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Best Campgrounds near Tropic, UT

1,668 Reviews

Camping options near Tropic, Utah range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites on public lands. The area provides access to Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Dixie National Forest, with several camping areas accommodating tents, RVs, and cabin stays. Ruby's Inn RV Park and Campground offers full hookups and cabin accommodations, while Tom Best Spring Road (FR117) in Dixie National Forest provides free dispersed camping options for those seeking a more primitive experience. Basin Campground at Kodachrome Basin State Park features both tent and RV sites with modern amenities, serving as a central location for exploring the region's dramatic landscapes.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability, with most sites open from spring through fall. Higher elevation areas near Bryce Canyon can experience cold overnight temperatures even during summer months, dropping into the 40s Fahrenheit in July. Winter camping options are limited due to snow and freezing conditions. Most established campgrounds like Sunset and North Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park operate seasonally from May through December. The 7-mile gravel road to King Creek Campground requires careful navigation, especially in spring when water spigots may not be operating. A camper noted, "Seven miles of well graded gravel road to get here from Hwy. 12. Tropic reservoir and boat launch adjacent to campground. Nice short hike to Hoodoos."

Campers consistently highlight the scenic value and relative solitude found in the Tropic area compared to more crowded destinations. The terrain offers a mix of desert landscapes, pine forests, and dramatic rock formations that provide both scenic views and natural shade in select camping areas. Visitors to dispersed sites on forest roads appreciate the privacy and direct access to hiking trails and OHV routes. A recent review described Kodachrome Basin State Park as "a hidden gem in Utah" with "good spacing between sites and some low trees for shade and a visual break." Mixed-use campgrounds throughout the region accommodate various camping styles, with tent sites typically more abundant than large RV spaces in national forest areas. Most dispersed camping areas allow campfires when restrictions are not in place, while developed campgrounds provide fire rings, picnic tables, and varying levels of water access.

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Best Camping Sites Near Tropic, Utah (267)

    1. Rubys Inn RV Park and Campground

    78 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, OR
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 834-5341

    "The best best piece is it’s proximity to the Nat’l park - we would have stayed in the park but all the RV camping was closed in the park."

    "Campground Review Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground Definitely the closest campground outside of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah with all the amenities (absolutely positively everything) and even"

    2. North Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park

    78 Reviews
    Tropic, UT
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 834-5322

    $30 / night

    "The sites are tucked into cozy piney woods that belies the massive red, rocky hoodoos just a few yards away in the amphitheater. "

    "I was only able to spend a short time here on my Utah National Park road trip this year but I really fell in love with this place."

    3. Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest

    71 Reviews
    Tropic, UT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 865-3700

    "Our family was here for 4 nights with easy access to Bryce, Escalante and kayaking at Tropic Reservoir. We had a blast and enjoyed the site. Very dusty! And loud cicadas."

    "Lots of great trails close by and super close to the park entrance - all for FREE! Couldn’t ask for more!"

    4. Sunset Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park

    54 Reviews
    Tropic, UT
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 834-5322

    $30 - $100 / night

    "Sunset is one of two campgrounds in Bryce Canyon National Park in Southwest Utah. Bryce is a beautiful canyon and a must see if you are touring southern Utah."

    "Sunset Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park is beautiful and spacious, and is very close to some overlooks and the visitor's center."

    5. FR 090 - dispersed camping

    38 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, OR
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 865-3700

    "Do not park near the road if you can avoid it. Ruined our time here as groups with dirt bikes and ATVs speeding by. We could eat outside for the dust."

    "This little area is so close to Bryce, we camped literally less than a mile away from the park entrance, for free, can't beat it.  "

    6. Great Western Trail Dispersed

    28 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, OR
    6 miles

    "This is a great location for Red Canyon as well as Bryce Canyon trips, the Tropic Reservoir is also short drive away. If you’re visiting in summer, there’s also Dark Ranger observatory 5min away."

    "Based on a map posted at the entrance, we followed the road to find a bunch of spots about 20 minutes down the dirt road."

