Discover the best campgrounds near Big Water, Utah with hiking

United States
—
Utah
—
Big Water

93% (1211 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Big Water

Star Hosts in Big Water

Available this weekend

96%

(174)

Ethel's Hideout

11 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Fredonia, AZ

Our story begins with a little old lady, our grandma, who believed with all her heart that we were worth it. She passed a few years ago, and what better way to honor her belief in us than to create Ethel's Hideout. We came from a small ranching family, which has brought us closer than we ever imagined. Hard work and dedication were imprinted on us from a young age. On this land we have built an RV pull-through, camp sites, and horse stalls. One day we hope to have some small cabins to share with you all. Ethel's is your home away from home. We border agriculture and sate and public lands which provides an authentic western experience. Though tucked away to give the illusion of seclusion, we are located only 7 miles from downtown Kanab Utah. Kanab features many fun and exciting events throughout the year. Located right in the heart of several national parks, Zions, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell and many more fun things to tour. Hook ups include power and water. Our most unique feature is horse stalls on site. Bring your horses with you and reserve stalls for them as well. Our convenient location offers direct access to ride on public lands. Traveling with horses? We have just the spot with (8) 12′ x 14′ covered stall. Contact us to book stalls for your horses to stay over night with you.

92%

(114)

SimpleLife Campsites @ Dreamcatcher

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Fredonia, AZ

Set up for minimalist-types.... certainly not primitive but not fancy either... spacious sites (with cool shade cloths and picnic tables) respectful of your personal experience with an eye for contemporary design. Fast Wifi. Clean modern bathrooms. Hang out with like-minded adventurers who prefer Tents, Vans, Class B's and small trailers (like teardrops, pods and popups) - we do not permit ATV's or trailers over 26' SimpleLife gives dogs room to roam (and you as well) on our 15 private acres attached to hundreds more of beautiful public land. SimpleLife is only 2 miles from Kanab's conveniences -- in a country setting providing easy access to Grand Canyon, Escalante, Bryce, Zion and thousands of one of a kind square miles of desert adventures.

91%

(92)

Desert River Camp

8 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Fredonia, AZ

Located 5 minutes from the Kanab, Utah border in Fredonia, Arizona just 1 block off Hwy 89A. This RV site is located on a small ranch near a few friendly horses in a corral. This is a great spot because it's centrally located to all the national parks including Zion National Park, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and lots of amazing places to explore and hike. Includes water tap with great drinking water, porta potty, picnic table and trash bin provided. NO SHOWER UNTIL JUNE 2023 DUE TO FREEZING LINES IN THE HOT WATER HEATER. Sorry, no fires due to the dry timber in the area.

Escalante Cabins & RV Park

81 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents26 acres · Escalante, UT

Looking for a family-friendly campground, with cabins, RV sites, tents sites, and even vacation rental homes? Well, Escalante Cabins & RV Park is exactly what you're looking for. Make us your base camp for adventures to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument! Close to Bryce, Zion and Capital Reef National Parks as well!

95%

(179)

Canyons of Escalante RV Park

53 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Escalante, UT

Welcome to Canyons of Escalante RV Park! We are so excited for the opportunity to host you and share in the unique beauty of Southern Utah. We are a family owned and operated RV Park that has RV Sites, Cabins, Tent spaces, and immaculate Shower/Laundry facilities. We are located directly on the Main Street of Escalante, Utah and are nestled against the Escalante Grand Staircase. We are not only the perfect basecamp for exploration of the Staircase but so much more! We are ideally situated between Bryce NP, Capital Reef NP, Dixie National Forest, Petrified Forest State Park, Glen Canyon Recreation Area and within walking distance to the Dining, Pubs and Groceries that Escalante has to offer. Canyons of Escalante RV Park is conveniently located on Main Street of Escalante, UT. Within walking distance to local eateries and shopping. Our Standard sites are pull through, accommodating RVs up to 28' in length. Full hookups with 30 amp service, Wi-Fi, shower and laundry facility nearby. Perfect for smaller motor homes, tent trailers, pods, vans, truck campers, etc. We are also pet friendly, have bathroom facilities and hot showers! Our cabins are away from the RV sites in a secluded area surrounded by beautiful gardens and walkways. Fire rings are at each cabin as well as 2 shared pavilions equipped with charcoal grills and picnic tables. Your adventure awaits! Let us help make the most of it. Look forward to seeing you soon. Happy Trails!

