The Hildale area sits at approximately 5,000 feet elevation in southwestern Utah, where the Colorado Plateau transitions into the Mojave Desert. This location creates a climate with significant temperature variations between seasons and between day and night. Camping options near Hildale range from established state park facilities to primitive BLM sites where campers can find solitude among juniper and pinyon pine trees.
What to do
Kayaking at Sand Hollow: Just 30 minutes from Hildale, Sand Hollow State Park offers distinctive red sand beaches and clear water for paddling adventures. As one visitor noted, "Great place even for a day trip and conveniently close to St. George."
Winter camping at Watchman Campground: Take advantage of off-season opportunities at Zion when crowds thin out. "We stayed at Watchman in late October early November. Experienced sunny days, cold nights and even a little snow. Regardless of the weather, Watchman is the best place to park your camper and venture out to experience the best of Zion NP," one camper shared.
Holiday celebrations: Some campgrounds offer unique seasonal events. "It was Halloween and many of the kids camped around us dressed up in costumes and went trick or treating. Many campers put up festive lighting and one even set up a full size inflatable castle which was a big hit," reported a visitor to Watchman Campground.
UTV rentals: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park provides access to extensive off-road trails. "Great place to stay, was close enough to for a bit of a drive to both Bryce and Zion but wasn't crowded mid August. Right on the coral pink sand dunes and everyone had a lot of fun renting Off road vehicles to take for a spin," a reviewer mentioned.
What campers like
Riverside relaxation: At Zion River Resort, campers appreciate the water access. "Original plan was to camp inside the park but failed to secure a site. That led us to finding this Rv park. The cool Virgin River behind our site was a nice place to soak our tired feet and enjoy a beverage after hiking in Zion," noted one visitor.
Wildlife encounters: Watchman Campground offers opportunities to see native animals. One camper reported, "We had deer strolling through our campsite in the morning."
Convenience without crowds: Finding alternatives to packed national park campgrounds can improve the experience. "We preferred the pace of Virgin over Sugardale, and it was only 20min away," commented a Zion River Resort visitor.
Sand sledding: The distinctive sand dunes provide unique recreation opportunities. A Coral Pink Sand Dunes camper advised, "The sledding is so much fun and if done with a tour you can sled more not having to hike back up the sand hill."
What you should know
Creek conditions at North Creek Dispersed Camping: Water levels vary significantly by season. "Nice spot close to the main road and a 20 min drive to Zion NP. You can get some refreshment under the trees and in the river," one camper noted, while another mentioned, "Creek was dry but trees were lovely!"
High clearance benefits: For more privacy at North Creek, cross the creek if possible. As one visitor advised, "If you have a vehicle with high clearance, take the creek crossing and you will have many more options!"
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between sites. At North Creek, a camper reported, "We have T-mobile and had 5G service," while at Zion River Resort another noted, "There is virtually no cell signal in Virgin. Certainly not enough to even begin to create a hot spot."
Water quality concerns: Natural water sources may contain harmful organisms. One North Creek visitor cautioned, "On our recent trip (late Feb 2021) the river also had some kind of bad algae and you were warned to keep all pets, etc. out of the water."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Kaibab Paiute RV Park offers cultural experiences nearby. "Pipe Spring National Monument is very close and worth a visit," noted a camper.
Indoor amenities during heat: Air-conditioned spaces provide relief from summer temperatures. At Kaibab Paiute RV Park, a tent camper found that "they have a club house that's air conditioned, fully equipped kitchen, tables, board games, large screen tv and free WiFi. It was just the break I needed."
Showers for multi-day stays: After hiking in desert conditions, cleaning facilities become essential. At Zion Canyon Campground, "You get a coin for the shower, which lasts 7 minutes," explained a visitor.
Less crowded shuttle times: When visiting Zion National Park, time your transportation strategically. "Shuttle line is long (think Disney) by 8 am but short in the early afternoon when it's hot," observed one South Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Size considerations for dispersed sites: Finding suitable boondocking spots requires advance planning. A North Creek camper reported, "Nice spot about 20 minutes from Zion there are a few different entrances and places to park some are alittle rough for the bigger campers but we got out 33 footer in with alittle work."
Levelness varies: Even at established campgrounds, prepare for uneven terrain. At South Campground, a visitor cautioned, "Not all of the parking pads for the sites are level."
Full hookup value: When comparing costs versus amenities, consider what's included. A camper at Westside Campground in Sand Hollow State Park appreciated that "our site was mostly level with a grill and a shade structure with a picnic bench."
Budget RV option: For affordable full-service camping, consider locations outside the immediate Zion area. "And at $30 a night a real bargain. Pull through sites with full hookups and a friendly staff makes this place a winner," reported a visitor to Kaibab Paiute RV Park.
