Established Camping
Sand Island Recreation Area — Bears Ears National Monument
Campers are Saying
Sand Island Recreation Area, near Monticello, Utah, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the beauty of the San Juan River. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, with each site featuring a fire pit for cozy evenings under the stars.
Visitors rave about the stunning petroglyphs nearby, which add a unique cultural touch to your stay. The campground is also a popular launch point for kayaking and rafting adventures, making it a hit with water lovers. One camper shared, “I put my kayak in the water in Bluff and paddled to the campground,” highlighting the easy access to water activities.
Amenities include vault toilets and seasonal water spigots, but keep in mind that there are no electric hookups or showers. The sites are spacious, tucked among cottonwood trees, providing some shade from the sun. While the campground is close to the highway, many campers found it surprisingly quiet at night, allowing for a peaceful retreat after a day of exploration.
If you’re up for a little adventure, there’s a six-mile trail leading to the town of Bluff, where you can grab a bite or explore local attractions. Whether you're here for a quick stop or a longer stay, Sand Island Recreation Area offers a blend of relaxation and outdoor fun that’s hard to beat.
General Overview
Bureau of Land Management
Bears Ears National Monument
Overview
Sand Island Recreation Area is a good camping option for visitors launching San Juan River float trips, or wishing to camp close to the town of Bluff or the Cedar Mesa area of Bears Ears National Monument. The campground provides 23 campsites that each feature a tent/trailer space, a picnic table, a fire ring, and vault toilets. Drinking water is available seasonally (typically March through October). Each campsite can hold 8 people and 2 vehicles. Reservations are not available for camping at this location. Individual campsites are available on a first come, first served basis upon arrival at the self-register kiosk at the site. The Sand Island Group Sites are available for larger groups, and may be reserved here.__
Recreation
Sand Island is the primary launch point for multi-day San Juan River float trips. San Juan River trips provide boaters with access to spectacular canyons rich in scenery, geology, archeology, history and wildlife. A river permit is required in advance. The Sand Island Petroglyph Panel site is located on the sandstone walls on the north side of the recreation area. There are many nearby hiking and scenic driving opportuites in the Cedar Mesa area of Bears Ears National Monument.
Facilities
Sand Island is the primary launch point for multi-day San Juan River float trips. San Juan River trips provide boaters with access to spectacular canyons rich in scenery, geology, archeology, history and wildlife. A river permit is required in advance. The Sand Island Petroglyph Panel site is located on the sandstone walls on the north side of the recreation area. There are many nearby hiking and scenic driving opportuites in the Cedar Mesa area of Bears Ears National Monument.
Natural Features
Sand Island is located along the San Juan River. Cottonwood trees line the banks of the river and are scattered throughout the campground, providing shade at many of the sites. The north side of the campground is lined with red sandstone walls.
Nearby Attractions
Bears Ears National Monument__ San Juan River Cedar Mesa Valley of the Gods Goosenecks State Park
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (435) 587-1500.
Charges & Cancellations
No refunds are available.
Fee Info
The campground at Sand Island Recreation Area is first come, first served and payment must be made upon arrival at the self-register kiosk at the campground using cash, check, or the Scan & Pay feature on the Recreation.gov mobile app. You must have the Recreation.gov app installed on your mobile device to use the Scan & Pay payment method. There is no fee for day use.
Location
Sand Island Recreation Area — Bears Ears National Monument is located in Utah
Directions
The recreation area is located off U.S. Route 191 approximately three miles west of Bluff, UT and approximately one mile east of the junction of U.S. Routes 163 and 191. It is accessible by all passenger vehicles.
Address
BLM Monticello Field Office
365 N Main St
Monticello, UT 84535
Coordinates
37.262559 N
109.610336 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiFair
- VerizonFair
- AT&TAvailable
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups