Best Tent Camping near Panguitch, UT

Dispersed tent camping dominates the Panguitch, Utah area with numerous options in Dixie National Forest. Forest Road 294 Dispersed Camping offers secluded tent sites approximately 20 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park, while Great Western Trail Dispersed provides multiple primitive tent areas along a dirt access road. These locations typically allow stays up to 14 days without permits or fees.

Access to most dispersed tent sites requires driving on unpaved forest roads. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for reaching the more remote tent locations, especially after rainfall when dirt roads may become impassable. Most tent sites lack basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or established picnic tables. Campers should pack in all necessary water and supplies. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with some areas providing established fire rings while others require campers to follow strict fire protocols during dry periods.

The primitive tent sites offer significant spacing between campers, providing solitude not found in developed campgrounds. At Forest Road 294, campers wake up to expansive views with convenient access to Bryce Canyon's hiking trails. A visitor noted, "Nice and clean, even has a place to build a fire. We were the only ones on a Thursday night." Tent campers at Great Western Trail enjoy the pine forest setting with natural shade and protection from winds. Sites along both roads provide stargazing opportunities away from light pollution, with one camper commenting that "at night the stars were so bright and beautiful." Many tent campers use these locations as affordable basecamps for exploring nearby national parks and monuments.

Best Tent Sites Near Panguitch, Utah (30)

    1. Great Western Trail Dispersed

    28 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, OR
    17 miles

    "We decided to ask a park ranger where else we could camp, he handed us a map (in the pictures) and sent us on our way."

    "You do have to drive back a little ways (see map) but quite a few spots of varying sizes, pretty spread apart. There were a handful of other people there."

    2. Forest Rd 294 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest

    7 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, OR
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 676-9300

    "I love camping here because it is so close to Bryce but also away from having a camper right next to you."

    "You can hear cars passing on the nearby road but still better than having noisy neighbors and RVs. We got to the site around 10:30pm and there were no other campers around."

    3. Raven's Nest Utah Campground

    1 Review
    Panguitch, UT
    7 miles
    +1 (480) 234-7172

    $35 / night

    "On the 93 acres, there are many dry sites to camp for the wild and adventurous. Pick your site in the trees and set up your camp."

    5. Uinta Flat Dispersed Camp

    2 Reviews
    Duck Creek Village, UT
    24 miles

    6. Stoneview ranch

    1 Review
    Tropic, UT
    24 miles
    +1 (615) 428-4956

    $35 / night

    "I'd like to welcome Stoneview Ranch to the Dyrt, they have a great location near Bryce Canyon & Pine Lake.  Check them out and make sure to share some pictures of your stay."

    7. FS500 - Dispersed

    6 Reviews
    Cannonville, UT
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 644-1300

    "Multiple sites with two on the edge. No one here. We stopped at the visitor center and got a free permit."

    "Easy to get to with 2 wheel drive when dry. Pretty tight turns between trees further back in the site where the big view is. Flat ground could be tough to find with a long vehicle or trailer."

    8. Yovimpa Pass Campsite — Bryce Canyon National Park

    2 Reviews
    Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 834-5322

    "Perfect amount of shade, and wasn’t crowded at all. Will definitely come again!"

    10. Candy Loop Camp

    2 Reviews
    Brian Head, UT
    28 miles

    "Standard dispersed camping, non designated camping. Level spots and good tree coverage. Minimal road noise and 5G service on T-Mobile"

    "I saw a few spots at the marker but in driving further to find a turnaround spot for my long van I found a few other spots. Found an open space with rock fire spots and was great."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 30 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Panguitch, UT

1285 Reviews of 30 Panguitch Campgrounds


  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Tom's Best Spring Road Dixie National Forest

    Lots of spots off this road!

    Plenty of spots (though we were here on a weekday) and SO CLOSE to Bryce NP! The stars were beautiful at night - even got some photos with my phone. There were some cows but they mostly stayed clear of the road. Road was pretty level and easy for cars to get back (and there were spots right off the road). I already want to come back!

    There was a fire ban in July so bring your camp stove and leave no trace!

  • E
    Apr. 17, 2019

    Canyons of Escalante RV Park

    Beautiful backpacking trip

    Did an awesome 3 day hike of the hurricane wash. Hiked in, set up camp, explored further, slept first night. Left our tents and gear and did a day pack hike totalling 16 miles down and back up the canyon. Third day was back out. It was amazing...other than the extreme leave no trace rules (ALL waste carried out).