12 top campgrounds near Big Water with hiking

94%

(44)

Paria River Ranch

29 sites · RVs, Tents26 acres · Kanab, UT

Paria River Ranch is a working ranch that offers access to world class trails and some of the most unique riding in the Paria Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. We offer a limited number of 30 AMP Hookups and have an RV dump. Please come visit us at this magical place. Check out our other site accommodations to find the best stay for what you are looking for! We offer dry camping and also RV camping options. Look for our other sites to book! Bring your horses and mules and enjoy the beautiful trails. We offer 12x12 pipe corrals and have some larger corrals for 2 or 3 horses/mules. You provide everything. We will pick up manure outside of your corral once a day. *Horses and Mules have an additional charge of $15 per animal*

99%

(789)

Ranchito Feliz

6 sites · RVs, Tents9 acres · Cannonville, UT

When booking please add in your note the type of camping you are doing, ie. tent, car, van, or larger RV In the middle of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument; adjacent to Bryce Canyon National Park; within walking distance of Kodachrome Basin State Park; and an easy drive to Zion and Capital Reef National Parks, as well as Lake Powell National Recreational Area, this unique site is an opportunity not to miss. The pet/horse friendly property (approximately 9 acres/3 ha/64 sq. m) boasts private designated single tent sites, and a mix car camping and larger RV sites, as well as paleontological, geological, biological, astronomical, and historical interests of the ranch. The equestrians will find a two-acre pasture, three paddocks, a round pen, as well as beautiful places to ride from the ranch. This secluded location has a small town of about 175 (Cannonville) three miles/5 k distant where there is a small store, gas, and a Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center. And, bonus, the in town campground has: high speed internet, and cell phone service and laundry. This ranch and campground is an off the grid, passive/active solar voltaic, so no electricity, no internet and only Verizon works here. In Tropic 12 miles distant all carriers get service. Potable water, shower, dish washing station and composting toilet (This means that all campers count when booking, even the kids...their poops add up too). The views are spectacular from any site where the xeroscaped landscape uses indigenous material and plants to complement the quintessential Pinon/Juniper ecosystem the campground sits in. On three sides you are surrounded by red cliffs in the Carmel Formation which can give shelter from wind and sun, but campers can also look out over the Paria River (you can hear the river from camp as well as its amphibians) which runs south in front of the property and eventually meets the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry where most put-in to raft the Grand Canyon. Looking north, one sees the meaning of the term “Grand Staircase” by viewing The Entrada, Tropic Shale, Straight Cliffs, Wahweap, Kaiparowits, and Pink Limestone Formations capped by late Tertiary Volcanism; or, the “steps” of Promise Rock, Sand Point, Powell Point, and the Aquarius Plateau (highest forested mesa in North America at over eleven thousand feet.). The biological diversity here is also astounding: Birds: 140 species and counting including the tiny Costa’s Humming Bird all the way up to the enormous California Condor. Plants: 2 species of Sagebrush, 4 species of trees, numerous grass species, and a plethora of beautiful wildflowers and cacti. Reptiles: Many species of snakes and lizards. Unfortunately, this includes the occasional rattlesnake. It is advised that you have your pets vaccinated. Amphibian: Toads and Salamanders Insects: There are very few mosquitos. There are a few biting Deer Flies, and worse yet, those damn gnats. These “no-see-ums” are temperature dependent so are not a bother in the shade, early mornings, late evenings and at night. It is recommended that you bring some kick ass insect repellant and a “bee hat” if you are out and about in the sun during the day between May and July. Fossils: Bivalves, snails, petrified wood (many types) and various other corals, insects and plant fossils abound and are often incorporated into the ranch infrastructure. The nearby area is considered the hottest paleontological spot on the planet. Astronomy: The area is widely considered to be under the darkest skies in the lower 49. The Milky Way and Presides are common sights without the unsightly annoyance of any neighbor’s lights. The climate is varied and interesting. All four seasons are here and occasionally all in one day. Winter snows melt quickly though temperatures can dip into the sub-zeros. The 5,900 ft./1800 m. elevation keeps the summer temps reasonable and always gives a chilly summer evening to cool things off. If you want climatic extremes, you can, within an hour or so, be at Lake Powell and its 100+ F/38+ C heat or on the Aquarius Plateau at 65 degrees F/18 C in midday June. Recreation on many levels is all within proximity. From canyoneering, “free” climbing on an established nearby crag composed of a welded tuff capping the Aquarius Plateau (see Mountain Project and “The Aquarius Plateau”) and many aid lines on Entrada Formation towers within walking distance (see Mountain Project and “The Grand Staircase”), water sports of Lake Powell and the Colorado River as well as fishing in the cool temps of Pine Lake 35 minutes distant. Then of course, there is the Monument, National Park and the State Park only a short drive away. Seclusion, security, water, and views all within a short walk or drive of exiting destinations, make this worth the stop.

