Best Tent Camping near Oljato-Monument Valley, UT

Tent camping options around Oljato-Monument Valley include several established sites catering specifically to tent campers. Rent A Tent Monument Valley provides fully set up Springbar tents with beds, linens, and fire pits, offering views of 14 different monuments in the valley. Other options include FireTree Camping which features walk-in tent sites with drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets. Narrow Canyon Orchards Campsite provides more primitive accommodations with multiple access types including drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in options for tent campers seeking flexibility.

Most tent campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities, with variations depending on location and management. Picket Road BLM offers free dispersed camping with fire rings but lacks facilities like drinking water or toilets. Stanton Creek Primitive Campground at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area charges $12 per night and requires self-registration via envelopes. Access roads to primitive sites can become rough, especially after rain, with many requiring high clearance vehicles. Several campgrounds provide potable water, but dispersed campers should bring their own supplies, particularly at more remote locations.

The Oljato-Monument Valley region offers tent campers distinctive views and experiences not available to those in developed areas. Sites near water, like those at Stanton Creek, allow for immediate lake access for swimming and other water activities. Campers can find varying levels of solitude depending on timing and location selection. A visitor to Stanton Creek noted, "There are tons of shoreline available to camp at, just keep driving around until you find a spot!" Weather conditions vary seasonally, with some reviewers reporting perfect temperatures in October with daytime highs in the 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 50s. Wildlife sightings are common, including coyotes, herons, falcons, and lizards.

Best Tent Sites Near Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah (7)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Oljato-Monument Valley, UT

306 Reviews of 7 Oljato-Monument Valley Campgrounds


  • Isabelle K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2020

    Stanton Creek Primitive Campground — Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

    Car camping on the shores of Lake Powell

    Car camping options at Lake Powell are tough to come by due to the incredibly steep canyon walls that surround this unique reservoir. We planned a last minute trip to the lake over Memorial Day weekend and visited this campground so we could be right on the water. Thankfully, we arrived early on Friday morning and were able to fight the crowds and claim a campsite. By mid-day, we were surrounded by other campers on all sides. Despite being a large campground and having plenty of sites, it is quite popular and you must arrive as early as possible to snag a good spot. I am used to dispersed camping, so it still felt a bit crowded for us. However, all of our neighbors were super friendly and we were just steps from the warm water. The location can’t be beat considering the limited options on the lake. Bathrooms are basic but clean and well spaced out. Tons of dispersed sites to chose from, each marked by a fire ring. The road can be rough to get there and to reach certain sites, so I would recommend a high clearance vehicle. Also be sure to stake down your tent, the winds pick up here out of nowhere!

  • M
    Feb. 27, 2021

    Natural Bridges Campground

    Good for the Night

    We stayed here for 1 night in our camper van in late February and had the place to ourselves. Sites were nice with a fire ring and picnic tables. A good spot if you’re going from Canyonlands to Capitol Reef National Park. Vault toilets, no running water, no hookups.

  • Shannon C.
    May. 20, 2018

    Stanton Creek Primitive Campground — Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

    Right on the lake!

    There are no designated campsites. Find a suitable spot on the lake and set up camp! The amount of available campsites changes year-to-year with changes in lake levels. Although portable toilets are available, you are required to have your own self-contained unit if you camp on the lake. There is no potable water available, so bring your own.

    Supplies are available at the Marina, gas station, and boat store; however, if you don't want to pay Park-Service prices, take the 10-mile trip to the Off Shore Marina outside the National Recreation Area.

    Fishing, Kayaking, swimming, and other watersports available in Lake Powell right at your campsite!

  • K
    May. 24, 2018

    Goosenecks State Park Campground

    Breath taking views

    After traveling to Muley point later in the day than expected we needed a place to park our Campervan. We were pleasantly surprised at this small unattended campsite. The views were WONDERFUL! Vaulted toilets, no water. but good shaded covers to the picnic tables and fire ring.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2022

    Natural Bridges Campground

    Cool Out of the Way National Monument

    Small campground located in Natural Bridges National Monument, which is located within Bears Ears National Monument boundaries.

    $15/night. Self pay, first come first served. There are vault toilets, garbage cans, and plastic, paper, and aluminum recycling within the campground. No water at campground, but the visitor center has bottle and jug filling stations. 

    The length limit is 26ft, which seems accurate as our 26ft motorhome fit in the spot but anything bigger wouldn’t have. The loop is narrow as well, so bigger rigs would have a difficult time navigating the campground. 

