Campgrounds near Kanarraville, Utah provide access to southern Utah's diverse terrain at elevations between 5,500 and 8,000 feet. The area experiences temperature swings of up to 30°F between day and night, especially in mountain locations. Cedar Canyon's campground consistently registers temperatures about 20 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys during summer months.
What to do
Explore Virgin River trails: At Zion River Resort, visitors can hike along the Virgin River directly behind the campground. "There is a nearby river, and we took the dogs down to explore with us a few times during our stay. Apparently they have a schedule of activities available, but we didn't do any of those," notes one camper who enjoyed the riverside access.
Visit Cedar Breaks National Monument: Just 30 minutes from Cedar Canyon campground, this natural amphitheater offers hiking trails with views similar to Bryce Canyon. "Cedar City was 92F in July and this campground was 72F just 12mi away. What a relief from the heat on our road trip out West," reports one visitor who appreciated the cooler temperatures at higher elevations.
Winter recreation options: Many campgrounds close seasonally, but yurt camping near Kanarraville, Utah provides year-round options. Duck Creek serves as a popular base for winter activities when weather permits. "I love duck creek. Great camping if you can get away from all the tourists and their off-road toys. Lots of trails to ride, if that's your thing," shares a regular visitor.
What campers like
Spacious shower facilities: Snow Canyon State Park Campground offers clean bathrooms that campers appreciate. "Beautiful new campsites with partial shelter. Newer part of the campground features group sites. Great access to the park and shuttles!" notes one visitor, though another mentions that "the shower requires holding down a chain to operate."
Privacy between sites: Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds. At Cedar Canyon, "the sites are spread out so you're not right up on each other and there are several vault toilets and potable water sites," making it ideal for those seeking space from neighboring campers.
Consistent temperature advantages: Yurt camping near Kanarraville's mountain areas offers temperature benefits. "Cedar City was 92F in July and this campground was 72F just 12mi away. What a relief from the heat on our road trip out West," shares one camper about Cedar Canyon, highlighting the dramatic temperature drops at higher elevations.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: South Campground at Zion now requires advance planning. "The campground used to be first come, first serve but is now reservable, with sites opening on a rolling basis two weeks in advance. This is great for a semi-spontaneous trip at a busy time of year," explains one ranger reviewer.
Highway noise impacts: Several campgrounds sit near major roadways. At Cedar Canyon, "you'll probably still hear a bit of the road noise from 14, but try to be opposite and it's not too bad," advises a regular visitor. Traffic typically dies down after commuting hours.
Connectivity challenges: Cell reception and WiFi vary dramatically between locations. "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," notes one camper at Zion River Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Activity centers for kids: Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort offers organized programs beyond just camping. "We had an amazing time. It was my boyfriend's first time camping and he really enjoyed the experience. Also the staff at the resort is incredible and very friendly!" shares an enthusiastic visitor who recommends staying at least three days.
Campgrounds with playground access: Look for sites near play areas. "Our site was directly across from the playground and 50 steps from the off-leash dog park. Both the kids and the dog greatly appreciated both," explains a visitor to Cedar City RV Resort, though they note that noise from the playground continued after quiet hours.
Sand play opportunities: Snow Canyon offers natural play areas. "I'd recommend this as an early spring camp outing. The temps climb quickly in Southern Utah in late spring. My kids had a blast in the sand dune area," shares a family camper who visited with children.
Tips from RVers
RV site dimensions matter: At WillowWind RV Park, "the grounds are beautiful, the staff is polite and helpful, you get a concrete pad and a nicely sized grass area." Another RVer adds: "This is one of the best kept RV parks I have ever been to. Despite basically being in a desert, the park had lush grass in every spot and a dense tree cover."
Hookup options vary widely: Some campgrounds offer partial hookups while others provide full service. "This is a small RV park with a mix of full-time and traveling RVers. It has a variety of sites including pull-through, back-in and tent sites. We had a FHU site with 50 amp service," reports a visitor to Zion West RV Park, approximately 30 minutes from major attractions.
Temperature considerations for RVers: During summer, seek shaded sites for comfort. "It was about 10 degrees cooler in the park because of the shade from the trees," notes a WillowWind RV Park visitor, highlighting the importance of tree cover for temperature management in metal RVs.
