From resort-style RV parks to remote desert campgrounds and iconic state parks, camping places in Southern Utah offer diverse landscapes and unforgettable outdoor experiences.
Key Takeaways
- The best places to camp in Southern Utah range from red rock canyons and warm-water reservoirs to high-elevation forests and quiet desert mesas.
- Staying near hubs like Toquerville and St. George puts you close to Zion National Park, top-rated state parks, and convenient day trips without constant repacking.
- The best camping places often include safe swimming areas, short hikes, educational programs, and nearby attractions that make outdoor travel easier with kids of all ages.
From red rock canyons and warm-water reservoirs to quiet forests and wide-open desert, camping places in Southern Utah offer something for every kind of family adventure. Whether you’re traveling with young kids, teens, pets, or an RV in tow, the region blends scenic variety with campgrounds that balance access, comfort, and outdoor fun.
Best Camping Places in Southern Utah for Road-Trippers and Outdoor Lovers
Here are some of the best places to camp in Southern Utah for families looking to explore the outdoors while still enjoying practical amenities and memorable surroundings.
1. Settler’s Junction RV Resort
Settler’s Junction RV Resort in Toquerville, UT, is a family-friendly retreat. Oversized pull‑through sites with full hookups give RVers room to breathe, and the resort adds comforts like a clubhouse, pool, pickleball courts, fitness center and laundry. There’s even a dog park and kids’ playground.
You’re tucked between St. George, UT, and Zion National Park, so day trips to the Red Cliffs Trailhead, Quail Creek State Park, or Zion are easy. Families appreciate the Settler’s Junction free Wi‑Fi, picnic areas and access to trails. With helpful staff and a peaceful desert setting, this RV resort works equally well for overnight stays and extended vacations.
2. Sand Hollow State Park
Sand Hollow State Park is one of the best state parks for water-loving families in Southern Utah. The warm, 1,322‑acre reservoir sits just outside Hurricane. It’s flanked by red sand beaches and sandstone formations, creating a Caribbean‑like oasis just 13 miles from St. George. Kids can swim, paddleboard or kayak on the turquoise water, while teens ride ATVs on more than 62,000 acres of rolling dunes.
The park has designated picnic and camping areas, and pets on a six‑foot leash are welcome. Sand Hollow is open year‑round, with warm water from May to September, so even shoulder‑season visitors can enjoy boating and fishing.
3. Kodachrome Basin State Park
If you’re looking for a camping place in Southern Utah that blends comfort with standout scenery, Kodachrome Basin State Park near Hurricane, UT, is a strong option. Named for its photogenic palette, the 2,240-acre park sits inside Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument and features three campgrounds—two open year-round—with standard, full-hookup, and group sites plus two bunkhouses.
Facilities include modern restrooms with rain‑shower heads, a dump station and dog waste stations. The family‑friendly Panorama Trail leads past sandstone spires like Ballerina Spire and Indian Cave, while other trails welcome mountain bikes and horses.
At night, dark skies invite stargazing. This lightly visited park blends convenience with adventure and makes a great base for nearby Bryce Canyon and Escalante.
4. Red Cliffs Campground
For a quieter base near Zion in southwestern Utah, head to Red Cliffs Campground near St. George. This small Bureau of Land Management campground offers 11 sites, each with shade shelters, picnic tables, potable water and grills.
Reservations are required because the canyon’s cottonwoods and red cliffs create a sought-after oasis. Hike or bike miles of nearby trails to discover dinosaur tracks and Ancestral Puebloan sites, or follow Quail Creek through the Red Reef Trail’s cascades when snowmelt runs high.
To get to the campground, you have to drive through a narrow tunnel with an 11-foot-9 clearance, so this site is best for smaller rigs. Families who appreciate tranquility and history will love this hidden gem.
5. Zion River Resort
Zion River Resort delivers resort-style amenities in Virgin, UT, within minutes of Zion National Park, making it one of the best places to camp in Southern Utah for families that want access to the outdoors while staying in comfort. RV and tent sites come with full hookups, shade trees, picnic tables, fire rings, and free Wi-Fi. Pull-through sites are 60–70 feet long, and riverside back-in sites overlook the Virgin River.
The resort also rents cabins and maintains clean bathrooms, showers and a laundry. Amenities extend beyond camping basics: There’s a heated swimming pool and spa, along with a mining sluice for kids and playgrounds. Additional amenities include an off-leash dog area, a gazebo kitchen, and an on-site store. From this comfortable base, families can day-trip to Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon’s North Rim or Cedar Breaks.
6. Quail Creek State Park
Quail Creek State Park near Hurricane, UT, pairs warm water and red rock views with a well-designed campground. The reservoir’s mild climate draws boaters, paddlers and anglers year-round, and its warm waters make swimming inviting.
