Campers using Parowan as a base get access to Brian Head, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and the Dixie National Forest without paying resort-town rates. Campground options include developed Forest Service sites at higher elevations east of town and dispersed land along national forest roads. No-fee camping outside Parowan is the option for those who don't need designated spots or water on-site.
Cedar Breaks sits above 10,000 feet, and campgrounds in that zone close from October through late May. Lower sites around Parowan stay accessible longer into fall. Cedar City-area dispersed sites cover a broader set of no-fee options to the south for those who want more forest land without a long drive.
$30 / night
"You know all those calendar photos of Utah you’ve seen your whole life? This is that part of Utah."
"This campground has easy access to All the Cedar Breaks National Monument has to offer! Great sites, although my only complaint is that they are pretty close to one another."
"After passing through Parowan it’s about a 20 min drive into Dixie National Forest. My T-Mobile & Verizon signal dropped completely as I entered the NF."
"The overflow is where we stayed which is tucked into the trees and has a creek running through it."
"We stayed at Parowan Gap dispersed camping several years ago (November 2021) and loved the area. Easy access, great views!"
"The Parowan Gap is a gorgeous place that contains numerous petroglyphs, rock climbs, hikes, and geocache to keep you busy."
"There was a creek nearby that my dogs loved playing in and lots of trails to off road on. The place was very clean and please help keep it that way if you go."
"We drove up the road in our Ekko only a couple hundred yards and found a spot tucked in the trees which was perfect since it was windy up at elevation. Excellent access to mountain bike trails."
$25 - $250 / night
"Trails to explore on the property and great private bathrooms w/showers. Only been open a couple seasons. We got lucky. Once the word gets out this place will need to be booked months in advance."
"As people say there is traffic during the day and it is close to the road, but it is quiet at night. We got in after hours and just went to our reserved site. Site was not totally level."
"No cell reception until you are in the town of Parowan"
"The drive into the campground was beautiful with trees starting to turn fall colors with the backdrop of vermillion rock formations and bright blue sky."
$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."
$58 - $65 / night
"A very nice campground, Scott was s very helpful from the history of Parowan to dining and fun places to visit."
"Bummer, it’s right off the highway, but late at night it’s pretty quiet. Just have to checkout all the pullouts for a walking trail down to a camping spot. Not too shabby."
"Right off of highway but plenty of tree cover to dampen road noise. Waterfall and creek noise to lull you to sleep. Large dirt parking area."
"The park is on the edge of town but close to anything you might want or need. Our site was directly across from the playground and 50 steps from the off-leash dog park."
"The showers weren't that great, very close to main road and I'm surprised at how bumpy and angled the entrances are considering. Wifi works well, tmobile and Verizon service."
ScoutMe and my girlfriend are travelling together in rv for 3 weeks, and this is the best campground we have been so far. The campground team is the best. They take care of everything and they are super super nice and caring. Just about 35 minutes from Bryce NP, 50$ for full hookups.
GuideGood over night or base camp for Zion/Bryce National Parks. Friendly staff. With a simple mostly burger restaurant (Red Dirt Cafe). Clean restrooms/showers. We spent three nights in the open style parking with sewer/water/electric area. But it does have sites along the small river. Usually when we arrived back in the park. There was not an attendant at the check in station. And on our first night...had to call to get checked in. We were on site 4. Spacious sites. The biggest concern was the daily winds at 20 to 25 mph winds. Which one camper said is somewhat normal. The WiFi was pretty much worthless at our site. But all in all...would recommend this park for easy access to national parks and right on 89 hwy. And really didn't have the hwy noise because of the ridge between hwy and camp site.
TravelerI imagine this campground is busy in the colder Mon when the nearby mountains to the east are inaccessible. Here the last week of May and have the place virtually to myself. Large nicely spaced campsites and clean vault toilets. Lots of hiking opportunities. There are also a lot of OHV trails and the area surrounding the campground looks well used at times by those vehicles. That said, very quiet when I have been here (3 nights). Beautiful views to the east of the mountains and the lights of Cedar City do not interfere with great star gazing.
ScoutThe dogs from the house kept barking until 3 AM. At one point we woke up and one was 20 feet from our tent just barking at us. Couldn’t sleep at all
TravelerMultiple turn offs from the Kolonial road with multiple sites at each. Some of the other turn offs would have been challenging to access in a minivan but the first one was fine just a bit bumpy. Pretty quiet on a weekday. Some flattish areas. Pretty dusty. Some wood lying around for fires.
ScoutThis campsite is great for a quick stop if you’re needing somewhere to sleep and can’t find dispersed camping. Each site is well spaced apart but not far. The sites are mostly level so it’s decent for roof tent camping. We reserved our spot the afternoon of and had a few options to choose from so it wasn’t too busy. It was However extremely windy and we did not get much sleep. But this seems to be circumstantial and not a common occurrence. Overall good experience
GuideAmazing campsites nestled between trees and near pastures. 26 designated sites that are fairly flat with fire rings. We turned off the main road just before entrance to Bryce and found three open spots. We had high clearance vehicle but we saw RVs and regular cars make it in ok. We road bikes into park along great bike path to main park. One of the most convenient and quietest spots we have stayed. Can’t wait to go back!
RangerRanch type setting with friendly cows and horses! Trails that lead to the Valley overlook. Close to Zion Natl Park, very enjoyable stay here!
