Camping in Washington, Utah positions you at 3,200 feet elevation with dramatic red rock formations surrounding the town. The region sits at the northeastern edge of the Mojave Desert, creating a distinct microclimate that's cooler than nearby St. George but warmer than Zion. The sandy terrain in this region can be challenging for tent stakes, so campers should bring extra-long stakes or sand anchors.
What to Do
Hiking to petroglyphs: Red Cliffs Campground offers easy access to trails with ancient rock art. "This is a very unique State Park, it's a campground, it's a lake, it's a sand dune and its hardcore rock crawling trails," notes Michael J. from Red Cliffs Campground.
Creek exploration: Set up camp near running water for natural cooling. "There are sites on both sides of the creek. The drive to Zion is around 20 minutes. It does get very hot and there is not a lot of tree cover but the stream is a great place to put some chairs and cool off," shares Kristin M. from North Creek Dispersed Camping.
Night sky viewing: The limited light pollution creates ideal stargazing conditions. "Almost no light pollution. You can see so many stars at night," writes Chris L. about the conditions at Sand Hollow State Park.
What Campers Like
Large camping spaces: Sites at some campgrounds provide room to spread out. "We had a pull through. After check in we were escorted to our site and given information about the park. The strange was it wasn't clear on where to park the tow vehicle, although you will have plenty of room once you figure it out," Patrick J. mentions about McArthur's Temple View RV Resort.
Water recreation: The reservoirs offer cooling swimming opportunities in hot months. "The beach is mostly clean, sometimes rude people leave behind garbage but the main culture their helps out to maintain a clean peaceful and fun environment! The rangers are awesome!" explains Jodi M. from Westside Campground — Sand Hollow State Park.
Well-maintained facilities: Many campers appreciate the upkeep at established campgrounds. "Very clean. Shaded and well maintained. Highly recommend," writes Rhonda H. about WillowWind RV Park.
What You Should Know
Extreme summer heat: Plan activities for early morning or evening. "This is a very hot park in the summer, and the shoreline of the lake has a bad case of the Swimmer's Itch," cautions Michael J. about Sand Hollow State Park.
Limited shade: Many campgrounds have sparse tree cover. "It is an hour to Zion NP if you are there for that. Other parks are closer to the park, but we were coming from SoCal, so enough towing for one day," notes Patrick J. about McArthur's Temple View RV Resort.
Road access challenges: Some dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. "Road in was just a little tough but short. Did fine with a 25ft travel trailer. Riverside spots are mostly for vans/tents," Connor M. explains about North Creek Dispersed Camping.
Tips for Camping with Families
Choose campgrounds with activities: Look for sites with pools or playgrounds. "The campground has a covered bubble swimming pool, shuffleboard, billiards, and a lot of different scheduled events you can participate in," recommends Dag D. from Temple View RV Resort.
Visit water areas early: Avoid crowds at popular swimming spots. "My kids had a blast in the sand dune area," shares Jake C. about Snow Canyon State Park.
Pack extra water: The dry climate demands increased hydration. "Apparently, you can hike through the slots to see petroglyphs and even dinosaur tracks," Lynna C. notes about Red Cliffs, where hiking requires plenty of water.
Tips from RVers
Seasonal considerations: Heat impacts comfort in RVs without adequate cooling. "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," observes Jenny W. about WillowWind RV Park.
Level site selection: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "The RV sites have paved spaces with picnic shelters. The other campgrounds are dry but are closer to the water. This space had a great view but had stairs down to the covered Ramada," Michele H. explains about Sand Hollow State Park.
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies significantly between locations. "This site has numerous spots, most are close together but the campground was not full at all allowing plenty of space and privacy," notes Kristin M. about the pet friendly camping at North Creek Dispersed Camping.
