The best campgrounds near Red Mesa, Arizona with climbing

Looking to go camping near Red Mesa, Arizona? Hipcamp has over 530 options to choose from, with accommodations ranging from tent camping to RV sites. You can find the perfect campsite for your preferences and budget, with prices starting as low as $15 per night. For those seeking top-rated campsites, check out Bright Star Campground with 211 reviews, High Sage Hogans with 137 reviews, or Camping in the Mesas with 83 reviews. Popular amenities at these campsites include potable water, cooking equipment, and campfire spots. And if you're looking for adventure, you'll love the hiking, off-roading (OHV), and snow sports opportunities in the area.

97% (636)

Top-rated campgrounds

Sunset Over Bears Ears National Monument

Looking to go camping near Red Mesa, Arizona? Hipcamp has over 530 options to choose from, with accommodations ranging from tent camping to RV sites. You can find the perfect campsite for your preferences and budget, with prices starting as low as $15 per night. For those seeking top-rated campsites, check out Bright Star Campground with 211 reviews, High Sage Hogans with 137 reviews, or Camping in the Mesas with 83 reviews. Popular amenities at these campsites include potable water, cooking equipment, and campfire spots. And if you're looking for adventure, you'll love the hiking, off-roading (OHV), and snow sports opportunities in the area.

97% (636)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

96%

(625)

44mi from Red Mesa · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · Blanding, UT

Watch the sun come up over the Sleeping Ute Mountain in Colorado and enjoy a gorgeous sunset as the sun sets over the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. We are off the grid and have no electricity or water. Our graveled camping sites are easy to access. We are located next to a paved road. You do not need high clearance vehicles or 4-wheel drive. Camp in a natural high desert environment consisting of cedar and pinion trees, Brigham tea, sagebrush, etc. Great views of the night sky. An ancient Indian mound is on site. The Five Kiva Ruin and Nations Natural Bridge are within hiking distance. Minutes away is the town of Blanding with restaurants, hospital, gas stations and a dump station. Its only a short drive to five different National Monuments: Bears Ears, Natural Bridges, Rainbow Bridge, Hovenweep, and Canyon of The Ancients. Take a scenic drive over the Blue Mountain and Elk Ridge. Southeastern Utah is full of archeology history to hike and explore.

2. Mexican Hat Rocks

95%

(354)

30mi from Red Mesa · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Mexican Hat, UT

We are temporarily closed! Must reserve at least one day prior using this booking engine and text your LICENSE plate number to allow access, two night minimum. Camp spots are not marked but are obvious, choose site when you arrive, refer to map. Please respect No Trespassing signs! Two (2) miles north of Mexican Hat, UT on Hwy 163, turn East, find your spot! Bigger Rigs: Keep to the right at the 'Y' as the road to the San Juan River is steep and a little bumpy! Next to the Bears Ears National Monument, between Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley along the San Juan River is Mexican Hat where you can camp on private property...as this is NOT on the Navajo Reservation, alcohol is allowed. So many things to see! Goosenecks State Park, Natural Bridges, Moki Dugway, Cedar Mesa! Camp on this private estate that was founded in the 1890's by gold and oil prospectors and where John Wayne later crossed the river in several western movies! The night skies are unbeatable as is the quiet solitude that is sadly disappearing in other areas. Mexican Hat Rock and this portion of the San Juan River are accessible only through this estate that is open for your enjoyment, however, if you wish to camp we now ask for a small fee so we can keep it clean, maintain roads and continue our conservation efforts so all can enjoy it forever! Portable toilets are required!!! And please pick up after yourself, dogs and horses. Pack it in, pack it out. Respect your fellow campers and stay on obvious trails and roads, do know that part of this property is marked as 'No Trespassing', please respect signage. No fee is required for day trips to 'The Hat'.

3. Canyon Trails Ranch

100%

(104)

41mi from Red Mesa · 18 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Cortez, CO

The homestead was built in 1911 and was one of the original postal pickups in the area.  The ranch is located between Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and backs up to Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. Our family has lived in McElmo Canyon for over 40 years and the campground has hosted camping and outdoor educational groups since 1965. We are a family run ranch with an operating hay farm, horseback riding business, and carriage shop.

