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Camping near Dixie National Forest

1,522 Reviews

Camping in Dixie National Forest encompasses a range of experiences from developed campgrounds to free dispersed sites across Utah's largest national forest. The area features ponderosa pine forests and red rock landscapes, with popular camping areas including Tom Best Spring Road (FR117) dispersed camping and Red Canyon Campground. Located between Bryce Canyon National Park and Panguitch, these camping options serve as convenient bases for exploring the region's natural attractions. Visitors can find both Forest Service managed sites with basic amenities and completely undeveloped dispersed camping areas on forest roads where self-sufficiency is required.

Most campgrounds in Dixie National Forest operate seasonally from May through October, with higher elevation areas closing earlier due to snow. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during the day and can drop to the 40s at night, even in July. Winter camping is limited to lower elevations and requires cold-weather gear as temperatures frequently drop below freezing. Cell service varies throughout the forest, with better reception near highways and towns. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, and campers should check with the Forest Service office in Panguitch for current conditions and regulations.

The camping experience varies significantly across the forest. Established campgrounds like Red Canyon offer amenities including flush toilets, potable water, and coin-operated showers, making them suitable for families and those seeking basic comforts. Dispersed camping areas such as those along Forest Road 117 provide no facilities but allow for more solitude and flexibility. According to reviews, "Dispersed camping in the beautiful Ponderosa pines of Dixie National Forest is convenient to Bryce (about 15 minutes). The Forest Service road is easy to navigate with many dirt roads branching off with sites to choose from." Many dispersed sites accommodate RVs and large vehicles, though campers should scout locations before attempting access with larger rigs, especially after rain when dirt roads can become muddy and difficult to navigate.

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Best Camping Sites Near Dixie National Forest (247)

    1. Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest

    71 Reviews
    Tropic, UT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 865-3700

    "Bryce Canyon campgrounds were full, as well as the nearby designated campsites at Red Canyon.   "

    "Lots of great trails close by and super close to the park entrance - all for FREE! Couldn’t ask for more!"

    2. Rubys Inn RV Park and Campground

    77 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, UT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 834-5341

    "Campground Review

    Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground Definitely the closest campground outside of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah with all the amenities (absolutely positively everything) and even"

    "Our camper was nestled in the trees with a hill behind the camper, where we could also explore."

    3. North Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park

    78 Reviews
    Tropic, UT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 834-5322

    $30 / night

    "The sites are tucked into cozy piney woods that belies the massive red, rocky hoodoos just a few yards away in the amphitheater. "

    "I was only able to spend a short time here on my Utah National Park road trip this year but I really fell in love with this place."

    4. Red Canyon Campground

    30 Reviews
    Dixie National Forest, UT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 676-2676

    $12 - $23 / night

    "About 38ish mixed use sites (tents and campers mixed in, although most RVs and campers were on the one side and tents on the other loop) right on Highway 12, so there is road noise all day (but it quiets"

    "It's in the Dixie National Forest about 12 miles from the entrance to Bryce Canyon NP."

    5. Toms Best Spring Road - Dispersed Camping

    32 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, UT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 865-3700

    "Dispersed camping in the beautiful Ponderosa pines of Dixie National Forest. The Forest Service road is easy to navigate. There are many dirt roads branching off of it with sites to choose from."

    "It's a beautiful drive coming up here from Flagstaff and especially through Kanab, a sweet little town with such amazing people."

    6. Sunset Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park

    53 Reviews
    Tropic, UT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 834-5322

    $30 - $100 / night

    "Sunset is one of two campgrounds in Bryce Canyon National Park in Southwest Utah. Bryce is a beautiful canyon and a must see if you are touring southern Utah."

    "Sunset Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park is beautiful and spacious, and is very close to some overlooks and the visitor's center."

    7. FS #117 Rd Dispersed Camping

    24 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, UT
    10 miles

    "It was pretty busy when we arrived so our spot was next to the road.

    One bonus: short off-road drive to our spot"

    "Plenty of available sites, many drive through. Many could accommodate our 35' motorhome. Among the tall pines yet enough sunlight for solar panels. Four bars of AT&T 4G."

    8. FR 090 - dispersed camping

    34 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, UT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 865-3700

    "Do not park near the road if you can avoid it. Ruined our time here as groups with dirt bikes and ATVs speeding by. We could eat outside for the dust."