  • Stephanie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2024

    Lava Flats Dispersed Camping

    Nice location in the trees

    This location has a handful of spots on both side of the main road. We saw some larger RV/motorhomes as well as basic tent camping. Fire rings are already set up for you and there is a dumpster for trash down the road next to the horse trail ride company going back towards duck creek village. Close enough to the village for buying basics, grabbing food or renting an atv. Drive to Navajo lake to swim or boat, 35 min to Cedar breaks, 35 min to red canyon, 45 min to Brian head, less than an hour to Bryce Canyon and 1.5 hrs to Zion. Only bad was the atv noise that starts super early. VERIZON COVERAGE!!! we were able to make calls, access the internet and watch steamed videos.

  • K
    Jun. 20, 2021

    North Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park

    Nicely spaced

    It’s true that they are full by noon! We arrived at 2pm and the whole place was full, so we got a hotel room in town and went back at 9am the next morning and got a wonderful spot in the tent only loop. Spots are nicely spaced and you don’t feel like you eavesdropping on your neighbors conversations. Flush toilets, but no showers in this loop. Fire rings, mostly level places for tents, picnic tables that are easy to move and space to park your car.

  • I
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Little Cottonwood Campground

    Great Overnight stop car camping

    Checked in at 8:30pm on a Monday during a cross country drive.  Host was gracious and suggested spot 12.  There  was plenty of availability even late eve (weekday).  All were good, quiet spots.  Spot 12 was across from wheelchair path to creek (Beaver River).  There was a nice bench where path met creek, great for sitting and enjoying morning coffee/fishing/relaxing.  Spots had faucet, picnic table and level tent pad filled with pea gravel-bring good footprint/tarp.  It was quiet, and the creek noise was pleasant.  The road was very close, and you could hear the traffic, but it wasn't a bother (about 2-3cars/hour).  One very nice thing about this campground is the gravel covering all the picnic/firepit and frequented areas.  This completely eliminated the dust that typically gets on everything while camping.  There was shade from trees, but this was is a pretty tight canyon, so there are very few hours of direct sunlight anyway.  Host delivered wood.  Long trails leave right from campground.  No showers, clean vault toilets.

  • Rose B.
    Aug. 9, 2018

    Cedar Canyon

    Huge Group Site!

    Campsite was HUGE! 12 kids, 8 adults, 5 cars, 2 nights. We set up 9 tents and there was still room for more. Vault toilets and 2 water spigots were a very short walk away. 2 big picnic tables. 1 other table near campfire. 1 campfire. I wish the site had its own water spigot. Near highway and near cute little creek. Zero cell service but no one seemed to notice. 15 minutes from Cedar City. 20 minutes from the lake for fishing and boating. No showers. Great time was had by all! Will definitely go back!

  • Dylan T.
    Mar. 21, 2021

    Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest

    Beautiful free camping

    The dispersed camping here is awesome. Flat spots for tents, developed fire pits, some good tree cover as well. Only about 20 minutes from the park entrance. My only complaint is that there was some road noise but other sites here may not have that issue.

  • Steve & Ashley  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2019

    Sunset Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park

    Great National Park Campground

    Sunset is one of two campgrounds in Bryce Canyon National Park in Southwest Utah. Bryce is a beautiful canyon and a must see if you are touring southern Utah. The canyon top drive extends over twenty miles with numerous lookouts points. The campgrounds are close to the main entrance and provide a great option for all levels of campers. The sites are occupied by primarily tent campers as well as smaller trailers and vans. The campground is in a nice wooded ponderosa pine area within walking and biking distance of the canyon. The campground roads were recently repaved and the sites were well maintained. Each site had a fire ring and picnic table as well as close access to fresh drinking water. The campground is a great launching point for riding bikes and going on hikes throughout the park. Bryce does not get the same number of visitors as Zion but you will need to make a reservation during the peak season to secure a campsite. We visited in October and the campground was full and had been for the previous two weeks. The temps got down to the low 20s at night in October. So you will need to pack a warm sleeping bag and winter ready gear. While we preferred Zion and Arches Park, Bryce is with the visit.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2020

    Sunset Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park

    Well maintained, good location

    Nicely organized campground. Walkable to Sunset Point. All sites in Loop B have easy access to bathroom. Clean facilities include bathroom, dish sink, water (no shower). Picnic table and a fire ring with grill provided. Open, some shade, no privacy. Room for one vehicle each site. Our 18' van fit just right. Loop B, #267.


