Best Tent Camping near Orangeville, UT

Tent camping near Orangeville, Utah provides access to several primitive sites nestled in the high desert landscape of central Utah. Joe's Valley Bouldering Area and Upper Joes Valley Campground offer tent-only accommodations for outdoor enthusiasts, while Willow Creek Road Dispersed Site provides free backcountry tent camping opportunities at nearly 8,000 feet elevation. These tent campgrounds are situated within the Manti-La Sal National Forest region, offering a mix of established and dispersed camping options for those seeking to explore this rugged section of Utah.

Most tent campsites in the Orangeville area are primitive with minimal amenities. Willow Creek Road Dispersed Site allows fires but provides no drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Drive-in access is available at several locations, though some roads may require high clearance vehicles. The area experiences significant seasonal variation, with higher elevation sites like Willow Creek Road being unsuitable for winter tent camping due to snow and cold temperatures. Summer brings warmer conditions but afternoon thunderstorms are common, making proper tent setup essential.

The backcountry tent camping experience near Orangeville features remarkable night skies and relative solitude, particularly on weekdays. According to reviews, Willow Creek Road Dispersed Site offers quiet camping with minimal traffic, though weekend visitation increases significantly. One camper noted, "It is RIGHT next to a mountain bike trail, so expect some early-morning bikers to be coming down." The area's elevation provides cooler temperatures during summer months, making these tent-only sites popular refuges from desert heat. Campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters, including grazing cattle that occasionally wander near established tent campsites. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most primitive tent camping locations, adding to the sense of remoteness that draws many backcountry campers to this region.

Best Tent Sites Near Orangeville, Utah (26)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Orangeville, UT

2 Photos of 26 Orangeville Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Orangeville, UT

365 Reviews of 26 Orangeville Campgrounds


  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2023

    South Temple Wash Campground

    Open sunny CG

    CG close to goblin valley SP. But this BLM CG is FCFS, $15/$7.50 plus two group areas, one at each end. 12 sites total, two vault toilets. No water, no dumpsters however each site has a table and fire ring...the group sites have a shade awning also. Paved road all the way in CG is gravel, no shade whatsoever! Cell signal is 1-2 bars on my TMobile phone but my Starlink rocks the interwebs here! Lack of dumpsters is reason for 4 stars.

    Note: The Goblin Valley St Park is $20 per vehicle for day use entry and then $45-$65 for camping. $45 with no hookups!!

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2023

    BLM Mexican Mt Road Dispersed Camping

    BLM Free dispersed

    The Mexican Mt Road starts at the Swinging Bridge North CG, goes past the BLM equestrian CG, then goes for 10 miles till road is blocked at Mexican Mt wilderness. Many nice free dispersed sites along this maintained but dusty road. Some sites down toward the San Rafael river in the bushes, others along the road or in side draws toward the cliffs. No designated sites, no water, no trash, no cell signal. As of now the BLM has no formal rule for portable toilets but that may change in future.

  • Terry K.
    Jul. 8, 2023

    Goblin Valley State Park Campground

    Other worldly scenery

    Only 24 sites makes this one of the hardest campgrounds in Utah to book. If you’re lucky enough to get in then you are going to love Goblin Valley. All of the sites come equipped with a shade structure, picnic table & fire ring. Best sites are on the out side of the loop, with the cliffs right behind you. No hook ups, but the is potable water & dump station. Small visitor center/store offers a few essentials. Very hot & windy when we were there in June. Dark skies offer amazing star gazing. Clean bathrooms and free, private showers.

  • Salty Vet Adventures W.
    Mar. 9, 2021

    Goblin Valley State Park Campground

    Basic Campground in the middle of the desert

    Drive through video tour

    Here is the deal. If you need a campground with some amenities then this might be the place for you. It has a dump station, places to fill up water and bathrooms/showers. Keep in mind that during the winter the water is probably shut off.

    You get the above for $35 a night. This includes free neighbors close by to talk to.

    Now, if you don't really need all of the above and don't want to pay $35 a night, you need to check out all of the BLM land out here. There are SOOO many FREE places to camp away from everyone. Certain times of the year can get busy but you still can't beat free.

    Okay, back to the campground review. When I visited the area was well kept and clean. The water was off for the winter so the flush toilets and showers weren't available. Vault toilets were open.

    The sites aren't crammed together but you will still have neighbors. Each site has a table, fire pit, shade shelter and tent pad area. There are a couple of yurts that you can rent and also some tent only spots that you are required to walk to.

    Overall, it is a decent campground but I would prefer to stay for free on BLM land. I am also set up with a toy hauler that I can be self sufficient for a week. So, if you need or want the amenities of a campground then you can't really go wrong here. You also don't have much of a choice out here in the middle of nowhere. 🤣

  • J
    May. 9, 2021

    Swinging Bridge Equestrian Campground

    Beautiful 360º Views Next to the San Rafael River

    We stayed this weekend (early May 2021) at the Swinging Bridge South Campground and had a great time. The campground includes:

    • Tent pads at every site
    • Plenty of space to pull up in one's vehicle
    • Accessible unisex pit toilet
    • Picnic tables at every site
    • Metal fire rings

    The cost is $15 per night with a limit to 2 vehicles per site and up to 10 people per site, with half-price discounts for National Parks/Interagency Passes. There are neither trash receptacles on-site nor potable water, so plan to pack in/pack out.

