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Best Tent Camping near Mexican Hat, UT

323 Reviews

Tent camping near Mexican Hat, Utah provides access to stunning desert landscapes and iconic sandstone formations. The area features several tent-only options, including Rent A Tent Monument Valley just across the Arizona border, which offers fully set up tents with views of the monuments. For those seeking a more primitive tent camping experience, Picket Road BLM land provides free dispersed camping with minimal amenities but excellent scenery. FireTree Camping offers walk-in tent sites with basic amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets, making it suitable for campers who prefer established sites but still want a rustic experience.

Most tent campgrounds in the Mexican Hat region require preparation for desert conditions. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Many primitive tent sites lack shade, so bringing portable shade structures is advisable. Water is scarce at dispersed camping locations, requiring campers to bring all necessary water supplies. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with restrictions common during dry summer months. Picket Road BLM access requires high-clearance vehicles, especially after rain when roads become washed out. According to reviews, "The road gets a little washed out the further you drive in. High clearance and 4x4 recommended especially when it's raining."

The backcountry tent camping experience near Mexican Hat offers exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Tent campers often enjoy panoramic views of Monument Valley's distinctive buttes and mesas. Campers noted that Rent A Tent Monument Valley provides "views of 14 monuments" along with amenities like fire pits and grills. The Dark Canyon Wilderness Recreation Area offers more remote tent camping for experienced backcountry campers willing to hike in with their gear. When selecting tent campsites, consider wind exposure, as the open desert landscape provides little natural windbreak. Most walk-in tent sites require carrying gear short distances from parking areas. The dramatic red rock scenery and cultural significance of the region make tent camping here a distinctive experience compared to other desert environments.

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Best Tent Sites Near Mexican Hat, Utah (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Mexican Hat, UT

16 Photos of 8 Mexican Hat Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Mexican Hat, UT

323 Reviews of 8 Mexican Hat Campgrounds

  • Mary C.
    Oct. 28, 2018

    Hovenweep National Monument

    Great little campground!

    Many roads into area, all narrow, winding and potholed. Arrive well before dark as roads are also full of livestock. Clean bathroom but no showers. Lovely views all around. Dark sky activities in summer. Shelters and fire rings at all spots as well as nice tent pads. Some rv only spots. Water inside visitor center, pump out front didn't work. Free admission to Monument, $15 bucks to camp. Improvements to water and infrastructure in progress. Fees for admission coming in May 2019.

  • M
    Feb. 27, 2021

    Natural Bridges Campground

    Good for the Night

    We stayed here for 1 night in our camper van in late February and had the place to ourselves. Sites were nice with a fire ring and picnic tables. A good spot if you’re going from Canyonlands to Capitol Reef National Park. Vault toilets, no running water, no hookups.

  • K
    May. 24, 2018

    Goosenecks State Park Campground

    Breath taking views

    After traveling to Muley point later in the day than expected we needed a place to park our Campervan. We were pleasantly surprised at this small unattended campsite. The views were WONDERFUL! Vaulted toilets, no water. but good shaded covers to the picnic tables and fire ring.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2022

    Natural Bridges Campground

    Cool Out of the Way National Monument

    Small campground located in Natural Bridges National Monument, which is located within Bears Ears National Monument boundaries.

    $15/night. Self pay, first come first served. There are vault toilets, garbage cans, and plastic, paper, and aluminum recycling within the campground. No water at campground, but the visitor center has bottle and jug filling stations. 

    The length limit is 26ft, which seems accurate as our 26ft motorhome fit in the spot but anything bigger wouldn’t have. The loop is narrow as well, so bigger rigs would have a difficult time navigating the campground. 

    There are hikes in between the bridges (no bikes allowed on hiking trails) or you can drive or bike the 9 mile loop to see the bridges. 

    No cell service here and service in the Bears Ears NM was spotty. The cell booster did not help and there is no wifi in the visitor center/ bookstore.

  • Daniel L.
    May. 26, 2018

    Monument Valley KOA

    New KOA, gonna be pretty good after it's finished

    This is a New KOA during our stay the had some working being done still, they have just finished the bathrooms and showers, the road was still also being worked on, but was fine to drive in my car. It's very close to the actual park entrance only a few miles away, the wifi is spotty at best, and our electrical on our tent site was not yet up and running, they only had fire would for sale, as they were putting a small store together, and the road noise is not bad but it's right by the main roadway, with that all being said, all can easily be put aside as the VIEW.....AMAZING!!!

    The bathrooms and showers had very nice materials in them, they were also putting together the kids playground, I plan to come back next year when hopefully it's complete. For the 3 night stay Under $120 it was perfect, which included our grass site for two tent's a fire ring with grill insert and a picnic table. There's another cool rock structure called Mexican hat which is about 30 minutes east and if you drive a little over an hour you can visit the four corners.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 2, 2021

    Goosenecks State Park Campground

    Sleeping at cliffs edge.

    Goosenecks State Park is better than Horshoe Bend at Page. You get to walk around at the edge of the cliffs. There are actually more bends here as the name Goosenecks states, On the right are some campsites on the edge with picnic tables On the left are some more civilized sites away from the cliffs with some more right on the edge. There is a double sided outhouse at the beginning of the campground. I was charged a nightly fee but technically I was outside the State Park and on BLM land. There are many sights outside the park. I supported them anyway. If you wait till after 5 pm there isn't anyone there to make you pay. Camp fires are allowed. There is NO water here. You need to bring all that in. The closest town is Mexican Hat to the south and Bluff to the north.

