Camping opportunities around Orderville, Utah range from developed campgrounds to primitive dispersed sites, with several options providing access to nearby national parks. The region includes Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort offering tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations east of town, while BLM dispersed camping at locations like Mt Carmel Old 89 and Twin Hollows Canyon provide free alternatives with fewer amenities. Many campgrounds serve as convenient basecamps for exploring Zion National Park, located approximately 30 minutes west of Orderville, as well as Bryce Canyon National Park to the northeast.
Road conditions and seasonal considerations affect camping access throughout the area, with many free dispersed sites requiring higher clearance vehicles or careful navigation. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round, though weather can be variable with cold nights even during summer months at higher elevations. The nearby BLM lands offer free camping with primitive conditions and no facilities, requiring visitors to pack in water and pack out waste. Cell service varies by location, with reviewers noting good coverage at some dispersed sites: "I had 2/3 bars with Verizon" at Twin Hollows Canyon according to one camper.
Campgrounds within Zion National Park, such as Watchman and South Campground, provide convenient access to shuttle services and trailheads but require advance reservations due to high demand. Many campers highlight the proximity to natural features as a key benefit of the area's camping options. Twin Hollows Canyon sites near creek beds receive positive reviews for their natural setting. The region's mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, with tent and RV sites available at most developed facilities. Several reviews mention the convenience of nearby amenities: "There's a gas station and restaurant less than five minutes away. There's a very small grocery store about 10 minutes away in Orderville." Private campgrounds in the area typically offer more amenities including hookups, showers, and laundry facilities.
$35 - $130 / night
"Sites were typical National Park, small and close together but well positioned. We had close access to a modern restroom that was clean and well maintained. "
"Watchman is conveniently located within walking distance of the Zion National Park south entrance. The camp sites are shaded with trees and red gravel/sand ground structure."
"We camped here for two nights and really enjoyed being next to the creek. There are lots of dispersed spots available. Ours was right next to the creek, and had a fire pit."
"It’s next to a creek and has a lot of private room to camp. It’s only 14 miles out of Zion national park! The creek is dry right now as it’s middle of July."
$35 - $50 / night
"Perfect location just a short walk away from the visitors center where you catch the shuttle into the park, or exit to catch the shuttle to Springdale. Clean bathrooms. No shade at site 125."
"The drive in from the Eastern entrance is simply incredible and full of epic photo ops. Zion reminds me of Yosemite Valley in some ways."
$40 - $54 / night
"Also a nice little restaurant within walking distance (right across the street)."
"Pool, laundry, snacks and not to mention walking distance to everything in town. There is a nice river running behind the camp ground"
"Site was easy to find and a great stop right outside of eastern entrance to Zion. Was close to road but traffic noise was minimal and not too distracting."
"Great spot close to the back entrance of Zion National Park. Lots of camping sites, some already have fireplaces made by previous goers."
"Lovely spot with a river running along one side, but only people with river spots have access to it! Conveniently within the nice town of Springdale and very close to park entrance."
"The location is definitely a highlight, it’s just a short walk to the park entrance, which made getting in and out of Zion really convenient. "
"The campsite was calm and easy to drive into. Zion and Bryce are both close by too."
"There is a bit of garbage and stuff dumped over the edges if you look for it. No odour no flies. Nice breeze. Felt safe. Quiet as its buffered from the highway."
"The campground is located away from the resort features which we appreciated, so that is was a little more of an authentic camping experience."
"We were just looking for a place to sleep, checked out the first camping outside of Zion east entrance and decided to check out the next closest one according to info from the Zion ranger."
"Overall a very positive experience and would recommend if in the area"
"Small RV Camping Park, Just enough distance from Highway, lawn and trees, very friendly staff, clean and appropriate restrooms."
$62 - $80 / night
"Your camping spot is private and clean with wonderful views of Utah. The campground amenities, like the laundry and the market, work on the honor system."
