Camping in the Mountain Region immerses you in some of the most dramatic scenery in North America, from the red rock canyons of Utah and Arizona to the snow-capped peaks of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. The region is home to iconic national parks like Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Zion, offering endless opportunities for hiking, fishing, climbing and wildlife watching. High elevations and dry desert air create famously clear, dark skies, making this one of the best places in the country for stargazing.
These states are all absolutely stacked when it comes to camping options, and Utah may be able to make a claim to be the best of the best. Valley of the Gods takes the top spot in the Mountain Region this year, while fourth-ranked Dark Sky RV Park & Campground is a regular on both Best Places to Camp and Best Places to RV lists. Reflecting the vast amount of quality camping options in this region, seven of these campgrounds are making their BPTC debut.
Check out these and the rest of this year’s Best Places to Camp Regional Award winners in the Mountain Region, which are based on reviews and ratings from The Dyrt’s vast community of campers.
1. Valley of the Gods — Utah
Location: Mexican Hat, UT
What makes it great: Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, this dispersed area spreads along a 17-mile dirt road connecting highways 163 and 261 near Mexican Hat, in the heart of Utah’s red rock country. The road itself is the campground’s spine, with pull-off sites scattered along its length where previous campers have established fire rings and flat sleeping areas. There are no site numbers here: you simply pick your own spot. The deeper you drive in, the more spacious and private the options become, many framed by towering buttes and distant Monument Valley.
This is genuinely primitive camping, so amenities are essentially nonexistent beyond the occasional fire ring. There’s no water, so you pack in everything and pack out all trash. Camping is free with a standard 14-day BLM limit, and pets are welcome. Days begin and end with epic sunrises and sunsets, with some of the darkest, most star-filled night skies imaginable in the meantime. Hiking trails branch off from various points along the road.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “It’s my first time dispersed camping and I absolutely loved this place! Very spacious. A few cars were here too but it did not feel crowded, also there’s way more spaces the deeper you go. We drove a Tacoma and my friends drove their RAV4 with no issues.” — Nataly T.
Campground details
Price: Free
Number of sites: Dispersed
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: No
Pets allowed: Yes
2. Navajo National Monument Canyon View Campground — Arizona
Location: Shonto, AZ
What makes it great: Perched at 7,300 feet along the rim of Tsegi Canyon inside Navajo National Monument, this National Park Service campground is the rare place that feels like it should cost money but is completely free. Gravel sites sit along the canyon rim with juniper and piñon pine providing natural spacing and privacy. It’s first-come, first-served and operates seasonally while the lower Sunset View campground stays open year-round. A few sites sit right at the canyon’s edge with spectacular views.
The nine-mile access road off Highway 160 climbs from desert into higher forest, so larger rigs should be prepared for the grade. The visitor center sits adjacent to the camping area with friendly, knowledgeable staff and exhibits on Navajo history and culture. Three interpretive trails lead from the campground area to viewpoints of ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. For anyone touring the Four Corners between Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon, this free, scenic, history-rich campground is a must-stop.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Beautiful and quiet. Nice large flat sites overlooking the canyon along a gravel road. No crowding. We were delighted to visit the national monument and so glad we could stay here overnight.” — kszakos
Campground details
Price: Free
Number of sites: 31
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: No
Pets allowed: No
3. Shavano Mountain — Colorado
Location: Poncha Springs, CO
What makes it great: This free BLM dispersed area is a favorite for its combination of huge, spread-out sites and knockout Rocky Mountain views as three camping loops climb the mountainside. Elevation delivers expansive vistas, with many sites overlooking the valley and mountains, and some offering a view of the city lights below. Sites are big and private enough that some campers report not seeing a single car pass by all day, and most come with existing rock fire pits.
There are no facilities, so it’s pack-in, pack-out. Fires are allowed (subject to seasonal burn bans), pets are welcome and cell coverage is genuinely excellent, a rarity for dispersed sites. The access road is the main caveat: it’s bumpy and washed out in spots, with one steep, loose-rock hill that can challenge low-clearance 2WD vehicles. Shavano Mountain is also an excellent base camp for fishing or rafting the Arkansas River.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Three loops of camping to explore. Each one with incredible views of the valley and/or mountains. Primitive dispersed camping at its best. Bumpy road in but just take it slow.” — david S.