4. Monticello Field Office

100%

(3)

85 sites · Monticello, Utah

So, the Bureau of Land Management has these things called “Field Offices,” where they keeps tabs on public lands through these on-site offices. Now that we’ve covered that, let’s talk about all of the fun you and your crew can have out here! The BLM asserts that this area has some of the “most spectacular landscapes in the United States,” and we’re totally inclined to agree. You’ll find Monticello tucked away into the southeast corner of Utah near the Abajo Mountains (BLM land surrounds the mountains). Archeology buffs will have endless fun exploring the remnants of Ancestral Puebloan life, including cliff dwellings and petroglyphs. Thanks to these awesome and unique landscapes, you can spend your time hiking, camping, rock climbing, and more…all to your heart’s content. Heck, can we come with you?!

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

5. Modern Camping in McElmo Canyon

100%

(1)

42mi from Red Mesa · 1 site · Lodging · Cortez, CO

Play in nature, relax in comfort. 2 spacious safari-style tents nestled in a small orchard with big views of Canyon of the Ancients. Your stay includes a private bathhouse with indoor and outdoor showers. Both tents have king beds and outdoor lounging areas and share a central campfire area. Clifftop hiking with views as far as Mesa Verde. We only accept one reservation at a time so the camp is all yours. The Details The Orchard Camp includes two large safari-style tents, each with a king bed, water cooler, mini-fridge, sheets & towels. The tents share cooking and camp amenities like a two burner Coleman stove and a propane-fueled "fire pit," and games like corn hole. Your private Bathhouse offers two sinks, two showers, two toilets, an outdoor shower and an outdoor sink for your dishes. The Orchard, with its young fruit trees and wildflowers, is your private garden. The Property You'll have access to roam much of this 38 acre property which includes a hay farm, cliffside and clifftop trail and a section of McElmo Creek. We just ask that folks stay away from the private residence on site, which is well-marked. We love pets and kids but due to the Wildlife with a capital W (and the occasional skunk) with whom we share this land we must limit our guests to humans ages 8 and up. Southwest Colorado is a land of extremes. We get hot, cold and everything in between. The tents are canvas so we offer electric blankets and small space heaters for colder days, and fans for the warmer days. And in advance, we apologize for the high cleaning fee. When you're here you'll understand why with the large showerhouse and all its windows, the large canvas tents and big decks, etc.

6. Anasazi Sites @ Ancient Echoes

96%

(76)

41mi from Red Mesa · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · Cortez, CO

This magical place, surrounded by over 500,000 acres of protected land, is a 38 acre desert oasis near Mesa Verde, Sand Canyon and Hovenweep. Pitch your tent or park your small pop up or tiny rv (car and pull behind must be under 20 ft total) in a heritage orchard under and alongside magnificent red cliffs. We also have super clean bathroom with hot shower designated for campers. We have a fully equipped community kitchen for cooking, and a gas grill as well. We border Canyons of the Ancients immediately to the North, a 174,000 acre National Monument with the largest concentration of Ancestral Puebloan ("cliff-dweller") and archeological sites in the United States. A favorite public access point to The Canyons of the Ancients is the Sand Canyon trailhead, a five minute drive from the property up the main road. It is visited by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders alike. We are a genuine "oasis" on exquisite high desert land with profound ancient puebloan sites within steps. Ideal home base for your Southwest adventure.

Public campgrounds near Red Mesa

100%

(1)

Sand Island Campground

24mi from Red Mesa · 25 sites · Tents, RVs · in Monticello Field Office

Stories from the community

J

Joseph (Jody)

3 weeks ago

16 ft campervan

1 night at Anasazi Sites @ Ancient Echoes

It doesn’t take long after pulling off onto the road that leads to Kelly Place to notice that you are now on sacred grounds. We only spent 2 nights there, but that was enough to get the understanding that this was a place of uniquenesses that held a certain amount of powers. I’m yet uncertain how long it might take to come to grips with it what’s held there, but I’m very grateful for the time allotted and will soon return for a deeper connection. If you have a spiritual side to yourself and this comes up on your radar, by all means necessary book it and thank not only me later, but more importantly those that have taken the oath to keep this spirit alive and well. 5,000 ⭐️’s is the rating if possible. And thank you to those behind the scenes that keep this location place alive and well!!!

J

Jane

October 2025

24 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

We loved Sunset. It was quiet with no highway traffic yet not off a beaten path or hard to find with the directions provided. The walk to the natural rock bridge and 5 kiva site was such an added bonus!