"They have a beautiful property, that is surrounded by Gorgeous Utah mountains. Thursday nights they have a social, offering wine, beer, food and a great overall experience! Bathrooms are 5 Star!"
GuideWe snagged a last minute spot here and its a lovely place with great hosts. Primarily a horse camp--for people to camp with their horses to ride in the nearby canyons--we grabbed an electric hookup campsite for $50. Perfect for us to go see The Wave the next morning and leave our trailer vs bringing it down the unpaved road.
ScoutClean, friendly RV park near virgin river
GuidePretty scenery. Each site has full hook ups. Some with shade. It was nearly $70 per night after taxes. There are two single person bathrooms with shower. Guests are asked to keep restrooms clean and they were. Some highway noise as large trucks echo off canyon wall but quiet overnight. Easy to get back to town and perfect if you are visiting Best Friends.
GuideHad a very enjoyable time, fishing/trail riding. Very close to town and restrooms and showers were very clean.
TravelerSmall camping area 20 minutes from Zion, hour and 10 from Bryce. It's a ohv trail head so can get dusty. Can accommodate big rigs in a few spots.
GuideGreat place to camp unlimited trails for you to explore nice big open flat area we are 72’ coach and trailer the pink coral sand dunes are beautiful and close to all the parks. We will be back
TravelerOne of the most beautiful off grid camping spots in Zion.
ScoutThe reservoir is great for swimming, boating and fishing. The dunes are heavily used for off road vehicles. The campsites are fairly well spaced. We will be back.
TravelerCreekside camping. Good turnaround. Grassy area.
Camping options near Orderville, Utah range from developed facilities to primitive sites at elevations between 5,500-7,000 feet. Located along Highway 89 between Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, the area experiences dramatic temperature swings with summer days reaching 95°F while nights can drop into the 40s even in July. Winter camping requires preparation for below-freezing conditions with occasional snow accumulation at higher elevations.
Hiking nearby trails: Access exceptional hiking options from Twin Hollows Canyon where "Playing in the creek was great for my eight-year-old (be careful of cyanobacteria in area) as well as exploring the tunnel. Oh and the tadpoles and snakes in the creek are awesome too!" The creek exploration area is accessible for most vehicles and offers a natural playground for families.
Horseback riding: Book trail rides from Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort which offers guided excursions through the forested plateau. A camper noted, "I took a last-minute trail ride" that provided views of the surrounding landscapes not accessible by car. Rates start at $45 for one-hour rides.
Swimming and watersports: Drive 65 miles west to Westside Campground at Sand Hollow State Park where "The beach area is gorgeous with lots of smooth sand and cool red rock formations" and "There is a restaurant in the park that has decent food." Equipment rentals include boats, sea-doos and paddleboards, though reviews mention "the equipment is old."
Stargazing opportunities: The rural setting around Orderville provides exceptional night sky viewing. At Zion Scenic Byway dispersed camping, "Almost no light pollution. You can see so many stars at night" according to reviews. Most dispersed sites offer unobstructed views of the Milky Way visible on moonless nights.
Privacy at dispersed sites: Mt Carmel Old 89 Dispersed Camping provides seclusion just minutes from attractions. "We found a beautiful spot right next to the Virgin River and we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. There was an old corral across the road from where we spent two nights and it just added to the ambiance of the area." Sites vary in size and terrain, with the most private spots requiring short walks from parking areas.
Temperature diversity: The elevation changes allow campers to escape summer heat or winter cold by selecting appropriate campsites. A camper at Bauers Canyon Ranch RV Park appreciated that "Each site has a lot of space with a fire pit and a table. It has trees scattered around but you can still see sky well if you are wanting to stargaze." Morning temperatures typically run 15-20 degrees cooler than afternoon highs.
Access limitations: Road conditions can change rapidly, especially after storms. At Twin Hollows Canyon, "You need very high clearance to get to this camp site. Very rough road to get to it. Could not get all the way there." Another reviewer warned, "I would highly recommend only trying to get into this location during the day. I couldn't see the trail and google had me a few feet from a cliff before I got out and used a flashlight."