    T-Mobile had about 2 bars. AT&T was 0.

    Just a beautiful area to rest and relax and plenty to see in the surrounding area.

  • Jeanene A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2016

    Goosenecks State Park Campground

    Camping with a view!

    Looking across the land as you pull in the gate and there is not much to see...until you get to the rim! Camping is first come, first served at the available 8 spots. There is not much shade but there are toilets. Fire rings and picnic tables are about all you will get at these spots and you better bring your own shade. Nothing to block the wind so if weather turning be ready, storms can come in fast and strong here. Low profile tents are best - ground is hard on tent stakes to! Camping is only $10 per site per night if no ranger you can self pay with envelope and dropbox. Enjoy exploring!

  • C
    Apr. 3, 2017

    Manti-LaSal National Forest Nizhoni Campground

    Charming Forest Service campground

    This beautiful, shady campground is at the end of a 9-mile County Road going north out of Blanding, Utah, but is well worth the trip. Although high up in the Abajo Mountains, the site itself is level and easily accessible. It has the usual Forest Service amenities of picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets (no smell with new technology) and some potable water. The two campground hosts are friendly and knowledgeable about the area. There is a small Anasazi ruin about 2 miles away, but you can drive to within 1/2 mile of it. Even though this campground could be considered remote, the friendly vibe of the place makes it feel like home very quickly.

  • M
    Jun. 8, 2018

    Devils Canyon Campground

    A Hidden Treasure

    Nice, quite campground with lots of tent sites on Loop B. We rolled in at 8:45pm on a Thursday in June and had our choice of many wonderful sites. Paved parking, nice level tent pad, fire ring and cemented wooden picnic tables at every site we explored. We setled on #26 because of it’s proximity to the vault bathrooms and the water spigots. Had a nice suprize in the morning with the canyon behind us being full of deer. There is a dumpster near the exit so you don’t have to travel far with your trash. An added bonus is the short interpreted hike trailhead at the end if loop B. We will definitely stop here again!

Guide to Mexican Hat

Tent campsites near Mexican Hat, Utah sit at an average elevation of 4,000 feet in the high desert plateau of southeast Utah. The region experiences significant temperature variations between day and night, with temperature swings of 30-40 degrees common even in summer months. Most dispersed camping areas require visitors to pack out all waste as there are no trash collection facilities available.

What to do

**Stargazing at night: Picket Road BLM offers optimal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. According to visitor Alfred H., the area provides "quiet with view" and is "stunning" after dark when stars become visible across the open desert sky.

**Morning photography: The first light hitting the sandstone formations creates dramatic shadows and colors. At FireTree Camping, photographers can access walk-in tent sites that provide strategic angles for capturing sunrise across the desert landscape.

**Cultural exploration: The region contains significant Navajo heritage sites within driving distance of most campgrounds. Many campers use Rent A Tent Monument Valley as a base camp, where guests stay in fully set up Springbar Tents with "full sized bed, linens, blankets and pillows" while exploring nearby cultural areas.

What campers like

**Natural isolation: The remote locations provide genuine solitude. At Dark Canyon Wilderness Recreation Area, tent campers must hike in with their gear, ensuring fewer crowds and more peaceful camping experiences.

**Established amenities: Some tent campers prefer sites with basic facilities. Starr Springs Campground offers hike-in tent sites that balance wilderness experience with access to essential facilities.

**Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution makes astronomical observation exceptional. Campers at Picket Road BLM note the area has "space for several cars" while maintaining the dark sky conditions needed for optimal stargazing.

What you should know

**Water conservation: No natural water sources exist near most tent sites. Campers should bring 1-2 gallons per person per day minimum, with extra during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 100°F.

**Road conditions: Access to many dispersed camping areas requires appropriate vehicles. According to Alfred H. at Picket Road BLM, "The road get a little washed out the further you drive in. High clearance and 4x4 recommended especially when it's raining."

**Wind exposure: The open desert landscape provides little protection from wind. Tent campers should bring extra stakes and guy lines to secure tents, as afternoon gusts can exceed 25 mph without warning.

**Seasonal timing: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer the most moderate temperatures for tent camping. Summer daytime temperatures regularly exceed 100°F while winter nights frequently drop below freezing.

Tips for camping with families

**Structured options: Families with younger children may prefer sites with established facilities. Narrow Canyon Orchards Campsite offers drive-in access with toilet facilities while maintaining a natural setting for children to explore.

**Wildlife awareness: Teach children about desert wildlife safety, particularly regarding scorpions and snakes. Shake out shoes and sleeping bags each morning before use.

**Educational opportunities: The area contains numerous geological features that provide natural science lessons. Bring field guides to identify rock formations, desert plants, and native wildlife species.

**Temperature management: Schedule outdoor activities for morning hours (before 10 AM) and evening (after 6 PM) during summer months. During midday heat, seek shade or use vehicles with air conditioning for cooling breaks.

Tips from RVers

**Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Mexican Hat have limited access for larger vehicles. When traveling with both RV and tent, consider using established campgrounds like Blanding RV Kampark as a base and making day trips to more remote tent camping locations.

**Generator etiquette: If using a generator to charge devices before tent camping, observe quiet hours (typically 10 PM to 7 AM) and position exhaust away from neighboring campsites.

**Parking considerations: When tent camping from an RV or large vehicle, scout parking areas before committing. Many roads narrow significantly after the first quarter mile, making turnarounds difficult for larger vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mexican Hat, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mexican Hat, UT is Rent A Tent Monument Valley with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Mexican Hat, UT?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Mexican Hat, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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