t
terry J.
Traveler
TravelerIndian Creek Recreation Area
Living the dream
Wow I’m in a small motorhome. It is lifted and all wheel drive. You kind of need it here. If you want to get away from it all. This is your place
Camping near Monticello, UT
218 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
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.
Best Campgrounds near Monticello (218)
1. Devils Canyon Campground
"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."
from $20 / night
Check Availability2. Cr 0083
"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."
3. Old West RV Park - Utah
"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
Check Availability4. Monticello RV Campground
"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
Check Availability5. Dalton Springs Campground
"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!"
6. Recapture Reservoir
"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."
7. Abajo Flat Camp
"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!"
8. Manti-LaSal National Forest Buckboard Campground
"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."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability9. Westerner RV Park Campground
"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
Check Availability10. Mountain View RV Park
"This is a very nice RV park conveniently right off the highway that was never full when I was there."
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 12 min from Farmington, NM
- 2 hrs 30 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 3 hrs 55 min from Provo, UT
- 4 hrs 1 min from Flagstaff, AZ
Recent Camping Photos near Monticello, UT
346 Photos of 218 Monticello Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Monticello, UT
1324 Reviews of 218 Monticello Campgrounds
Lisa H.TravelerCottonwood RV Park
Perfect for the situation
This is as described. A large parking lot, few trees with power and water. Clean shower and a friendly host. There was a big storm blowing in so I took the opportunity to plug in, get a shower and chill. Pretty pricey for what you get but I've paid more for the same. It was fairly quiet other then my neighboring van campers opening their sliding door throughout the night. Bluff is about a hour drive to Natural Bridges, Four Corners, Hovenweep, and other attractions.
willem V.
GuideThe Views RV Park & Campground
The perfect and best campsite
Perfect, no negative comments. The views are amazing. The sites are large with full hook ups. There is glamping and tents. Everything looks brand-new. Restrooms/ showers are meticulous. There is firewood available, nice firepits. You can buy propane. Very friendly couple that own and host the camping/ rv site. They guide you to your campsite. In one word perfect, we will be back
William M.GuideYellow Circle Crossing
Ignore the signage
As soon as I left 191, at the gate, there was a sign reading "no camping beyond this point". It was wrong. If you continue to follow the road, you will arrive at the location. It was a little rocky in the way up to the higher level, but doable in a 2wd pickup.
Casey P.TravelerLong Park Rd Dispersed Camping
Cliffside views into Paradox Valley
There are several dispersed pullouts as you go up EE22 Rd (aka Long Park Rd) from CO 90. I stopped at the 3rd or so place, about 3.1 miles up. It was tight for my 25ft trailer, but made it work. There was a nice established fire pit, grand valley vista, and quiet solitude.
- EElizabeth C.Guide
BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed
Amazing views
Rough road, but no issue with jeep 4x4. Secluded, cliffs edge - so beautiful
wayne H.
RangerCR 276 Foot Bridge Road BLM
Easy access from main road
We couldn't find one of the dispersed camping locations. Southeast of this location. So fortunately, we found this one. There are several areas to camp and the areas are very level. Great views of the rock faces. We didnt hear any road noise. The road is navigable by all RVs.
Benjamin S.GuideKen's Lake Campground
Kens Lake Overnight
Ken’s Lake was a great little spot just outside Moab if you’re looking for rustic camping without a bunch of extra fluff.
There are pit toilets and no water, so bring your own and plan accordingly. Once you’ve accepted that, it’s a really nice place to camp.
One of the best parts was the walk to Faux Falls. My 10-year-old kept talking about wanting to go see “Fox Falls,” and for a while I genuinely thought he had somehow discovered some other waterfall in the area that I didn’t know about. I kept wondering how on earth he knew about this mystery waterfall considering he had never even been here before.
Eventually I realized he meant Faux Falls.
So naturally that turned into a family lesson on French words, silent letters, and why the French apparently decided spelling should just be more of a suggestion.
The kids and dogs absolutely loved it. They had a blast running around, exploring, and making the walk out to the falls.
Ken’s Lake is simple, scenic, close to Moab, and a great place to let the kids and dogs burn off some energy. Just bring plenty of water, be prepared for pit toilets, and don’t be surprised if your kid starts telling you about mysterious waterfalls that don’t actually exist.
- Benjamin S.Guide
Sand Island Campground
Sand Island basic sites but good spot.
Sand Island Campground was a great stop for us. It’s simple, scenic, and actually feels like camping instead of an RV subdivision with a gift shop. The bathrooms are pit toilets, so if flushing toilets are a requirement, this may not be your place. If you can survive that minor hardship, the rest is pretty easy. Fresh water is right by the registration board, and we paid for our site by scanning the Recreation.gov QR code posted there. No paperwork scavenger hunt required. Every site we saw had a picnic table and fire pit, and there are a few pull-through spots. We managed to grab one, which with a bigger rig felt like hitting the campsite jackpot. The kids had a blast looking for the petroglyphs. They’re easy to find, which means the kids get to feel like adventurous archaeologists while the adults avoid wandering aimlessly through the desert pretending we know where we’re going. It’s not fancy, and that’s exactly why we liked it. Beautiful surroundings, a practical setup, some genuinely cool history nearby, and enough space to relax. If your idea of camping requires marble showers and a concierge, keep driving. If you want a neat little desert campground with petroglyphs and a campfire, this place is a winner.
Guide to Monticello
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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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?
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?
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?
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.
Keep Exploring