Southern Utah looks like the perfect place to explore with your dog, until you reach a trailhead, shuttle, or campground that doesn’t allow pets. Where you stay can make the difference between constantly changing your plans and enjoying the red-rock scenery together.
Key Takeaways
- Dog-friendly camping in Southern Utah spans everything from full-service RV resorts to bare-bones BLM sites, so amenities like pet wash stations and shade vary widely.
- Near Zion and Bryce Canyon, dogs are usually limited to paved paths, campground loops, and a small number of approved trails.
- Dead Horse Point State Park allows leashed dogs on every trail, making it a standout for dog-friendly camping near Moab.
Traveling with a dog rearranges your priorities. You start thinking about shade, water, and paw temperature before you think about the view. Luckily, dog-friendly camping in Southern Utah is easier to find than most travelers expect, as long as you know which campgrounds welcome pets and which trails will turn them away.
What Are the Best Dog-Friendly Camping Options in Southern Utah?
Southern Utah covers a lot of ground, and pet rules shift as you cross from one agency’s land to another’s. In other words, dog-friendly camping near St. George looks different from what you’ll find outside Moab or on the edge of Bears Ears.
Each of the six campgrounds below offers a different mix of comfort, trail access, and room for your dog.
1. Settler’s Junction RV Resort
Settler’s Junction sits in Toquerville, UT, which is less than 30 minutes from Zion’s main entrance and a quick drive from St. George. It’s built for RV camping, with oversized pull-through sites and full hookups. It also borders more than 100 acres of open BLM land where your dog can stretch out before breakfast.
The pet setup is unusually thorough and includes two fenced dog parks, a complimentary pet wash station, wide walking paths, and a pet-sitting service for days you want to go somewhere dogs can’t.
That makes Settler’s Junction especially useful for dog-friendly camping near Zion National Park, where pets are allowed on only one trail: the paved Pa’rus Trail. For more hiking options, guests can take their dogs to nearby areas such as Sand Hollow and Gooseberry Mesa, which offer more pet-friendly trails outside the park.
2. North Campground and Sunset Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park
Dogs are welcome at both North and Sunset Campgrounds in Bryce Canyon National Park, near Bryce Canyon City, UT. You can walk your dog on paved campground roads, paved viewpoints, the Rim Trail between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point, and the shared-use path to Inspiration Point.
Dogs must stay on a leash no longer than six feet and aren’t allowed on unpaved trails or park shuttles. Because most hiking trails are off-limits to pets, plan on paved walks and scenic overlooks rather than hikes below the rim.
The general store near North Campground makes it easy to pick up basic supplies for you and your dog. The campground also has showers and coin laundry, which come in handy after dusty walks. A dump station and potable water are available at the south end of the campground.
3. Calf Creek Recreation Area Campground
Calf Creek Recreation Area Campground is a strong pick for campers who want to hike with their dogs in Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It’s about 15 miles east of Escalante, UT, and the trail to Lower Calf Creek Falls starts right at the campground.
Leashed dogs are allowed on the 6-mile round-trip route to the 126-foot waterfall. You’ll need to keep your dog under control and pack out all waste, including pet waste. The campground sits along a spring-fed stream and stays open year-round. It has toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, but there’s no trash service and little room for oversized vehicles.
Bring plenty of water for both you and your dog, since potable water is only available from April through October. Check pet rules before exploring nearby areas, too. Dogs must stay leashed in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and aren’t allowed in Coyote Gulch.
4. Thousand Lakes RV Park
Thousand Lakes RV Park in Torrey, UT, is a flexible option for travelers camping with dogs near Capitol Reef National Park. Pets are welcome, but they must stay leashed, remain quiet, and can’t be left alone at the campsite. Some cabins allow pets, so call ahead before booking if you’re not staying in an RV or tent.
The park sits about six miles from Capitol Reef and offers RV sites, tent sites, and several cabin options. You’ll also have access to a mini mart where you can pick up basic supplies for you and your dog. You can also use an on-site grill, propane, laundry, showers, a seasonal pool, and Jeep rentals.
Dog access inside Capitol Reef is limited to campgrounds, picnic areas, unfenced orchards, and a short path between the visitor center and Fruita Campground. You can still take your dog along the park’s 7.9-mile scenic drive. The nearby Dixie and Fishlake National Forests also offer more room to explore the area with your furry friend.
5. Dead Horse Point State Park Campgrounds
Dead Horse Point State Park is one of the best options for dog-friendly camping near Moab, UT, because leashed dogs are allowed on every hiking and biking trail in the park. That includes roughly seven miles of rim trails connecting nine overlooks, so you won’t have to leave your dog behind to enjoy the scenery.
You can stay in an RV site, a hike-in tent site, or a pet-friendly yurt. RV sites include paved driveways, shade shelters, and 20/30/50-amp power. Wingate’s tent sites are up to 300 feet from the parking area, so keep that walk in mind if you’re carrying heavy dog gear.
Bring plenty of water for both you and your dog. The park trucks in its water and can’t fill RV tanks, so top off in Moab before you arrive. Waste bags are available throughout the park, and dogs can’t be left outside unattended.
6. Blue Mountain RV and Trading
Blue Mountain RV and Trading in Blanding, UT, is a practical basecamp for travelers exploring Bears Ears with a dog. The park has a fenced grass dog run, a dog wash station, and a simple policy welcoming well-behaved pets. Dogs can stay at the RV and tent sites, but you’ll want to call ahead if you’re booking the cabin or two-bedroom vacation rental, since their pet rules aren’t listed online.
You can choose from back-in and pull-through RV sites with full hookups, tent platforms with water and electricity, a cabin, or a vacation rental with a full kitchen. Laundry, showers, and a dishwashing station make it easier to clean up after hot days outside with your dog.
Stock up on food, water, and pet supplies in Blanding before heading into Bears Ears, since the monument doesn’t have a visitor center, fuel, food, or water. Also keep in mind that dogs aren’t allowed in Grand Gulch, Slickhorn Canyon, or the Moon House zone.
For a pet-friendly outing in the area, head to Natural Bridges, where leashed dogs can join you on the paved viewpoint paths.
Settle In Between Days of Dog-Friendly Camping in Southern Utah
Some of the best parts of traveling with a dog happen after the hike. At Settler’s Junction RV Resort, that means rinsing red dust off your pup at the wash station, running a load of laundry, and letting them loose in a fenced park while you watch the cliffs change color from your site.
You can stay a weekend at Settler’s Junction or settle in for the season. One reservation puts Zion National Park, Sand Hollow State Park, and St. George within easy reach, which makes it a practical hub for dog-friendly camping in Southern Utah.
If you’re looking for pet-friendly lodging near Zion, book your site at Settler’s Junction RV Resort today.