Guide to Panguitch

Tent camping near Panguitch, Utah offers primitive experiences on national forest land at elevations of 7,000-9,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-85°F with nighttime temperatures dropping significantly even in summer months. Most dispersed sites require visitors to travel unpaved forest service roads varying from well-maintained gravel to rutted dirt tracks depending on recent weather conditions.

What to do

Stargazing after dark: At Dixie National Forest Rd 294 dispersed camping areas, the minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. One camper reported, "We were the only ones in the area and at night the stars were so bright and beautiful."

Fish for trout: Local lakes and streams within 30 minutes of dispersed camping areas provide fishing opportunities. Pack fishing gear and obtain a Utah fishing license ($16 for a 3-day non-resident permit) at shops in Panguitch.

Explore pine forests: At Great Western Trail Dispersed, campers enjoy walking through dense ponderosa pine stands. A visitor noted, "The campground is beautiful with woods surrounding our site. Lots of wildlife walking around our tent area at night."

Visit multiple parks: Most dispersed sites serve as affordable basecamps for visiting several parks in one trip. From Uinta Flat Dispersed Camp, campers can access Grand Staircase-Escalante, Bryce Canyon, and Cedar Breaks within day-trip distance. "Sites are beautiful and in the trees," notes one camper.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Dispersed camping areas offer significant distance between campsites. At FS500 Dispersed, one camper observed, "There are probably 20 sites back here," allowing campers to spread out across the area.

No reservation needed: Unlike developed campgrounds that fill quickly during peak season, dispersed camping allows spontaneous trips without advance planning. A camper at Dixie National Forest Rd 294 mentioned, "Tried both of Bryce's campgrounds and they were full. Found this and really enjoyed it."

Cost savings: Free camping options throughout Dixie National Forest let visitors allocate budgets to other activities. Sites typically allow 14-day stays with proper waste management.

Morning views: Many campers appreciate waking up to scenic vistas. At Candy Loop Camp, tent sites feature "Level spots and good tree coverage. Minimal road noise and 5G service on T-Mobile."

What you should know

Variable road conditions: Access roads to dispersed sites deteriorate quickly after rain. "It's called slick clay up here when it rains," warned one FS500 camper. "The road up is passable without 4 wheel drive if the weather is good."

Seasonal closures: Some areas close periodically for resource management. Multiple Great Western Trail reviews from 2020 reported, "This place was closed to camping September 7th unless the map took us to the wrong place," and "Many closed signs posted."

Limited mobile service: Cell coverage varies significantly between sites. Candy Loop Camp offers "5G service on T-Mobile" while other locations have no service.

Temperature fluctuations: Despite warm days, nighttime temperatures drop significantly. A Candy Loop camper advised, "Was in the 30s at night in June so be prepared!"

Tips for camping with families

Pick established fire rings: For safety with children, use existing fire rings when fire restrictions allow. At Stoneview Ranch and other areas, designated fire spots reduce wildfire risk and provide better cooking areas for family meals.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids enjoy spotting local wildlife. Great Western Trail campers report, "Lots of wildlife walking around our tent area at night," offering natural educational experiences.

Prepare for remote conditions: No running water or toilet facilities exist at most dispersed sites. Pack in sufficient water (1 gallon per person per day) and portable toilet solutions when camping with children.

Choose sites with natural boundaries: Look for locations with natural features like trees or rock formations that create visual boundaries for younger campers.

Tips from RVers

Length restrictions: Most forest roads have tight turns limiting larger vehicles. An FS500 camper noted, "Bit too narrow/rutted/angled for our small 20' trailer; amazing for tent and van camping."

Scout before driving in: Park at road entrances and walk potential sites before attempting access with trailers. "Pretty tight turns between trees further back in the site where the big view is. Flat ground could be tough to find with a long vehicle or trailer," warned an FS500 visitor.

Level site scarcity: Finding sufficiently level spots for larger vehicles can be challenging. Uinta Flat offers some of the better options, with one visitor noting, "Road in is smooth and mostly gravel. Sites are beautiful and in the trees."

Bring leveling blocks: Uneven terrain requires leveling equipment even at more accessible sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Panguitch, UT is Great Western Trail Dispersed with a 4.2-star rating from 28 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 30 tent camping locations near Panguitch, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.