Best Campgrounds near Hurricane, UT

The landscape surrounding Hurricane, Utah encompasses a diverse range of camping environments, from developed state parks to free dispersed sites on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Sand Hollow State Park offers lakeside camping with full hookups at Westside Campground, while Quail Creek State Park provides year-round access with sites overlooking water. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access the highly-rated Watchman Campground in Zion National Park or explore the Hurricane Cliffs BLM area with its designated dispersed camping system. The region's camping options span from primitive tent sites to full-service RV resorts, with several locations offering cabin rentals and glamping accommodations for those seeking alternatives to traditional camping.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the Hurricane area, with some BLM access roads requiring careful navigation. As one camper noted, "Sheep's Bridge Road is pretty washboarded right now. It is doable going slow, but you're gonna rattle your innards a bit." Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F in lower elevations, while higher areas provide cooler relief. The region experiences strong winds and monsoon storms, particularly from July through September, when afternoon thunderstorms are common. Cell service is generally reliable near Hurricane, with reviewers reporting "Verizon and ATT 4-5 bars even with no booster" at Hurricane Cliffs BLM sites. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during spring and fall peak seasons when Zion National Park visitation is highest.

The red rock landscapes and water features draw consistent praise from visitors to the area. Sand Hollow State Park campers describe "bright red sand, black mountains, and crystal blue water" creating distinctive scenery. Mountain biking trails directly accessible from Hurricane Cliffs BLM sites make this area particularly popular with outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Wildlife viewing opportunities include bighorn sheep in the Virgin River Gorge and various waterfowl at Quail Creek. Dust presents a common challenge at dispersed sites, with one camper warning about "fine, silty, reddish stuff that wafts in the air, settles in your screens, your rugs, your skin." Despite this, most reviewers consider the stunning views and convenient access to Zion National Park worth the minor inconveniences.

Best Camping Sites Near Hurricane, Utah (255)

    1. Westside Campground — Sand Hollow State Park

    569 Reviews
    Hurricane, UT
    2 miles
    +1 (435) 680-0715

    $50 / night

    "It’s fun of all sorts, kayaking, lake beach, boating, cliff jumping, bbq, off-roading everywhere!!! And the beauty that surrounds is unreal!!"

    "It’s always a family favorite when we go to Southern Utah"

    2. Watchman Campground — Zion National Park

    242 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 772-3837

    $35 - $130 / night

    "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."

    3. Zion River Resort

    74 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 822-8594

    "At the site we were on there was a creek behind us which we loved and so did our dogs! Friendly neighbors! Beautiful place. Located close to Zion park. A lot of off road adventures near by"

    "The park is 10minutes away from Zion National Park and about 2hrs from Bryce Canyon. The park is adjacent to the Virgin River. Walking path to the river is great for kids."

    4. Quail Creek State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Hurricane, UT
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 879-2378

    $28 - $40 / night

    "Beautiful location! All camp sites overlook the lake. There are flush toilets and outdoor coin showers. If the camp ground fills, they allow primitive camping in the parking lot for a minimal fee."

    "The big pro is that you are really close to a lake where you can go for a swim, quite a rare feature for a campground in Utah. Beautiful surroundings, new showers and restrooms."

    5. St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey

    35 Reviews
    Leeds, UT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "We had a fun trip to Utah this past weekend for an off-road event. We found the KOA and set up camp for a few days. Internet connection wasn’t great and the weather was moody since it was March."

    "This KOA is located about ten minutes outside of St George and right off the I-15 freeway. It was all the amenities that your typical KOA has; dog park, hookups, cabins, and store."

    6. North Creek Dispersed Camping

    43 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    12 miles
    Website

    "Sandy and right off road. Road noise minimal if any after dark."

    "Great access to Zion. There were a bunch of open sites when we got there (4pm) some were along the stream too. We have a Honda Fit and we’re able to camp just fine. Saw a few smaller pull behinds."

    7. Red Cliffs Campground

    27 Reviews
    Leeds, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 688-3200

    $5 - $15 / night

    "Stopped here late on my way through Utah. Short drive off the highway and easy to find. Very clean sites, I was only there in the dark but area was quiet and easy to setup camp."

    "Water spigots are everywhere, and there are trash cans close by. Plus, there are two vault toilets not too far away. The roads and campsites are all paved."

    8. Sheep Bridge BLM Area (Hurricane Cliffs Trail System) - Utah

    32 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    9 miles
    Website

    "There were others around although you still felt spread out. A large grocery and fuel is about fifteen minutes away in Hurricane too. Make sure you drive past the day use area to the BLM map."

    "Cool biking, hiking and off-roading trails. Peaceful and secluded as you can look off into the mesas and up at the best view of the stars I've seen."

    9. Kolob Terrace Road Dispersed

    38 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    11 miles
    Website

    "Reasonably close to Zion and perfect for the price. Also super close to other amazing hikes on BLM land."

    "All around a great spot. Right next to the creek, generally quiet with few other campers. Nice and dark at night for star gazing, and shade trees for during the day."

    10. Zion Canyon Campground

    92 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 772-3237

    "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. "

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Recent Reviews near Hurricane, UT

2089 Reviews of 255 Hurricane Campgrounds


  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    McArthur's Temple View RV Resort

    Great Zion base with a dinghy

    Met with the Bigfoot Owner’s Club International (BOCI) here for rally. Very nice helpful staff. Nice amenities. Off load your mini foot and check it out. Great food nearby if you’re too tired to cook. Be sure you have an awning or pop up for shade!

  • 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.

  • Jeanne D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Old 91 Dispersed

    Easy to find and lots of space

    Easy to find for a quick overnighter! Lots of spaces

  • L
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Cedar Pockets Pass Road - Dispersed Camping

    Great spot

    We came here during labour day weekend and had the place to ourselves. No trees, but the mountains provide nice shade in the evening and morning.

  • IThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Kolob Road BLM Dispersed

    Nice spot for my vab

    I'm not pickey but there isn't any cell service and no ammenities


Guide to Hurricane

The landscape around Hurricane, Utah sits at approximately 3,200 feet elevation, nestled between the towering red cliffs of Zion National Park and the expansive desert terrain of southwestern Utah. Temperatures here fluctuate dramatically between seasons, with summer highs regularly reaching triple digits while winter nights can drop below freezing. The region's campsites provide access to numerous outdoor activities while offering varying levels of shelter from the area's frequent strong winds that funnel through the Virgin River drainage.

What to do

Cooling off at the reservoir: Sand Hollow State Park reservoir provides relief during hot months with paddleboarding and kayaking rentals. "Great place to rent sea doos, boats, UTVs, etc. Although I read that they are very particular about charging extra fees, and that the equipment is old," notes one Westside Campground visitor.

Hiking local slot canyons: Red Cliffs Conservation Area offers accessible slot canyon trails leading to unique formations. "Apparently, you can hike through the slots to see petroglyphs and even dinosaur tracks," reports a camper at Red Cliffs Campground.

Stargazing away from city lights: North Creek Dispersed Camping area provides darker skies than campgrounds closer to towns. "It's pretty quiet, and Verizon is nowhere to be found, but T-Mobile has a full-bars 5G connection," mentions one visitor while noting the excellent night sky viewing conditions.

What campers like

Virgin River access: Multiple camping areas offer direct access to the Virgin River for cooling off. "The cool Virgin River behind our site was a nice place to soak our tired feet and enjoy a beverage after hiking in Zion," reports a visitor at Zion River Resort.

Well-maintained facilities: Despite remote locations, many established campgrounds maintain clean facilities. "Bathrooms/Showers are new and clean. Cell service was great," notes a camper at Quail Creek State Park.

Proximity to services: While camping feels remote, Hurricane provides nearby essentials. "Firewood and ice were available in Springdale via a 5 minute drive (you have to exit and reenter the park if you drive). Or it's a 10 minute walk via a bridge directly from the park to the store," explains a camper at Watchman Campground.

What you should know

Road conditions vary significantly: Access to dispersed sites requires planning. "You def need a higher up car to get to where I went. I have a Honda HRV and took it really slow and didn't have any issues," advises a camper at Kolob Terrace Road Dispersed area.

Park entrance times matter: Some state parks restrict late entry. "The park closes at 9 and you have to be inside the park before it closes. They will lock you out," cautions a visitor to Sand Hollow State Park.

Extreme heat preparation: Summer camping requires cooling strategies. "We're here during a heat warning, but I bet this place is amazing in the spring and fall. There are tons of red ants, though—not too bad since we haven't been bitten, but yeah, a little gross," reports a Red Cliffs camper.

Limited facilities at dispersed sites: Many free camping areas lack amenities. "This place is fine if you're desperate- there's tons of spots! But the fields in and around the camp area are filled with human and animal poop...they really need to build some pit toilets," warns a Kolob Terrace camper.

Tips for camping with families

Off-season advantages: Consider camping outside summer peak season. "We 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," suggests a visitor from late October.

Holiday camping experiences: Some campgrounds offer special 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."

Water-based cooling options: Look for campsites with water access during hot months. "Sand Hollow State Park Camping is such a good time. The summer nights by the beach camping out with your people and your dogs is one of my favorites," mentions a camper at Westside Campground.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions to note: Not all access roads accommodate larger RVs. "Note: you have to go under the interstate thru two narrow concrete tunnels, they are 11.9 high, so be careful, many large RVs, 5th wheels, Class As will not fit!!" warns a Red Cliffs camper.

Leveling challenges: Some RV sites require significant leveling equipment. "The Rv sites are crazy unlevel. We had to raise one side 6 inches to get sorta level," notes a visitor to St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey.

Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies dramatically between sites. "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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best seasons for camping in Hurricane, Utah?

The best seasons for camping in Hurricane are spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) when temperatures are most comfortable for outdoor activities. Summer brings intense desert heat, though higher elevation sites like Navajo Lake Campground in Dixie National Forest offer cooler conditions. Kolob Reservoir provides another excellent summer option with cooler temperatures, fishing opportunities, and stunning stargazing. Winter camping is possible in the Hurricane area due to mild temperatures, though nights can get chilly. Spring brings beautiful wildflower blooms, while fall offers perfect temperatures for hiking and mountain biking the area's extensive trail systems.

Where are the best campgrounds in Hurricane, Utah?

Hurricane offers diverse camping options for every preference. Quail Creek State Park Campground stands out with beautiful lakeside sites, flush toilets, and outdoor showers. All campsites overlook the lake, with beach tent camping options and overflow parking available. For those seeking RV accommodations, Hitch-N-Post RV Park provides full amenities including showers, WiFi, and cell service, plus easy walking distance to town restaurants and cafes. The Hurricane area also features excellent mountain biking opportunities, proximity to Zion National Park, and spectacular desert landscapes, making it an ideal base for exploring southwestern Utah.

Are there free camping spots near Hurricane, Utah?

Yes, Hurricane offers several free camping options on BLM land. Sheep Bridge BLM Area provides convenient free camping just off Highway 9 with spectacular mountain views and proximity to Zion National Park. Hurricane Cliffs BLM dispersed #1-12 spur offers excellent access to mountain biking and ATV trails. While these sites lack amenities like running water or toilets, they provide stunning desert landscapes and open spaces. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Black Rock Road Dispersed camping at the Arizona/Utah border offers no-frills camping with impressive sunset views. Be prepared for potentially windy conditions and bring all necessary supplies.