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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
