280 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Paunsaugunt Plateau drops sharply into Tropic on the east side of Bryce Canyon National Park, putting this small town about 7 miles from the park entrance. Campgrounds near Tropic range from developed RV parks with hookups to cabin rentals and standard tent campsites, making it one of the more practical bases for visiting the area. Bryce Canyon campground options cover the in-park campgrounds and the full range of sites inside the boundary, where reservations through recreation.gov are required months in advance for summer dates.
Tropic sits at around 6,300 feet elevation, which keeps temperatures noticeably cooler than lower-elevation Utah towns in summer. Tent sites and Tropic's RV campgrounds both book up fast from May through September. Winter access to Bryce is possible, but many private campgrounds in Tropic close or reduce operations from November through March. Cell service is workable in town but drops in the canyon country east of the plateau.
"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Our camper was nestled in the trees with a hill behind the camper, where we could also explore."
"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!"
"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."
from $30 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Literally right next to the entrance of the national park! Magical area, very secluded, sites are spaced well apart, and roads aren’t too bad, though we had a high clearance vehicle."
"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."
from $35 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
GuideGreat place to stay near Lake Powell and Page. The park facilities are almost new. Everything is clean and in top condition including the pool and spa. We wanted to stay for 1 night only but decided to stay one more night. Price for a back-in full hook-up site 71 USD.
ScoutWe are flat has beautiful views in all directions. Pine trees and Aspen are everywhere surrounding a large meadow that overlooks the valley with mountains in the distance. There are not a lot of spots to camp, but if you can get one, they’re all really good. Easily accessible by a car and sites are flat and usable. I even saw a few trailers as well. Only negative would be road noise since it’s very close to the main road in and there are a lot of side-by-side and ATVs using the forest service road for exploration. there is actually a bathroom here, I didn’t check it out, but that’s a plus. Weather is beautiful about 85° this time of year, a little windy no rain so far. Altitude is about 9700 feet.
TravelerPreface - this place is secluded and is not necessarily easy to get to. The road is dirt and pretty washed out in places. I just took it slow.
Stumbled upon this place. It’s off of a longish branch of the road that goes out to a point that overlooks a valley. Incredible views of the sunset. Very secluded. Can hike down a little and find some nice rocks to sit on.
TravelerWe were driving through on a road trip and stopped here because it was along our route. It’s very easy to hop off of 15 and get to this site. The site is however dirty with trash and fairly crowded. Wouldn’t recommend for anything more than pulling over and sleeping
GuideArrived on a Thursday to an absolutely empty campground. It filled up by Saturday. Beautiful canyon, lovely hike. HOT!!!! Grateful for the creek to cool off in during the hot afternoons.
GuideGreat camp sites, spacious and clean. Super clean bathroom with shower! Gracious host. Amazing views!
TravelerI love this part of the world — the brush and the red buttes. The road, like others have said, is fine (albeit pretty bumpy). At least until the first turnoff. That’s as far as I needed to go. Big space to turn the rig around as well at the first turnoff. Places like this are why I got an RV.
GuideWe stayed here for 3 nights in mid-June. The park is beautiful and the rock formations are stunning especially at sunrise and sunset. We were in site K031 with full hookups. It was warm during the day, but the nights were perfect. Be advised, at this campground it is posted that generator use is allowed from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. We were glad we had hookups because we definitely needed a/c outside those hours for us and our pets. We drove in from Page, AZ and google offered us an alternative shorter route on Johnson Canyon Rd that would save 20 minutes. Be advised this has about 33 miles of dirt road. Condition of the road is unknown since we took the route through Kanab and came in from Cannonville. We did not have any cell coverage, but the visitor's center has free wifi, so we just went and checked messages. If you plan on staying here to see Bryce Canyon N.P., it is about a 40 minute drive to Bryce. If you are able, do one of several hikes in Kodachrome. The views of the surrounding area are gorgeous.
ScoutNice campground, quiet
Camping sites near Tropic, Utah range from 6,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation, creating notable temperature variations between day and night even during summer months. The area's high desert climate produces average daily temperature swings of 30-40 degrees, with frost possible in some camping areas as late as June. Most campgrounds become accessible in mid-April when snowmelt clears forest roads.
