispersed sites: The best spots with level parking and scenic views fill quickly. "About 15 minute drive outside of east entrance to Zion National Park. Accessibility was good (old broken up paved road that turns to gravel so no 4x4 needed). Some road noise. Main area has various campsites off the main road," explains Megan H. about Zion Scenic Byway Dispersed camping.
Consider seasonal temperature variations: The higher elevation campsites provide relief from summer heat. "It's a higher elevations than Zion and anything around Kanab, makes for cooler nights," shares Olaf I. about Bryce Zion Campground, making it ideal for RVers seeking to minimize air conditioning usage during summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Glendale, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Glendale, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 360 campgrounds and RV parks near Glendale, UT and 156 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Glendale, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Glendale, UT is Watchman Campground — Zion National Park with a 4.6-star rating from 252 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Glendale, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 156 free dispersed camping spots near Glendale, UT.
What parks are near Glendale, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Glendale, UT that allow camping, notably Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.
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