Camping near New Harmony, Utah offers diverse options at elevations ranging from 2,800 to 8,000 feet, with temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler than St. George. Located between Zion National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument, this area provides both desert and alpine camping experiences with limited cellular coverage in canyon areas. Luxury glamping in New Harmony, Utah supplements traditional camping with several upscale outdoor accommodation options throughout the region.
What to do
Hiking at Red Cliffs: Located minutes from Leeds, Red Cliffs Recreation Area offers beautiful trails and dinosaur tracks. "We changed our plans and just booked one... The owner sounded very genuine and had lots of great info on the area," notes a visitor to Kolob Gate Gardens.
Visit Snow Canyon State Park: Just 30 minutes from Hurricane, explore lava flows and red rock formations. "The park is beautiful to see and there are many great hikes. I would highly recommend staying in the park to be able to enjoy all of the scenery," shares a camper at Snow Canyon State Park.
Explore water recreation: Two state parks within 20 miles of Hurricane offer water activities. "At least 3 state parks within a 20 mile radius, two are water sport havens (Sand Hollow and Quail Creek) and the other is hiking trail nirvana (Snow Canyon)," explains a visitor at WillowWind RV Park.
Try night hiking: Smaller trails offer excellent stargazing opportunities. "Our favorite parts were the adorable night hike up the hill, listening to the creek from our tent at night... The night skies were also to die for," mentions a Kolob Gate Gardens camper.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Sites along water features provide natural sound barriers from other campers. "The creek was wonderful to be next to and was so peaceful at night!" shares a visitor at Kolob Gate Gardens.
Shade coverage: Many campgrounds provide relief from desert heat. "Despite basically being in a desert, the park had lush grass in every spot and a dense tree cover. It was about 10 degrees cooler in the park because of the shade from the trees," notes a camper at Willowind RV.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers receive consistent praise. "The resort features include a pool, restaurant, and activities to sign up for... The campground area had a small store and great bathrooms and showers," mentions a visitor at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.
Pet-friendly accommodations: Many sites welcome four-legged family members. "Our site was in the area with grass between the spaces... We were getting hard water stains on our RV (the sprinkler head pointed directly at our steps out of the RV)," explains a WillowWind RV camper.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Peak season requires advance planning. "South campground used to be first come, first serve but is now reservable, with sites opening on a rolling basis two weeks in advance. This is great for a semi-spontaneous trip at a busy time of year," notes a camper at South Campground.
Weather considerations: Summer heat can be intense at lower elevations. "I'd recommend this as an early spring camp outing. The temps climb quickly in Southern Utah in late spring," advises a visitor at Snow Canyon State Park.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service and WiFi vary greatly between locations. "There is virtually no cell signal in Virgin. Certainly not enough to even begin to create a hot spot. There is wifi (and we even had a booster on our site)...but there was still terribly connectivity," explains a visitor at Zion River Resort.
Site-specific details: Research individual campsites before booking. "I highly recommend checking out the campsite photos online to see which sites would work best for your equipment, especially if you have a camper or van. Not all of the parking pads for the sites are level," advises a South Campground visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Some sites offer planned programs. "We took my Oofos on my camping trip to switch out of once we were done hiking and setting up camp... The rubber does tend to heat up too, so if you have dirt on your feet, the shoes cause your feet to sweat," cautions a visitor to Zion Canyon Campground.
Consider glamping tents for beginners: Upgraded accommodations ease first-timers into outdoor experiences. "It was my boyfriend's first time camping and he really enjoyed the experience. Also the staff at the resort is incredible and very friendly!" shares a visitor at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.
Pack for temperature swings: Areas near New Harmony can see 30-degree temperature changes between day and night. "We woke up the next morning to a light dusting of snow, but were not cold during the night," notes a Zion Ponderosa glamping tent visitor.
Choose sites with shade: Daytime temperatures can reach 100°F in summer. "In the summer time this would be my go to site... I went during March after a snow storm but 3 nights was doable," advises a Ponderosa Ranch camper about site selection.
Tips from RVers
Consider hookup needs: Electric service varies between parks. "Only the RV sites have power, and the RV sites were pathetically small. They were basically parking spots with tiny shared picnic tables between them. It looked more like a Walmart parking lot than a campsite," warns a camper at Snow Canyon State Park.
Check site dimensions: Many RV sites have specific limitations. "The lots are huge. Very wide and with lovely grass and gravel. Everyone gets a grassy area. The concrete pad is very level," shares a Zion River Resort camper.
Stay in Hurricane for more space: Campgrounds just outside national parks often provide roomier sites. "This is a large RV park but you don't feel like you're in a parking lot, the sites are nicely spaced with a lot of mature trees for shade. We were in a 30' trailer but they can accommodate smaller all the way up to the real big Motorhomes," explains a visitor at WillowWind RV Park.
Access for larger rigs: Some parks accommodate big rigs better than others. "Pretty good size park. Lots of trees for shade. Pretty easy to back out 44ft 5th wheel in. Spots are a little skinny but the grass is green and the pads are clean," notes a WillowWind camper.
