Best Campgrounds near Montezuma Creek, UT

The southeastern corner of Utah surrounding Montezuma Creek features diverse camping options along the San Juan River corridor. BLM dispersed camping sites dot the riverbanks, offering free primitive camping with minimal amenities but maximum solitude. More developed options include Sand Island Recreation Area within Bears Ears National Monument, located about 25 miles west of Montezuma Creek, which provides drinking water, toilets, and a boat launch for river access. Several private RV parks in nearby Bluff, including Cadillac Ranch RV Park and Coral Sands RV Park, offer full hookups for travelers seeking more amenities. The region sits at the gateway to numerous archaeological sites and dramatic desert landscapes.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted about Sand Island Recreation Area, "There was a nice river and some petroglyphs a short walk away. Water fill and picnic tables. Spots were of reasonable size." Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with Verizon typically providing better coverage than other carriers. Many BLM dispersed sites have no stay limits but lack facilities entirely, while established campgrounds like Sand Island typically enforce 14-day limits. Flash floods can occur during monsoon season (July-September), making riverside camping potentially hazardous.

Dramatic canyon views characterize many camping areas near Montezuma Creek. Valley of the Gods dispersed camping, about 45 minutes west, receives consistently high ratings for its scenery. According to one visitor, "The views surrounding the campsites are of spires, towers and red rock cliffs. The best part? There are usually not many people here." Highway noise affects some campgrounds, particularly those near Highway 191. Goosenecks State Park, though spectacular for its views, experiences significant wind that can make tent camping challenging. Campers frequently mention the area's archaeological attractions, including petroglyphs at Sand Island. Hovenweep National Monument campground, northeast of Montezuma Creek, offers a more developed experience with modern amenities while maintaining desert solitude.

Best Camping Sites Near Montezuma Creek, Utah (122)

    1. BLM Dispersed on San Juan River

    8 Reviews
    Montezuma Creek, UT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 587-1500

    "Lots of space to choose from with no amenities good views of sunrise and san juan river, recommend a somewhat off road capable vehicle for this area."

    "We could stay here for two nights on our own, probably because the entrance is so rocky that is quite dissuasive for RV or buses."

    2. Sand Island Recreation Area — Bears Ears National Monument

    21 Reviews
    Bluff, UT
    17 miles

    $15 / night

    "Scattered water spigots, vault toilets at both loops and a trash dumpster at entrance by the boat ramp area. 15$ nite for camping. 14 day limit."

    "We stopped here on our loop of the Utah big 5. Weren't expecting much but it surprised us! There was a nice river and some petroglyphs a short walk away. Water fill and some picnic tables."

    3. Cadillac Ranch RV Park Utah LLC

    10 Reviews
    Bluff, UT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 210-8933

    $40 - $65 / night

    "On the positive was very good water pressure and good WIFI not to mention great views off in the distance. I would stay here again. Full hookups most sites."

    "We enjoyed our stay and easy access to Monument Valley and hikes. Get groceries in Blanding."

    4. Hovenweep National Monument

    12 Reviews
    Montezuma Creek, UT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 562-4282

    $20 / night

    "The position of the campsite on the bluff of the canyon provided a great view of the sunset as well. Clean and cared for restrooms are just a close walk on well marked paths."

    "This is a Dark Sky Park but there are lots of those in Utah."

    5. Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping

    49 Reviews
    Mexican Hat, UT
    28 miles
    Website

    "Bathrooms are located next to one campsite but are easily in walking distance of all campsites. Good amount of space in between neighbors so one can choose whether to be private or socialize."

    "Valley of the Gods sits in southern Utah near Mexican Hat. The area is somewhat of a small Monument Valley. The views surrounding the campsites are of spires, towers and red rock cliffs."

    6. Coral Sands RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Bluff, UT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 672-2232

    "Great place to stay when in Bluff, Utah...Nancy, the campground host, is very nice and very accommodating."

    "The space was the front one and a bit difficult to maneuver with our large 36' trailer due to the rocks at edges but we managed by going around the circle."

    7. Abandonded Bridge on San Juan River

    3 Reviews
    Bluff, UT
    11 miles

    "Great views of canyon walls and San Juan might be walking distance. Unfortunately I won’t be here long enough to find out."

    "Thankfully we were the only ones there as it was difficult to maneuver our rig back around to be set up to leave."

    8. Cottonwood RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Bluff, UT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 672-2287

    $48 / night

    9. Dispersed Mexican Hat Camping

    37 Reviews
    Mexican Hat, UT
    31 miles
    Website

    "Mexican Hat is free dispursed camping on BLM land outside of the town of Mexican Hat Utah. There are sites available for RVs, tents, vans, etc."

    "Better ones if you go down the hill behind Mexican Hat rock next to the river. Lots to explore. Seen a bunch of deer."