SimpleLife Campsites @ Dreamcatcher

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Fredonia, AZ

Set up for minimalist-types.... certainly not primitive but not fancy either... spacious sites (with cool shade cloths and picnic tables) respectful of your personal experience with an eye for contemporary design. Fast Wifi. Clean modern bathrooms. Hang out with like-minded adventurers who prefer Tents, Vans, Class B's and small trailers (like teardrops, pods and popups) - we do not permit ATV's or trailers over 26' SimpleLife gives dogs room to roam (and you as well) on our 15 private acres attached to hundreds more of beautiful public land. SimpleLife is only 2 miles from Kanab's conveniences -- in a country setting providing easy access to Grand Canyon, Escalante, Bryce, Zion and thousands of one of a kind square miles of desert adventures.

Glamping In Navajoland

10 sites · Lodging40 acres · Page , AZ

We are a Native American owned large acreage working sheep ranch and off grid Glamping hotel offering guests a unique stay at our ranch on the Navajo Nation. Shash Diné is an ideal basecamp for Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, the Colorado River, Zion, Bryce, Monument Valley, and both rims Gran Canyon

Escalante Cabins & RV Park

81 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents26 acres · Escalante, UT

Looking for a family-friendly campground, with cabins, RV sites, tents sites, and even vacation rental homes? Well, Escalante Cabins & RV Park is exactly what you're looking for. Make us your base camp for adventures to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument! Close to Bryce, Zion and Capital Reef National Parks as well!

Ethel's Hideout

11 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Fredonia, AZ

Our story begins with a little old lady, our grandma, who believed with all her heart that we were worth it. She passed a few years ago, and what better way to honor her belief in us than to create Ethel's Hideout. We came from a small ranching family, which has brought us closer than we ever imagined. Hard work and dedication were imprinted on us from a young age. On this land we have built an RV pull-through, camp sites, and horse stalls. One day we hope to have some small cabins to share with you all. Ethel's is your home away from home. We border agriculture and sate and public lands which provides an authentic western experience. Though tucked away to give the illusion of seclusion, we are located only 7 miles from downtown Kanab Utah. Kanab features many fun and exciting events throughout the year. Located right in the heart of several national parks, Zions, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell and many more fun things to tour. Hook ups include power and water. Our most unique feature is horse stalls on site. Bring your horses with you and reserve stalls for them as well. Our convenient location offers direct access to ride on public lands. Traveling with horses? We have just the spot with (8) 12′ x 14′ covered stall. Contact us to book stalls for your horses to stay over night with you.

Canyons of Escalante RV Park

53 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Escalante, UT

Welcome to Canyons of Escalante RV Park! We are so excited for the opportunity to host you and share in the unique beauty of Southern Utah. We are a family owned and operated RV Park that has RV Sites, Cabins, Tent spaces, and immaculate Shower/Laundry facilities. We are located directly on the Main Street of Escalante, Utah and are nestled against the Escalante Grand Staircase. We are not only the perfect basecamp for exploration of the Staircase but so much more! We are ideally situated between Bryce NP, Capital Reef NP, Dixie National Forest, Petrified Forest State Park, Glen Canyon Recreation Area and within walking distance to the Dining, Pubs and Groceries that Escalante has to offer. Canyons of Escalante RV Park is conveniently located on Main Street of Escalante, UT. Within walking distance to local eateries and shopping. Our Standard sites are pull through, accommodating RVs up to 28' in length. Full hookups with 30 amp service, Wi-Fi, shower and laundry facility nearby. Perfect for smaller motor homes, tent trailers, pods, vans, truck campers, etc. We are also pet friendly, have bathroom facilities and hot showers! Our cabins are away from the RV sites in a secluded area surrounded by beautiful gardens and walkways. Fire rings are at each cabin as well as 2 shared pavilions equipped with charcoal grills and picnic tables. Your adventure awaits! Let us help make the most of it. Look forward to seeing you soon. Happy Trails!