    There are hikes in between the bridges (no bikes allowed on hiking trails) or you can drive or bike the 9 mile loop to see the bridges. 

    No cell service here and service in the Bears Ears NM was spotty. The cell booster did not help and there is no wifi in the visitor center/ bookstore.

  • Jeanene A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2016

    Goosenecks State Park Campground

    Camping with a view!

    Looking across the land as you pull in the gate and there is not much to see...until you get to the rim! Camping is first come, first served at the available 8 spots. There is not much shade but there are toilets. Fire rings and picnic tables are about all you will get at these spots and you better bring your own shade. Nothing to block the wind so if weather turning be ready, storms can come in fast and strong here. Low profile tents are best - ground is hard on tent stakes to! Camping is only $10 per site per night if no ranger you can self pay with envelope and dropbox. Enjoy exploring!

  • Bill R.
    May. 1, 2025

    Natural Bridges Campground

    Remote, magical, dry, small cg, small sites, limited amenitiesStayed

    Stayed here for 6 nights in mid-April. Enjoyed it! Weather was a mixed bag. A little bit sunny & warm, a lot windy and cold, with a bit of rain & snow thrown in. It's a very quiet place. Some sites are more private than others. A few have views of the surroundings.

    There are receptacles for trash, aluminum, plastic and glass in the CG.,2 vault toilets, no host, no water and it seemed like only 12 sites were available. The CG is 100% reservable. 

    The visitor center is currently open 7 days a week, from 9 to 4. This changes based on the season. There is a trail (.4 mile) from the CG to the center Water available, up to 5 gallons per person per day, from a bottle filler/fountain. Wifi which worked fairly well for internet access and texting. You can stand close to the building after hours and still access it. There are also restrooms with flush toilets and heat which seemed to be open 24/7. The center has a gift shop and several rangers on duty.

  • J
    Apr. 2, 2021

    Goosenecks State Park Campground

    Looking for quiet?

    All you can hear is the wind, and it does blow a lot. This is a very quiet place, there were 5 other rigs there camping but there is plenty of space to spread out. There was plenty of traffic in the day use area but if you drive down the dirt road to the left you won’t be bothered by the people just stopping by to take a quick look at the views. There is a vault toilet but didn’t use it, some picnic tables and tent camping area near the entrance. Nearest town is about 6 miles from the site but not much there but a gas station/ 7-11 bring everything you will need with you.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2024

    Navajo National Monument Canyon View Campground

    Outstanding Views

    Canyon View at Navajo National Monument : This is such an outstanding campground that it was a shame it was closed in mid May. Staff told me that it was closed because work needed to be finished on the toilets. No work was being done on them when we walked through.

    (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

    Overall Rating: 5+ Price 2024: $ w interagency pass Security: no Usage during visit: closed Site Privacy: Very good Site Spacing: Very good Pad surface: Gravel Reservations: First come first serve Outside Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: no Potable Water Available: At Sunset View campground. Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Pit toilets Showers: no Pull Throughs: Available Cell Service (AT&T): 1 bar Setting: juniper and piñon pine Recent Weather: 60 to 70s w occasional wind. Solar: Great Insects:No Host: No Rig Size: 28’ max. Sites: There are some great sites, large and w great views. These are identified in included pics.


Guide to Oljato-Monument Valley

Dispersed camping in the Oljato-Monument Valley area offers options from primitive to developed sites across public lands and private property. The region sits at approximately 5,200 feet elevation, where temperatures fluctuate dramatically between seasons, with summer highs reaching 100°F and winter lows dipping below freezing. Access roads to many sites become challenging after rainfall, with several requiring high-clearance vehicles.

What to do

Lake access activities: At Stanton Creek Primitive Campground, visitors can enjoy immediate water recreation. "Fishing, Kayaking, swimming, and other watersports available in Lake Powell right at your campsite," notes Shannon C., while another camper mentions "we were just steps from the warm water."

Wildlife observation: Multiple camping areas provide opportunities to observe native species. At Stanton Creek, one visitor reported, "We could hear coyotes howling all night, so be careful if you have smaller dogs with you and keep your trash out of reach. We saw lots of other wildlife, too! Herons, peregrines, and little lizards everywhere."

Bikepacking routes: Stanton Creek serves as an excellent destination for bikepacking enthusiasts. "We rode here from Upper Miley twist area on the Burr Trail. It was very windy, but tons of spots. Lots of clean bathrooms too. You can pretty easily find access to water as well," shares Christy M.

What campers like

Beach camping opportunities: The shoreline camping at Lake Powell provides unique experiences. Preston G. from Stanton Creek Primitive Campground shares, "We took our camper and found a spot on their dispersed camping area. The water was warm and clear. Kids had a blast on the beach and my brother was able to park the boat right on our beach."

Unobstructed views: The dispersed camping areas offer panoramic vistas of the landscape. At Picket Road BLM, Alfred H. notes the site has "A big rig friendly place with space for several cars... Stunning view."

Flexible campsite selection: Many areas allow campers to choose their own spot rather than being confined to designated sites. At Stanton Creek, one reviewer explains, "There are no designated campsites. Find a suitable spot on the lake and set up camp! The amount of available campsites changes year-to-year with changes in lake levels."

What you should know

Payment systems: Different campgrounds have varying payment requirements. At Stanton Creek, campers should know that "It costs $12 per night to camp here (you just pay with self serve envelopes)."

Road conditions: Access can be challenging depending on vehicle type and weather conditions. A visitor to Picket Road BLM warns, "The road get a little washed out the further you drive in. High clearance and 4x4 recommended especially when it's raining."

Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping areas have minimal or no amenities. At Stanton Creek, "Although portable toilets are available, you are required to have your own self-contained unit if you camp on the lake. There is no potable water available, so bring your own."

Tips for camping with families

Securing equipment: Weather conditions can change rapidly in the desert environment. Isabelle K. from Stanton Creek advises, "be sure to stake down your tent, the winds pick up here out of nowhere!"

Supply planning: Most primitive sites require complete self-sufficiency. Shannon C. mentions that "Supplies are available at the Marina, gas station, and boat store; however, if you don't want to pay Park-Service prices, take the 10-mile trip to the Off Shore Marina outside the National Recreation Area."

Weather timing: Seasonal planning significantly impacts comfort levels. One camper at Stanton Creek found that "The weather was perfect in late October, 70s in the day, 50s at night and not too many bugs."

Tips from RVers

Beach parking considerations: Some sites allow RVs direct lake access. At Stanton Creek, Laynie R. states, "This is a lovely area. Best place to go if you want to boat. There are a lot of spots you can go right off the beach. Very sandy, but worth it."

Arrival timing: Popular areas fill quickly during peak seasons. Isabelle K. recommends, "We planned a last minute trip to the lake over Memorial Day weekend and visited this campground so we could be right on the water. Thankfully, we arrived early on Friday morning and were able to fight the crowds and claim a campsite. By mid-day, we were surrounded by other campers on all sides."

Campsite spacing: Even in dispersed camping areas, proximity to others varies by location and timing. "Despite being a large campground and having plenty of sites, it is quite popular and you must arrive as early as possible to snag a good spot."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you rent a tent in Monument Valley?

Yes, you can rent a fully set up tent in Monument Valley. Rent A Tent Monument Valley offers Springbar Tents with full-sized beds, complete with linens, blankets, and pillows. These accommodations also include a fire-pit and grill for cooking. This service is ideal if you want to experience tent camping without bringing your own gear, especially for visitors traveling from afar or those new to camping. Reservations are recommended to secure your tent rental, particularly during peak tourist seasons.

Where can I find tent camping sites in Monument Valley?

Monument Valley offers several tent camping options. Picket Road BLM provides dispersed camping with stunning views and space for several vehicles, though high clearance and 4x4 are recommended when roads are wet. For those seeking walk-in tent sites with more amenities, FireTree Camping offers reservable sites with water and toilet facilities. The Monument Valley area also has primitive BLM land where dispersed camping is permitted. Be prepared for minimal facilities at most sites, and check seasonal availability as some areas close during winter months.

Are there camping spots near lakes in Monument Valley?

While Monument Valley itself is known for its desert landscape without natural lakes, nearby Stanton Creek Primitive Campground at Lake Powell offers excellent tent camping along the shoreline. This campground costs $12 per night (self-serve payment) and features dispersed camping where you can set up right on the beach with lake access. The water is warm and clear during summer months, making it perfect for swimming and boating. The road in can be rough, requiring SUVs or vehicles with decent clearance. There are portable toilets available, though water levels may vary seasonally, affecting shoreline camping availability.