Camping options near Price, Utah range from BLM dispersed sites to developed RV parks within a 20-mile radius of town. The area sits at elevations between 5,500-7,000 feet in the Castle Country region, with seasonal weather patterns bringing hot summers at lower elevations and potential snow in higher terrain through early spring. Most dispersed camping areas require visitors to pack out all waste and observe seasonal fire restrictions.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Price Canyon Recreation Area features a nature trail leading higher into the canyon. As one camper noted, "We stayed 2 nights in early May 2022 when we stumbled upon this site passing through Moab. We're glad we did because the views/area/location were great!"
Stargazing opportunities: Horse Canyon Road dispersed area offers excellent night sky viewing. A camper shared, "Beautiful views for as far as you can see and we had a perfectly clear night. We were lucky enough to be there during the beginning of a meteor shower and saw a few fly across the sky."
Visit historical sites: LZJ Ranch's Hiawatha Hideout encourages visitors to explore local history. A ranger review mentioned, "do at least 250 yards of the 2.5 mile loop trail hike to the sheep camp, pond and stream and historic stone buildings(the trail head is located on the north side of the main wagon wheel camping area right next to the port-a-potty)."
Explore Helper downtown: While staying at Castle Gate RV Park, take time to visit the nearby town. One visitor noted, "Downtown Helper is just a short walk away. Cute little area that looks like there is quite a bit of restoration/renovation underway."
What campers like
Level campsites: Many campgrounds in the area provide well-maintained sites. At Castle Gate RV Park, a camper observed, "Sites are gravel but level. Sites are still under construction and from what I saw, will back-up to the river."
Private bathroom facilities: Blue Cut RV Park offers clean facilities in a family-run setting. As one reviewer mentioned, "This is a very nice small full hookups campground! Spot are small. But there are a few larger 5th wheel trails here. Michelle and her husband are very friendly and easy to talk with."
Canyon views: CO2 Road Dispersed Campsite provides scenic desert vistas. A camper described, "The camp spot has a couple of fire rings. You can still hear the traffic, although not terribly bad. There is broken glass in the surrounding area so be aware."
Riverside settings: Several campgrounds feature water access. At Castle Gate RV Park, a visitor wrote, "Site was super level for us. Great space between neighbors on our side of the park. There is a picnic table. However, we took our chairs down to the river bank each evening. So tranquil and relaxing!"
What you should know
Water availability varies: Price Canyon Recreation Area has seasonal water service. A camper noted, "No water (or at least there was none when I visited). I visited in May and they hadn't turned the pipes back on from being shut off for the winter freeze. So be prepared with your own water just in case."
Road conditions to dispersed sites: Access to Bull Mesa Pullout requires careful driving. One visitor reported, "This spot was a little hard to locate because it's on trust land and the spots look like junk piles. Yuck! There was so much ammo casings on the ground it looked like a war zone."
Highway noise levels: Canyon Road Dispersed sits close to the main highway. A reviewer stated, "Convenient overnight spot — Close to town and a gas station, making it a great choice for a quick stop. You can hear some road noise, but it's not too disruptive."
Insect activity: Bugs can be an issue at some campsites near Price. A camper at Horse Canyon Road reported, "Not sure if it's the time of year but we were swarmed with gnats all around us and our rig."
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Castle Gate RV Park provides designated play areas for kids. A reviewer mentioned, "There is a splash area for the kids to beat the heat and a place to play horseshoe."
Campground layout considerations: Blue Cut RV Park has a compact setup that families should note. A camper observed, "Small private campground with country feel. Owner Michelle very friendly and welcoming and accommodating. Pros: Full hookups at all sites. Sites spacious enough to extend slides. Sites are level and clean. Con: sites are close together with little privacy."
Proximity to amenities: Nine Mile RV Resort offers new facilities convenient for families. A visitor noted, "Still under construction, but when finished it will be a very nice and convenient park between Salt Lake to Moab. They only have two rows open at this time but offered a discount to our stay."
Safety concerns at dispersed sites: Some free camping areas have debris issues. At Canyon Road Dispersed, a camper warned, "This is trust land so you will see where a lot of people come back here to target practice. Sadly they do not clean up any of their trash."
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality: Castle Gate RV Park provides excellent utilities. A camper noted, "Their water pressure is outstanding in fact they recommend a pressure regulator on the supply line. The park WiFi was beyond excellent."
Site dimensions: Mountain View RV Park offers practical overnight spaces. A visitor shared, "Reserved a spot at Mountain Home RV. GPS guided me right in to Mountain View RV. After hours. They had a user friendly board with details on available sites. I snagged one of those for the night. Filled up on water, dumped tanks, was in after 10am and out at dawn."
Big rig access: Several campgrounds have challenges for larger vehicles. At Horse Canyon Road, a reviewer advised, "Dispersed BLM good for boondocking one night while traveling. Small Class C, just watch your approach."
Weather preparation: Seasonal conditions affect camping comfort. At Castle Gate RV Park, a visitor mentioned, "In April, still a bit chilling in the evening/morning. Warmed up nicely in the afternoon."