77%

(50)

Bryce Canyon Wander Camp

8 sites · Lodging, Tents40 acres · Cannonville, UT

We live for untouched wilderness, gorgeous landscapes, and stunning sunrises while traveling, thus Wander Camp was born! Our tented camp offers an immersive outdoors experience while including a few more amenities than traditional camping while still operating off-grid. If you're looking for a place to stay that provides the sights and sounds of nature, with a few of the comforts back home, book now!

98%

(24)

Antelope Canyon Navajo Hogan

6 sites · Lodging20 acres · Le Chee, AZ

The Navajo Reservation is one of the biggest which is bigger than the state of West Virginia of the Navajo People. The Navajo People are more caretakers of the the beautiful landscape that’s very secluded. The family where I come from own a big property because of our livestock of horses, cattle, goats and sheep. We been on this property for 100s of years and still going strong and it’s the land of the infamous of the “Upper Antelope Canyon” which is literally our backyard. There is so much history and culture meaning to the (Diné)Navajo land that the Diné people hold and cherish.Learn more about this land:We provide a private Navajo Hogan experience with a beautiful view 360 degree view. We are nearby all beautiful locations like the infamous Upper/Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, Antelope Point Marina, Little Colorado.

Desert River Camp

8 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Fredonia, AZ

Located 5 minutes from the Kanab, Utah border in Fredonia, Arizona just 1 block off Hwy 89A. This RV site is located on a small ranch near a few friendly horses in a corral. This is a great spot because it's centrally located to all the national parks including Zion National Park, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and lots of amazing places to explore and hike. Includes water tap with great drinking water, porta potty, picnic table and trash bin provided. NO SHOWER UNTIL JUNE 2023 DUE TO FREEZING LINES IN THE HOT WATER HEATER. Sorry, no fires due to the dry timber in the area.

Booked 1 time

Antelope “Canyon” Hogan B&B

5 sites · Lodging20 acres · Le Chee, AZ

We are on the Navajo Reservation and welcoming visitor from all over to enjoy many night stays with us in your own private earth-home Hogan. To enjoy the hogan, stars and many other activities we have to offer. Come and enjoy the outdoors on our reservation with piece and quiet. Fact: Navajo land is bigger than the state of West Virginia.

75%

(4)

Parking Spot | Bathroom | Laundry

1 site · RV3 acres · Kanab, UT

This is a covered parking spot for a van or trailer/camper. Included with parking comes amenities such as: Laundry, bathroom/shower, and use of our common area amenities such as our hot tub, cowboy pool, hammocks, ping pong table, dog park and more! It is the perfect spot for recouping and washing. There are plugs currently, however we do not recommend using them as they have blown surge protectors and need to be fixed.

Under $50

99%

(789)

