127 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The landscape surrounding Sunnyside, Utah encompasses a diverse range of camping environments from high desert terrain to riverside settings. Horse Canyon Road Dispersed Open Area offers free primitive camping with minimal facilities but expansive views, while established options like Nine Mile Canyon Ranch provide amenities including water hookups, showers, and cabin accommodations. Within a 30-mile radius, campers can access both BLM dispersed sites along CO2 Road and full-service RV parks in nearby Wellington and Helper. Green River State Park Campground, approximately 45 miles south, serves as a popular developed option with electric hookups, picnic tables, and shower facilities.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites requiring travel on unpaved roads that may become impassable during wet weather. As one camper noted about Horse Canyon Road, "It's a huge area with plenty of space to dispersed camp and a few fire rings around to use when there are no fire bans." Cell service is unreliable in many locations, particularly in canyon areas and remote BLM lands. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, and campers should verify current regulations before planning trips. Most established campgrounds operate year-round, though services may be limited during winter.
Canyon views and geological features rank among the most appreciated aspects of camping in this region. Visitors to nearby Wedge Overlook frequently mention the dramatic canyon vistas, with one reviewer describing how they could "watch the canyon change colors as the sun went down." Water access points along the Green River provide popular camping destinations, particularly at Swasey's Beach Campground in Desolation Canyon. Noise from highways affects some camping areas, while others offer remarkable solitude. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, raptors, and small mammals. Campers seeking amenities gravitate toward the established RV parks in Wellington and Helper, while those prioritizing scenery and isolation typically prefer the dispersed options on public lands throughout the area.
"To get to this BLM dispersed camping area you just take the "Rest Area" exit from Highway 6 onto Horse Canyon Road. The area we found to camp was about a mile or so down the road on the right side."
"I stopped in here late one night while traveling, and the location is quiet, not hard to find, and has ample area to be away from anyone else."
"Plus this campground is WALKING distance from the adorable town of Helper, UT. Museums, restaurants, shops, art galleries! There are hiking trails galore near by, and OHV trails too!"
"Highly recommend this as a small town park - walking distance to a cute downtown - and day driving distance from San Rafael Swell and SLC!"
from $25 - $150 / night
Check Availability"We were next to a stream on the other side of a fence. Deer came to visit."
"Nine Mile Ranch is a great campground outside of Wellington, UT and a good base camp to check out Nine Mile Canyon. They have historic cabins they have used for camping cabins, RV and tent sites."
"There are plenty of trees around for firewood, the top 2 to 4 inches of topsoil are soft, which is nice for leveling out your camping in."
"It’s right off the highway so be prepared for hearing cars all night, but it wasn’t too bad."
"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."
from $44 - $79 / night
Check Availability"On the edge of town, with family who had never been camping before, this was a great spot to settle in for our first few nights. All spots have a shade tree and a picnic table."
"Smooth dirt road leads to a string of unimproved sites tucked into cliff alcoves or willow clearings towards the river. Complete silence was heavenly and the views tantalizing."
"Falling asleep to the gentle sounds of the nearby river was heavenly, and waking up to its peaceful flow was such a treat."
"Was driving from SW Washington to Moab. Needed an overnight and left late after baseball games. Reserved a spot at Mountain Home RV. GPS guided me right in to Mountain View RV. After hours."
"I usually stop here if when I'm heading north from Southeast Utah and want to break up my drive (I live in North Utah). The camping spots are pretty decent. "
"First time in Utah, this place blew me away. Camped on the beach over looking the Green River, this place is magical. Great views! No shower, but grab your bar of soap and hop in the river."
from $15 - $50 / night
Check Availability"But there are a few larger 5th wheel trails here. Michelle and her husband are very friendly and easy to talk with. Was open by her parents I think she said in 1956. She grew up here. Now runs it."
LegendHad a quick one night stay on the way to Colorado. The park was clean and sites were spaced well. Walking distance to the green river. Kayak and SUP rentals available. There was ice available at park entrance if needed. I had 5g service with Verizon while there. My only complaint was the very loud group in the group site that had music going and Loud till after 11 pm .
TravelerOn the edge of town, with family who had never been camping before, this was a great spot to settle in for our first few nights. All spots have a shade tree and a picnic table. The park was not crowded. It was very well maintained. The bathrooms were recently refurbished like new, and were kept very clean. Each room had both a toilet and a shower, very private. There is also a laundry. The only downside is that the wind picks up every evening from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, but that seems to be everywhere in south Utah.
TravelerLost her radiator traveling over the summit called a couple of Parts looking for a place call home for a couple of nights and they were the only one that answered the phone I'm glad they did because we really love the part the only downside which almost kept me from giving them a full five stars is the traffic noise from the freeway and the train but as we slept we realized it was just like home will definitely make this a reoccurring stop on our travels across the country
GuideAbsolutely fine spot. Loose gravel but we managed finde in our 30" RV. Not much here but a fine place with a fine view. A road right next to the spot with medium traffic and trucks every 5-10min but worked fine.
TravelerNo one else was here, but there's room for a ton of campers. There was a wind warning in San Rafael Swell of up to 35 mph gusts, but my campsite saw no wind. Trees were barely swaying, maybe 1-2mph breezes at best.
Great spot. Will definitely return.
GuideQuiet and right next to creek, mosquitoes were not too much of an issue. 10ish miles down the road After the hot springs trail head.
