Campers looking for spots near Monticello, Utah will find themselves close to several national parks including Zion, Arches, and Bryce Canyon. Hamburger Rock Campground draws many people because of its interesting rock formations and how close it sits to Canyonlands National Park. Devils Canyon Campground works better for those wanting more facilities, with its clean vault toilets and good separation between RV and tent areas. Spring and fall bring the best camping weather around Monticello, with milder temperatures and colorful landscapes. The summer heat can be intense, so bringing extra water and finding shaded sites becomes important. Most camping areas in this region don't take reservations, making early arrival essential, especially on weekends and holidays. Recapture Reservoir gives campers places to paddleboard and swim when they need a break from hiking. Remember that some sites like Hamburger Rock don't have drinking water available, so you'll need to bring your own supply. The spotty cell coverage throughout the area means you'll probably spend more time looking at stars than screens. Whether you're seeking developed campgrounds or more remote campsites, the Monticello area has good camping for different styles of outdoor trips.
$20 / night
"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."
"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."
$45 - $80 / night
"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"
"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."
$40 - $65 / night
"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."
$20 - $50 / night
"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."
"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!"
$40 - $75 / 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"
"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!"
$20 - $50 / night
"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."
"We were right next to the vault toilet which the hosts keep extraordinarily clean. By the group sites there was another bathroom."
RangerAs many have mentioned in other reviews, this is a great place to spend a few days.It's right next to dead horse area on the bend of the colorado river, the views are spectacular.The restroom facilities feature running water and they were very clean.
ScoutGreat location. Office staff very helpful and welcoming.
GuideStayed here in our 40 ft fifth wheel, you can only camp starting 2 miles in. There are several sites suitable for a large RV on the left, I would not travel past the fifth or so site in a camper as the road gets rough. We were there before the crazy season so it was peaceful.
GuideWe went down Potash from Moab side and planned to camp along trail and head into Canyonlands NP next day. Made it about 1/2 way and signage posted that there is no camping between that point and the NP. We camped right on the border of that sign and had no issues. Another couple came up later and camped next to us too. Road is still fun to drive and we made it on Potash Rd and Schaffer Rd Trail in our 2WD van.
ScoutNo dispersed camping on Potash per park ranger.
We attempted to camp here and nothing looked accessible. Small rock embankments lined the road in this marked area.
GuideThis was a great camp site although there are a few things to take note of. The name and coordinates are misleading. You can’t actually camp at “Chicken Corners”but there are designated camp sites that are $20/night along the way. The sites are rock and dirt but flat and good sized! There is a fire ring and a picnic table at each. There are dumpsters near the sites and a few vault toilets. Everything is very well maintained but still preserved. You definitely need a high clearance SUV and a confident driver. There is zero cell service. Overall, this site was well worth the $20/night.
38.47061° N, 109.64752° W
ScoutSmall only room for a few tents there is a bathroom though and it is absolutely beautiful
TravelerAmazing Views from the campground. Camped at Site #14. We hiked the Fisher Towers trail and didn't want to backtrack towards Moab. This was the perfect spot to relax after the hike. Spots were very level, picnic tables and firepits. Overall it didn't feel cramped all all. First week in March, the campground was empty when we got there at 3pm on a Saturday but by 5pm, almost all spots were taken. Vault toilet/outhouse was very clean and can't beat the view with the stars above. LOL! If it's full, there are several other CG's back along the river on 128.
FYI, the location on the map are incorrect, but the directions are correct. From the location on Google Maps coordinates came up as 38.720414,-109.343827.
ScoutGreat and clean facilities, friendly staff.
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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