8 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Monticello sits in San Juan County in southeast Utah at about 7,000 feet elevation, putting it above most of the canyon country terrain that surrounds it. Manti-La Sal National Forest land begins east of town and has developed campgrounds with vault toilets and defined sites, alongside dispersed sites on forest roads where no reservation is required. Blanding's dispersed camping covers the BLM and public land options about 20 miles to the south, giving a sense of what the broader San Juan County dispersed picture looks like.
Developed sites in the national forest run roughly $15-20 per night and book through recreation.gov. Snow closes higher forest roads from November through April or later, so the season at upper elevation sites runs May through October. Town sits at an elevation where summer temperatures stay manageable compared to lower canyon country. Moab is about 50 miles north, and when developed sites there fill during peak spring season, Monticello-area campgrounds often have more availability.
What's available for camping near Moab covers the broader campground picture to the north, which helps with planning when other booking windows are closed. RV sites with hookups are limited around Monticello, so larger rigs typically head toward private parks in Moab or Blanding.
"If you're looking for tons of ATV trails this is a great spot. Nice friendly camp host.
Lots of spots open mid-Sept. Only giving it 4 out of 5 because there is ZERO water for your rig."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 / night
"Big open lot at the end of CR 0083 near Monticello, UT in Monti La Sal national forest. Good a flat with a nice view. Also high elevation so it’s good and cool at night."
"There would be plenty of room for any sized RV to park and turn around. Gorgeous mountain views, and lots of wildlife."
"Monticello is the ideal place to explore eastern Utah from. Everything is about an hour away. "
"We were in spot 3 so was very close to road. Owner puts on a quick draw show for the guests twice a week and was fun. Discount for cash"
from $45 - $80 / night
"Nice place, yes there’s a high way near by but they ask if you prefer to be closer to bathrooms or further away from the high way. Laundry room is nice $3/wash $3/dry. The bathrooms are very nice."
"they are located on the back of the park near the office. just north of the tent sites lies an open field with horses that seems to go miles. To the west lies a field of wind turbines."
from $40 - $65 / night
"Short distance back to town. $20/$10 senior, all sites FCFS. Cell signal is good. Host onsite in season."
"What an awesome place to stay and close to everything!"
"Everything is in the title 😉 GPS point is not correct, we were looking for a small road but in fact it s at the end of the main road,on the right, just behind the park place."
"No signal but there is some at the bottom of the entrance. WARNING: if you don't have an off-road capable vehicle don't listen to the GPS, it took us down a super sketchy back road."
"We drove our Thor Axis and roads and site were fine for off-road- slow on the last mile plus of dirt. Pretty and quiet but took a few minutes to level our spot."
"This site is about 3 miles off the highway with the last 1.5 miles on a decent dirt road. I think it would be hard to navigate in the rain/wet. Beautiful views!"
"This is the second developed CG up the paved road from Monticello. This one has a large open center area that is for two group camping areas. Also there are 10 single spots."
"Utah is one of my favorite places to visit. The hiking here is one of my favorite things to do."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $50 / night
"Not to bad for the $45 we paid.. close to Moab and very UTV friendly.. trails start just down the street. So many places to visit just a short drive away!"
"Conveniently located to visit Arches National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Four Corners National Monument Restrooms are like house bathrooms with showers and they’re nice and clean"
from $40 - $75 / night
"This is a very nice RV park conveniently right off the highway that was never full when I was there."
TravelerVery quiet area. We managed the road despite the mud from rains in a sprinter van. We selected about the 3rd stop down as to not risk getting stuck further. The spot had a stone fire pit. Great views of the canyons and the mountains in the other direction. The site was clean no trash and only 1 other person was camping off the road quite a bit further down. Perfect for seclusion within nature.
TravelerEnjoyed our stay here. Close to town and Arches. Spacious sites with varied camping options, including tepees and safari tents. Very friendly owners, clean and tidy grounds and bathrooms. Dog park. A few blocks back from the highway so pretty quiet. Nice views. Restaurant close by was excellent (Branding Iron). Had enough leftovers of my ribs plate to have another meal.
