35 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Dispersed camping options surround Park Valley, Utah, with both primitive sites and established campgrounds in the neighboring areas. Most camping activity concentrates in the City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park, approximately 50 miles northeast in Idaho. These areas provide multiple accommodation types including tent platforms, RV sites with varying hookup levels, and even yurt and glamping options for those seeking more comfort. Campground options range from developed sites with amenities to remote, free dispersed camping on public land where visitors can experience greater solitude.
Road quality varies significantly throughout the region, with many campgrounds requiring travel on rough dirt and gravel roads. A camper noted, "The 9 miles of gravel road to get there are extremely bumpy with washboard surfaces for most of the way. In a small RV, things were bouncing around, shifting in cupboards, and at one point the hood of our engine popped open because of all the jostling." Seasonal weather patterns affect access, particularly during winter months when facilities at some campgrounds close and water systems shut down. Most established campgrounds in the area require reservations through online systems, while dispersed camping typically operates on first-come, first-served basis. Cell service remains limited in many camping areas, with most reliable coverage only available at higher elevations or near small towns.
Campers consistently highlight the spectacular rock formations and star-gazing opportunities as primary attractions. Several reviewers emphasized the privacy of campsites, particularly at Smoky Mountain Campground where sites are well-spaced with natural vegetation barriers. "We were so surprised when we got to this campground. Private sites. Clean. Paved, not gravel," wrote one visitor about Castle Rocks State Park. Wildlife sightings, hiking trails, and rock climbing opportunities enhance the camping experience throughout the region. Public lands near Park Valley offer quieter, less crowded alternatives to the more popular established campgrounds, though amenities are minimal to non-existent. Campgrounds with water access receive particular attention in reviews, with many campers mentioning the peaceful sound of nearby creeks helping them sleep at night.
"Sites are dispersed throughout the entire park, as opposed to being condensed into one central location. It makes for some very unique and private sites - no two alike."
"Being right next to the Breadloaves you have close to 100 routes to choose from with a combo of both traditional and sport."
"Each site has access to a creek."
"Located about a 7-mile drive/walk to the entrance of City of Rocks, Smoky Mountain Campground is situated above the valley providing a wonderful view from many sites including space #19 where I parked"
"Smoky Mountain campground is very close to the entrance of City of Rocks NR and just slightly further is Castle Rocks SP, however, the grounds are managed by the state park."
"Small campground surrounded by very scenic rock perimeter. Fairly level electric sites that are easily reserved online. Very quiet night with almost zero traffic."
"It is just outside of town and goes up the hill. There are probably 15 or so campsites ranging from single use to a few group sites. The road is very bad. Cobbles, ruts, some large rocks."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"Electric and water taps are on even numbered sites and shared with the adjacent odd numbered site, so if your cord or hose is on the short side choose an even numbered site."
"Walking distance to the ranger station and town. Close to the entrance of the City of Rocks. Onsite informal manager and owner both stopped by to ensure we did not need anything. A great experience."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Shower room was a little bit away from where we stayed at, but it had warm running water, and didn’t smell at all."
"We especially appreciate a place that has access to easy walking or running after a long drive day, and this place has it. I will stay again."
from $40 - $45 / night
Check Availability"I could actually get away from everything and just relax. Very well managed and very well put together. Highly recommend"
"Camping right by the old California Trail near the city of rocks is memory I will never forget. The hosts made it so welcoming and comforting."
from $50 - $99 / night
Check Availability"Situated by a pond with lots of birds made our stay very peaceful. Lights of a nearby town (Malta) could be seen from a distance making this spot even more lovely at night. Pitted toilet."
"I loved hearing the birds in the evening & morning, the sound of the small stream nearby, and even the cows in the distance."
"Had plenty of room, dog friendly, lots of amenities and close to town and the park."
"Super close to the City of Rocks for exploring and beautiful views. Dump station is at the state park less than a mile away. $7 to dump."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"The site is a little bit of a walk from the parking lot so bring something to haul your stuff in. The walls nearby face east and provide an excellent opportunity for some night or moonlight climbing."
"The breadloaves has one large group site right next to the bathrooms and parking and numerous dispersed tent sites, some with long approaches so check the map on the Gov [website](https://www.nps.gov/ciro"
TravelerPretty far but worth a visit. We got here midnight and IT WAS WINDY!! Was afraid our car gonna tip over (yes, it’s that bad)
To our surprise it snowed in the morning and we had such a long walk around the site, very inspiring, very introspective. Would recommend!!!
