This BLM campground sits about seven miles off the main road via a rough dirt access route that can challenge some vehicles. Temple Mountain Townsite Campground provides ten first-come, first-served sites plus one group area on level gravel pads that accommodate big rigs with water hookups available.
The campground occupies a valley setting with open views toward the surrounding mountains, including Temple Mountain itself. Sites spread across both flat areas and small hills, giving campers options for different exposures and privacy levels. Vault toilets serve the campground, though there's no water service, trash collection, or cell signal. The BLM has been upgrading site pads and infrastructure in recent years.
Multiple off-road trails branch out from the area, attracting ATV and other recreational vehicle users, though campers report the activity doesn't create significant noise issues. Dan P. notes there's "lots of room to be far away from others" with "no shade during the day, but nice fire pits and room." Sites cost $15 per night for single occupancy or $50 for the group site, with senior discounts available.
For campers wanting closer amenities, Temple Mt. Rd. Dispersed offers free camping just down the road.
Description
Overview
Temple Mountain Townsite is a fee campground in the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area.
Recreation
Temple Mountain Townsite is at the intersection of Temple Mountain Road and the Behind-the-Reef Road. From the campground, visitors can hike to reclaimed uranium mines, drive a short distance down the wash to the Temple Mountain Pictograph Panel, or drive the longer North Temple Wash loop. The Behind-the-Reef Road is accessible to most vehicles for six miles, accessing several trailheads for hikes into the San Rafael Reef Wilderness. Two of these (Chute Canyon and Wild Horse Canyon) are accessible for horseback riders. The road continues for another 14 miles requiring high clearance and four-wheel-drive as it follows the rugged base of the reef against a backdrop of 500-foot cliffs and jagged canyons. After about seven miles, the road narrows to a maximum vehicle width of 50 feet. More wilderness slot canyons hikes can be accessed from this road. Motorized vehicle use is not permitted in wilderness.
Natural Features
The campground is at the mouth of a short, steep canyon (Temple Wash) which cuts through the San Rafael Reef. One of the most distinctive geologic features of central Utah, the Reef is a 75-mile-long rocky spine that reaches up to 1,000 feet high and forms the eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell. The Temple Mountain area provides acces to many scenic slot canyons, hills, and spires cut from red and white rock.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (435) 636-3600.
Nearby Attractions
Goblin Valley State Park (fee area), 2 miles east: The state park entrance is two miles up the Temple Wash Road going back towards Highway 24. The state park is famous for its unique landscape of sandstone hoodoos (goblins) and buttes. The park has hiking and mountain biking trails as well as a fee campground and yurt rentals. Little Wild Horse Canyon: The Little Wild Horse slot canyon is the most popular hike in the San Rafael Reef. Visitors can appreciate sculpted sandstone walls and narrows through the three-mile canyon. Paired with Bell Canyon via the Behind-the-Reef Road, this makes for an eight-mile moderate day hike with varied scenery. The canyon bottoms are gravel and there are some obstacles requiring straightforward scrambling. Temple Mountain Mining District: The townsite is in the heart of the historic Temple Mountain Mining District. Visitors can visit sites and learn about the history of Cold War-era uranium mining by foot or vehicle.
Fee Info
Individual sites $15/night and group sites $50/night, paid at self-pay kiosks.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundTemple Mountain Townsite Campground is located in Utah
Directions
From Highway 24, turn west onto Temple Mountain Road (signed for Goblin Valley State Park). Continue straight on this road past the state park turnoff as it turns from pavement to gravel and enters a short canyon. Temple Mountain Townsite is located on the north (right) side of the road as the canyon opens up, seven miles from the highway turnoff.
Coordinates
38.667438 N
110.686238 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Toilets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 8 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 2 hrs 55 min from Provo, UT
- 3 hrs 25 min from Salt Lake City, UT
- 3 hrs 53 min from Ogden, UT
