Best Campgrounds near Rockville, UT

The small town of Rockville, Utah serves as a gateway to multiple camping options within a short drive, particularly those surrounding Zion National Park. Watchman Campground and South Campground, both located inside Zion National Park about 10 minutes from Rockville, provide developed sites with basic amenities and convenient access to park shuttles and trails. For those seeking alternatives to the often-crowded national park campgrounds, several BLM dispersed camping areas exist along Kolob Terrace Road and near Virgin, offering free primitive camping with spectacular canyon views. Private options include Zion River Resort in Virgin and Zion Canyon Campground in Springdale, both providing full hookups, showers, and amenities not found in public campgrounds.

Reservations are essential for camping in this region, particularly during the peak season from March through October. As one camper noted, "Watchman is difficult to get a reservation for but worth it." Sites at Watchman and South campgrounds often book six months in advance. Weather varies dramatically by season, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F in the canyons while winter brings occasional snow and freezing temperatures. Many BLM dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles to access, with one reviewer warning about Toquerville Falls: "This is NOT a 2 wheel drive adventure. It's strictly 4 wheel drive only. Hike it first to end don't ruin your vehicle for this."

The Virgin River corridor provides water-adjacent camping opportunities at several locations, though sites near water fill quickly. Campers consistently mention the dramatic red rock scenery as a highlight, with one visitor describing Sand Hollow State Park as having "scenery something out of an outer space movie, making you feel more like you're on a distant planet of bright red sand, black mountains, and crystal blue water." Noise levels vary significantly between locations, with national park campgrounds enforcing quiet hours while areas popular with off-road enthusiasts like Sand Hollow can be considerably louder. Many campgrounds in the region have limited or no shade, making summer camping challenging without proper preparation for the intense desert heat.

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Best Camping Sites Near Rockville, Utah (263)

    1. Watchman Campground — Zion National Park

    241 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 772-3837

    $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."

    2. Westside Campground — Sand Hollow State Park

    569 Reviews
    Hurricane, UT
    18 miles
    +1 (435) 680-0715

    $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"

    3. Zion Canyon Campground

    92 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 772-3237

    "Lovely spot with a river running along one side, but only people with river spots have access to it! Conveniently within the nice town of Springdale and very close to park entrance."

    "The location is definitely a highlight, it’s just a short walk to the park entrance, which made getting in and out of Zion really convenient. "

    4. South Campground — Zion National Park

    91 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 772-3256

    $35 - $50 / night

    "Perfect location just a short walk away from the visitors center where you catch the shuttle into the park, or exit to catch the shuttle to Springdale. Clean bathrooms. No shade at site 125."

    "Located right inside of the National Park area just a few hundred yards from the visitor center this place is the hardest reservation to get at Zion because it is always filling up."

    5. Zion River Resort

    74 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 822-8594

    "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."

    6. North Creek Dispersed Camping

    43 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    8 miles
    Website

    "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."

    7. Kolob Terrace Road Dispersed

    38 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    8 miles
    Website

    "All around a great spot. Right next to the creek, generally quiet with few other campers. Nice and dark at night for star gazing, and shade trees for during the day."

    "Spots tucked next to trees that shelter from sunrise, if you’re a late riser ;)"

    8. Zion RV and Campground (Hi-Road)

    45 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 648-3302

    $40 - $54 / night

    "Also a nice little restaurant within walking distance (right across the street)."

    "Pool, laundry, snacks and not to mention walking distance to everything in town. There is a nice river running behind the camp ground"

    9. Sheep Bridge BLM Area (Hurricane Cliffs Trail System) - Utah

    32 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    9 miles
    Website

    "Cool biking, hiking and off-roading trails. Peaceful and secluded as you can look off into the mesas and up at the best view of the stars I've seen."

    "The sheeps bridge road that gets out through the campsites has camping options from right off the highways to deep into the fields by the virgin river canyon."

    10. Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort

    29 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 293-5444

    "The campground is located away from the resort features which we appreciated, so that is was a little more of an authentic camping experience."

    "We were just looking for a place to sleep, checked out the first camping outside of Zion east entrance and decided to check out the next closest one according to info from the Zion ranger."

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Recent Reviews near Rockville, UT

2107 Reviews of 263 Rockville Campgrounds


  • Laura W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Bryce Zion Campground

    Bryce Zion RV park and campground

    Its a pleasant enough little place. THe 1st couple nights we were here, there were several families with several children. Very loud and made the dogs nervous, but hey- let kids be kids. We weren't sad to see them go. Its the perfect spot situated 1/2 way between Bryce and Zion, we stayed 6 much needed nights. Staff small but extremely friendly and helpful. Nice laundry. Nice bathrooms and showers. Good prices, the store was a bit sparse, but coming on the end of the season, so it's understandable. There is a pool which we did not use. The RV sites are a little crammed together with your neighbors hookups quite close to your RV.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Panquitch Lake Cliffside Campsite

    Small Cliffside campsite overlooking Panquitch Lake

    This campsite can be utilized with Campers, RVs or tents and has a great view of the Lake and cabin areas around Panquitch Lake.  Dirt road access with many trails and jeep roads that connect surrounding areas including Escalante, Utah.  Don't attempt to get to this site if raining or snowing, roads are slick and impassable.