ScoutSmall out of the way campground maintained by the National Forest Service, but completely free. There are one set of toilets on site, do not know how well maintained they are. Each site has access to a creek.
ScoutSecluded camping site in a quieter region just north of the City of Rocks.
ScoutAfter we pulled in, we couldn’t believe how amazing the sites were. Everything was going great until it got dark and it was time to go to bed. Within a few minutes of hitting the sack, we heard scuffling around the engine area. I opened the hood and two little mice were sitting right on top of the engine. They ran right down to the bottom and just hung out even after a lot of banging on the engine. One of the mice ran all the way back to the tail pipe. These mice are well known to chew your car wiring because the wiring sleeve is made of soy based insulation which mice love to chew on. You might think nothing would happen but then the car wouldn’t start in the morning and you’re left stranded with potentially thousands of dollars of repairs. We tried all the internet’s recommendations: popping the hood open, spreading hot sauce around the car, spraying the engine area with Lysol spray, using dryer sheets…and these just suckers kept coming back.
Needless to say, we scrammed out of there never to return!
GuideThis spot was in the parking lot of spiral jetty lake in the golden spike national park. It was questionable if we were allowed to camp there, but not one came out to stop us!The parking lot is small and was busy when we first arrived. There is a camp ground within the national park, so it cleared out as the night went on.
The ride to the site was rough as we got closer to the parking lot. The road was heavily washboarded. We drove a class C RV to the spot, and it was a lot drive as we could not go over 10 MPH most of the way. But it’s worth it at the end!
You can walk down the the lake. It was very cool. The beach leading up to it felt like concrete and there was a bunch of salt deposits. When you get down to the water it is pink!
Overall all a good spot for a night!
TravelerOur Revel van didn’t have a problem navigate the 3.7 miles of gravel road. The first .5 had ruts but Tiffler is a well maintained road. We watched rain storms travel across the valley with lightning, a huge rainbow and a full moon rose over the mountains in the east. Creek was dry and no mosquitoes but some flies from the cows grazing in the fields
ScoutThis was a nice place for a night or two. The vault toilet was clean and stocked with TP. There are a few tables and fire pits to use. It has a small creek and pond that attracts owls. FYI if you use Apple Maps it doesn’t recognize the roads and location and will take you to a house. Use google maps. The coordinates are also correct. I think Apple Maps doesn’t know these dirt roads exist to get to the spot.
ScoutEverything was great. It’s hard while traveling to find a dog friendly spot. Our cattle dogs don’t do leashes and they don’t do anything wrong. Hook up was easy.
GuideWe spent two nights in this peaceful oasis with stunning views. Recommend taking the dirt road off Highway 81 instead of 77. It will get you there quicker and on a smoother road. Vault toilet was clean. Shockingly there were no mosquitos - even with the spring and murky pond. Overall super lovely spot.
Camping near Park Valley, Utah occurs on high desert terrain with seasonal temperature fluctuations ranging from over 90°F in summer to below freezing in winter. Most dispersed sites sit at elevations between 4,500-6,000 feet, creating stark temperature differences between day and night. Cell service remains extremely limited throughout the area, with campers reporting consistent connection only at higher elevations.
Rock climbing: Try multiple difficulty levels at City of Rocks Campground, where climbing routes cater to beginners and experts. "This is a very popular area, but you can still find solitude if you want it. Plenty of activities as well; climb all day, check out Register Rock, or hike the City of Rocks Loop trail around the site to get a little bit of everything," notes Katherine B.
Hot springs: Visit Durfee Hot Springs in Almo, just minutes from camping areas. "Durfee Hotsprings in Almo is a must on any visit. The Outpost for a good burger or Rock City for pizzas," recommends Corey K., who frequents the area with family.
Stargazing: Take advantage of dark sky designation by selecting campgrounds away from town lights. "It is a designated dark sky park, which is cool, but from our site (#63) the lights from the town of Oakley were pretty bright on the horizon, though the stars in the sky were still amazing," shares Laura M.
