Toquerville, Utah sits at approximately 3,300 feet elevation and serves as a gateway to both Zion National Park and the Kolob Canyons. The area experiences dramatic temperature shifts between seasons, with summer highs frequently reaching 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing. Camping opportunities near Toquerville range from established campgrounds with full hookups to more rustic glamping sites where visitors can experience the desert landscape with basic amenities.
What to do
Hike at nearby Kolob Canyons: Just a 20-minute drive from Toquerville, the less-crowded northwestern section of Zion National Park offers stunning trails and views. Visitors staying at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort appreciate the location's access to outdoor activities. As one camper notes, "Located to plenty of outdoor adventures" and "Never disappoints" with its proximity to trails.
Explore Sand Hollow State Park: Located about 25 minutes southwest of Toquerville, this state park features red sand beaches, water recreation, and ATV trails. A visitor to Snow Canyon State Park Campground mentioned, "Great red rock/lava flow hiking trail options, most are easy/moderate, nice loop through Snow Canyon and around on mesa and back for road cycling."
Visit local historical sites: The Leeds area near Toquerville contains preserved pioneer structures. A camper at Zion West RV Park shared, "Down the street you can check out some historical cabins that were from back in the day as well." These historical sites provide context about early settlement in the region.
What campers like
Shade trees in the desert landscape: Many campers specifically mention appreciating shade at campgrounds near Toquerville. A visitor to WillowWind RV Park remarked, "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."
Natural water features: Creeks and rivers enhance the camping experience in this arid region. A camper at Zion River Resort appreciated "The cool Virgin River behind our site was a nice place to soak our tired feet and enjoy a beverage after hiking in Zion. We preferred the pace of Virgin over Sugardale, and it was only 20min away."
Escape from summer heat: Glamping near Toquerville offers relief from high temperatures. As one camper at Kolob Gate Gardens noted, "The creek was wonderful to be next to and was so peaceful at night!" Proximity to water features provides natural cooling during hot months.
Clean facilities: Visitors frequently mention bathroom cleanliness as a highlight. A camper at Leeds RV Park & Motel commented, "This campground is quite well kept and is definitely cute... Showers are super clean." This attention to maintenance enhances the camping experience.
What you should know
Reservation timing varies by campground: Some locations require planning months ahead while others offer last-minute availability. A camper at South Campground — Zion National Park explained, "Reservations can be made two weeks before your stay, and you can only reserve three nights. We reserved a site for three nights and then waited three days to reserve a site for two more nights."
Water conservation measures: Due to the desert environment, many campgrounds implement water-saving policies. A visitor to Snow Canyon State Park Campground warned, "The shower requires holding down a chain to operate (annoying!)... the bathroom doors had holes instead of handles... and if you're tall, you can totally see into other shower stalls."
Temperature extremes: Dramatic temperature swings occur between day and night. A camper at Duck Creek noted, "We choose duck creek due to the proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon and it was an hour or so from each. This was a nice quite spot, but at the end of June it was freezing! In the mornings it was around 37 degrees."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. A visitor to Zion River Resort observed, "There is virtually no cell signal in Virgin. Certainly not enough to even begin to create a hot spot. There is wifi (and we even had a booster on our site)...but there was still terribly connectivity."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with recreation options: Some locations offer activities beyond hiking. A visitor to Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort shared, "Everything you need for camping... Stay more than 2 days. So much to do and experience we had an amazing time. It was my boyfriends first time camping and he really enjoyed the experience."
Consider glamping accommodations: Luxury tent camping near Toquerville provides an introduction to outdoor experiences. One camper at Zion West RV Park noted, "They do have glamping tents and tiny houses to rent on Airbnb for reasonable prices... This place is about 45 minutes from Zion National park and 2 hours from Bryce Canyon."
Plan for wildlife encounters: Local animals can enhance the experience but require proper food storage. A visitor to South Campground mentioned, "Lots of wildlife but pretty crowded campground. Very nice scenery and close walk to the Zion shuttle." Teaching children about respectful wildlife observation adds an educational component.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability varies: Some campgrounds offer full hookups while others have limited options. A camper at WillowWind RV Park explained, "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."
Consider site dimensions carefully: Larger rigs may face challenges at certain campgrounds. As one RVer at Snow Canyon State Park Campground warned, "The hookup sites are VERY narrow (some as little as 10 feet wide) and difficult to pull into. I would not recommend staying in them." Researching site specifications before arrival prevents disappointment.
Look for satellite-friendly locations: Tree cover affects satellite reception. A visitor to WillowWind RV Park advised, "We stayed in one of the satellite friendly spots. Unfortunately, the space we were in was not so 'friendly' due to the mature trees on either side. The satellite friendly spots are in the back of the RV park, and the aisle behind us had newer/younger trees that would not block satellite."