Ranchito Feliz

6 sites · RVs, Tents9 acres · Cannonville, UT

When booking please add in your note the type of camping you are doing, ie. tent, car, van, or larger RV In the middle of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument; adjacent to Bryce Canyon National Park; within walking distance of Kodachrome Basin State Park; and an easy drive to Zion and Capital Reef National Parks, as well as Lake Powell National Recreational Area, this unique site is an opportunity not to miss. The pet/horse friendly property (approximately 9 acres/3 ha/64 sq. m) boasts private designated single tent sites, and a mix car camping and larger RV sites, as well as paleontological, geological, biological, astronomical, and historical interests of the ranch. The equestrians will find a two-acre pasture, three paddocks, a round pen, as well as beautiful places to ride from the ranch. This secluded location has a small town of about 175 (Cannonville) three miles/5 k distant where there is a small store, gas, and a Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center. And, bonus, the in town campground has: high speed internet, and cell phone service and laundry. This ranch and campground is an off the grid, passive/active solar voltaic, so no electricity, no internet and only Verizon works here. In Tropic 12 miles distant all carriers get service. Potable water, shower, dish washing station and composting toilet (This means that all campers count when booking, even the kids...their poops add up too). The views are spectacular from any site where the xeroscaped landscape uses indigenous material and plants to complement the quintessential Pinon/Juniper ecosystem the campground sits in. On three sides you are surrounded by red cliffs in the Carmel Formation which can give shelter from wind and sun, but campers can also look out over the Paria River (you can hear the river from camp as well as its amphibians) which runs south in front of the property and eventually meets the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry where most put-in to raft the Grand Canyon. Looking north, one sees the meaning of the term “Grand Staircase” by viewing The Entrada, Tropic Shale, Straight Cliffs, Wahweap, Kaiparowits, and Pink Limestone Formations capped by late Tertiary Volcanism; or, the “steps” of Promise Rock, Sand Point, Powell Point, and the Aquarius Plateau (highest forested mesa in North America at over eleven thousand feet.). The biological diversity here is also astounding: Birds: 140 species and counting including the tiny Costa’s Humming Bird all the way up to the enormous California Condor. Plants: 2 species of Sagebrush, 4 species of trees, numerous grass species, and a plethora of beautiful wildflowers and cacti. Reptiles: Many species of snakes and lizards. Unfortunately, this includes the occasional rattlesnake. It is advised that you have your pets vaccinated. Amphibian: Toads and Salamanders Insects: There are very few mosquitos. There are a few biting Deer Flies, and worse yet, those damn gnats. These “no-see-ums” are temperature dependent so are not a bother in the shade, early mornings, late evenings and at night. It is recommended that you bring some kick ass insect repellant and a “bee hat” if you are out and about in the sun during the day between May and July. Fossils: Bivalves, snails, petrified wood (many types) and various other corals, insects and plant fossils abound and are often incorporated into the ranch infrastructure. The nearby area is considered the hottest paleontological spot on the planet. Astronomy: The area is widely considered to be under the darkest skies in the lower 49. The Milky Way and Presides are common sights without the unsightly annoyance of any neighbor’s lights. The climate is varied and interesting. All four seasons are here and occasionally all in one day. Winter snows melt quickly though temperatures can dip into the sub-zeros. The 5,900 ft./1800 m. elevation keeps the summer temps reasonable and always gives a chilly summer evening to cool things off. If you want climatic extremes, you can, within an hour or so, be at Lake Powell and its 100+ F/38+ C heat or on the Aquarius Plateau at 65 degrees F/18 C in midday June. Recreation on many levels is all within proximity. From canyoneering, “free” climbing on an established nearby crag composed of a welded tuff capping the Aquarius Plateau (see Mountain Project and “The Aquarius Plateau”) and many aid lines on Entrada Formation towers within walking distance (see Mountain Project and “The Grand Staircase”), water sports of Lake Powell and the Colorado River as well as fishing in the cool temps of Pine Lake 35 minutes distant. Then of course, there is the Monument, National Park and the State Park only a short drive away. Seclusion, security, water, and views all within a short walk or drive of exiting destinations, make this worth the stop.

Escalante Cabins & RV Park

81 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents26 acres · Escalante, UT

Looking for a family-friendly campground, with cabins, RV sites, tents sites, and even vacation rental homes? Well, Escalante Cabins & RV Park is exactly what you're looking for. Make us your base camp for adventures to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument! Close to Bryce, Zion and Capital Reef National Parks as well!

Ethel's Hideout

11 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Fredonia, AZ

Our story begins with a little old lady, our grandma, who believed with all her heart that we were worth it. She passed a few years ago, and what better way to honor her belief in us than to create Ethel's Hideout. We came from a small ranching family, which has brought us closer than we ever imagined. Hard work and dedication were imprinted on us from a young age. On this land we have built an RV pull-through, camp sites, and horse stalls. One day we hope to have some small cabins to share with you all. Ethel's is your home away from home. We border agriculture and sate and public lands which provides an authentic western experience. Though tucked away to give the illusion of seclusion, we are located only 7 miles from downtown Kanab Utah. Kanab features many fun and exciting events throughout the year. Located right in the heart of several national parks, Zions, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell and many more fun things to tour. Hook ups include power and water. Our most unique feature is horse stalls on site. Bring your horses with you and reserve stalls for them as well. Our convenient location offers direct access to ride on public lands. Traveling with horses? We have just the spot with (8) 12′ x 14′ covered stall. Contact us to book stalls for your horses to stay over night with you.