    10. Sand Island BLM Campground Group sites Boat Launch

    4 Reviews
    Bluff, UT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 587-1500

    $65 / night

    "I stayed in this campground once in August when the Pecos Conference was in Bluff, Utah."

    "Some are near the water and others are away. It's a wonderful place to stay, providing you get a spot. 

    We had a great time hiking near the large rock formations looking at all the Petroglyphs!"

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Recent Reviews near Montezuma Creek, UT

819 Reviews of 122 Montezuma Creek Campgrounds


  • Chip C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Burch Canyon Rd Dispersed Camping

    Quiet, Easy Access Near Natural Bridges National Monument

    This is one of multiple sites along Burch Canyon Rd, Justin yes outside Natural Bridges National Monument. This particular location has three distinct sites very close together, suitable for a group. This close to the main entrance road there is traffic noise until evening, but it's quiet all night. Better views might be found further up the road.

  • D
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Mexican Hat Rock

    Beautiful landmark - excellent dry camping area

    Spectacular monument, I went in April so the weather was warm but not hot. Fire rings, fairly level spots. $18 fee, unfortunately no senior or veteran discounts. Spent a few days there, planning to go back.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Sundance RV Park

    Super Nice

    The park is very clean, well maintained and quiet. The pull through we had was very wide. Laundry and bath house super clean and nice. Very nice dog park area. Really enjoyed it. Only issue was we arrived at 1230 so they charge me an early arrival fee of $5.00. It’s not about the five bucks, just the thought about 30 minutes. Oh well, I would stay again but make sure I show up at 1pm 😊u

  • Randy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Cottonwood RV Park

    Very clean and quiet campground

    The host Nancy is very nice and great to work with. She had a lot of suggestions for things to do in the area. The campground is very clean and organized. We had full hookups and the site was fairly level

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Goosenecks State Park Campground

    Hidden Gem

    Wow this place is amazing. You are literally out on the edge of a cliff looking down into the canyon of a flowing river below. It is quiet and peaceful and even though we have neighbors there is plenty of room to spread out. At night it is completely silent. The stargazing is off the charts! There is a lot to do and see while you are here. Monument Valley is about 30 minutes away and you can actually see it from your camp spot. The Moki Dugway is about 10 minutes away and Valley of the Gods is about 20 minutes away. I would highly recommend this place whether for an overnight or for a few days. We came in September so it was cooler I would imagine it would be scorching hot in the summer. Also the road that leads here is very narrow and when we had to pass another vehicle I did hold my breath! If you can be sure to check this spot out.

  • Kim G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Monument Valley KOA

    Nice views right in Monument Valley

    We decided to stay here to make it easy to tour Monument Valley. Nice campground that isn’t too busy. Great views of nearby mesas. Clean bathrooms. Playground with a view for the tots. Not a lot of shade but a few trees.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping

    Top Spot

    Top spot. We were completely alone with our camper van at our spot, surrounded by mountains in the distance and prairie. The area is large and offers numerous spots along the road; we really enjoyed the night. We didn't have an internet connection with T-Online. The access is via a gravel road and is easily manageable even with a 2WD vehicle up to the first spots. Only the first few meters require a bit of courage ;)

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Abandoned Air Strip on Route 95

    Great spot for a night or more

    This is an abandoned air strip. It does have a new building right in the middle that looks like it might be for the county. Nothing inside but a fence all around. On both sides of this building the asphalt strip is still visible. We ended up parking on the side of the strip but it does have several spots that you can tuck your trailer into the trees. Only two of these spots would fit a big rig but small truck campers could easily fit in the other spaces. On both sides of the building the asphalt strip is very level and on both side you have the option to tuck into the trees. It looks like some people have even built fire rings. The location is perfect to visit the Pueblo ruins, some site are close to the road others require a hike. Lots of hiking close by. It is only a 10 minute drive to Natural Bridges National monument which does have a campground but only for smaller rigs. We also unloaded our side by side and rode all around the mountains. Overall this is a perfect place to out of the way but close to some pretty amazing sites.

  • oThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Valley of the Gods

    Epic campsite

    AMAZING views, lots of sites, most spaced out well, some back off the road. The road was a little rough for our Promaster, but made it through fine.


Guide to Montezuma Creek

Dispersed camping opportunities near Montezuma Creek, Utah extend beyond the San Juan River area into the surrounding high desert landscape. Most free camping locations sit at elevations between 4,300-4,800 feet, with the terrain characterized by red sandstone formations and sparse juniper vegetation. For campers seeking solitude, the roads leading to Montezuma Creek's camping areas generally require careful navigation, especially after rain when clay surfaces become treacherously slick.