Campground details
Price: Free
Number of sites: Dispersed
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
4. Dark Sky RV Park & Campground — Utah
Location: Kanab, UT
What makes it great: Dark Sky is a five-star-rating machine on The Dyrt. It accommodates RVs up to 55 feet with full hookups and the 39 sites are deliberately spaced far apart. Each site includes a covered shelter, a deck with seating (chairs, lounge chairs, sometimes a hammock), and a propane fire pit. The amenities are where this place becomes legendary. Reviewers describe the private shower suites as spa-quality, complete with heated floors and outdoor shower options.
There’s a central terrace and communal lounge with games, fire pits, coffee, property-wide Wi-Fi, dog park, children’s zip line and equipment rentals. True to its name, the campground’s location away from light pollution makes for astounding stargazing, turning your site into a personal planetarium. It’s about 10 minutes from the Tilted Mesa mountain bike trails and serves as a superb, comfortable base camp for day trips to Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Such a cool getaway. Friendly staff greeted us with a “welcome beer,” full hookup spaces were good sized with individual shade structures with lounge chairs and fire pits. The smaller electric only spaces had huge shade structures. 2 bathroom/shower facilities, one with the nicest campground bathroom I’ve ever seen. Heated floors and an outdoor shower. Cool communal hangout area with a well stocked “honor market.” Koi pond with seating area and great kids area. Already booked our return trip!” — Michelle H.
Campground details
Price: $62-$80
Number of sites: 39
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
5. Lost Moose Meadows Campground — Montana
Location: Lincoln, MT
What makes it great: This newer, family-built RV park sits in an open mountain meadow near the small town of Lincoln. RV sites are spread generously across a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides, with serene, unobstructed views. Sites are notably roomy, some pull-throughs running over 100 feet, and the wide spacing means you’re never on top of your neighbors. One reviewer described their site as feeling like nearly a half-acre lot. Full hookups include electric, water, and sewer.
Amenities are modern and immaculate, a point virtually every review emphasizes. The new restroom and shower buildings draw praise as some of the cleanest around, there’s reliable Wi-Fi throughout, a dog park, and daily trash pickup right from your site. Each site comes with a large, sturdy fire pit and a big picnic table. The campground is superbly positioned for ATV and side-by-side riders looking to explore an extensive trail system, and fishing opportunities abound nearby.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “It’s a great place to relax and reset after spending time in crowded national parks. We stayed three nights and enjoyed all the extra space for us and the dogs. It’s spotless and quiet, and all the sites are spacious and comfortable. The town of Lincoln is charming as well.” — Soren B.
Campground details
Price: $40
Number of sites: 40
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
6. Riley Creek Campground — Idaho
Location: Cocolalla, ID
What makes it great: This Army Corps of Engineers campground on Lake Pend Oreille in the Idaho Panhandle is a dream, with 67 spacious sites across two wooded loops offering water and electric hookups for RVs up to 45 feet. Nestled among western cedars and pines, the sites are level gravel and consistently described as large, clean, and semi-private.
The lake offers a boat launch, a protected boat basin for securing kayaks and small craft, swimming beaches, and two fishing docks where anglers report catching crappie. There’s a “Doggie Island” pet area where dogs can swim off-leash, plus two playgrounds for different age groups, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes and open grass fields. A network of paved and gravel trails winds through the area, including a roughly 1.4-mile loop nice for walking or biking, and ambitious cyclists can even ride toward Sandpoint.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “This may be the best COE we have camped at. Clean campsite, clean restrooms and showers. Dog Island allowed dogs off leash and swimming. Beautiful Day Use area, sprinkler system had entire day use area green. Campsite was fairly secluded. Love to stay there again.” — John D.
Campground details
Price: $35-$75
Number of sites: 67
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
7. Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed — Arizona
Location: Tusayan, AZ
What makes it great: For anyone wanting to camp near the Grand Canyon without paying park campground prices, this free Kaibab National Forest dispersed area is the closest and most convenient option, sitting less than a mile from the South Entrance of Grand Canyon National Park. Running along a packed gravel road through ponderosa pine forest, it offers dozens of pull-off sites over roughly eight miles, ranging from roadside spots to more secluded areas tucked back among the trees. Reviewers say you’ll almost never fail to find a spot even in peak season.