The park offers 24 single-family campsites with shade structures, picnic tables and fire rings; most sites have power and water. Facilities include drinking water, flush toilets, and coin-operated showers. The park also offers a boat ramp, picnic area, swimming beach, and fish cleaning station. Activities range from fishing for bass and trout to kayaking and hiking/biking along lakeshore trails. Located just 45 minutes from Zion National Park, Quail Creek provides a quiet base for families seeking water-based fun.
7. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
At Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park near Kanab, UT, your dog can romp on shifting hills of salmon-colored sand. This 3,730-acre dune field formed 10,000–15,000 years ago. Two campgrounds offer 22 dry sites and 12 with water and electricity; both include hot showers, flush toilets and RV dump stations.
Ninety percent of the dunes are open to off-highway vehicles, and you can rent sand boards or sleds on-site. Pets must be on a six-foot leash, but there’s plenty of room to explore among juniper and ponderosa pines. Mild spring and fall temperatures make this park a year-round playground for families seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
8. Gooseberry Mesa
Gooseberry Mesa near Rockville offers a rugged camping place in Southern Utah for travelers who value views over amenities. This remote Bureau of Land Management area sits at about 5,200 feet and allows free dispersed camping on existing sites.
Amenities are minimal. There are pit toilets at trailheads, but campers must pack out trash and bring water. Campfires are permitted only in established rings.
The mesa’s National Recreation Trail system offers both easy and technical slickrock routes for mountain bikers and hikers. You can rent yurts on the North Rim if you want a roof over your head. Roads can be rough, so this spot suits smaller RVs or vans and self-sufficient travelers.
9. Dixie National Forest
Nearly 2 million acres of Dixie National Forest stretch across Southern Utah, and it’s one of the region’s most pet-friendly destinations. Leashed pets are welcome on all campgrounds, picnic areas and trails.
The forest offers 1,600 miles of trails, 500 miles of fishing streams and 90 lakes, making it a paradise for hikers, anglers and bikers seeking solitude away from crowded parks. Campgrounds like Yankee Meadow provide picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water and vault toilets, though you must pack out trash.
At 8,500 feet, nights can be cool, so bring layers and water for both you and your dog. With scenic byways, wildflowers and red-rock vistas, Dixie offers endless exploration.
10. Ponderosa Grove Campground
For a rustic yet accessible experience near Kanab, camp at Ponderosa Grove Campground. This BLM site on 16 acres of sagebrush and ponderosa pine offers 26 car-camping sites with gravel tent platforms, fire rings, and compacted parking pads. It also includes six RV sites and two walk-in sites.
A group area accommodates up to 40 people and features a shade pavilion and barbecue grill. Vault toilets, picnic tables, tent pads, and a trash dumpster are provided, but there’s no water or hookups, and vehicles over 24 feet aren’t permitted. Campsites are first-come, first-served, and pets must be leashed.
Open year-round and located close to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Zion, and Grand Staircase–Escalante, this campground stands out as one of the best places to camp in Southern Utah for self-sufficient campers, small RVers, and families seeking an affordable, quiet base with easy access to the region’s most iconic landscapes.
11. Dead Horse Point State Park Kayenta Campground
Located about 30 minutes from Moab, UT, the Kayenta Campground at Dead Horse Point State Park delivers some of the most dramatic canyon views in Utah. Campsites sit on a high mesa overlooking the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park, with paved pads, picnic tables, fire rings, and modern restrooms. Electrical hookups are available, and the campground is RV-friendly without feeling crowded.
Families love the short, fenced overlooks, paved biking trails, and junior ranger programs. Sunset here is unforgettable, and the park’s dark skies make it a great place for stargazing. This campground works well for families who want iconic scenery without the congestion of Moab campgrounds.
12. Calf Creek Campground
Calf Creek Campground sits along Scenic Byway 12 between Boulder and Escalante, offering shaded campsites beside a year-round creek. Large cottonwood trees provide relief from summer heat, and sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. RVs up to moderate size can fit, though hookups are not available.
The campground is best known as the trailhead for Lower Calf Creek Falls, a family-friendly hike that ends at a 126-foot waterfall and swimming hole. With nearby slot canyons, slickrock trails, and quiet nights, this is an ideal stop for families who want classic Southern Utah scenery without resort crowds.
See Why Settler’s Junction Is One of the Best Camping Places in Southern Utah
With so many places to camp in Southern Utah, choosing the right base can shape your entire trip. Settler’s Junction RV Resort makes it easy to explore more without feeling rushed. Our location just off I-15 means you’ll have smoother travel days and simple access to nearby parks, towns, and scenic drives. After a full day outdoors, you can return to a space designed for comfort and downtime.
If you want a stress-free home base that supports real adventure, book now and experience unforgettable RV camping in Southern Utah at Settler’s Junction.