Seasonal concerns: Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round but with varying amenities. South Campground reviews note that "The summer nights by the beach camping out with your people and your dogs is one of my favorites," while winter campers reported "We woke up the next morning to a light dusting of snow, but were not cold during the night."
Reservation systems: Campground booking windows vary significantly. A South Campground visitor explained, "Reservations can be made two weeks before your stay, and you can only reserve three nights. We reserved a site for three nights and then waited three days to reserve a site for two more nights." For national park campgrounds, booking 6 months in advance is often necessary.
Best campground amenities: Watchman Campground offers family-friendly features including Halloween activities. "It was Halloween and many of the kids camped around us dressed up in costumes and went trick or treating. Many campers put up festive lighting and one even set up a full size inflatable castle which was a big hit." The campground has dedicated children's programs during summer months.
Safety considerations: Designate swimming areas carefully and check for hazards. One visitor noted, "Swimmer's itch is real but only affects a percentage of people" when discussing Sand Hollow State Park. For creek exploration, a reviewer warned, "be careful of cyanobacteria in area" while their children played at Twin Hollows Canyon.
Educational opportunities: Schedule ranger-led programs when available for maximum educational value. "Watchman 8 am hike with a ranger was easy but informative. We learned about the recent storm that caused quite a bit of damage and closed several trails." These programs typically last 1-2 hours and are designed for all ages.
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds have specific length limitations. A camper at South Campground noted, "Our sites (73 and 70) had a 19 foot maximum vehicle length listed on recreation.gov. We could tell from the online photos that our teardrop would fit just fine even without turning it sideways." Check site specifications before booking to ensure adequate space.
Power considerations: Generator rules vary significantly between locations. At Bauers Canyon Ranch RV Park, "level site with decent hookups, awesome WiFi, very clean bathrooms and laundry room (inexpensive too). Even a small bit of grass and shade tree on site. Very reasonable. Only 20 min to Zion NP east gate." This provides options for RVers requiring reliable electric service.
Water access: Water availability fluctuates seasonally at dispersed sites. At Mt Carmel Old 89, a reviewer cautioned, "It rained hard while we were in the National Park & our site was muddy when we returned. That is the only downside to this spot." RVers should arrive with full water tanks when using dispersed camping areas as water sources can be unreliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What RV rental options are available in Orderville, Utah for Zion visitors?
For RV camping near Orderville when visiting Zion, several options provide varying levels of amenities. Hitch-N-Post RV Park offers full facilities including showers, cell signal, and WiFi, plus walking distance to town amenities. Zion RV and Campground provides a convenient roadside location on the main highway into Zion from the east, with a gas station and café across the street—ideal for early morning park entries. While there aren't RV rental companies directly in Orderville, visitors typically rent from larger towns like St. George or Cedar City and drive to these accommodating campgrounds.
Where can I find camping spots near Orderville, Utah?
Several excellent camping options exist near Orderville, Utah. Twin Hollows Canyon offers dispersed camping with creek-side spots about 45 minutes from Zion's Visitor Center. Fire pits and decent cell coverage make this a comfortable option. For those seeking amenities, Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort near Orderville provides reservable sites with water and toilets. Free BLM camping is available at Mt Carmel Old 89 Dispersed Camping, offering both drive-in and walk-in access. These locations provide convenient bases for exploring Zion National Park and the surrounding areas.
How does Orderville's elevation affect camping conditions throughout the year?
Orderville's elevation (approximately 5,450 feet) creates distinct seasonal camping conditions. At similar elevations nearby, Watchman Campground experiences sunny days and cold nights in late fall, occasionally seeing snow. Summer temperatures can be hot, while spring and fall offer milder conditions. Higher elevation campgrounds like Navajo Lake Campground in Dixie National Forest stay cooler in summer but have shorter seasons due to snow. Pack layers year-round as temperature swings between day and night can be significant. The best camping weather typically occurs from late spring through early fall, with summer bringing potential for afternoon thunderstorms.
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