GuideBeautiful views and stars. Easy to get to location convenient for Zion day trips. Only downside was lots and lots of gnats. Bring citronella :)
Dispersed camping options around Parowan, Utah range from forest campsites at 8,300 feet elevation to desert locations near ancient petroglyphs. The region experiences significant temperature variations, with summer highs averaging 85°F in town while mountain locations can be 15-20 degrees cooler. Winter camping is limited primarily to lower elevations due to snow accumulation in the Dixie National Forest areas from October through May.
Explore petroglyphs near town: Parowan Gap Petroglyphs offers camping with access to ancient rock art. "This is an amazing place to camp, if you like dry camping (which I do) it is peaceful and relaxing away from the crowds," notes one camper. The area includes several dispersed sites along dirt roads.
Mountain biking from camp: The Bear Flat area provides quick access to trails. A camper reports, "This is the second time that I have been to this site. The roads are good. Graveled and ready for campers. Each spot is different. Either in a field or in the trees... my favorite free spot by far with the views and how close it is to all the mountain biking."
Fishing at higher elevations: Yankee Meadows reservoir provides fishing opportunities. "Yankee meadow is a nice campground that is a short walk from the reservoir where you can fish or kayak," mentions one reviewer. The reservoir is accessible during summer months when roads are clear.
Privacy between sites: Some dispersed areas offer more isolation than others. At Bear Flat, a camper notes, "Very private spot with a great view," while another mentions seeing a "stunning view of Cedar Breaks" from their site.
Water features at campsites: Yankee Designated Dispersed Camping Area has sites with creek access. "The near by creek keeps the vehicle noise to minimum and is a nice place to sit and relax," shares one visitor. Another mentions, "Beautiful stream runs thru our camp and the trees were situated perfectly for parking the van."
Star-gazing opportunities: The high desert and mountain locations offer excellent night sky views. A camper at Yankee Designated Dispersed notes, "Star Gazing - Easy access dispersed campsites. Perfectly level in lower loop," highlighting the astronomical benefits of the area's dark skies.
Seasonal access limitations: Many mountain roads close in winter. "This is remote so no amenities at all... No cell reception until you are in the town of Parowan," reports a camper at Yankee Designated Dispersed Area. The road involves "13% grade for about 8 miles."
Insect populations vary by season: Bear Flat campers warn about bugs in certain periods. One reviewer advises, "Bring extra bug spray!" while another at Parowan Gap notes, "The bugs were unreal! We actually found several black widows near the site."
Road conditions affect accessibility: After storms, many areas become difficult to navigate. A Coal Creek camper reports, "Our 2WD van got stuck in the mud and had to be towed out," highlighting the need for appropriate vehicles in dispersed areas.
Look for established campgrounds with facilities: Cedar Canyon Retreat RV Park and Campground provides amenities for families. "The bathrooms were incredibly well kept and clean with running toilets, sinks, and showers," notes a reviewer, though they mention tent sites are "a little closely packed and kinda awkward to get to."
Consider campgrounds with activities: "My partner and I tent camped here with our two dogs for 2 nights and it was such a great trip! The camp hosts are super nice and friendly and we're super informative about the nearby hikes we could do," reports a Cedar Canyon camper.
Choose dispersed sites with natural features: Water features engage children. A Yankee Meadows camper shares, "Great campground. Very quiet... has a creek running through it," providing natural entertainment for young campers.
Evaluate road grades carefully: When heading to mountain sites, be prepared for steep climbs. A camper at Yankee Meadow warns, "The road up there is so steep and winding - I was really worried that our rig wouldn't make it, even though it's a V10. So make sure that you've got enough engine in your truck to be able to tow a trailer up there."
Size restrictions limit dispersed options: Many forest service roads aren't suitable for larger rigs. "This place is really beautiful and there are a lot of dispersed spots, but you really have to have the right setup for it. We have a 36' Class A, and we only found 2 spots where we'd fit," reports a Yankee Meadow visitor.
Consider staying in town for full hookups: Painted Hills RV Resort in Parowan offers conveniences. "Very nice place with full hookups. They have a pool/jacuzzi that is opening soon. We stayed here as base camp and spent our days 20 minutes up the mountain skiing at Brian Head," shares a visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping spots in Parowan, Utah?
Parowan offers several camping options in the surrounding area. Yankee Meadows provides a scenic location with easy access from Parowan, though spring visits may encounter bugs. For dispersed camping, Parowan Gap Petroglyphs offers easy access and great views, plus the opportunity to explore ancient rock art. A short drive from Parowan takes you to Navajo Lake Campground in Dixie National Forest with both walk-in and drive-up sites near the lake. The area also has Yankee Designated Dispersed Camping Area, which features a paved road except for the last mile and sits at about 8,300 feet elevation. For those seeking more remote options, the mountains surrounding Parowan offer additional dispersed camping possibilities.
What RV facilities are available in Parowan, Utah?
Painted Hills RV Resort is a well-regarded RV facility in Parowan with helpful staff who can provide information about local history, dining options, and attractions. For those willing to drive a short distance, Rubys Inn RV Park and Campground offers a historic setting with full RV hookups, though it has a more touristy atmosphere. Additional RV options near Parowan include Cedar City RV Resort by Rjourney, which provides water hookups and toilet facilities. Most RV parks in the area are accessible year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. The Parowan area is conveniently located near popular destinations like Brian Head, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and within driving distance of Zion National Park.
What camping is available near Parowan, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Parowan, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 282 campgrounds and RV parks near Parowan, UT and 128 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Parowan, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Parowan, UT is Point Supreme Campground — Cedar Breaks National Monument with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Parowan, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 128 free dispersed camping spots near Parowan, UT.
What parks are near Parowan, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Parowan, UT that allow camping, notably Dixie National Forest and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Keep Exploring
