This past year, we’ve all rediscovered—or discovered for the first time—the simple, safe, and peaceful practice of camping. Places like Bryce Canyon Country are the cream of the crop when it comes to camping in southern Utah. Since we’ve all fallen (back) in love with lounging under the stars, we thought we’d put together a guide to camping in southern Utah so you can make the most of Bryce Canyon Country this year, next year, and beyond.
Whether you want to get close to nature by hiking as far as your legs will take you or glamping with hot water at your fingertips, Bryce Canyon Country has it all. All you have to do is pick out your pillow and leave no trace. And don’t forget to head into town to support local businesses, enjoy a freshly prepared meal, and pick up a few souvenirs. You’ll find that businesses are all open and implementing practices to keep travelers and locals safe. Fit your ideal camping experience into a multi-day Bryce Canyon Country itinerary with these tips.
Cabins, Glamping & RV Rentals in Southern Utah
The appeal of this type of camping is that you don’t need to purchase a lot of new equipment, you don’t need to do extensive planning, and you can enjoy your own indoor comforts during your getaway. On top of all that, you can make a positive impact on your destination by supporting local small business owners with their own RV parks and fun rentals like teepees and yurts.
If you need a place to park your RV or a cabin to park your car near, there are over 20 options throughout Bryce Canyon Country, each of which gives you access to incredible outdoor adventures. For example, check out Bear Paw Resort for RV sites and cabins right next to Panguitch Lake. You can also head to Antimony Merc for year-round RV sites, Canyon Base Camp for unique camping options like luxury yurts, or Yonder for a luxurious stay in an Airstream.
Panguitch Lake, camping in Southern Utah
Campgrounds make this easy! And there are tons of campgrounds all over Bryce Canyon Country for you to enjoy.
Truck with camper on Highway 12 Scenic Bypass in Utah
A camper truck passes through a small tunnel along Highway 12 Scenic Byway in Red Canyon, Utah. In Bryce Canyon National Park (fresh water and flush toilets)
North Campground
Sunset Campground
Outside the park
Ruby’s Inn RV Park & campground
Bryce Canyon Pines Campground
King Creek Campground (Dixie National Forest)
Red Canyon Campground (BLM)
In Kodachrome Basin State Park
Dispersed Camping in Southern Utah
First things first, make sure you find a suitable spot to camp. Make sure you’re away from a trail or water source, and better yet, if you can find a site that’s already established. This will make your adventure more peaceful and preserve the spot for years to come. Remember to leave no trace , including packing out all your trash—even the dumpster that has room. To help you plan and prepare, we’ve put together some suggestions for Bryce Canyon country:
As you head deeper into the national forest or other public lands, you’ll still have a breathtaking camping adventure, surrounded by solitude and connection to the wild spaces of southern Utah. Just be sure to treat your campsite as if it were your own backyard, and make sure you have the gear and skills to fend for yourself for a few days. Your local Dixie National Forest Service office is a great resource to make sure you’re prepared for your adventure.
Night skies in Kodachrome Basin State Park
There are backpacking campsites in Bryce Canyon National Park, but they require a permit and are limited to designated areas of Under-the-Rim and the Riggs Spring Loop Trail.
Consider planning your trip during the shoulder season, when you won’t have to worry about finding a free campsite or sharing your outdoor space with many other travelers. This not only allows for a peaceful and unique experience, but also spreads out the impact on the landscape while maintaining a healthy flow of traffic for businesses throughout the year.Natural Arch in Bryce Canyon National Park in the shoulder season
Now that you know where you’re going to stay and have a few sustainability tips in your toolbox, you can look for even more fun ideas for your stay in Bryce Canyon Country .