O

Outside18

October 2025

35 ft Class C

3 nights at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

Nice quiet spot, clean porta potty, garbage disposal & picnic tables provided. The Hipcamp.com info needs to be added to the bulletin board.

M

Marquitta

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Anasazi Sites @ Ancient Echoes

An absolute dream! My only regret is that we couldn’t stay longer. Sunset on property was gorgeous! The trails around camp were super fun. Friendly staff. Our pour-over site was tucked away, beautiful, felt safe. Grounds were clean and stocked.

E

Eric

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

Campground is in a secluded location with easy access to the trailheads and visitor's center. We found a campsite in the back on a loop that didn't get much traffic and allowed some space from the road. There was a large flat tent area in the back part of the site. Restrooms were decent.

T

Terry

October 2025

28 ft travel trailer

1 night at Mexican Hat Rocks

Great views, really well organized site. I hope to return!

A

Annette

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

Cassie and Evan responded quickly when I texted them. The site is gorgeous and so nice and quiet as well as easy access from the main road.

R

Randy

October 2025

28 ft fifth wheel

With pets

Weekend Trip to Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

With lots of rain making boondocking a bit dicey, it was great to have another option. This campground is kinda like an RV park but with more room between sites and great short hikes close by. Good gravel road and pads within the camp were a welcome break from muddy clay. If you don't need hookups or other amenities this is a solid choice. Never saw more than 20 percent occupied.

D

Dennis

October 2025

23 ft campervan

1 night at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

Very beautiful area and a wonderful setup! Highly Recommended

G

Grace

October 2025

25 ft Class C

1 night at Mexican Hat Rocks

Great views and close to Valley of the Gods. Be sure to take your high clearance vehicle down to the river where it looks like the future Grand Canyon is forming.

I

Ian

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Mexican Hat Rocks

Climbing to the top of the Mexican Hat for sunset was such an awesome experience and gave amazing views. Only critisism is that the campsite is pretty close to the highway.

M

Marcy

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

We greatly enjoyed our two day stay. The location is beautiful. Both nights we watched the sun set over Bears Ears and watched a full moon rise to the east. The campground is very well maintained, easy to find and convenient to Blanding. Best of all was how quiet the location is! Definitely take the time to walk to the end of the road and see the 5 Kiva Ruin!

G

Glen

October 2025

45 ft Class A

With pets

2 nights at Mexican Hat Rocks

It was relaxing and peaceful. Little bit of traffic with people taking pictures and thought maybe a designated photo spot would help with that rather than driving around near the campers, but loved the place.

M

Michael

October 2025

30 ft Class A

1 night at Mexican Hat Rocks

I loved dry camping at Mexican Hat Rocks! What a gorgeous site! The individual campsites are well-marked. It appeared an access gate was being installed during our stay, which is good. Several cars pulled off beyond the large area next to the road and drove into the campground to park in the roads and empty campsites to take photos. That's an issue the access gate will solve. Fantastic experience overall!

C

Charles

October 2025

32 ft Class A

Weekend Trip to Mexican Hat Rocks

The location was peaceful with a lovely background. Night was totally dark and the sky was full of stars. Didn't hear a sound all night long.

L

Lin

September 2025

17 ft Class B

1 night at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

The campsite was easy to find and close to town, but on a quiet and peaceful location.

T

Terri

September 2025

12 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Mexican Hat Rocks

Camping directly below Mexican Hat as an unbelievable experience. Highly recommend this location!!!

J

John

September 2025

16 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Mexican Hat Rocks

I loved camping on Sarah's land had a camper van came in after dark easy to find and lots of space you can see so many stars in the night sky then when morning came and BAM!!!! The Mexican Hat was right in your face less than a .25 miles away so awesome!!!

E

Elizabeth

September 2025

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

Good location. Porta Potty was clean. I would camp there again.

S

Shyra

September 2025

24 ft Class C

1 night at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

Cassie and Evan’s campground was amazing! We needed somewhere pretty last minute traveling from Arches National Park to The Grand Canyon in an RV. We absolutely loved how beautiful and off grid it was and the surroundings! They explained how to get there perfectly and the bathrooms were quite clean for porta potties. They give you their personal number if needed. We didn’t have time to walk around the surrounding areas but would love to come back and explore! Will definitely recommend and hope to stay again in the future!