Best Tent Camping near Oljato-Monument Valley, UT

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.