Sites accommodate everything from tents to large RVs, and the well-maintained gravel road is generally accessible to all vehicle types. The forest setting is genuinely lovely, but the unbeatable advantage is location. Free and minutes from one of the world’s great natural wonders, this is a perfect base camp.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Great, secluded spot near Grand Canyon! Incredible! One of our favorite dispersed camping spots yet. Couldn’t believe how close it was to the south rim entrance. Nice to be able to check Google Maps to see if there’s traffic, and can just wait at the site for it to die down.” — Ty C.
Campground details
Price: Free
Number of sites: Dispersed
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
8. Angel Fire RV Resort — New Mexico
Location: Angel Fire, NM
What makes it great: Nestled in the mountains of northern New Mexico, this upscale RV-only resort is praised for its beauty, amenities and mountain vistas. The sites are spacious with level concrete pads and full hookups designed to accommodate large rigs with generous spacing between them.
Impeccably landscaped grounds are dotted with flowers, and reviewers single out the pristine, modern bathhouses and showers as nicer than many homes, along with a hot tub, clubhouse and laundry. Recreation options include pickleball and tennis courts, bocce ball, a putting green, playground, large dog park and walking paths. Staff host nightly and weekly activities at the clubhouse, from outdoor fires and s’mores to live music and morning waffles, plus events for both kids and adults. The surrounding area offers ample hiking and biking, and the resort is close to Taos and other area attractions.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Beautiful and an ACTUAL resort. We stayed Thursday-Sunday here enjoyed every minute. Resort is beautiful, well maintained, plenty of amenities. Sites are spacious and have beautiful views.” — Valentina A.
Campground details
Price: $60-$96
Number of sites: 102
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
9. Cathedral Gorge State Park Campground — Nevada
Location: Panaca, NV
What makes it great: This small, otherworldly Nevada state park campground sits amid dramatic slot canyons and cathedral-like clay spires and is a genuine hidden gem. The 24-site campground runs in a single loop, operating first-come, first-served year-round, with all sites featuring 50-amp electric hookups, covered picnic tables and grills. Gravel sites accommodate RVs up to 50 feet in a mix of pull-through and back-in configurations. Two overflow areas provide dry camping when the main loop fills, which it often does by mid-afternoon in peak season.
Narrow slot canyons and “moon caves” carved into ancient lake-bed sediments are endlessly fun to explore, with soft, cool walls that offer a break from the desert heat (watch kids around sudden drop-offs). Six hiking trails range from half-mile walks to six-mile routes, including the stair climb to Miller’s Point overlook, though you can also drive to the top.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Wow, I’ve never seen so many stars. Really wish I booked 2 nights here. Quiet & clean off the beaten path. Easy hiking trails, great scenery.” — Bob M.
Campground details
Price: $10-$25
Number of sites: 24
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
10. Belle Fourche Campground at Devils Tower — Devils Tower National Monument — Wyoming
Location: Devils Tower, WY
What makes it great: This campground boasts a truly unbeatable setting: right at the base of Devils Tower, inside Devils Tower National Monument in northeastern Wyoming along the Belle Fourche River. Most sites offer open sightlines toward the iconic tower itself, with Loop A generally drawing the strongest views, some nearly unobstructed. It’s first-come, first-served with no reservations, and while it fills on busy summer weekends, reviewers report sites are typically available until early evening most days.
You can step from the campground directly onto the hiking trails that ring the tower, including the Red Beds Trail for a different perspective than the main paved loop. Wildlife is abundant along the river corridor, and a prairie dog town sits a short walk toward the entrance. Most of all, reviewers describe the stargazing beneath the tower as magical.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “There’s something about this national monument that keeps me coming back, and camping here is part of that draw. There are 2 loops, many sites are shaded by huge cottonwoods.” — Rob M.
Campground details
Price: $20-$30
Number of sites: 45
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes