Utah, a state in the western part of the country, is a popular place to go camping since it has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the nation. This is due to its extraordinary topography comprising enormous deserts, intriguing rock formations, and imposing snow-capped mountain peaks.
The incredible variety of landscapes in Utah gives campers a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities and numerous camping experiences. There are many rustic campsites near Moab where you can set up your base camp and enjoy days of hiking, biking, and water activities. Cozy nights around the campfire if you wish to explore the remarkable rock formations in locations like Arches National Park.
We've selected the best camping in Utah and some suggestions on what to pack and when to go to help you narrow your options. Furthermore, it is suggested that you take a Jackery Solar Generator during your camping trip to charge all your electric essentials with solar energy.
Top 10 Places to Camp in Utah
Utah is a beacon for that traditional American vacation, the camping trip, thanks to its breathtaking environment. You can find an unforgettable camping experience whether you're interested in exploring slot canyons, fly fishing, hiking, bicycling, mountaineering, ATV riding, or simply relaxing around a campfire beneath the stars.
The state has more than 300 campgrounds, including those run by the Bureau of Land Management, the USDA Forest Service, and national parks. The best camping in Utah can be found at the following.
1. Goblin Valley National Park
Location: Goblin Valley Rd, Green River, UT 84525
Phone: 435-275-4584
Website: Goblin Valley National Park
When to Visit: Spring and fall
Best Campsites: Goblin Valley Campground, Temple Mountain Campground East
Goblin Valley State Park is a unique location along the San Rafael Reef, south of Interstate 70. It challenges you with its geology whimsy while captivating and perplexing the imagination. There is a region called Goblin Valley where soft sandstone has worn into intriguing forms that resemble goblins to some extent.
The proximity of the rock formations in some areas creates a playground that resembles a maze that is great for family outings. The site is frequently compared to Mars because of the sandstone "goblins" and other exciting formations that dot the terrain.
Camping, hiking, mountain biking, and disc golf are just a few enjoyable activities available to visitors in the area. You might even spot prehistoric petroglyphs and pictographs that the Fremont, Paiute, and other Native American settlers left behind if you look closely.
The three options for overnight guests in Goblin Valley are a campground, a yurt, or their RV. The main campground is just outside the "Valley of the Goblins," surrounded by stunning scenery and other rock formations rather than in the valley's heart.
"While visiting the less famous parks of Utah, a friend recommended Goblin Valley to us, so off we went. We were extremely thankful to this friend because Goblin Valley was a highlight of our tour."
2. Bear Lake State Park
Location: 25 East 300 North, St. Charles, ID 83272
Phone: 435-946-3343
Website: Bear Lake State Park
When to Visit: June to September
Best Campsites: Rendezvous Beach, Cisco Beach, The Marina
In the southeast of Idaho, close to the Cache mountain range, you'll find Bear Lake, State Park. Numerous serviced and authoritative sites and camping spots for parties of up to 50 people are available. Bear Lake, a well-liked vacation spot for water sports enthusiasts, hosts roughly 15,000 campers annually. Bear Lake is a natural lake that is 20 miles long and 8 miles wide. Its beautiful, calm waters complement the relaxed pace of the little communities that line its shore.
Sand beaches and crystal-clear waters beckon visitors to play, fish, boat, and camp at Bear Lake State Park. The lake has characteristics that are unique to each season. Visitors can participate in various leisure and cultural activities throughout the year.
Go snowmobiling in the neighboring mountains and feel the adrenaline at the family-run Beaver Mountain resort nearby, ski. Cross the turquoise water in your watercraft. Feel a Bear Lake cutthroat on the end of your fishing line as it enthusiastically bends your rod.
"This is one of the most beautiful bodies of water anywhere, and it's in the middle of nowhere in northern Utah/Idaho. The parks are clean with good amenities for day trips and overnight camping."
3. Bryce Canyon National Park
Location: Garfield County and Kane County, Utah, United States
Phone: 435-834-5322
Website: Lake Havasu State Park
When to Visit: May to September
Best Campsites: North Campground, Sunset Campground, Bryce Canyon Pines Campground
Sandstone cliffs at Bryce Canyon National Park have been sculpted into bizarre figures that appear to have been pulled from a crazy Viking's subconscious by wind, water, and time. Rock strata cross the rows of human-shaped pillars in an almost deliberate, yet extraordinary, manner.
A red rock hoodoo-filled alpine forest with an equal number of trees. Mule deer browse on the forested plateau alongside the road into Bryce Canyon during sunrise and sunset. Several kinds of mammals and birds live in the alpine habitat.
At an 8,000 to 9,000 feet elevation, Bryce Canyon National Park offers the chance to participate in winter activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Fantastic hiking, camping, a prairie dog festival, and many ranger activities are all available to visitors.
A lodge and two campgrounds are open at Bryce. More than 200 campsites are at the campgrounds, but no RV hookups are available. Finding an open campsite is typically hardest on the weekends and holidays.
"Beautiful canyon with gorgeous views - several overlooks. We watched the short video at the visitor's center, and I was glad we did so we could appreciate the hoodoos."
4. Jordanelle State Park
Location: 515 UT-319, Heber City, UT 84032
Phone: 435-649-9540
Website: Jordanelle State Park
When to Visit: Summer
Best Campsites: Hailstone Campground, Jordanelle State Park Campground
The Provo River fills Jordanelle Reservoir and Deer Creek Reservoir, helping provide culinary water to users in Wasatch, Utah, and Salt Lake counties. Many of Utah's top sights and attractions are within a short drive of Jordanelle State Park.
Because of its high boardwalks and interpretative pathways, the Rock Cliff Recreation Area is a peaceful haven ideal for birders, photographers, and nature enthusiasts.
Outdoor adventurers travel to Hailstone because of the abundance of opportunities for camping, fishing, wakeboarding, water skiing, canoeing, and motor boating available from Hailstone and its eight-lane boat ramp. At the same time, Rock Cliff has a nature center, typical walk-in campgrounds, and basic amenities.
"Pretty State Park, having a vehicle to drive around would be good. This is not a flat park. It's hilly but paved. Can rent Kayak, canoe, wave runner, pontoons."
5. Dead Horse Point State Park
Location: UT-313, Moab, UT 84532
Phone: 435-259-2614
Website: Dead Horse Point State Park
When to Visit: Spring and fall
Best Campsites: Kayenta Campground, Moenkopi Yurts, Cowboy Campground
Explore Dead Horse Point State Park to take in the vast desert beauty of gorges, high desert vegetation, and miles of trails. One of Utah's most breathtaking state parks, Dead Horse Point State Park, is 32.5 miles (51.5 kilometers) from Moab.
One of the most famous picturesque panoramas in the world is the view from Dead Horse Point. The viewpoint rises 2,000 feet above the Colorado River and offers a spectacular view of Canyonlands' carved pinnacles and buttes.
Beautiful campgrounds in the park offer contemporary conveniences, breathtaking vistas, and intimate links to nature that will help visitors make lifelong memories. The canyon walls are drenched in golden light during sunrises and sunsets, creating a magnificent picture evocative of vibrant watercolor paintings.
"Love this park! It's a great place to walk your dog or sit and enjoy the scenery. This is one of the prettiest places around the area and well worth the money."
6. Arches National Park
Location: Grand County, Utah, United States
Phone: 435-719-2299
Website: Arches National Park
When to Visit: Summer (7-8 AM or 3-5 PM)
Best Campsites: Devils Garden Campground
Explore a unique landscape with different hues, landforms, and textures. Over 2,000 naturally occurring stone arches, numerous towering pinnacles, enormous rock fins, and enormous balancing rocks may be found in the park. The park's 76,518 acres are home to a fantastic range of geological formations.
Visitors can access most of the park's significant overlooks via a paved scenic route. Children and adults like the park's rock formations, and plenty of short, easy trails allow kids to get out of the car and look at the arches.
A range of routes is available for hikers to select from, ranging from shorter. These twenty-minute strolls take visitors to several of the park's most excellent arches to longer, more challenging hikes through less traveled terrain.
In Arches National Park, there is only one campground: Devils Garden. It may be found near the end of the paved main park access road. It is available all year and about 18 miles from the park's entrance.
"Lots to see at Arches National Park. It's cool driving up the face of the mountain on switchbacks from Moab. It's not cool that you have to have an allotted time to get in."
7. Capitol Reef National Park
Location: Wayne, Garfield, Sevier, and Emery counties, Utah, United States
Phone: 435-425-3791
Website: Capitol Reef National Park
When to Visit: Spring and fall
Best Campsites: Capitol Reef NP Group Campsites, Fruita Campground, Cedar Mesa Campground
Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden gem of cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold in south-central Utah, the heart of red rock country. This stunning national park is a well-liked tourist destination and a breathtaking refuge all year.
Visitors may see the vivid blue sky, white and red sandstone cliffs, lush green riverbanks, and vibrant patches of vegetation scattered throughout the desert plain from one location within the park.
With various hiking trails, campgrounds, outdoor activities, parks, and local activities in Wayne County, Utah, this location makes the ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle. Families and anyone looking for shorter hikes should visit Capitol Reef. For aspiring photographers, there is a very photogenic barn that will make you feel like you have the place to yourself.
"We enjoyed the central national park of the Mighty 5. There was lots of driving, but oh, was it amazing. The scenic drive is 8 mi one way but worth your time."
8. Sand Hollow State Park
Location: 3351 Sand Hollow Rd, Hurricane, UT 84737
Phone: 435-680-0715
Website: Sand Hollow State Park
When to Visit: May to September
Best Campsites: Sand Pit Campgrounds, West Campground
Sand Hollow State Park's notable features are red sand beaches, gorgeous red rock formations, and a 1,322-acre reservoir. Adventurers of every age, type, and ability level can participate in various activities at the conveniently located park.
From May through September, the reservoir's wonderfully warm waters make it a popular spot for swimming and other water activities. ATV riders throng for its vast dunes and challenging courses while still-water anglers gather for plentiful catches.
You can camp here, picnic, go boating, fish, and ride ATVs. Off-highway vehicles have access to Sand Mountain's 16,000 acres of canyons, ravines, dunes, and buttes, which give the best ATVing. On a stand-up paddleboard, practice yoga in the morning or cruise the lake's western shore in the late afternoon. Both tent camping and RV camping are welcome along the southern coast. There are 70 campsites in Sand Hollow, 42 of which have full hookups.
"Sand Hollow State Park is great. We stayed in the campground for a week. The spaces were ample and had full hookups. There's a lot of people that stay there to go ride their ATV."
9. Kodachrome Basin State Park
Location: Cannonville, UT 84718
Phone: 435-679-8562
Website: Kodachrome Basin State Park
When to Visit: Spring and fall
Best Campsites: Arch Campground, Bryce View Campground, Bunkhouse
Here, 67 sedimentary pipes that are monolithic stone spires dominate the splashy landscape. They draw attention to the strata of multicolored sandstone, which shows 180 million years of geologic history. Kodachrome Basin State Park is the kind of state park meant to be captured on camera.
It makes for a fantastic base-camp or a stop on an event-filled day in the desert with friends because of its proximity to other well-known locations down Cottonwood Road. The Basin campground is near the top, directly next to one of the many sandpipers. Vast white hills surround it, and most hiking paths are easily accessible by foot from the campground.
The ideal approach to experiencing the Kodachrome is to pick a few short routes, enjoy them in total peace, and allow the stunning scenery and vibrant colors to inspire you. It only takes two hours to visit Kodachrome Basin State Park.
"Kodachrome Basin State Park is easily reached if you're visiting Bryce Canyon and is beautiful. There are lots of stunning vistas and great photo opportunities."
10. Goosenecks State Park
Location: UT-316, Mexican Hat, UT 84531
Phone: 435-678-2238
Website: Goosenecks State Park
When to Visit: Summer and Fall
Best Campsites: Goosenecks Campground
This little park offers stunning views of one of the most outstanding examples of an entrenched river meander on the North American continent, perched on the rim of a deep canyon above the sinuous river meander known as a gooseneck.
On its approach to Lake Powell, the San Juan River meanders through the meander, covering more than six miles while moving one and a half miles west. Watch the San Juan River wind and cut its way across the desert 1,000 feet below you to see the results of 300 million years of geological action.
Goosenecks State Park, designated as an International Dark Sky Park in March 2021, is a fantastic location for night sky and panoramic photography. There are places dedicated to picnics where you can eat outside and enjoy the environment. There are six modest camping spots with fire rings accessible if you want to stay the night.
"Stunning place to stay or camp. We parked our RV right on the rim, which was truly spectacular. Natural beauty. Felt like we were on the moon."
Jackery Solar Generators for Camping in Utah
With solar-powered generators, you can enjoy the peacefulness of your surroundings without any unpleasant smells while still keeping your camp powered. Using clean energy is one of the most appealing features of a solar generator.
If you need a dependable camping generator to power your outdoor appliances effortlessly, the Jackery Solar Generator is the ultimate selection. By using Jackery Solar Panels alongside a Portable Power Station, you can fully harness the potential of solar power.
We highly recommend the Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus and Solar Generator 1000 Plus. These models are equipped with LiFePO4 battery cells, which offer an extended battery life and can withstand extreme weather conditions.
The Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus boasts a power capacity of 288Wh. One of its standout features is its compact size, making it easy to carry in your bag anytime. With the Solar Generator 1000 Plus, you'll have the ideal solution for longer camping adventures, thanks to its expandable capacity ranging from 1.25 to 5 kWh.
Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus
It unveils the Solar Generator 300 Plus from Jackery - a compact, lightweight solution that conveniently fits into a backpack. The Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is a remarkable and easy-to-use solution that combines the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus portable power station and the compact Jackery SolarSaga 40W Solar Panels.
This power solution is ideal for individuals seeking camping options, weighing only 11 lbs. This cutting-edge device boasts a revolutionary dual PD 100W design, delivering lightning-fast charging for your devices and catering to the demands of our fast-paced society.
The Solar Generator 300 Plus is a must-have for any adventurer, offering unparalleled portability and a lightweight design. The solar generator is the perfect power source for all your portable devices, whether in the wilderness, exploring the great outdoors, or just taking in the natural wonders. It covers every small electronics from smartphones and laptops to lights and tablets.
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus can be easily recharged using the compact Jackery SolarSaga 40W Solar Panels, taking just 9.5 hours for a complete charge. It also offers the convenience of recharging through an AC outlet (2 hours), a carport (5.5 hours), and USB charging (2.8 hours). You can be confident that you won't have to worry about electricity during your camping trip, even if no sunlight is available.
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Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus |
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Image |
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Capacity |
288Wh |
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Life Cycle |
3000 cycles to 80%+ capacity |
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Battery Cell |
LiFePO4 |
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Recharging Methods |
Explorer 300 Plus + SolarSaga 40W: 9.5H; AC Adapter: 2H; Car Adapter: 5.5H; USB Charging: 2.8H |
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Output Ports |
1*AC Output: 120V, 60Hz, 300W (600W Peak); 1*USB-A Output: 15W Max 5V⎓3A; 1*USB-C Output: 15W Max 5V⎓3A; 100W Max, 2*USB-C Output: 5V⎓3A (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A); 1*Car Port: 12V⎓10A |
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Input Ports |
1*AC Input: 100V, 60Hz, 15A Max; 1*DC Input: 12-27V⎓5A, 100W Max |
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Customer Review |
"This Jackery 300 Plus is absolutely incredible! I am a content creator from Alaska, and let me tell you, this device is incredibly sturdy! It can withstand extreme weather conditions in Alaska and consistently provides me with uninterrupted power. Quick charging and durable!" |
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is exceptional for portable power stations in its class, thanks to its remarkable output. It can be helpful for camping, off-road living, home emergencies, and other scenarios. This highly adaptable solar generator can effortlessly customize its capacity to suit your requirements.