Horseback riding with kids: Multiple trails accessible from Bryce Canyon RV Resort by Rjourney offer family-friendly rides with mountain views. "Horses across the road. Mule deer out back occasionally," notes R.E., who camped there with family.
Mountain biking at Kodachrome Basin: The trails around Basin Campground provide moderate rides suitable for intermediate cyclists. "Social or secluded... easy access to Thunder Mountain trail loop, awesome moderate mt biking trail," reports Jeanie P. who camped nearby. The trail system offers approximately 7 miles of connected routes.
Winter wildlife watching: For cold-weather campers, January visits to Bryce Canyon area can provide unique wildlife encounters. Teresa A. reports from North Campground: "We spent two nights at North Campground while exploring Bryce Canyon NP. We were basically the only ones out camping here in late January."
Modern shower facilities: The shower buildings at Kodachrome Basin State Park consistently receive praise for their exceptional quality and design. "Best is the free, upgraded showers. Like a spa!" says Leslie B., who stayed at Basin Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: The area's dark skies make for exceptional night viewing, particularly at sites away from developed areas. Morgan Y. reports from Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed that they were "the only campers within site or earshot. A little trickle of a stream on one side and an amazing view of the stars."
Off-season solitude: Winter camping provides a completely different experience than summer visits. Carlisle B. who camped at North Campground shares: "This place is like a winter wonderland if you come during or after a snowfall. Breathtakingly beautiful."
Accessibility to multiple parks: The strategic location between several parks makes basing at one campground efficient. Anna Z. notes that Tom Best Spring Road offers "lots of spaces available with fire pits, beautiful views, neat rocks. Quiet. Close to Bryce Canyon."
Winter facilities limitations: Water systems are typically winterized from November through March. Teresa A. notes about North Campground: "Bathroom was open and clean but all outside water was turned off to prevent freezing."
Reservation challenges in winter: Off-season camping requires different planning. Teresa reports: "You have to book through the reservations.gov website which proved to be problematic as they only open up a week or two due to weather changes this time of year."
Dispersed camping safety concerns: Some isolated camping areas may present security issues. At FR 090 - dispersed camping, one camper recommends arriving "by 4P for a guaranteed spot on the weekend. Beautifully shaded open sites. About 3-5 acres/site."
National Forest designated sites: Dave's Hollow area provides organized dispersed camping. Angela M. explains: "Dave's Hollow Designated Camping has quite a few sites but seems to fill up quickly since it's just outside of Bryce Canyon NP. There are designated campsites."
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations can be extreme, even in summer months. Emily from Rubys Inn RV Park and Campground advises: "Booked this site for the same day around 5PM! Had a huge tent site and warm showers were a huge plus. We stayed in September and by the middle of the night it was about 20 degrees so bundle up!!"
Playground access: Younger children need recreation options at camp. R.E. notes about Bryce Canyon RV Resort: "A nice little playground, used pretty regularly by little ones. Lots of space to walk dogs out back. It's right on main road but not too noisy."
Junior Ranger programs: Educational activities enhance family visits. Kelley H. recommends: "The junior ranger program was awesome!" after camping at North Campground, making it a top educational opportunity for children.
Kid-friendly sites: Look for camping areas with natural features that engage children. "The campground is beautiful with woods surrounding our site. Lots of wildlife walking around our tent area at night," shares Henry W. about camping at Great Western Trail Dispersed.
Solar viability: Many dispersed sites offer good solar charging capability. Tom W. reports from FS #117 Rd Dispersed Camping: "Among the tall pines yet enough sunlight for solar panels. Four bars of AT&T 4G."
Site selection considerations: Not all RV sites are equal in terms of layout and terrain. Beverly O. warns about North Campground: "RV spots are pretty exposed & mine was on a hill w/ only one levelish portion (53). Ended up in loop D tent area (93) and it seems like many camper van folks end up here."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited but available. Kim S. notes about Rubys Inn: "$46 a night for full hook ups... Some spots are shady and some spots are not..." Plan ahead as these sites book quickly during peak season.
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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