Private, well-spaced campsites: Smoky Mountain Campground offers exceptional site separation. "Caution: Save yourself some time, dust and frustration and enter Smoky Mountain Campground into your GPS and not Castle Rock State Park like we did. Haha. We were so surprised when we got to this campground. Private sites. Clean. Paved, not gravel," shares Nancy C.
Historical significance: Explore pioneer history throughout the area. "It was interesting to see the emigrants' names on the rocks and imagining them arrive in this small valley of strange formations," explains Scott H. at City of Rocks, referencing the California Trail which passed through the region.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Sites near water attract birds and small mammals. "Situated by a pond with lots of birds made our stay very peaceful. Lights of a nearby town (Malta) could be seen from a distance making this spot even more lovely at night," notes a camper at McClendon Spring Campground.
Road conditions vary significantly: Gravel roads to many sites require careful driving. "Google maps led us down an unpassable road. Instead take Tiffler Road/1250 S from the 81 for a smoother ride (still dirt but passable in a 2WD vehicle)," advises a camper about McClendon Spring Campground.
Water availability changes seasonally: Many campgrounds shut off water during colder months. "Water not yet turned on in the campground so bring your own water if you are coming through early in the season. But it was quiet and we were able to explore and hike without running into many people," reports Kristi R. about Castle Rocks State Park.
Reservation systems differ between sites: National Reserve sites require advance planning. "Check out the map on the NPS site and make a reservation to ensure you get the spot you want," suggests Katherine B. Some areas use Reserve America while others allow onsite self-registration or first-come, first-served access.
Temperature preparation: Pack for extreme fluctuations between day and night in all seasons. "We stayed with our 2 dogs in April, it was definitely warm in the sun, but very cool at night and in the shade. It is high desert, summer months must be stifling!" says Katherine B. about her family trip to City of Rocks.
Shade considerations: Choose sites based on coverage for summer camping comfort. "Take your time in picking out a good camping spot. Shade is key in the summer months. Use the 'Shade Legend' on the NPS site," recommends Niki S. for families visiting during warmer periods.
Nearby food options: Plan meals with limited grocery access in mind. "Town includes a Steak house, a grocery store, hot springs, pizza and the City of Rocks headquarters," mentions Tonya W. about options near City of Rocks Camp and Climb.
Site selection: Match vehicle size to appropriate campsites before arrival. "Dry camp that fits for small trailers and tent camping. Larger trailers have limited spots so check dimensions before reserving," advises Jodie S., emphasizing the importance of site research before committing to a reservation.
Hookup availability: Plan according to electrical needs especially during extreme temperatures. "We have bigger RV so some of the spots would not work. Make sure you use the filter to eliminate those with a smaller driveway. The restrooms were clean with nice showers. This campground is 40 miles or so from the interstate so make sure you are well provisioned before you arrive," notes Russell B., highlighting the importance of planning ahead for camping near Park Valley.
Water management: Fill tanks before arrival at primitive sites. "No hookups or dump station at this park, but we stopped at the Castle Rock campground on the way out and filled our tank with potable water and dumped for free," shares Laura M., providing useful information about water access between established campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping facilities are available in Park Valley, Utah?
Park Valley offers limited developed camping facilities, with most options being dispersed camping on public lands. For basic amenities, Earp & James Hitching Post provides tent sites for about $20 per night with shower facilities and warm running water. If you're willing to travel a bit further, the surrounding region offers more developed options. Many visitors to the area use Park Valley as a stopover point when traveling between larger destinations in Utah and Idaho.
What outdoor activities can I do while camping in Park Valley?
The Park Valley area offers excellent opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, stargazing, and photography in its remote desert landscape. For rock climbing enthusiasts willing to travel a bit further, City of Rocks Campground and Bennett Springs are within driving distance and offer spectacular climbing routes and scenic trails. The area's isolation makes it perfect for those seeking quiet recreation away from crowds. Seasonal activities vary throughout the year, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable temperatures for outdoor exploration.
Where is Park Valley, Utah located?
Park Valley is a small, rural community located in Box Elder County in northwestern Utah. It sits approximately 30 miles southwest of the Idaho border and about 100 miles northwest of Salt Lake City. The area is characterized by its high desert landscape between the Great Salt Lake Desert and the Raft River Mountains. For those looking to explore nearby attractions, Spiral Jetty is about two hours away from Salt Lake City in the same region, providing a reference point for travelers coming from the south.
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