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Best Tent Camping near Sunnyside, UT

262 Reviews

The rugged desert landscape surrounding Sunnyside, Utah offers primitive tent camping opportunities in several public land areas, with San Rafael Dispersed Camping standing out as a highly-rated option for backcountry tent camping experiences. Other tent-friendly sites include Huntington Canyon Recreation Area, Horse Canyon Camping Area, and Fish Creek Campground, all situated within reasonable driving distance. These areas provide access to the dramatic scenery of central Utah's canyon country, where tent campers can experience solitude amid striking geological formations.

Most tent campsites in the region require self-sufficiency and preparation. San Rafael Dispersed Camping demands high-clearance 4x4 vehicles to navigate sandy terrain with challenging dips. Campers should bring ample water supplies as drinking water is not available at most sites. Fish Creek Campground offers basic vault toilets but lacks other amenities like picnic tables or trash service. Fire regulations vary by location and season, with some areas permitting campfires while others enforce strict fire bans. Cell service is sparse or nonexistent throughout much of the region, requiring tent campers to plan accordingly for emergency communications.

Tent-only camping in this area rewards visitors with exceptional night skies and wildlife viewing opportunities. According to reviews, San Rafael Dispersed Camping offers "breathtaking night skies" and the chance to spot wild burros. Campers noted the need to "open a gate and close it behind you" when accessing the area, with multiple pull-offs available along dirt roads for privacy. The isolation factor is significant, with one visitor describing "amazing" desert views and beautiful nighttime experiences. Walk-in tent sites provide deeper immersion in the landscape, though they require carrying gear from parking areas. Even sites accessible from highways maintain a sense of quiet, with reviewers mentioning the peaceful atmosphere despite proximity to roads. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for day hiking or photography excursions.

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Best Tent Sites Near Sunnyside, Utah (11)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Sunnyside, UT

1 Photos of 11 Sunnyside Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Sunnyside, UT

262 Reviews of 11 Sunnyside Campgrounds

  • Pat R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2025

    Juniper Point — Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation

    Juniper Campground

    Juniper is a primitive site with 3 vault toilets and dumpster. A couple of the sites are secluded. All of the campsites are within walking distance to the water. Finding level ground is somewhat challenging. We drove to the improved camping area and pay for shower use. The DNR staff have all been helpful and friendly. Only 2 of the sites have real shade. There appears to be breezes to wind in the evenings. Our tent trailer handled all. Dogs are allowed and most people clean up after. After memorial day the most used vault toilet needed attention.

  • Seth K.
    Oct. 27, 2018

    Rabbit Gulch Campground — Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation

    Desert-like but awe inspiring

    This campground, specifically, the tent only part is awe inspiring. You have the ability to camp super close to the lake and the pictures you can take are amazing. The bathrooms are quite spartan at the tent camping only site, but showers and flush toilets are available at the other side of the campground. Watch out for rocks going in, we got a flat.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2023

    BLM Mexican Mt Road Dispersed Camping

    BLM Free dispersed

    The Mexican Mt Road starts at the Swinging Bridge North CG, goes past the BLM equestrian CG, then goes for 10 miles till road is blocked at Mexican Mt wilderness. Many nice free dispersed sites along this maintained but dusty road. Some sites down toward the San Rafael river in the bushes, others along the road or in side draws toward the cliffs. No designated sites, no water, no trash, no cell signal. As of now the BLM has no formal rule for portable toilets but that may change in future.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    Buckhorn Draw Fee Campground Sites 18-21

    Buckhorn 18-21 Fee area campsites

    This is a cluster of 4 campsites scattered in a draw. Roads are sandy though so recon first. May be more suited to trucks and tenters instead of RVs. $15/$7.50 senior as of Jan 2023. Vault toilet at this cluster, tables and fire rings. No water, no trash, no cell signal.

  • J
    May. 9, 2021

    Swinging Bridge Equestrian Campground

    Beautiful 360º Views Next to the San Rafael River

    We stayed this weekend (early May 2021) at the Swinging Bridge South Campground and had a great time. The campground includes:

    • Tent pads at every site
    • Plenty of space to pull up in one's vehicle
    • Accessible unisex pit toilet
    • Picnic tables at every site
    • Metal fire rings

    The cost is $15 per night with a limit to 2 vehicles per site and up to 10 people per site, with half-price discounts for National Parks/Interagency Passes. There are neither trash receptacles on-site nor potable water, so plan to pack in/pack out.