What to do

Petroglyph viewing at Sand Island: 25 miles west of Montezuma Creek. Sand Island Recreation Area offers exceptional ancient rock art viewing opportunities. "We had a great time hiking near the large rock formations looking at all the Petroglyphs! There are 2 areas that they are found. One area on the North side of Loop B and the other following a trail near the end of Loop A," notes Lawrence P. about Sand Island Recreation Area.

River access for kayaking: Multiple launch points available. The San Juan River provides numerous put-in options for watercraft. Many visitors to Sand Island use it as a starting point for river adventures: "We saw many groups of people launching rafts and kayaks down the San Juan River, so if in the area for sometime, maybe contact one of the services and go float the river!" according to a camper at Sand Island.

Night sky observation: Best during new moon phases. The dark skies in this remote area offer exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Quiet, flat, beautiful. Stars were amazing at night. Lots of room. FREE!" reports Reily K. about BLM Dispersed on San Juan River.

What campers like

River views: Particularly dramatic at sunrise. Many camping spots near Montezuma Creek offer scenic vistas over the San Juan River. David R. notes about the BLM Dispersed on San Juan River, "Beautiful river view when you awake in the morning. Absolutely no facilities but if you're equipped, this is a great spot. And free. Last week in April - weather was perfect and almost zero bugs. 4500ft elevation."

Absence of crowds: Even during peak seasons. Most dispersed camping areas maintain a sense of isolation. At Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping, "Dispersed campsites off the side of the trail gives many options to get the best from this area," according to Mark S., while another camper added, "Lots of space to choose from with no amenities good views of sunrise and san juan river."

Wildlife sightings: Early morning and evening activity. The area hosts diverse desert wildlife. At Dispersed Mexican Hat Camping, one visitor reported, "Camped right under the Mexican Hat next to the San Juan River. Nearest neighbor was 1/4 mile away. Spectacular scenery, hikes, wildlife. Hummingbirds galore. Mule deer, coyotes."

What you should know

High clearance vehicles recommended: Many roads require 4WD. Road conditions to several camping spots can be challenging, especially after rainfall. According to Alfred H. at BLM Dispersed on San Juan River, "Road entrance only with high clearance vehicles- for our expedition truck the road further down was narrow and very rocky but doable. At the end there is space to turn and a level place to park."

Pack in all water: No reliable sources outside established campgrounds. With few exceptions, most dispersed camping areas lack water sources. At Hovenweep National Monument, one visitor notes, "At Welcome Center you may get up to five gallons of water per person in your party per day."

Weather extremes: Daily temperature swings of 40°F common. The high desert climate creates significant temperature variations between day and night. Amina B. reports about BLM Dispersed on San Juan River: "We could stay here for two nights on our own, probably because the entrance is so rocky that is quite dissuasive for RV or buses. The road after that is quick and easy, amazing views on the river, beautiful starry nights up there."

Tips for camping with families

Bathroom access planning: Few facilities at dispersed sites. When camping with children, established campgrounds offer more amenities. At Coral Sands RV Park, "Power at one loop, dry at the other. Some have water at site," according to kc M., making it suitable for families needing reliable facilities.

Educational opportunities: Archaeological sites accessible to all ages. The region offers hands-on history lessons. "The campground has hundreds of petroglyphs, you can hear the wild donkeys and we saw wild horses on the river bank," notes David N. about Sand Island Recreation Area.

Heat management strategies: Seek shade or bring your own. Summer temperatures can be extreme for young campers. One visitor to BLM Dispersed on San Juan River advises, "No shade available so bring your own or camp in cooler months. We have a 24 ft. C-class RV and plenty of sites to pick from. Level ground. Site are a good distance apart and we saw one other camp far from us."

Tips from RVers

Site selection considerations: Level spots limited but available. Many dispersed areas can accommodate smaller RVs with careful positioning. At Dispersed Mexican Hat Camping, "Easy to get to, not very level. No hook ups but great boondocking spot," reports Trey S.

Power management: Limited generator use typically allowed. RVers should plan for self-sufficient power. At Cadillac Ranch RV Park, "We got a nice spot with full hook up and after we built up we went into the bathroom. I can tell if I could take this with me home I would definitely do that," notes tanja F.

Turnaround limitations: Scout ahead for large rigs. Several dispersed areas have limited space for maneuvering. Amilyn W. cautions about Abandoned Bridge on San Juan River, "Arrived after 8pm with our crew cab truck and 14ft travel trailer. Thankfully we were the only ones there as it was difficult to maneuver our rig back around to be set up to leave."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Montezuma Creek, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Montezuma Creek, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 122 campgrounds and RV parks near Montezuma Creek, UT and 51 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Montezuma Creek, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Montezuma Creek, UT is BLM Dispersed on San Juan River with a 4.1-star rating from 8 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Montezuma Creek, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 51 free dispersed camping spots near Montezuma Creek, UT.