Best Tent Camping near Lake Powell, UT
Tent campgrounds near Lake Powell provide access to both primitive and established sites within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the surrounding public lands. Horseshoe Bend's 6 Mile and 9 Mile Campsites offer tent-only camping with boat-in access, while Spencer Flat Dispersed Camping provides drive-in and walk-in tent sites within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The tent-friendly Rock Springs Bench area features sites with views of Kodachrome Basin about 50 miles northwest of Lake Powell.
Sites throughout the region are predominantly situated on sandy or rocky terrain with minimal improvements. The Horseshoe Bend campsites have basic toilets but no drinking water, while Spencer Flat and Rock Springs Bench dispersed areas lack facilities entirely. Many tent-only areas prohibit campfires during dry seasons, and primitive tent sites may require high-clearance vehicles to access. Campers at Spencer Flat encounter soft sand that makes tent stakes difficult to secure. A recent review noted, "Although the sand wasn't a surprise, I was shocked at how much it stuck to everything."
Tent camping experiences vary significantly by location, with boat-in sites offering exceptional privacy. The dispersed tent camping areas near Spencer Flat provide expansive views across Grand Staircase-Escalante's red rock landscape, though exposure to wind can be challenging. Boat-in tent sites at Horseshoe Bend's 6 Mile Campsite offer unique perspectives beneath the towering canyon walls. Areas farther from developed recreation sites provide deeper solitude but require more self-sufficiency. Several backcountry tent areas like Paria Canyon Wilderness require permits and proper waste disposal equipment. One camper shared, "Great little spot for a second night of adventuring in Paria. The softer sand made a nice base for the tent and water is right at your fingertips, so no need to trek far after a long day."
