Ranch camping in Utah with campfires
From lakes to mountains to desert plateaus, Utah’s great outdoors comes in many flavors.
93% (4441 reviews)
- Utah
93% (4441 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Utah
Dog-friendly getaways
Under $50
12 top ranch campgrounds in Utah with campfires
97%
(3525)
Zion Wright Ranch Eco-Camp
57 sites · RVs, Tents1200 acres · Virgin, UT
Off Grid eco oriented camp on 1200 acres overlooking Zion National Park. Owned and operated by Bill Wright, a rancher whose family has farmed and ranched the land for several generations. A few minutes from Zion’s backcountry trails in the Kolob Terrace Region and approx. 40 minutes to the main gate of Zion NP. Bill Wright is the father of the legendary "Wright Brothers" the family of Professional Rodeo Saddle Bronc riders. You will often see Bill tending the land and moving cattle and horses from your campsite. This off the grid ranch has some of the most stunning views you'll ever encounter. Want a little adventure during your stay? Reserve a 2-hour horseback ride with Bill. He'll finish your ride with one of the most breathtaking vistas you can find of Zion National Park. Our property features many spaced out sites to choose from with bathrooms onsite. Pets and campfires are also allowed.
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$35
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93%
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Zion Family Ranch Campground and RV
22 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Glendale, UT
Picturesque camping set within the protective hilltops of beautiful Lydia's Canyon. This camping destination is on private land and has long list of unique, attractive features. Conveniently located just a couple minutes off Highway 89, this is the perfect stop over between Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Special features including private fishing ponds, a large pavilion equipped with tables and chairs, fire pits, kayaks and FREE WIFI will make your stay easy and fun! Campers will enjoy clean, HOT showers and flushable toilets.
You will have access to the multi-acre campground where you can choose which tent site or RV site you prefer. We DO allow no hook-up camping vans in our tent sites. Two of our four new RV sites have full hook-ups (sites 3&4), the other two (sites 1&2) have water and power hookups only.
You will have access to the large pavilion for gathering, cooking or shelter from the elements. You also have access to the clean bath house, equipped with two shower rooms (with on-demand hot water) and flushable toilets. As an added bonus, you will have access to the ponds, you may use the boat, canoe or kayaks, you can also catch and release fish if you have your own fishing equipment. (Keep a fish or accidental kill for a fee.) If interested in booking a fishing experience, please reach out to us for more details.
There are seven available tent sites and four available RV sites with hookups. No beds or tents are provided. Please plan to bring your own camping supplies. Common spaces including the pavilion and bath house are shared with all campground guests.
Lydia's Canyon is known for lush green fields, overflowing fresh water ponds full of native fish, Canadian geese, turkeys, exclusive bird-watching, deer, farming, cows, horses, and last but not least . . . kind, welcoming residents who are happy to help you have a memorable experience.
Your super hosts, Jeremy and Betty, live nearby and are available to help when needed.
Connect to the campground FREE WIFI for easy communication needs.
Kindly follow our speed limits here in Lydia's Canyon, we ask that your speed not exceed 15 mph on the gravel roads.
No parties, noise, or bright lights after 10 p.m.
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$49
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Sandy Beach
40 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents350 acres · Levan, UT
17 RV sites available for reservations. Easy to access 55 foot long sites. Each site has incredible lake views. Access to private sandy beach with jet ski, kayak, and paddle board rentals available. Fishing, water sports, views, and star gazing. Just a short distance from I-15 but worlds away from the hustle an bustle.
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$30
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Red Desert RV Park
8 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Moab, UT
Red Desert RV Park has expanded to 55 full hookup RV sites along with 14 cabins. We are geared towards outdoor adventurists and sightseers wanting a cost-effective stay while taking advantage of everything Moab has to offer!
We are locally owned by a family of 8 and love calling Moab our home. We understand the corporate overtaking that Moab has had in the last 5 years and plan to keep our campground affordably priced and locally owned. We have upgraded the old site plan from 7 RV sites to 55 Full Service RV sites this year. Most sites are pull through but we will have some back-ins. We are finishing a new bathhouse that will have a laundry, women's bathrooms and showers, men's bathrooms and showers, and an ADA compliant family style bathroom.
