Campground recommendations for southern Utah?

AlCat

AlCat

Ranger
Donating Member
We are thinking about a 2-week trip at the end of April through southern Utah (St. George, Vermillion Cliffs, Bryce, Zion, Grand Staircase Escalante, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches are all possibilities). Does anyone have any don't-miss recommendations for campgrounds or sights?

Means we will have to pull the trigger on some solar panels before that trip... :/
 
Hi Al,
There are a lot of things/places to see in that area that are all worthy of a visit. When we were there two years ago, we did some of those places you mentioned. If I had known about Antelope Canyon when we went, I would have gone to see it. You can check out some pictures of it online to see if it is worthy of a visit. You may have to make a couple of trips. I hope to go back to see some of what we didn't get to see the first time. I don't think you will be disappointed with what ever you decide to see and do while in that area.
Charlie
 
We camped in Bryce Zion & Arches back in 1984 when we had only 2 kids. Used the big old canvas tent my family used when I was a 12 year old kid. We'd love to get back there and spend a couple weeks exploring that corner of the southwest some more...
 
We were there just recently. All those places you listed are "Must See". The entire southern end of Utah is so lovely that no matter where you stop, you'll be in heaven. I would add Kodachrome State Park: great campsites, good facilities and just plain beautiful.

Enjoy and,

Camp On

Sue
 
I'm with Sue - you can't go wrong anywhere in that region.

Zion National Park has a campground just inside the park entrance, but also a commercial campground just outside of the entrance. The Main Street of the town leads right up to the park entrance. If you are craving a bit of quaint civilization at that point in your journey, there are an abundance of lovely restaurants, shops, galleries there.

Bruce Canyon has campgrounds that are only a brief hike away from the edge of the canyon. The lodge there is fun to explore and have a meal. The mile rides there are a great way to go down into the canyons and see things from that vantage point.
 
One of the neatest camping experiences to offer: Canyon Lands White Rim Road. Need a 4 wheel drive vehicle, (tear not allowed).
Camped under the stars with no tent! Been there, done that one unexpected item added to the bucket list to brag I have done.

One of my favorite places is Goblin Valley State Park. The Goblins are fantastic, wonderful, cool, amazing, spooky, alien looking, unique, weird, must see.
 
Thanks everyone!!! We'll be getting out the maps this weekend and start charting a course. Keep those recommendations coming!
 
Oh, and Monument Valley is an absolute must. Stop by the visitor's center at the park entrance. It's full of little cubical shops with native craftsmen. Say hello to goldsmith Ernest Black and his lovely wife. They are remarkably lovely people. Remember what I wrote last year about the Navajo people and how wonderful they are? Well Ernest and his wife are a perfect example...and they do marvelous jewelry, too.

Camp On,

Sue
 
Interesting, I'm heading out there in May, I believe. Going to meet my dive buddy from Winnemucca, he has a Travel trailer (I told him I'd still campout with him in spite of the "TT", but looking for places to go in the Utah area.

ETA Probably the 1st or middle part of May, so might bump into you somewhere..

Still have to decide where to go.. based on above, the list right now is:

Utah State parks
Kodachrome State Park
Moab
Southern Utah (
St. George,
Vermillion Cliffs,
Bryce,
Zion,
Grand Staircase Escalante,
Capitol Reef,
Canyonlands,
Arches are all possibilities).
Goblin Valley State Park
Monument Valley

Obviously will have to do several trips indeed..
 
Am also interested in how camping is NOT at campgrounds but just along the road on BLM/other land.

-Al
 
Kodachrome State Park is our all time favorite park in that area. The scenery is awesome and the campground is first rate. One word of caution about camping in Southern Utah in the spring is a little no-see-um called the cedar gnat. This little gal needs blood before it can lay it's eggs and campers are prime blood donors. Unlike mosquitoes that drill a tiny hole this critter chews a hole with its mandible and then spits an anticoagulant into the wound that causes itching like you have never experienced before. I had one get me in the big toe and to relieve the itching I had to put a boot on the opposing foot and then stand on the affected toe. The pain of that, relieved the itch. That said, bring plenty of bug spray. For more info just Google Cedar Gnat to learn all about this critter.

If you are traveling into the northeastern Arizona region do not forget Navajo National Monument, also great scenery, some fantastic ruins and the first rate campground is free.
Leo
 
Thanks for the info about the gnat. As a California camper, I tend to forget the bug spray (since bugs are not as big of an issue in Cali.)

Very excited to get back to Southern Utah. I've been to Navajo National Monument, and I really enjoyed it. Not sure if we will get back on this trip. Not enough time!!

Our last southwest trip involved more driving than hiking, and I am hoping to turn that on its head on this trip. I'd really love to do some backpacking in the area, but that won't happen on this trip.

On that last trip we hired a local (Navajo) guide to take us into Canyon de Chelly. Fantastic experience meeting a woman who had lived in the canyon her entire life (and she was about 100 years old). Awesome place, and wonderful people.

-Al
 
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