    7. Basin Campground — Kodachrome Basin State Park

    30 Reviews
    Henrieville, UT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 679-8562

    $35 - $70 / night

    "Kodachrome Basin was a very nice surprise for our grand camping tour of Utah this Fall. This place is truly a Kodak moment. The rock structures throughout the park are incredible."

    "This is one of our favorite spots to camp in Utah. It's fabulously close to Bryce Canyon NP and a reasonable distance from Zion NP and Grand Staircase Escalante."

    8. Toms Best Spring Road - Dispersed Camping

    33 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, OR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 865-3700

    "I ended up having a late day at Bryce Canyon and needed to find somewhere close to stay around 5:30 pm on a Saturday in season."

    "Large meadow camping/turn around at the 2nd junction with FR646 after the main area of pullouts. We chose FR3625 offshoot."

    9. Bryce Canyon RV Resort by Rjourney

    19 Reviews
    Cannonville, UT
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 523-4183

    "Beautiful hills, scenery. 15-20 minutes from Bryce, without the circus of "Ruby's tourist traps" right outside of the park. Really nice management. Quiet."

    "We had a great view from our camp spot and there were nice trails leading out of the park. The staff were very helpful to us, especially as newbies in camping."

    10. FS #117 Rd Dispersed Camping

    24 Reviews
    Fern Ridge Lake, OR
    10 miles

    "It was pretty busy when we arrived so our spot was next to the road. One bonus: short off-road drive to our spot"

    "Plenty of available sites, many drive through. Many could accommodate our 35' motorhome. Among the tall pines yet enough sunlight for solar panels. Four bars of AT&T 4G."

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Recent Camping Photos near Tropic, UT

478 Photos of 267 Tropic Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Tropic, UT

1668 Reviews of 267 Tropic Campgrounds

  • Dallin S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Archers Overlook East Zion

    Quick easy spot

    Nothing special, hard ground, limited space, good for hammocks or pull over van camping. Fires capable.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    North Campground - Bryce Canyon

    Beautiful Park, Very Nice and Quiet Campground!

    Getting to the campground was super easy, it’s right near the visitors center! The road into the loops are decently wide, and there are two loops that can have RVs. I was driving an RV but planned to tent camp, and the site I had is tucked away so I could do both.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park

    Shaded and clean

    No hookups but flush toilets and community sink to wash dishes. Parking pads are asphalt. Nice picnic tables and fire pit at each site. Walking distance to Sunset and Rim trails. Location is full and it’s Sunday evening in mid-October.

  • Iris V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    FR3623 Dispersed

    Boondocking at Tom’s Best Spring Road – Bryce Canyon, Utah

    What a spot! Tom’s Best Spring Road is everything you want in a boondocking experience near Bryce Canyon. Easy access off Highway 12, wide open spaces, and stunning views in every direction. You’re surrounded by tall pines and red rock cliffs that light up at sunrise and sunset.

    We stayed a few nights and loved the peace and quiet. The sites are large, level, and spaced well apart. The road in is graded and manageable for most rigs, though take it slow if you’re towing. AT&T and Starlink both worked great for us. Nights were crisp and beautiful, and mornings started with golden light pouring through the trees.

    We explored Bryce Canyon during the day (a quick 15-minute drive) and came back to camp under a sky full of stars. No hookups, no fees, no crowds—just fresh air and freedom.

    Tips: • Bring your own water and pack out trash. • Expect some washboard on the road in. • Arrive before dark to pick your spot.

  • aThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    FR 090 - dispersed camping

    Open calling area

    I loved this place! It was relatively quiet during our stay. Even in some rain the road was passable and we found some cool agates. Fire pit and flat where we camped. Perfect for RV

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Coal Creek

    Dumping ground

    This could be a real nice little Stop over if it wasn’t full of dumped homeless encampment garbage. Derelect vehicles with Police tow stickers and what looks to be homeless Living in cars and shooting up. Not staying and not Coming back.