    "This little area is so close to Bryce, we camped literally less than a mile away from the park entrance, for free, can't beat it.  "

    9. Great Western Trail Dispersed

    28 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, UT
    14 miles

    "Based on a map posted at the entrance, we followed the road to find a bunch of spots about 20 minutes down the dirt road."

    "The campground is beautiful with woods surrounding our site. Lots of wildlife walking around our tent area at night. It’s very clean with a few fire pits and is a great temperature in early August."

    10. Hitch-N-Post RV Campground

    10 Reviews
    Panguitch, UT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 749-0534

    $20 - $36 / night

    "Full hookups drive through or back in however I did tent camping. perfect place to use as a hub when traveling the national parks in Utah!"

    "This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."

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Recent Camping Photos near Dixie National Forest

428 Photos of 247 Dixie National Forest Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Dixie National Forest

1522 Reviews of 247 Dixie National Forest Campgrounds

  • F
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Duck Creek

    Great campground. Will come back for sure!

    We had a great stay! The campground is well-kept with clean restrooms, and the camp host was super friendly and welcoming. We loved the convenience of having a little town just 5 minutes away for anything we needed. We stayed in Loop A since Loops B and C are under renovation. The only downside was the traffic noise at night/day which can get a bit loud, but overall it was a very nice campground.

  • Sarah J.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Parowan Gap Petroglyphs

    Very cool!

    Good for RVs or campers/travel trailers. I wouldn’t suggest tent camping as it gets pretty windy. We drove in a 30ft camper with a 2003 ford f250 and had no issues finding a spot. Google says Gap Rd is unpaved but that’s not the case for the main road in.

    Very nice views with cool trails to hike. Petroglyphs are easy to get to as they have them displayed as you come in. Very quiet, hardly any traffic noise other than any neighboring campers.

  • Adam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Tom's Best Spring Road Dixie National Forest

    Peaceful

    Great location around 10 miles to Bryce. Cell reception is great Verizon and Att. Nice bike path through red canyon and up to Bryce. Lots of dirt trails in the Dixie Forest. Pronghorn deer come every day morning and afternoon.

  • Laura W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Bryce Zion Campground

    Bryce Zion RV park and campground

    Its a pleasant enough little place. THe 1st couple nights we were here, there were several families with several children. Very loud and made the dogs nervous, but hey- let kids be kids. We weren't sad to see them go. 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. Good prices, the store was a bit sparse, but coming on the end of the season, so it's understandable. There is a pool which we did not use. The RV sites are a little crammed together with your neighbors hookups quite close to your RV.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Panquitch Lake Cliffside Campsite

    Small Cliffside campsite overlooking Panquitch Lake

    This campsite can be utilized with Campers, RVs or tents and has a great view of the Lake and cabin areas around Panquitch Lake.  Dirt road access with many trails and jeep roads that connect surrounding areas including Escalante, Utah.  Don't attempt to get to this site if raining or snowing, roads are slick and impassable.

  • Matt M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Bauers Canyon Ranch RV Park

    Affordable tent camping with ammenaties

    Im tent camping and this is a great spot. Only $29 after tax with showers, wifi, nice sites, bathrooms, and fire pits. This is my second time here while traveling and the folks are great.

  • Ryan F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Mammoth Dispersed

    Too Small for the Amount of People that Go

    Mammoth Dispersed Campground offers a beautiful setting among tall pines, with plenty of shade, cool temperatures, and easy access to a peaceful stream (both day use area and overnight campsites with access). 

    The sites themselves are well maintained, and it’s clear that the USFS takes good care of the area despite how heavily it gets used. That said, the campground feels a little small for the amount of people who frequent it, especially on busy weekends. During our Labor Day trip, the area was crowded with ATV, UTV, and general vehicle traffic—many of them flying by campsites at high speeds with loud music, which made it hard to relax. 

    It’s also disappointing to see how many visitors don’t clean up after themselves. Trash left behind really takes away from the natural beauty of the forest. 

    On a positive note, the roads are in good condition. Despite some reviews suggesting that the northern route in from Panguitch is “sketchy,” we found in September 2025 that the road was well graded and easily driven. 

    All in all, this is a wonderful area that has so much potential for a perfect camping experience. Without the holiday crowds and careless visitors, I would not hesitate to rate Mammoth a solid 5 stars. As it stands, the beauty of the place and the effort put in by USFS are worth highlighting, but the heavy traffic and noise over Labor Day force me to give it 4 stars.