In addition to the new bathhouse, we will have a new office and retail store building to add souvenirs, RV supplies, snacks, drinks, and other necessities for guests. We do not currently have propane fill on site but are trying to add this later this year.
We know that there are many options to choose from when it comes to staying in Moab. We urge people to support locally owned businesses that help Moab grow and solve problems that exist in our community. Moab is a recreation mecca with something for everyone and our little campground on the south end of the valley puts you within minutes of town, the mountains, and the red deserts around Moab.
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Red River Camp - Capitol Reef
6 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Teasdale, UT
Welcome to Red River Camp! Our camp sites highlight the beautiful red cliff backdrop infamous in southern Utah. Only 10 minutes from Capitol Reef National Park!
Come relax and stay the night before you go out to hike, sight see, climb, off-road, fish etc. The opportunity for adventure is endless.
Our family built the Red River Ranch many years ago and we are excited to share the beautiful surroundings with people that share our love for the outdoors.
Guests will have a private camp site and access to their own fire pit, shared picnic table, shared trash, and shared toilet. No access to water, electricity, or sewer. Cell phone service should work great!
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$34
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Zion Glamping Adventures
17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents26 acres · Hurricane, UT
Located in a spectacular spot in Hildale, Utah, just an hour drive from Zion National Park. Escape the crowds and indulge in this extraordinary retreat!
Accommodations
> 20 units of Glamping Tents
> 2 units of Rock Cave
> 7 sites for the RV Park
The campsite has five fully operational bathrooms equipped with running water, hot showers, and flush toilets. Basic toiletries are provided for your convenience. There is a common kitchen area where you'll find a fridge, microwave and propane grills.
Every morning, our host expertly prepares a delectable breakfast consisting of steaming cups of coffee and mouthwatering pancakes, ensuring that all guests can savor a delightful start to their day.
In the evening, the host creates a spacious campfire that invites all guests to gather together and forge connections. It's an opportunity to engage with fellow campers, share captivating tales, and indulge in the delightful combination of s'mores.
Make sure not to overlook our highly sought-after array of activities, including exhilarating side by side tours, captivating guided hikes, memorable horseback rides, scenic wagon rides, creative paint and wine sessions, and rejuvenating yoga classes!
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$65
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South-40@LaSal Tent and RV Park
4 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · La Sal, UT
The South-40@LaSal Is: quiet, spacious, secluded, secure, and natural! We are located 26 miles southeast of Moab Utah. ( about a 30 minute drive from town or 40 minutes from Arches national Park.) This property is 40 acres of undeveloped Ranch land That borders the remote community of La Sal, Utah.
We currently offer four (4) RV spots and several opportunities for tent camping. The RV spots include: Electric hook ups with (50amp, 30 amp, & 20 amp) water hydrants, Wi-Fi Internet, gray water disposal system, and solar powered sanitary vault toilet, Currently there are no sewer hook ups, black water dump .
See more pictures and videos on FB at South-40 at LaSal
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$40
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95%
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High Sage Hogans
4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · La Sal, UT
Situated at 7,000 feet, campers are surrounded by the snow covered LaSal Mountains overlooking the deep Canyonlands NP of the Colorado River escarpment, and only 30 minutes from Moab, Utah. Summer temps are much cooler here than in the surrounding canyons and valleys of the Moab area, a very pleasant retreat from the heat! Virtually ALL outdoor sporting adventures are found around here in nearly limitless abundance, including winter sports, snowmobiling, off-roading, dirt-biking, 4-wheeling, and more. Campground has outdoor-potty, free firewood with pits.
