Wide Hollow Campground, near Escalante, Utah, is a solid choice for families and adventurers looking to enjoy the beauty of Escalante State Park. With sites that offer picnic tables and fire rings, it’s a great place to gather around the fire and soak in the stunning views of the nearby reservoir.

The campground boasts clean facilities, including spacious showers that many visitors appreciate, especially families with young kids. One reviewer mentioned, “The showers were clean and large,” which is a big plus after a day of exploring the trails. You can also find trails leading through the fascinating petrified forest, where you might feel like you’re walking on rubies and sapphires.

While some campers noted that the sites can be a bit close together, the friendly atmosphere and access to outdoor activities make it a worthwhile spot. Whether you’re kayaking on the reservoir or hiking the nearby trails, Wide Hollow Campground offers a peaceful retreat with plenty to keep you entertained.

Camp along the shores of Wide Hollow Reservoir, or rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard on its clear waters. Hike along park nature trails through a petrified forest, but remember to take only photographs. Some say the petrified wood is haunted and removing a piece brings the taker nothing but bad luck.

Wide Hollow Campground — Escalante State Park

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Escalante

The Best Camping Near Escalante, Utah

It's easy to over look the gem of an area as it sits between the mega attractions of Bryce Canyon and Arches National Parks, but if you do you are depriving yourself of a real treat. This campsite nestles on the side of an inviting reservoir forming an oasis in the dry Escalante Staircase. The lake side pitches are cool and airy, the facilities are clean and modern (free wifi) and the camping fee entitles you to climb the hill behind the camp site and stumble into a jewel like land scape of a petrified forest where it is impossible to take a step without treading on what looks like rubies and sapphires. There's even a full sizes petrified tree laid out in the car park! Nearby there are waterfalls and petrographs and beavers' dams and fossil beds. It's just magic!

A tranquil gem with hidden facets

The sites were very close together, but to make up for it, trails, petrified forest and, showers for free. 

Tight space but decent 

Very clean bathrooms and showers. Campground is peaceful with a nice view of the reservoir. Friendly staff. Definitely recommend staying here. 

Clean and pleasant

We stayed here for one night during a road trip. We selected it because of the shower facilities. I had stayed here once in the back-up sites (for those who come unprepared without a reservation) and this time we had reserved a campsite. It was very busy with families on spring break but the sites are far enough apart that you don’t feel too crowded. 

The showers were clean and large. It was a very nice amenity for our toddler. The shower room is big with an area to hang clothes and another area to shower. This was very helpful with a three year old.

The Visitor Center was not open while we were there, it’s a new building and I don’t believe it was completed yet, but it looks really nice. The trails around the park were a great way to start our morning and they were well taken care of. 

Overall, we love this park and would happily stay here again. 

Great for Small Kids

The reservoir was looking low but still beautiful. You can rent kayaks there. Trails through petrified forest were interesting especially trails of sleeping rainbows although there were a couple short strenuous spots. I originally booked spot 12, which was listed as not suitable for larger rvs. I have a 18' travel trailer and assumed we could fit but I misunderstood the description. It's really only suitable for very small travel trailers (like 8' long) or vans. We would not have fit our camper and truck in that spot. Luckily lake d was walk up for 2 nights and we stayed there instead. The lake spots are so nice and D in particular had great views of the reservoir and didn't feel as close to neighbors as the other spots. Showers were large, had a bench for putting your stuff. 

Beautiful area

I reserved site 16, which is described on the Park's website like this: 

"Dirt area will accommodate 1 12x12, 1 12x15 and 1 10x12 tent.

Morning shade over table, evening shade over the driveway.

Popular site."

The site was nothing as described. They have clearly been upgrading the service road that borders the site  and the construction has had a major impact on this site, which people should be aware of. With room for 3 large tents, I thought this site would have plenty of room for my one tent. I was incredibly upset when I arrived and found the entire site (with the exception of the concrete picnic table pad) is a slope down to the service road. One of the flat areas pictured on the Park's reservation site was covered in some sort of construction debris or a large pile of dirt/mulch. There was nowhere flat to pitch a tent except MAYBE at the bottom section which borders the service road. I stood there in disbelief as  I watched a front-end loader and other service trucks rumbled up and down the service road and couldn't imagine pitching my tent a few feet from all that noise. I paid $58 for two nights and was beyond upset to find a campsite with no place to camp.

The worst campsite ever

Very nice campground, I like the older part much better, the newer one that was added on in 2024, it is not nearly as nice, it’s new but very open and no trees.
I had water and electric and shade and privacy.
A very relaxing experience!
The hiking trail was fun, the rainbow loop is a little tough but well worth it 

Loved it

Beautiful new campground with great site spacing and excellent views. All new facilities nice and clean

Awesome state park

Stayed in spot 7 which purported to have shade most of the day, but maybe that's just the picnic tables because the parking spot itself was completely exposed. Nice sites around a central bathroom/shower building that was clean, free 8 min showers available. Reservoir appeared closed to boaters so quiet and really not very many sites so decent place to stay without being overrun. Water taps are not easy to spot and basically require a lengthy hose or to park in a neighbor's spot to avail, but we did this stealth and no one was inconvenienced. Overall a pretty quiet and pleasant experience. Petrified forest trail was nice and we did it early in the am, so no one on the trail until we ended and the sun was just on the rise.

Photos of Wide Hollow Campground — Escalante State Park

Real photos from real campers