Pine Valley sits inside the Dixie National Forest at roughly 6,600 feet in the Pine Valley Mountains, giving it a cooler, more forested character than most of southern Utah. Dispersed camping on surrounding national forest land is the main draw, with established campgrounds also in the area for those who want designated sites. Dispersed sites in Pine Valley follow the standard 14-day stay limit with no water or restrooms at most unimproved sites.
The Pine Valley Reservoir and trailheads into the Pine Valley Wilderness sit close. High-clearance is helpful on some of the forest roads, though the main campground access roads are generally passable in standard vehicles. Snow closes higher terrain from roughly November through April. Cabin rentals in the area fill up on summer weekends, so booking ahead by a few weeks is smart if that's the direction you're going.
$40 - $200 / night
"2.5 mike hike in, 300 ft elevation gain, easy trail to beautiful overlook of southern Utah. Camp is a sandy open area next to the overlook and cliffs of Snow Canyon State Park. Free to camp."
"Snow Canyon is a still relatively unknown place near St George, Utah. There is SO much to do around there and there are great hikes that leave from this campground which makes it even better."
$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."
$5 - $15 / night
"Stopped here late on my way through Utah. Short drive off the highway and easy to find. Very clean sites, I was only there in the dark but area was quiet and easy to setup camp."
"Water spigots are everywhere, and there are trash cans close by. Plus, there are two vault toilets not too far away. The roads and campsites are all paved."
$28 - $40 / night
"Beautiful location! All camp sites overlook the lake. There are flush toilets and outdoor coin showers. If the camp ground fills, they allow primitive camping in the parking lot for a minimal fee."
"The big pro is that you are really close to a lake where you can go for a swim, quite a rare feature for a campground in Utah. Beautiful surroundings, new showers and restrooms."
"At the site we were on there was a creek behind us which we loved and so did our dogs! Friendly neighbors! Beautiful place. Located close to Zion park. A lot of off road adventures near by"
"The park is 10minutes away from Zion National Park and about 2hrs from Bryce Canyon. The park is adjacent to the Virgin River. Walking path to the river is great for kids."
"We had a fun trip to Utah this past weekend for an off-road event. We found the KOA and set up camp for a few days. Internet connection wasn’t great and the weather was moody since it was March."
"This KOA is located about ten minutes outside of St George and right off the I-15 freeway. It was all the amenities that your typical KOA has; dog park, hookups, cabins, and store."
$17 - $150 / night
"This tent only portion of Pine Valley was great. A small stream close by. Fully shaded and cool compared to St George."
"Sites are relatively close to one another and very well kept. Some cell service. Bathrooms clean. Definitely worth the drive into pine valley!"
"Sandy and right off road. Road noise minimal if any after dark."
"Great access to Zion. There were a bunch of open sites when we got there (4pm) some were along the stream too. We have a Honda Fit and we’re able to camp just fine. Saw a few smaller pull behinds."
$50 / night
"It’s fun of all sorts, kayaking, lake beach, boating, cliff jumping, bbq, off-roading everywhere!!! And the beauty that surrounds is unreal!!"
"It’s always a family favorite when we go to Southern Utah"
$5 - $24 / night
"Nice location - not too far from Zion, but much quieter! Beautiful drive in."
"Ended up here as a last minute change in camping locations, and it didn’t disappoint."
ScoutIm currently tent camping out of my car and managed to make the place work. Sand obviously made it more difficult, but was doable. Accessible by RWD but be careful of patches of deeper sand. If you drive far enough away, highway isnt much of an issue past midnight- plus the moon makes the place look great at night.
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
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 :)
TravelerLovely NEW campground with all the amenities you need and a reasonable commute to Zion. Has a shuttle bus that runs to the park so you don’t even need to drive. Setting is beautiful with large grassy spaces and level concrete pads.
TravelerThis was our first night camping in our Subaru. It was a great spot though no trees, just sagebrush. There was a fire pit but we didn’t use it. The views around us were absolutely amazing! The road getting to our spot was a bit rough (washboard & dust) but to be expected. We could see the lights of Virgin after the sun went down. I can imagine had we stayed there in June or July it would be much hotter. We only stayed one night but so glad we did!