GuideWe needed to spend the night on the road, and this was perfect. Spacious, relatively quiet, even a bit scenic with a wide expense of desert scenery, and proximity to a great walking/running/bike trail. One funky detail is a functioning oil pumping rig nearby that automatically works for a few minutes intermittently.
TravelerVery cool spot. If you’re afraid of horse flies I would avoid it, but well worth it. There also looks to be some well hidden things in a cave high up - bring binoculars !!
LegendDefinitely one of the nicer KOA Journey campgrounds I've seen this summer. The staff are friendly the restrooms and laundry rooms are very clean and up-to-date the pool is nice-sized with a water slide and this KOA Journey campground has all the other regular amenities one would expect. Please see attached photos and video for more details.
Camping opportunities near Sunnyside, Utah range from riverside oases to high desert terrain with elevations varying from 4,500 to 7,500 feet. Summer daytime temperatures regularly reach 100°F between June and August, while nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F even in summer. Most dispersed camping areas lack cell service, requiring campers to download maps and information beforehand.
Beach access and water activities: At Swasey's Beach Campground, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating on the Green River. "Access to our own little beach! Other people came and camped up near the road, while we stayed tucked out of view from the road and other campers," notes Heather M. The campground serves as a convenient take-out point for rafters completing the Desolation Canyon run.
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution in Horse Canyon Road Dispersed Area creates exceptional night sky viewing conditions. "Slept great. Sunset would have been incredible if the clouds hadn't rolled in," reports Seanna M. about her experience at Horse Canyon Road. The area's elevation and distance from urban centers creates prime conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
Petroglyphs exploration: Several sites within a 30-mile radius contain ancient rock art. As Adrian W. mentions, "There are a few petroglyphs to see, another launch ramp for boaters, and a small hiking trail that leads to an epic view of the river." Lower Price River Road provides access points to multiple archaeological sites dating back hundreds of years.
Canyon vistas: The dramatic rock formations and panoramic views rank consistently high in camper reviews. At CO2 Road Dispersed Campsite, Dylan B. found that "night time was really cool with some good stargazing, and there really weren't any cars on the dirt road." Most sites offer unobstructed views of surrounding mesas and canyon lands.
Riverside camping: Sites along the Green River provide both recreational opportunities and pleasant ambient sounds. Pam T. described Swasey's Beach as "one of our favorites in Utah. Most sites have a great view of the green river. The cottonwoods were all turning yellow and it was really gorgeous."
Solitude and quiet: Many dispersed camping areas offer significant distance between sites. Blair S. reported at Horse Canyon Road, "Saw no one, but it's also the middle of winter. 2 bars of at&t cell service!" The area's relative remoteness translates to minimal crowds even during peak summer months.
Road conditions: Many dispersed sites require travel on unpaved roads that deteriorate after rainfall. At Woodside Lower Price River Road, Brian B. advises, "Quick overnight stay in a Sprinter. Really easy access for any vehicle and lots of sites to choose from. Best sites are past the Price river float parking area in the Desolation Wilderness."
Insect activity: Depending on season and location, bugs can be problematic. At Horse Canyon Road, Tanner S. warns, "Not sure if it's the time of year but we were swarmed with gnats all around us and our rig. It was however a quiet and scenic easy pull off from the highway."
Water access challenges: While riverside camping is available, reaching the water can require effort. Noel C. describes Woodside Lower Price River Road: "The river is difficult to access, a scramble down a 4 foot vertical drop off, holding onto willows. The water is silty and just a foot or two deep, but refreshing to dip into."
Select established campgrounds during extreme heat: For summer trips with children, locations with shade and facilities offer more comfort. Nine Mile Canyon Ranch provides a middle ground between amenities and natural setting. Kimberly M. notes, "The bathrooms have flush toilets and running water and were very clean. There are historic cabins you can rent or you can camp in your tent or RV."
Bring sufficient water: No natural water sources in the region are safe for drinking without treatment. Pack 1 gallon per person per day minimum, plus additional for cooking and cleaning. Most dispersed areas have no water sources whatsoever.
Plan for temperature fluctuations: Days can be scorching while nights turn surprisingly cold. Chase R. advises about CO2 Road, "The shrubbery offers a good wind break," but notes that weather conditions can change rapidly in this high desert environment.
Consider size limitations: Many sites cannot accommodate larger rigs. At Castle Gate RV Park, James and Susan K. report, "Sites are gravel but level. Sites are still under final construction and from what I saw, will back-up to the river." For dispersed camping, only Horse Canyon Road and CO2 Road regularly accommodate larger vehicles.
Watch for soft ground: Seasonal conditions affect ground stability. Shane W. notes about CO2 Road, "The top 2 to 4 inches of topsoil are soft, which is nice for leveling out your camping in. There's some ready stuff on the bottom but nothing I had to put, my rig into four-wheel-drive for."
Plan for limited cell service: Coverage is inconsistent throughout the region. Aubrey S. reports about Horse Canyon Road, "2 bars of Verizon service," but this varies significantly by location and carrier. Download maps, directions, and campsite information before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Sunnyside, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Sunnyside, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 127 campgrounds and RV parks near Sunnyside, UT and 37 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Sunnyside, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sunnyside, UT is Horse Canyon Road - Dispersed Open Area with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sunnyside, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 37 free dispersed camping spots near Sunnyside, UT.
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