ScoutThis is a mobile home park and is full of permanent residents. Looked very rundown and is located in a somewhat sketchy part of town near a junkyard. Coordinates provided on Dyrt are not correct. When we pulled in, we decided not to stay here, so I cannot comment on the RV sites nor the cleanliness of restrooms/showers.
TravelerGreat little spot. Was very private. Ford F150 towing a 22’ camper. I didn’t go to the top but camped about halfway in and the road wasn’t too bad. I probably could have made it to the top camping spots at the end of the dirt road but didn’t want to risk it
ScoutFrom the moment we reserved our site with Suzy to our arrival, we were treated like we were truly valued as customers. Suzy was so friendly and helpful. They even gave us a binder with information on local attractions, dining, hikes, and the history of the area. The park is perfectly situated along a 10 mile trail that takes you to the San Juan river, through beautiful river bottom lands. We even extended our stay because it was such a great location. Perfect spot to take day trips to local areas like Hovenweep, Monument Valley, Goosenecks State Park, and many other area attractions. Bluff is a hidden gem of a town, steeped in history and very friendly locals. Will definitely stay here again.
TravelerNo problems, pulled in late last night and got a cool view of the moon. Good place for just a night
GuideSites are have good space. Most sites have an up hill to get into them but pretty level at the top. Nice covered picnic table. Views are nice and close to visitors center and hiking trails leaving from campground. Dump station.
LegendFirst off, the road from Moab, getting up to Sand Flats is very steep, probably 8% or 9% grade in a couple spots, and very winding. We stayed in campground A where there were a few pull out spots and several back in spots. Even though the Ranger said campgrounds A,B,E or J were suitable for big rigs, campground J is about 6 miles from the pay window and after about 2 miles it becomes dirt road very rough. I wouldn’t want to take my rig down there, but we did drive down there and there was a couple of big rigs there. As one could expect there were lots OHV vehicles driving all over the place but it quieted down after dark. Good spot to stage from to go to Arches or Canyonlands national parks. There are only pit toilets available and no trash receptacles that I could see.
ScoutRoad is terrible. 2.5 miles off road to find out the entrance is a wasteland.
Dispersed camping sites near Monticello, Utah provide access to both high-elevation forest terrain and lower desert environments. Sitting at approximately 7,000 feet elevation, the Monticello area experiences significant temperature variations between seasons, with winter snows in the higher elevations and summer temperatures that can reach the 90s. Monticello serves as a practical basecamp for exploring both the Abajo Mountains and nearby canyon country.
Paddle at Recapture Reservoir: Located a short drive south of Monticello, Recapture Reservoir offers water recreation opportunities during warmer months. "We paddle boarded in the reservoir and jumped off a few rocks. We stayed 2 nights," notes Margaret H. The reservoir provides a refreshing alternative to the surrounding desert landscapes.
Explore local trails: The mountains around Monticello contain numerous hiking and OHV trails through oak and pine forests. "Short interpreted hike trailhead at the end if loop B," mentions Marlin B. about Devils Canyon Campground. Some trails lead to historic sites and ancient ruins.
Wildlife viewing: The mountains around Monticello support diverse wildlife populations. "The hill was teeming with life. When I pulled up there were two mule deer drinking from a small runoff. They stayed within 50 ft of us for over an hour. Also saw several turkeys wander through the same water," writes Whitney W. about the dispersed camping area at CR 0083.
Mountain temperatures: The higher elevation of the Abajo Mountains provides cooler camping conditions than nearby desert areas. "Good and flat with a nice view. Also high elevation so it's good and cool at night," Jordan W. notes about CR 0083.
Clean facilities: Many established campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept amenities. "Very nice great condition. Paved road in and loops all paved. 41 sites in two loops. South loop has lots of large pull thru sites. North loop has larger pine trees," reports Greg L. about Devils Canyon Campground.
