Cabin camping near Gunlock, Utah offers travelers convenient access to the red rock desert terrain at elevations ranging from 3,000-7,000 feet. The summer heat regularly exceeds 100°F with low humidity, while winters remain mild with occasional freezing temperatures. Camping lodgings span from basic wooden structures to modern units with amenities across several established parks within a 45-minute drive of Gunlock State Park.
What to do
Watersports on Sand Hollow Reservoir: Sand Hollow State Park features a large reservoir with clear water and distinctive pink-red sand beaches just 20 minutes from Gunlock. "Sand Hollow has great large mouth bass fishing and beautiful red rock scenery," notes a visitor to Westside Campground — Sand Hollow State Park.
Red Cliffs hiking trails: Access miles of hiking through towering red cliffs at the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, located about 25 minutes from Gunlock. "The best part of this KOA is its proximity to Red Cliffs National Conservation Area which is about a mile away. This National Conservation Area is surrounded by towering red cliffs that have miles of hiking trails through them," reports a camper at St. George/Hurricane KOA.
Virgin River exploration: Wade and explore along the Virgin River behind several cabin camping sites. "The cool Virgin River behind our site was a nice place to soak our tired feet and enjoy a beverage after hiking in Zion," shares a visitor to Zion River Resort, located about 30 minutes from Gunlock.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Gunlock's newest cabin camping options feature well-maintained facilities. "Facilities are new and clean. Decent cell service," writes a reviewer about Gunlock State Park Campground. Another visitor adds, "The construction is new. Sites have a table, fire ring, power and water."
Convenient access to attractions: Cabin accommodations provide strategic bases for exploring multiple parks. "This is a great campground. Backs up against the Virgin River. Just a few minutes from Zion NP and St George. Pet friendly and kid friendly. Lots of shade trees. Clean pool and hot tub. Market on site with very reasonable prices," notes a camper at Zion River Resort.
Shade coverage: Many cabin sites offer respite from the intense desert sun. "Despite basically being in a desert, the park had lush grass in every spot and a dense tree cover. It was about 10 degrees cooler in the park because of the shade from the trees," comments a visitor about WillowWind RV Park, located 25 minutes from Gunlock.
What you should know
Limited shade at some locations: Several campgrounds have minimal natural shade coverage. "There is no shade, so you will want to bring something for that," advises a visitor to Gunlock State Park Campground.
Reservation timing varies: Booking windows differ significantly between parks. "This KOA is located about ten minutes outside of St George and right off the I-15 freeway. It has all the amenities that your typical KOA has; dog park, hookups, cabins, and store," notes a reviewer at St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey.
Internet connectivity challenges: Cell and WiFi service varies across the region. "There is virtually no cell signal in Virgin. Certainly not enough to even begin to create a hot spot. There is wifi (and we even had a booster on our site)...but there was still terribly connectivity," explains a Zion River Resort visitor.
Extreme summer temperatures: The heat can be intense between June-September. "The weather here is extremely hot over 100! The paces is located off the highway so you can hear the traffic. Also the bathrooms were hot no ac," warns a camper at St. George/Hurricane KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access considerations: Many families prioritize swimming facilities during hot months. "Nice heated pool area with hot tub. Some areas have nice shade trees and grass areas," notes a visitor at Zion River Resort. Some properties offer access to hotel swimming facilities even when staying in cabins.
Entertainment options: Look for campgrounds with on-site activities. "It does include free miniature golf horseshoes and a pickleball but way to hot to do them," shares a St. George/Hurricane KOA reviewer. Other properties feature game rooms, shuffleboard, and outdoor recreation areas.
Bathroom facility quality: When cabin camping with children, bathroom accessibility matters. "Showers and bathrooms were pretty gross. Sadly, many of the campers left trash laying around as well," warns a visitor to St. George/Hurricane KOA, while McArthur's Temple View RV Resort earns praise: "The park was very clean and well-maintained. The staff were also really friendly, helpful, and accommodating."
Tips from RVers
Parking considerations: Sites vary in size and levelness for those with larger campers. "We were in a 24ft van and were able to be level without blocks by entering from the wrong way. Larger rigs would have had difficulty because of the slope. Many sites were sloped quite a bit so choose your site accordingly," advises a visitor to Gunlock State Park Campground.
Temperature regulation: The desert climate requires planning for extreme conditions. "With temperatures in the 100s all week, we appreciated the shade, the pool, and full hookups for AC," notes a Zion River Resort visitor.
Storm protection: Be prepared for sudden weather changes. "We were in a 30' trailer but they can accommodate smaller all the way up to the real big Motorhomes. It is always extremely windy, with nothing to break that wind," explains a WillowWind RV Park visitor.