Dispersed camping spots near Pine Valley, Utah provide outdoor access year-round with varying seasonal conditions. Located in the Dixie National Forest at elevations of 6,800+ feet, this area maintains temperatures 20-30 degrees cooler than nearby St. George during summer months. While most established campgrounds operate May through September, dispersed camping areas offer extended availability for those prepared for primitive conditions.
Creek exploration: North Creek offers water-based activities during spring runoff. At North Creek Dispersed Camping, campers can set up chairs along the stream to cool off from the heat. As one visitor notes, "The stream is a great place to put some chairs and cool off" during hot summer days.
Fishing at nearby reservoirs: Several fishing spots within 30-minute drives. Sand Hollow State Park provides "great large mouth bass fishing and beautiful red rock scenery," according to reviewer Charles W. The reservoir is stocked regularly and offers fishing from shore or boat.
Hiking to unique geological features: Short trails lead to interesting formations. At Red Cliffs Campground, "you can hike through the slots to see petroglyphs and even dinosaur tracks," reports one camper. Many trails start directly from campgrounds, allowing for easy day hikes without driving.
Cooler temperatures: Higher elevation means relief from desert heat. The Crackfoot Campground sits at 6,800 feet elevation, where temperatures drop significantly at night. One camper reports, "Was 90s during day (a lot cooler in shade) 60s at night, so quite a drop in temp."
Wildlife sightings: Frequent animal visitors enhance the camping experience. At Crackfoot Campground, "Cows and deer walk through the sites, it was really cool," notes Marisa P. Multiple campers mentioned seeing deer, coyotes, and other wildlife during evening hours.
Accessible water features: Streams and small lakes add to camping enjoyment. Kevin L. observed that Crackfoot offers "shade, water (recreation and potable), and fun trails to hike and explore." These water features provide both recreational opportunities and cooling relief during hot weather.
Cell service varies widely: Coverage depends on location and carrier. At Snow Canyon State Park, "Cell service is hit or miss," according to Meghan B. Meanwhile, at North Creek Dispersed Camping, campers report "T-mobile and had 5G service" but other carriers may have limited reception.
Reservation requirements: Most established sites require advance booking. The Pine Valley area campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Matthew K. warns about Snow Canyon: "We reserved several nights here, based on the expectation of cell reception and electric."
Heat management: Prepare for extreme temperatures in summer. Without air conditioning, tent camping can be challenging in peak summer. One camper at Red Cliffs noted they "wouldn't camp here mid summer when its 90+ at night, it's super hot almost unbearable to sleep in."
Bring shade structures: Limited natural shade at many sites. While describing Pine Valley Equestrian Campground, Tony W. mentioned spending time "walking through shaded woods along the stream and collecting water for boiling along with firewood." Not all sites have adequate natural shade.
Pack extra water: Potable water isn't available at all locations. Some campgrounds like Crackfoot have "a water filling station" according to Marisa P., but dispersed camping areas require bringing all your water.
Visit during spring or fall: Avoid summer heat for more comfort. Jake C. recommends Red Cliffs as "a great place to camp or do a daytrip" but suggests it's "super hot almost unbearable to sleep in" during peak summer months.
Access constraints: Some areas have height or width limitations. When visiting Zion River Resort, Reuben noted "The lots are huge. Very wide and with lovely grass and gravel. Everyone gets a grassy area. The concrete pad is very level." However, other campgrounds have more restrictive sites.
Hookup availability: Limited full-hookup options in the immediate area. At Red Cliffs Campground, Greg L. warns, "Note there is no RV dumpsite" and cautions "you have to go under the interstate thru two narrow concrete tunnels, they are 11.9 high, so be careful, many large RVs, 5th wheels, Class As will not fit!!"
Site selection strategies: Research specific site numbers before booking. At Sand Hollow State Park, Michele H. advises, "The spaces at the top have the best view, the lower spaces are below the level of the reservoir so don't have a water view."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Pine Valley, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Pine Valley, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 233 campgrounds and RV parks near Pine Valley, UT and 91 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Pine Valley, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pine Valley, UT is Snow Canyon State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 42 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pine Valley, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 91 free dispersed camping spots near Pine Valley, UT.
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