The area around Santa Clara, Utah, sits at approximately 2,800 feet elevation, characterized by red rock formations and desert terrain with temperature fluctuations between seasons. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at night, while summer days frequently exceed 100°F. RV campers often contend with limited shade at many sites and should plan accordingly with awnings or portable shade structures during peak season.
What to do
Hiking at Red Cliffs: Located about a mile from St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey, the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area offers extensive trails through striking red rock 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," notes Berton M.
Swimming options: Many RV parks near Santa Clara maintain pools for cooling off during hot months. At Hidden Springs Rv Resort, campers appreciate the "kid friendly pool" and note it has a "wade-in area that will delight kids. Water was warm!" according to Davis D. Some facilities offer heated pools during cooler seasons.
Local attractions: When not exploring national parks, check out nearby state parks and recreation areas. "It's 45 minutes from Zion but there are some closer," explains one reviewer about Hurricane locations. Quail Creek State Park provides water recreation opportunities within a short drive of most area campgrounds.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Unlike the tightly packed campgrounds mentioned elsewhere, some parks offer generous spacing. At Range RV Campground, campers appreciate "very large and spacious sites" as noted by Rachel P. This campground is newer and developing additional amenities.
Clean facilities: Across multiple locations, bathhouses and amenities receive positive feedback for cleanliness. Leeds RV Park was described as "very well kept" with one reviewer noting, "the bathhouses are clean. For the area and getting FHU, it's cheap. Everyone is super nice here as well."
Convenient location: Proximity to multiple outdoor destinations makes this region particularly valuable to RVers. "Great place to stop and stay," writes Tim R. about Zion West RV Park. "Nice location great hosts...stay if you can." The park's position allows access to Zion, Bryce Canyon, and other attractions.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F in this desert region. "The weather here is extremely hot over 100!" warns one reviewer. Winter camping remains available but nights can be quite cold, requiring proper heating systems.
Road noise levels: Many RV parks in the area sit near highways, creating noise considerations. At the Hurricane KOA, a camper noted: "It's right by the highway and you could hear the semi's going by all night." Consider requesting sites furthest from roadways when making reservations.
Reservation timing: During peak periods (spring and fall), availability becomes extremely limited. At Southern Utah RV Resort, a newer facility with 80 sites, one visitor noted, "We stayed on a Saturday night and the park was less than half full...don't think the word is out yet still on this place!" Early booking is essential for most locations, especially during tourist season.
Tips for camping with families
Pool availability: When traveling with children during hot months, pools become essential amenities. "We selected this campground because of its proximity to downtown Saint George and were pleased with how central the location is...There were a lot of amenities, including the pool, a full gym, outdoor games, and an indoor game room," writes Tara about McArthur's Temple View RV Resort.
Recreation options: Many parks include playgrounds, game areas, and other family-friendly features. "Basketball half court, small playground for kids, corn hole area, community fire pit area...clean grounds, flat/low slope roads for the kids to ride their bikes," lists Chris L. about Southern Utah RV Resort.
Winter activities: For families visiting during cooler months, some resorts maintain heated pools and indoor recreation. "This campground has a very nice rec center and plenty of activities during the winter months...We still enjoyed the spring warmth and their large outdoor pool," notes Sam F.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Site grading varies significantly between parks. At Gateway Luxury RV Resort, Travis H. appreciated that "the site was smart, clean, showers were fantastic." However, other parks may require substantial leveling equipment - always travel with sufficient blocks and levelers.
Hookup placement: Pay attention to hookup locations when selecting sites. "Our campsite electric hookup was a little farther up than I was used to. We were still able to make due, but it caught me off guard because I had to move twice," explained Chris L. about one facility. Travel with extension cords and extra water hoses when possible.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. "AT&T has, by far, the best connectivity here (T-Mobile had no service that I found)," reports Robert C. about Range RV Campground. Those needing reliable internet should check with parks about WiFi capability and cell carrier strength before booking.