Paria River Ranch

29 sites · RVs, Tents26 acres · Kanab, UT

Paria River Ranch is a working ranch that offers access to world class trails and some of the most unique riding in the Paria Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. We offer a limited number of 30 AMP Hookups and have an RV dump. Please come visit us at this magical place. Check out our other site accommodations to find the best stay for what you are looking for! We offer dry camping and also RV camping options. Look for our other sites to book! Bring your horses and mules and enjoy the beautiful trails. We offer 12x12 pipe corrals and have some larger corrals for 2 or 3 horses/mules. You provide everything. We will pick up manure outside of your corral once a day. *Horses and Mules have an additional charge of $15 per animal*

SimpleLife Campsites @ Dreamcatcher

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Fredonia, AZ

Set up for minimalist-types.... certainly not primitive but not fancy either... spacious sites (with cool shade cloths and picnic tables) respectful of your personal experience with an eye for contemporary design. Fast Wifi. Clean modern bathrooms. Hang out with like-minded adventurers who prefer Tents, Vans, Class B's and small trailers (like teardrops, pods and popups) - we do not permit ATV's or trailers over 26' SimpleLife gives dogs room to roam (and you as well) on our 15 private acres attached to hundreds more of beautiful public land. SimpleLife is only 2 miles from Kanab's conveniences -- in a country setting providing easy access to Grand Canyon, Escalante, Bryce, Zion and thousands of one of a kind square miles of desert adventures.

Dog-friendly getaways

99%

(789)

Ranchito Feliz

6 sites · RVs, Tents9 acres · Cannonville, UT

When booking please add in your note the type of camping you are doing, ie. tent, car, van, or larger RV In the middle of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument; adjacent to Bryce Canyon National Park; within walking distance of Kodachrome Basin State Park; and an easy drive to Zion and Capital Reef National Parks, as well as Lake Powell National Recreational Area, this unique site is an opportunity not to miss. The pet/horse friendly property (approximately 9 acres/3 ha/64 sq. m) boasts private designated single tent sites, and a mix car camping and larger RV sites, as well as paleontological, geological, biological, astronomical, and historical interests of the ranch. The equestrians will find a two-acre pasture, three paddocks, a round pen, as well as beautiful places to ride from the ranch. This secluded location has a small town of about 175 (Cannonville) three miles/5 k distant where there is a small store, gas, and a Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center. And, bonus, the in town campground has: high speed internet, and cell phone service and laundry. This ranch and campground is an off the grid, passive/active solar voltaic, so no electricity, no internet and only Verizon works here. In Tropic 12 miles distant all carriers get service. Potable water, shower, dish washing station and composting toilet (This means that all campers count when booking, even the kids...their poops add up too). The views are spectacular from any site where the xeroscaped landscape uses indigenous material and plants to complement the quintessential Pinon/Juniper ecosystem the campground sits in. On three sides you are surrounded by red cliffs in the Carmel Formation which can give shelter from wind and sun, but campers can also look out over the Paria River (you can hear the river from camp as well as its amphibians) which runs south in front of the property and eventually meets the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry where most put-in to raft the Grand Canyon. Looking north, one sees the meaning of the term “Grand Staircase” by viewing The Entrada, Tropic Shale, Straight Cliffs, Wahweap, Kaiparowits, and Pink Limestone Formations capped by late Tertiary Volcanism; or, the “steps” of Promise Rock, Sand Point, Powell Point, and the Aquarius Plateau (highest forested mesa in North America at over eleven thousand feet.). The biological diversity here is also astounding: Birds: 140 species and counting including the tiny Costa’s Humming Bird all the way up to the enormous California Condor. Plants: 2 species of Sagebrush, 4 species of trees, numerous grass species, and a plethora of beautiful wildflowers and cacti. Reptiles: Many species of snakes and lizards. Unfortunately, this includes the occasional rattlesnake. It is advised that you have your pets vaccinated. Amphibian: Toads and Salamanders Insects: There are very few mosquitos. There are a few biting Deer Flies, and worse yet, those damn gnats. These “no-see-ums” are temperature dependent so are not a bother in the shade, early mornings, late evenings and at night. It is recommended that you bring some kick ass insect repellant and a “bee hat” if you are out and about in the sun during the day between May and July. Fossils: Bivalves, snails, petrified wood (many types) and various other corals, insects and plant fossils abound and are often incorporated into the ranch infrastructure. The nearby area is considered the hottest paleontological spot on the planet. Astronomy: The area is widely considered to be under the darkest skies in the lower 49. The Milky Way and Presides are common sights without the unsightly annoyance of any neighbor’s lights. The climate is varied and interesting. All four seasons are here and occasionally all in one day. Winter snows melt quickly though temperatures can dip into the sub-zeros. The 5,900 ft./1800 m. elevation keeps the summer temps reasonable and always gives a chilly summer evening to cool things off. If you want climatic extremes, you can, within an hour or so, be at Lake Powell and its 100+ F/38+ C heat or on the Aquarius Plateau at 65 degrees F/18 C in midday June. Recreation on many levels is all within proximity. From canyoneering, “free” climbing on an established nearby crag composed of a welded tuff capping the Aquarius Plateau (see Mountain Project and “The Aquarius Plateau”) and many aid lines on Entrada Formation towers within walking distance (see Mountain Project and “The Grand Staircase”), water sports of Lake Powell and the Colorado River as well as fishing in the cool temps of Pine Lake 35 minutes distant. Then of course, there is the Monument, National Park and the State Park only a short drive away. Seclusion, security, water, and views all within a short walk or drive of exiting destinations, make this worth the stop.