    This dog-friendly BLM campground made a great home base for adventuring in the Buckhorn Wash and Little Grand Canyon overlook area. There was minimal road noise at night, though you can hear neighboring campers since it's a fairly open campground. On our night it was rather windy so plan to bring strong tie-downs for your ground tent if you plan to use the tent pads.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2022

    Swinging Bridge Equestrian Campground

    Nice place for the horse crowd

    Not a horse person but checked it out. 6 nice large sites with green steel corrals. Vault toilet tables and fire rings for the humans. However NO Water for humans or horses. No dumpsters, no cell signal. Roads are good hard gravel.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    Buckhorn Draw fee Campsite #25

    Single fee designated site

    This single fee designated campsite is in a scenic alcove in towering sandstone walls. Access road is sandy so recon first. Table and a fire ring but no water, no toilet, no trash and no cell signal.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Athena Slabs at Green River

    Quick overnight stay

    Great spot for a quick overnight stay. Because of the concrete slabs, there are a ton of flat spots to set up whether you are tent or car camping. Easily accessible

Guide to Sunnyside

Dispersed camping options near Sunnyside, Utah extend across the Price River Valley and surrounding mesas. The region sits at approximately 6,200 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 85-95°F during daytime and dropping to 50-60°F at night. Winter camping requires preparation for freezing conditions and potential snow accumulation on unpaved access roads.

What to do

Rock climbing access: Joe's Valley Bouldering Area provides tent campers with proximity to world-class sandstone bouldering problems. The area attracts climbers from across the country seeking challenging routes on high-quality stone.

Wildlife photography: San Rafael Dispersed Camping offers opportunities to photograph wild burros and desert wildlife. Campers should prepare for early morning and evening observation when animals are most active.

Canyon exploration: Huntington Canyon Recreation Area serves as a gateway to multiple slot canyon hiking trails. Visitors can access narrow passages carved through sandstone formations, requiring technical skills for some routes.

What campers like

Solitude factor: Tent camping near Sunnyside provides genuine isolation compared to more developed areas. One camper at San Rafael Dispersed Camping noted, "This is a great spot and a great find! You have to open a gate and close it behind you as you go down the road."

Night sky visibility: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. A visitor commented that San Rafael offers "beautiful area to explore with wild burros and breathtaking night skies."

Multiple pull-off options: Bellevue Flats TH and surrounding dispersed areas provide numerous spots to establish camp away from others. One camper mentioned San Rafael had "a lot of pull offs" that were "quiet on the dirt road."

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Most primitive camping areas require appropriate transportation. At San Rafael, "You will need 4x4 as there is a bunch of really sandy spots and some pretty gnarly dips so high clearance would be nice."

Communication limitations: Cell service throughout the region is minimal to non-existent. "At the time there was no cell service or it was very sparse," noted one camper about San Rafael. Satellite communication devices are recommended for emergencies.

Water scarcity: Fish Creek Campground and most dispersed sites lack drinking water. One visitor emphasized, "take plenty of water" when describing camping requirements for the area.

Tips for camping with families

Safety precautions: Prepare children for desert conditions with proper sun protection and hydration protocols. Pack more water than seems necessary, as consumption increases significantly in dry conditions.

Educational opportunities: The geological formations provide learning experiences about erosion and rock formation. Horse Canyon Camping Area sits near interpretive sites explaining the region's mining history.

Temperature management: Desert temperature fluctuations can exceed 40°F between day and night. Pack appropriate clothing layers and ensure sleeping arrangements account for nighttime cooling.

Tips from RVers

Approach routes: Large trailers and motorhomes have limited options in this region. Jackson Camping Area provides more accessible terrain for modest-sized trailers compared to deeper backcountry sites.

Leveling challenges: Prepare additional leveling blocks for uneven terrain. The natural contours of dispersed sites rarely provide naturally level parking areas for trailers or motorhomes.

Waste management: Self-contained units are essential as dump facilities are scarce within 50 miles of most camping areas. Plan to transport all waste to proper facilities in Price or Green River.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Sunnyside, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sunnyside, UT is San Rafael Dispersed Camping with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Sunnyside, UT?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Sunnyside, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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