  • Mike M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    East Zion RV Park

    I see rough reviews but I loved this place

    Is it close to Hwy 89, yes, is the Thunderbird Lodge closed on Wednesday and Thursday and maybe not there to help immediately, yes. This is a small town but the facility is awesome, when staff is not there they answer the texting options they communicate with you very quickly and I really didn't notice the traffic noise as RV's are hardly sound proof.

    While there we visited Zion, Bryce, Navajo Lake, Corral Pink Dunes, how central do you need to be to get a great review here. Very clean and well kept up, executive golf course (it took me a bit to recognize what 89 & 9 meant, call me slow), pool and spa, store, and you can't leave without trying a "Ho"made pie.

Guide to Tropic

Camping near Tropic, Utah, offers a fantastic mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, bike, or just relax under the stars, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Lake View Campground — Escalante State Park stated, "This campground had thermostat controlled bathrooms and had the cleanest showers I’ve encountered so far."
  • Quiet atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Duck Creek mentioned, "This campsite was quiet and peaceful when we stayed the night."
  • Proximity to attractions: Campers love being close to Bryce Canyon. One reviewer said, "Ruby's is the best basecamp spot for exploring Bryce Canyon" at Ruby's Inn RV Park and Campground.

What you should know:

  • Reservations may be required: During peak season, many campgrounds like North Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park now require reservations. A camper noted, "It is to be a first come first serve but now during the busy season reservations are required."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, such as Tom Best Spring Road - Dispersed Camping, do not have drinking water or toilets. A visitor mentioned, "No bathrooms or anything but pretty close to the Bryce Canyon entrance!"
  • Uneven sites: If you're camping in a van, be aware that some sites may have uneven surfaces. A camper at Sunset Campground — Bryce Canyon National Park pointed out, "Except for loop A, the driveway surface for most sites is uneven."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for sites with amenities like picnic tables and fire pits. A reviewer at Basin Campground — Kodachrome Basin State Park said, "Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring."
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of nearby attractions. One camper at Red Canyon Campground mentioned, "There are a couple of trails close by and practically 20min from Bryce Canyon."
  • Pack extra supplies: Bring along essentials like toilet paper, as some campgrounds may run low. A visitor at Duck Creek noted, "Restrooms sometimes are out of toilet paper, but we always bring spare rolls for any situation."

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Tropic, Utah, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at campgrounds near Tropic?

Campgrounds near Tropic offer a range of amenities to suit different camping preferences. Basin Campground — Kodachrome Basin State Park provides stunning views of rock formations in a beautiful setting. Meanwhile, Bryce Canyon RV Resort by Rjourney features terraced pull-through sites with full hookups, privacy hedges between sites, and is located 15-20 minutes from Bryce Canyon. Many area campgrounds include picnic tables, fire pits, and toilet facilities, with several offering running water and flush toilets. RV-specific amenities like hookups, WiFi and showers are available at the RV parks, while more rustic campgrounds offer natural surroundings and access to outdoor activities.

When is the best time of year to camp in Tropic, Utah?

Late spring through early fall offers the best camping conditions in Tropic, Utah. Summer months provide warm days ideal for exploring nearby attractions, though higher elevations can get cool at night even in June. Bryce View Campground — Kodachrome Basin State Park is particularly pleasant during these months, offering incredible views in a comfortable setting. Fall is an excellent time to visit as demonstrated by positive experiences at Rubys Inn RV Park and Campground, with moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. Be aware that the area, including campgrounds near Tropic Reservoir, can get cold fairly early in the fall season, so come prepared with appropriate gear if camping in late September or October.

Where can I find camping spots in Tropic, Utah?

Tropic, Utah offers several excellent camping options within close proximity. Dixie National Forest King Creek Group Site is situated near Tropic Reservoir, just 10-15 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park with good-sized sites, clean facilities, and miles of ATV trails. For those seeking an RV experience, Hitch-N-Post RV Park provides full amenities right in town with walking distance to local cafes. Additionally, there are primitive camping sites available just past Tropic Reservoir for those who prefer a more secluded experience.

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