Escalante Cabins & RV Park

81 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents26 acres · Escalante, UT

Looking for a family-friendly campground, with cabins, RV sites, tents sites, and even vacation rental homes? Well, Escalante Cabins & RV Park is exactly what you're looking for. Make us your base camp for adventures to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument! Close to Bryce, Zion and Capital Reef National Parks as well!

SimpleLife Campsites @ Dreamcatcher

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Fredonia, AZ

Set up for minimalist-types.... certainly not primitive but not fancy either... spacious sites (with cool shade cloths and picnic tables) respectful of your personal experience with an eye for contemporary design. Fast Wifi. Clean modern bathrooms. Hang out with like-minded adventurers who prefer Tents, Vans, Class B's and small trailers (like teardrops, pods and popups) - we do not permit ATV's or trailers over 26' SimpleLife gives dogs room to roam (and you as well) on our 15 private acres attached to hundreds more of beautiful public land. SimpleLife is only 2 miles from Kanab's conveniences -- in a country setting providing easy access to Grand Canyon, Escalante, Bryce, Zion and thousands of one of a kind square miles of desert adventures.

Paria River Ranch

29 sites · RVs, Tents26 acres · Kanab, UT

Paria River Ranch is a working ranch that offers access to world class trails and some of the most unique riding in the Paria Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. We offer a limited number of 30 AMP Hookups and have an RV dump. Please come visit us at this magical place. Check out our other site accommodations to find the best stay for what you are looking for! We offer dry camping and also RV camping options. Look for our other sites to book! Bring your horses and mules and enjoy the beautiful trails. We offer 12x12 pipe corrals and have some larger corrals for 2 or 3 horses/mules. You provide everything. We will pick up manure outside of your corral once a day. *Horses and Mules have an additional charge of $15 per animal*

Ethel's Hideout

11 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Fredonia, AZ

Our story begins with a little old lady, our grandma, who believed with all her heart that we were worth it. She passed a few years ago, and what better way to honor her belief in us than to create Ethel's Hideout. We came from a small ranching family, which has brought us closer than we ever imagined. Hard work and dedication were imprinted on us from a young age. On this land we have built an RV pull-through, camp sites, and horse stalls. One day we hope to have some small cabins to share with you all. Ethel's is your home away from home. We border agriculture and sate and public lands which provides an authentic western experience. Though tucked away to give the illusion of seclusion, we are located only 7 miles from downtown Kanab Utah. Kanab features many fun and exciting events throughout the year. Located right in the heart of several national parks, Zions, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell and many more fun things to tour. Hook ups include power and water. Our most unique feature is horse stalls on site. Bring your horses with you and reserve stalls for them as well. Our convenient location offers direct access to ride on public lands. Traveling with horses? We have just the spot with (8) 12′ x 14′ covered stall. Contact us to book stalls for your horses to stay over night with you.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Henrieville, Utah

100%

(9)

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

Escalante, Utah

98%

(121)

Bryce Canyon National Park

Tropic, Utah

82%

(19)

Dixie National Forest

Cedar Fort, Utah

97%

(29)

Kaibab National Forest

Williams, Arizona

Camping near Big Water with hiking guide

Overview

If you're looking for an unforgettable camping experience near Big Water, Utah, with a focus on hiking, look no further than Zion Wright Ranch Eco-Camp (2033 reviews), Ranchito Feliz (520 reviews), and Creekside - Kolob Gate Gardens (516 reviews). The average price per night is $40, with options as low as $12. You'll also find popular amenities like potable water, showers, and toilets to make your stay comfortable. In addition to hiking, you can also enjoy activities such as surfing, wildlife watching, and fishing. Start planning your next camping trip today!