    This dog-friendly BLM campground made a great home base for adventuring in the Buckhorn Wash and Little Grand Canyon overlook area. There was minimal road noise at night, though you can hear neighboring campers since it's a fairly open campground. On our night it was rather windy so plan to bring strong tie-downs for your ground tent if you plan to use the tent pads.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    Buckhorn Draw Fee Campground Sites 18-21

    Buckhorn 18-21 Fee area campsites

    This is a cluster of 4 campsites scattered in a draw. Roads are sandy though so recon first. May be more suited to trucks and tenters instead of RVs. $15/$7.50 senior as of Jan 2023. Vault toilet at this cluster, tables and fire rings. No water, no trash, no cell signal.

  • Isabelle K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2017

    Goblin Valley State Park Campground

    Camping on public lands outside of Goblin Valley State Park

    Our group was approaching Goblin Valley State Park around 8 pm and stopped at a gas station in Hanksville, Utah. A worker at the station gave us the great advice to save a few dollars and enjoy a more desolate camping experience by utilizing the BLM land along UT-24. We took a 4x4 road (38.460945, 110.674291) and drove up for about 15 minutes to the top of a ridge line at dusk until we found a flat spot to pitch our tent and an existing fire ring. When we woke up we were astounded by the magnificent views. I would definitely recommend camping here if you are in the area and looking for a primitive spot to get away from civilization in the desert.

  • Pat S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2020

    Goblin Valley State Park Campground

    Desert oasis

    Goblin Valley State park is located on off of Hwy 24 between Hanksville and Green River UT, This is a 24 site campground inside the park. There are 14 Vehicle / RV sites and 10 tent only. There are also two yurts to rent.  The campground is in good condition, Each site has a paved parking spot, four are pull through ADA spots for bigger RV's. There are fire pits, picnic tables, and tent pads at each site. There are also sunshade structures at each site. Note: be careful when you pick a site online, a few structures face into the afternoon sun, we chose poorly, we had to put up a tarp for shade.  There are flush toilets and showers located in the one restroom. There is also a pit toilets up near the yurts The park is super family friendly and there are a lot of areas to explore. So the CG will have a good amount of families and kids. That didn't bother us, we enjoyed seeing all the kids explore the goblins and rock formations near the CG. There is a big group site too which looks to cost $100 on the reservation site. There is a dump staion and trash dumpsters located across from the rest room. There are potable water spigots located throughout the CG.

    The CG gives direct access to the Curtis Bench Trail and the Entrada Canyon trail. You can hike and Mt. Bike right from the CG to all areas of the park. Some notable hikes are the Three Sister, Carmel Canyon, and Goblins Lair, which is actually the Mollys Castle overlook trail.

  • Emma A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2020

    Goblin Valley State Park Campground

    Pretty spot, minimal services

    The goblin Valley Campground is located within goblin Valley State Park in Utah. This is pretty much in the middle of nowhere between Hanksville and Green River on a 12 miles off detour off Highway 24. The park itself provides access to a rare and bizarre landscape of rock formation some assembling goblins mushrooms and other spires which is pretty unique to the area. The campground is nestled on the edge of some of these rock for atto a in a really scenic location. Covered picnic tables fire rings we’re also provided and a paved driveway and tent pads were also provided. No water, electric hook-ups. However, despite a fairly steep price for a standard non-electric site ( $30) minimal facilities were offered. The bathrooms and showers were closed for the season (it was late December) ang there was only access to a pit toilet near the yurts a little walk away from the campsites. There were flushing toilets a couple of miles away at the visitor center and a at the major view point over the valley of goblins. no cell reception on either Verizon or AT&T.


Guide to Orangeville

Tent camping near Orangeville, Utah, offers a chance to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the region. With a variety of campgrounds available, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to pitch their tent and enjoy the great outdoors.

Tips for tent camping near Orangeville

  • Upper Joes Valley Campground provides a serene environment with no electric hookups or fires allowed, making it ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat.
  • Nuck Woodward Road Trailhead is a great choice for campers who appreciate a no-frills experience, as it also prohibits fires and pets, ensuring a quiet atmosphere.
  • Ferron - Muddy Creek Recreation Area offers a rustic camping experience with no amenities like showers or water hookups, perfect for those who want to truly disconnect.

Local activities to enjoy while camping

  • At Joe's Valley Bouldering Area, climbers can tackle some of the best bouldering routes in the state, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
  • Huntington Canyon Recreation Area is a fantastic spot for hiking and fishing, providing access to beautiful trails and serene waters.
  • Ferron Canyon Picnic Area is perfect for a day of exploration, with opportunities for hiking and enjoying a picnic amidst stunning landscapes.

Some prices for tent camping are free

  • Bellevue Flats TH offers free camping with no permit required, making it an excellent budget-friendly option for tent campers.
  • Horse Canyon Camping Area also provides a no-cost camping experience, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank.
  • Spring City is another free option, though it lacks amenities like trash disposal and showers, so be prepared to pack out what you bring in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Orangeville, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Orangeville, UT is Joe's Valley Bouldering Area with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Orangeville, UT?

TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Orangeville, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.