With a solar generator, you can easily power your portable grill, cooler, lighting, and coffee maker, making your camping experience convenient and enjoyable. Ensure you have a reliable backup power source to keep your essential devices running smoothly, ensuring safety and reliability during your camping trips.
Compared with the Explorer 300 Plus, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus is an excellent option for portable power stations. With its expandable capacity of 1.25 to 2.5 kWh (with three additional battery packs), this power source can quickly fulfill all your camping power needs. For example, on the 1.25 kWh capacity base, it can power a 90W drone for 11.2 hours. On the other hand, Explorer 300 Plus can only power for 2.6 hours.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus portable power station is known for its impressive 10-year lifespan and features a dependable Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. Also, you can rely on this product to provide a steady voltage and pure sine wave, ensuring the safety and protection of all your electrical devices.
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Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus |
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Image |
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Capacity |
1264.64Wh (1.25-5kWh) |
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Life Cycle |
4000 cycles to 70%+ capacity |
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Battery Cell |
LiFePO4 |
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Recharging Methods |
Explorer 1000 Plus + 2*SolarSaga 100W: 9H; Explorer 1000 Plus + 6*SolarSaga 200W: 2H; AC Adapter: 1.7H; 12V Car Adapter: 7H |
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Output Ports |
3*AC Output: 120V~60Hz, 2000W (4000W Peak); 2*USB-A Output: 18W Max, 5-5V⎓3A; 2*USB-C Output: 100W Max, (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A); 1*Car Port: 12V⎓10A |
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Input Ports |
1*AC Input: 100V-120V, 60Hz, 15A Max; 1*DC Input: 12-60V, 8A ⎓ 11A Max, Double to 22A/800W Max |
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Customer Review |
"The Solar Generator 1000 Plus is an excellent choice for those who enjoy camping and need a reliable power source. Its maximum output is 2000W, with a peak of 4000W. I've added an expansion battery, increasing the battery capacity to 2.5kWh. It effortlessly powers my laptop, lights, portable fridge, coffee maker, oven, and more." |
Camping in Utah Tips
Camping in Utah is one of the finest ways to take advantage of many natural beauties. Every section of the state is home to dozens of campgrounds and more than 20 million acres of public lands where you can set up your tent. With these tips, your camping vacation to Utah will go smoothly.
- About 42% of Utah's total land area is controlled by the Bureau of Land Management. Public land, sometimes known as "public lands," can be found outside national parks and monuments, state parks, and national recreation areas. You should know the regulations if you plan to camp on public land.
- When camping in the Utah desert, a decent general rule of thumb is two daily gallons per person. It would be best to have a large water jug to ensure you have plenty of water wherever you go, as not all campgrounds in Utah have access to drinking water.
- Be sure to come prepared for all seasons, regardless of the time of year, as summers are hot, winters are chilly, monsoon season thunderstorms can be severe, and snow can fall any time of year at higher elevations. The summer months are much more relaxed at higher elevations, and there are many alpine lakes and streams to cool down.
Final Thoughts
You've decided to visit Utah, but where do you start? Utah provides more than anywhere else possible thanks to its five national parks, 40 state parks, six national forests, and millions of BLM land. The best camping in Utah and how to prepare for a vacation are described here.
When camping in Utah, a portable generator is far more critical outside. The Jackery Solar Generator is an advanced generator that offers a dependable and eco-friendly power supply for your Utah camping trip. Just start your camping trip by owning a solar generator!
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