Stargazing conditions: Limited light pollution makes the area excellent for night sky observation. "Some sites have shade and tree cover others have a nice clear view of the sky. We had one with a clear view of the sky," comments Abner H. The mountain campgrounds offer different viewing experiences than the more open desert areas.
Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water, and availability can change seasonally. "Water was still turned off due to the colder temps, I think," notes Leslie P. about Manti-LaSal National Forest Nizhoni Campground.
Mosquitoes can be intense: Especially near water sources during warmer months, insects may affect camping comfort. "We decided not to stay. There were swarms of mosquitoes," warns Donna L. about Recapture Reservoir.
Road conditions: Access roads to some dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. "If you don't have an off-road capable vehicle don't listen to the GPS, it took us down a super sketchy back road," cautions Richard K. The final approach to many mountain campsites includes unpaved sections.
Look for established campgrounds with amenities: Family camping benefits from access to basic facilities. "Sites are private, large, and well spaced. Lots of nearby ATV trails," writes Kristin D. about Devils Canyon Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The mountains provide excellent wildlife encounters for children. "We loved being surrounded by pines and seeing all the deer go across the camp. It's a beautiful location," shares Ignacio R. about Manti-LaSal National Forest Nizhoni Campground.
Book tent sites strategically: Some campgrounds have designated tent areas with advantages. "Very nice 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," reports Marlin B. Loop selection can significantly impact your camping experience.
Site leveling considerations: Mountain campsites may require extra effort to level rigs. "Pretty and quiet but took a few minutes to level our spot," mentions Wendy about Abajo Flat Camp.
Connectivity options: While cell service varies throughout the area, some spots offer better coverage. "We used Starlink for great connectivity (198.25 Mbps download) the entire stay," reports Abner H. about Devils Canyon Campground.
Size restrictions: Not all forest service roads accommodate larger rigs. "We have a 20' TT towing with a Mercedes SUV. About 4 miles of good dirt rd. No issues at all getting here," notes Scott S. about Abajo Flat Camp. Check road conditions and campground specifications before attempting access with larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wind Whistle Campground near Monticello?
Wind Whistle Campground isn't directly mentioned in current reviews, but the Monticello area offers several similar camping experiences. Pine Flat Dispersed Camping Area provides numerous dispersed camping opportunities via spur roads at around 8,850 feet elevation. The area features predominantly oak brush and scattered pine vegetation, making it popular for hunting and ATV use, especially from mid-August through September. Another option is Monticello Lake, a small water supply with dispersed camping around vehicle tracks surrounding the lake. At 8,700 feet elevation, it offers basic camping with oak trees but no amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, or potable water.
What campgrounds are available in Monticello, Utah?
Monticello offers diverse camping options in the beautiful Manti-LaSal National Forest. Manti-LaSal National Forest Buckboard Campground features 10 single sites and 2 group camping areas with vault toilets, water (seasonal), and a $20 fee ($10 for seniors, $50 for group sites). For dispersed camping, Foy Lake Rd Fishing/Camping Site provides free camping areas near a small fishing lake with a vault toilet and paved road access. Other options include Monticello Lake (dispersed), Pine Flat Dispersed Camping Area, Dalton Springs Campground (with water and toilets), and Nizhoni Campground. Most forest campgrounds are at higher elevations (8,000-8,900 feet), offering cooler temperatures during summer months.
Are there RV parks near Monticello, Utah?
Yes, Monticello has excellent RV accommodations. Old West RV Park is strategically located in Monticello, making it an ideal base for exploring eastern Utah. From here, you're about an hour away from major attractions including Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep, Monument Valley, and even Mesa Verde. For additional options, Monticello RV Campground offers reservable sites with water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces. If you're willing to venture a bit further, Blue Mountain RV Park in Blanding (about 20 miles south) provides well-kept, full hook-up sites with nice landscaping, though it does experience some road noise from the main route through town.
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