  • L
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Old Highway 89 Dispersed Riverside

    Multiple spots

    There’s multiple great spots, we were a bit further down the road. Love that you have access to the river. We had a nice calm night!

  • Jennifer N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park

    Love this spot!

    Sunset CG is a great spot! (a lot better than North CG - IMO) - I’ve camped here a few times now - clean, spacious sites create privacy - There’s almost always sites available - Great location! Don’t forget to head to Sunset point for Sunset!

Guide to Dixie National Forest

Camping near Dixie National Forest, Utah, offers a fantastic mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to suit your style.

What to do

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. Campers have noted that the North Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park provides direct access to biking and hiking trails. One reviewer mentioned, "Direct access to biking and hiking trails. There is also a shuttle stop right at the entrance of the campground."
  • Stargazing: The clear skies around Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest are perfect for stargazing. A visitor shared, "The stars were unbelievable though. A little buggy out there but we had plenty of bug spray."
  • Wildlife Watching: The area is rich in wildlife. Campers at Duck Creek have enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, with one saying, "Cool at night even for August."

What campers like

What you should know

  • No Showers at Some Sites: Many campgrounds, like North Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park, do not have shower facilities. A camper mentioned, "Bathrooms do not have any kind of hand soap or sanitizer so come prepared."
  • Uneven Ground: If you're camping in a van, be aware that some sites may have uneven surfaces. A review stated, "The driveway surface for most sites is uneven, something to consider if you have a camper van."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, like Sunset Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park. A visitor shared, "I was worried it would already be packed since I was visiting over Labor Day weekend. Thankfully there were plenty of open spots."

Tips for camping with families

  • Bring Extra Supplies: Campers at Duck Creek recommend bringing extra toilet paper, as it can run out. One family noted, "Restrooms sometimes are out of toilet paper, but we always bring spare rolls for any situation."
  • Choose Secluded Sites: For a more family-friendly experience, look for sites that offer privacy. A camper at Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest mentioned, "Sites felt far enough apart and had good views!"
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A visitor at Basin Campground — Kodachrome Basin State Park said, "There are several enjoyable trails nearby."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: RVers at Ruby's Inn RV Park and Campground recommend checking site sizes before booking. One RV traveler noted, "Another area is more out in the open which looked to be newer and great for big rigs."
  • Use the Shuttle: If you're visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, take advantage of the shuttle service to avoid parking hassles. A camper mentioned, "The park shuttle picks up right in front."
  • Bring a Leveling Kit: Some sites may not be level, so having a leveling kit can be helpful. A visitor at Sunset Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park said, "Some spots are on a bit of a slope."

Camping near Dixie National Forest, Utah, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Dixie National Forest?

Dixie National Forest offers excellent camping options for all preferences. King Creek Group Site is a secluded gem just 13 miles from Bryce Canyon with large, flat sites spaced well apart. For those seeking dispersed camping, Mammoth Dispersed provides beautiful spots next to Mammoth Creek with pit toilets available. Other notable options include Red Canyon Campground along Highway 12, White Bridge Campground along Panguitch Creek, and Navajo Lake Campground with both walk-in and drive-up sites. Cedar Canyon is well-maintained and perfect for beginner campers, offering proximity to Cedar Breaks and Duck Creek.

Do I need permits for camping in Dixie National Forest?

Permits are not required for most camping in Dixie National Forest, but there are important regulations to follow. At dispersed sites like Tom Best Spring Road FR117 and Yankee Designated Dispersed Camping Area, camping is free with a 16-day stay limit. For developed campgrounds, fees apply but no advance permits are needed—most operate on a first-come, first-served basis or through recreation.gov reservations. Always check current fire restrictions which may require permits for campfires depending on the season. Contact the nearest Dixie National Forest ranger district office before your trip for the most up-to-date regulations.

What is the best time of year to camp in Dixie National Forest?

Late spring through early fall is ideal for camping in Dixie National Forest. May provides a quiet experience with fewer crowds at places like Yankee Meadows, though be prepared for cooler temperatures at higher elevations. Summer is popular but Cabin Hollow on Forest Road 121 fills up quickly during this season. The forest's elevation ranges from 2,800 to over 10,000 feet, creating variable conditions. Fall offers colorful foliage and cooler temperatures. Winter camping is possible in lower elevations, but many forest roads and campgrounds close due to snow, especially those at higher altitudes where temperatures can drop significantly.

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