  • Matt M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Bauers Canyon Ranch RV Park

    Affordable tent camping with ammenaties

    Im tent camping and this is a great spot. Only $29 after tax with showers, wifi, nice sites, bathrooms, and fire pits. This is my second time here while traveling and the folks are great.

  • Ryan F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Mammoth Dispersed

    Too Small for the Amount of People that Go

    Mammoth Dispersed Campground offers a beautiful setting among tall pines, with plenty of shade, cool temperatures, and easy access to a peaceful stream (both day use area and overnight campsites with access). 

    The sites themselves are well maintained, and it’s clear that the USFS takes good care of the area despite how heavily it gets used. That said, the campground feels a little small for the amount of people who frequent it, especially on busy weekends. During our Labor Day trip, the area was crowded with ATV, UTV, and general vehicle traffic—many of them flying by campsites at high speeds with loud music, which made it hard to relax. 

    It’s also disappointing to see how many visitors don’t clean up after themselves. Trash left behind really takes away from the natural beauty of the forest. 

    On a positive note, the roads are in good condition. Despite some reviews suggesting that the northern route in from Panguitch is “sketchy,” we found in September 2025 that the road was well graded and easily driven. 

    All in all, this is a wonderful area that has so much potential for a perfect camping experience. Without the holiday crowds and careless visitors, I would not hesitate to rate Mammoth a solid 5 stars. As it stands, the beauty of the place and the effort put in by USFS are worth highlighting, but the heavy traffic and noise over Labor Day force me to give it 4 stars.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Old Highway 89 Dispersed Riverside

    Multiple spots

    There’s multiple great spots, we were a bit further down the road. Love that you have access to the river. We had a nice calm night!

  • Jeanne D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Old 91 Dispersed

    Easy to find and lots of space

    Easy to find for a quick overnighter! Lots of spaces

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Cedar Pockets Pass Road - Dispersed Camping

    Great spot

    We came here during labour day weekend and had the place to ourselves. No trees, but the mountains provide nice shade in the evening and morning.


Guide to Rockville

Camping near Rockville, Utah, offers a fantastic way to experience the stunning landscapes of Zion National Park and the surrounding areas. Whether you're looking for a cozy tent site or a full RV setup, there are plenty of options to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Zion National Park is famous for its breathtaking trails. Many campers love the convenience of being close to trails that start right from their campgrounds. One visitor at Watchman Campground mentioned, "Many hikes start close to here. It was a great weekend."
  • Exploring Springdale: Just a short drive from the campgrounds, Springdale offers shops and restaurants. A camper at Zion Canyon Campground noted, "Only 5 min (in car) to the shuttles."
  • Stargazing: The clear night skies around Rockville provide excellent stargazing opportunities. One camper at Zion River Resort shared, "The stars are absolutely breathtaking."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views from their sites. A review from South Campground highlighted, "Great views. Close to trails, the shuttle, stores and restaurants."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A visitor at Zion Canyon Campground said, "It was clean and quiet campground."
  • Convenient Location: Being close to the park is a big plus. A camper at Watchman Campground mentioned, "This campground has a good mix of electric, primitive and walk in."

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Popular spots can get busy, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Zion Canyon Campground noted, "The campground was quite crowded."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like South Campground, do not have showers or electric hookups. A visitor mentioned, "No showers but restrooms clean and well stocked."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Zion River Resort shared, "It was kid friendly and I’m considering coming back with the family."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds that offer amenities for kids. One family at St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey said, "The kids love that they can go swimming or hit the playground whenever."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A camper at Quail Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Beautiful surroundings, new showers and restrooms."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. A visitor at Sand Hollow State Park Campground noted, "Great spot with great staff! All around respectful and facilities clean and up to date."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Zion RV and Campground mentioned, "The facilities are awful. There was a powerful sewage smell throughout the whole game room/bathroom building."
  • Book Early: Popular campgrounds fill up fast. A visitor at Watchman Campground advised, "Happy we stayed on a Thursday as the park was much busier when we left on the Friday."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you need. A camper at Zion River Resort noted, "Serious shortage of bathrooms. Long waits and many not clean."

Camping in Rockville, Utah, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Rockville, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Rockville, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 263 campgrounds and RV parks near Rockville, UT and 99 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Rockville, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rockville, UT is Watchman Campground — Zion National Park with a 4.6-star rating from 241 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rockville, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 99 free dispersed camping spots near Rockville, UT.