Pet friendly camping near St. George, Utah offers access to diverse landscapes at elevations ranging from 2,700 to 10,000 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F in lower elevations while providing cooler options in the nearby mountains. Most campgrounds enforce leash policies for dogs with varying rules about maximum leash length and number of pets allowed per site.
What to do
Water activities at Sand Hollow State Park: This state park provides opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding on its reservoir. "The lake can get crowded but we found it's easy enough to find a private spot. The temps were near 100, so we were grateful to have the FHU at our site," notes Kristin S. from Westside Campground — Sand Hollow State Park.
Hike through red rock terrain: Red rock hiking trails in the area provide spectacular views and geological formations. "Red Cliffs National Conservation Area is surrounded by towering red cliffs that have miles of hiking trails through them. It's a great place to spend the day exploring," reports Berton M. from St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey.
Virgin River exploration: The Virgin River offers cooling relief during hot months with accessible waterfront camping. "The cool Virgin River behind our site was a nice place to soak our tired feet and enjoy a beverage after hiking in Zion," shares Larry E., who stayed at Zion River Resort.
What campers like
Quiet off-season camping: Winter and early spring offer less crowded conditions at many campgrounds. "We had a pleasant, quiet stay on a Sunday night. Bathrooms/Showers are new and clean. Cell service was great," writes Meghan B. about her April stay at Quail Creek State Park Campground.
Shade in the desert heat: Many campers appreciate tree coverage during hot summer months. "Despite basically being in a desert, the park had lush grass in every spot and a dense tree cover. It was about 10 degrees cooler in the park because of the shade from the trees," notes Jenny W. about WillowWind RV Park.
Dog-friendly amenities: Dedicated pet areas make camping with dogs more convenient. The St. George/Hurricane KOA Journey provides a dedicated dog park, and according to Taylor from Red Cliffs Campground, "We enjoyed our stay and loved how dog friendly everything was."
What you should know
Varying cell service: Connectivity varies dramatically between campgrounds, even within short distances. "Cell service is hit or miss," warns Meghan B. about Snow Canyon State Park Campground, while Greg L. reports at Red Cliffs Campground: "Cell signal is very good for TMobile, not so good for Verizon or ATT."
RV size limitations: Some campgrounds have tunnel or site restrictions for larger vehicles. Greg L. cautions about Red Cliffs Campground: "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!!"
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds now require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. Camp host at Quail Creek will text prior to arrival to confirm stays and provide site readiness updates.
Tips for camping with families
Shade structures for hot days: Bring portable shade for recreation areas where natural coverage is limited. "Shade is at a premium, so bring your own," advises Kristin S. about Sand Hollow State Park.
Lake swimming options: Multiple reservoir options provide safe swimming for children. "The beach area is gorgeous with lots of smooth sand and cool red rock formations," notes Chris L. from his experience at Sand Hollow State Park.
Playground amenities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. Chris L. mentions Southern Utah RV Resort has "basketball half court" and a "small playground for kids," making it family-friendly despite being close to the highway.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness varies: Check reviews for specific site information before booking. Victoria C. notes about Zion River Resort, "The cons you may want to be aware of: Wifi struggles to keep up, especially with everyone working/learning remotely. And the sites are VERY close together."
RV park layouts differ significantly: Some parks offer spacious sites while others are tightly packed. Lance S. observed about WillowWind RV Park: "Pretty good size park. Lots of trees for shade. Pretty easy to back out 44ft 5th wheel in. Spots are a little skinny but the grass is green and the pads are clean."
Water pressure considerations: Fluctuating water pressure affects some campgrounds. Dag D. reports about Zion River Resort: "Only issue we had the 2 days we stayed was low water pressure entire stay. Called the office to see if the pressures could be raised and was told to wait a few minutes and try."
