Where the San Juan River curves through southeastern Utah, Sand Island BLM Campground Group sites Boat Launch sits at 4,300 feet elevation on BLM land managed by the Monticello Field Office. The campground operates year-round with two distinct loops: Loop A restricts entry to rigs under 26 feet, while Loop B accommodates larger RVs and trailers on a first-come, first-served basis.
The San Juan River runs directly alongside the camping area, providing water access for rafters and kayakers launching downstream. Greg L. notes "Trash, toilets, water available" along with the heavily used boat ramp between the two group sites. Some sites sit waterfront while others spread away from the river across relatively flat terrain. Cell service proves marginal throughout the area.
The campground's major draw extends beyond river access to the extensive Sand Island petroglyphs that line the cliff face on Loop B's north side. These rock art panels stretch roughly 100 yards and represent one of the Southwest's more significant collections. Additional petroglyphs appear near Loop A's end via a designated trail. The low elevation means summer temperatures climb considerably during daylight hours.
Sites near the highway junction experience road noise, particularly on the west end of Loop B. For additional camping options in the region, explore campgrounds around BLM Land — Monticello Field Office. Reservations are available for the group sites, though individual sites remain first-come, first-served.
Description
Overview
Sand Island Campgrounds two group campsites are ideal for groups wishing to be close to the town of Bluff and the San Juan River. The area offers outdoor enthusiasts many options for river floating, scenic driving and rock art viewing.
Recreation
Sand Island is the main put-in for the 102-mile section of the San Juan River between Montezuma Creek and Clay Hills Crossing that provides boaters with access to spectacular canyons rich in scenery, geology, archeology, history and wildlife. Within the campground there are numerous petroglyphs and pictographs on the ledges above and it is a popular destination for both sightseeing and bird watching.
Facilities
Group Site A is located near the boat ramp and features picnic tables, a fire grate, a shade structure and has water nearby. The site may be reserved in advance for groups of 10 to 20 people for a maximum of fourteen days. Group Site B can accommodate group sizes from 15 to 40 people and is located in Loop B of the campground and features picnic tables, a large fire grate, a shade structure, water on site and a single vault toilet. The group sites do not have dump stations or electric hook ups. There are dumpsters located at the campground entrance.
Natural Features
Sand Island Campground is beside the San Juan River.
Nearby Attractions
Sand Island is close to Goosenecks State Park, Bears Ears National Monument (Shash Jaa Unit), and Cedar Mesa.
Fee Info
$65 per night
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundSand Island BLM Campground Group sites Boat Launch is located in Utah
Directions
Sand Island Campground is located on the north bank of the San Juan River about 3 miles west of Bluff, Utah, on the south side of Highway 191.
Address
BLM MONTICELLO FIELD OFFICE
PO BOX 7
Monticello, UT 84535
Coordinates
37.2630556 N
109.6122222 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 3/23/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 30 usersLast on 3/23/26- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 3/23/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 3/23/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 30 usersLast on 3/23/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 3/23/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 47 min from Farmington, NM
- 3 hrs 13 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 3 hrs 18 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 4 hrs 56 min from St. George, UT
