Camping spots near Kenilworth, Utah range from primitive dispersed sites to developed RV parks throughout Carbon County. The region sits at approximately 6,200 feet elevation with seasonal temperature fluctuations that can reach over 90°F in summer months and drop below freezing in winter. Spring camping often coincides with desert wildflower blooms, creating colorful landscapes around campsite areas.
What to do
Explore historic sites: Nine Mile Canyon Ranch serves as an excellent base camp for discovering ancient rock art. "We spent countless hours hiking around this area, seeing as many petroglyphs and pictographs as we could," notes one visitor to Nine Mile Canyon Ranch. The staff can direct you to hidden archaeological treasures: "They'll tell you some of the coolest place to see some graneries hidden up in the rocks built by the indigenous people."
Hike nature trails: Price Canyon Recreation Area offers scenic hiking with minimal crowds. "There is a nature trail from the campsite that takes you higher up the canyon," explains a camper. "The hike was nice and I would recommend close toed shoes as the second half has a section that is pretty steep around large rocks/boulders, and loose dirt."
Wildlife viewing: The quiet settings provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Nine Mile Canyon Ranch, one camper reported: "We were next to a stream on the other side of a fence. Deer came to visit." The ranch's location near water sources makes it a natural gathering spot for animals, especially at dawn and dusk.
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Castle Gate RV Park offers exceptional facilities that impress visitors. "The private restrooms are better than home! A nice big shower, toilet and sink, a chair, hooks and nicely lit," shares one camper. Another noted the convenience: "They have convenient lights over the door on the outside of the building. Red is occupied, green is available."
Riverside camping: The Price River adds natural ambiance to camping experiences. "We backed up to the river, and our lot was very spacious," reports a visitor. Another camper at Castle Gate mentioned: "Site was super level for us. Great space between neighbors on our side of the park. However, we took our chairs down to the river bank each evening. So tranquil and relaxing!"
Budget-friendly options: Affordable camping can be found throughout the area. The Price Canyon Recreation Area campground costs just $8 per night. "This campground was $8. Which is the cheapest campground I found (unless it was free dispersed)," reports a camper. For those seeking free options, dispersed camping at Canyon Road provides basic accommodations with good accessibility.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to dispersed camping requires preparation. At Bull Mesa Pullout, "the road in was a little rough but any adventure van or RV with a confident driver should be fine." Canyon Road dispersed camping offers "easy in-and-out access" but varies seasonally.
Seasonal availability: Some campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Avintaquin Campground runs from June to September, making it unavailable in spring and fall. For year-round options, Castle Gate RV Park remains open through all seasons, though winter camping requires cold-weather gear.
Train noise: Railroad tracks near several campgrounds create periodic noise. At Blue Cut RV Park, "the trains run 75 yards from camp. And can hear the highway to the west," explains a camper who adds: "if you're a person who has to wear ear plugs when camping in the back country of a national forest, this is not for you!"
Target practice areas: Some dispersed sites show evidence of recreational shooting. At Bull Mesa, one camper observed: "There was so much ammo casings on the ground it looked like a war zone. Obviously the locals use it as a shooting range and do not clean up after themselves."
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: CO2 Road Dispersed Campsite offers family-friendly spots with natural features. When visiting with children, bring water toys during summer months as the area lacks swimming facilities. One visitor mentioned nearby amenities: "The gas station before Wellington is nice! The gas station has amazing coffee, and we discovered it has showers and laundry."
Train watching opportunities: Kids might enjoy watching the rail operations visible from some campgrounds. One family at Castle Gate RV Park shared: "We had a train watching back in spot and it was really fun for our little one to watch the trains going by!"
Splash zones for hot days: Castle Gate RV Park provides built-in water features for children. "There is a really cool rail yard across the street where you can watch slow moving locomotives move railcars. There is a little splash zone for the kiddos and plenty of grassy areas," reports one family.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: RV sites vary in comfort and accessibility. At Blue Cut RV Park, "sites are level and clean" though "sites are close together with little privacy." The owner offers special touches: "Michelle gave me a jar of homemade apricot jam which was delicious."
Senior discounts available: Budget-conscious senior RVers should ask about rate reductions. Blue Cut RV Park offers "senior and military discounts" according to visitors, making it more affordable for retirees exploring the area.
Utilities quality: Water pressure varies between campgrounds. At Castle Gate RV Park, "their water pressure is outstanding in fact they recommend a pressure regulator on the supply line." Connectivity also gets high marks with campers reporting: "The park WiFi was beyond excellent."