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$39
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Paria River Ranch
28 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*
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Second Chance Ranch
1 site · Tent1 acre · Morgan, UT
My husband Shaun and I fell into rescuing horses quite by accident. We started a non-profit to promote the Rescue, Rehab, Retrain and Rehome method to get horses out of bad situations and into good homes. We are a small rescue and hope to be much bigger one day! Please come visit, enjoy our beautiful property and support an amazing non-profit cause while you are at it! Learn more about this land:We are a non-profit horse rescue situated on one acre. The best description I can give of our property is that it's great for a convenient and quaint "Stop and Sleep". This is because we are located right off of the old main highway and have two neighbors within eyesight from the house. This site is very convenient for quick stays since it is so CLOSE TO THE HIGHWAY this makes it convenient but may not be appropriate for very light sleepers or for extended stays. The camping area is simple, with wild grass and a fire pit, bordered by the river on one side and the horse pasture on the other. You can see and hear the river easily April-July. The river is seasonal and does dry up in mid July-August. Drinkable hose water is available near the house. If you want a ranch-style camping experience with lots of interaction with your hosts and opportunity for adventure then you have chosen the right camping location! You are welcome to join in the daily choring activities or choose to be taken on a scenic trail ride or thrilling guided gallop on beautiful and well-trained rescue horses.PLEASE NOTE: The bathroom is located in our house and has a flushable toilet and shower with hot water. Bathroom hours are 8am-9pm. Parking is located a few hundred feet from the campsite, just off of the road. You must walk a few hundred feet to get to the campsite and you cannot pull your vehicle right up to it. While we do welcome car campers and pop-up trailers, just know you won't be parked at the campsite if you choose to sleep this way. We look forward to having you camp with us!
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$20
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The Grand Ranch - Highland Cattle
6 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Kanarraville, UT
Life is a Grand Adventure!
Thanks for your interest in our family ranch! We started this project May 2021, and are having a blast learning all about raising highland cattle, lambs, goats, alpaca, and kids (human kids! -We have 5)!
Our 40 acre ranch is a work in progress, so be patient as we grow!
Avoid the crowds and enjoy the quiet countryside and farm life on our miniature highland cattle ranch!
Bring your sense of Adventure and love of animals to our Beautiful mountain views. Outdoor activities abound! Plenty of space for trailers, boats, UTV/ATV's, etc. Enjoy some private space, not crowded in at a campground.
This Private RV has AC, Heat, Hot water, and a bathroom with a shower.
Private master bedroom with Comfortable Queen bed. Second bedroom sleeps up to 4 with 2 bunks and a Convertible sofa. Living room sleeps up to 4 with a convertible sofa and a dinette that converts to a bed. All linens are included.
Close to it all! Centrally located in Southern Utah, with Hundreds of activities within 60 min of our front gate!
5 min from Zion National Park/Kolob canyons entrance! (The peaceful side of Zion!) Kanarra Falls (permit required), Spring Creek trailhead, and 10 min from Cedar city with any and all amenities (movie theater, grocery stores, festivals, events, hospital, etc)!
Under 1 hour to Main Zion Entrance, Brian Head, Cedar Breaks, Duck Creek, Sand Hollow, Quail Creek, St. George, Tuacahn. Great jumping off point for further adventures at Bryce canyon, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, etc!
We have 2 friendly dogs on the property, Shaggy and Scooby. They love people and enjoy scratches! They are still in training, so bear with us while they learn, and please let us know if they are in the way.
Enjoy our small fold of highland cattle, plus other farm animals. DO NOT enter pastures without a host/handler. Optional: Book a time to feed and pet our animals! Request a booking link.
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LZJ Ranch's Hiawatha Hideout!
12 sites · RVs, Tents1000 acres · Huntington, UT
For-the-Outlaw-in-all-of-Us... Welcome!
Better than 1000 acres of Utah high desert located near Utah's spectacular San Rafael National Recreation and Wilderness Areas! The ranch was home originally for prehistoric Fremont Native Americans, Ute Indians and later homesteaded by early Europeans in the late 1880's and early 1920's.
Truly fascinating historic structures, historic 1916-17 rail line, stone brothel, scattered arrow heads and rock bordered walls and farm plots remain untouched on the property. The original Italian Perucci Family homesteaded here and began ranching in the early 1900's.
Learn more about this land:
Camp or hunker down like Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch probably did at the Hiawatha Hideout! We are a cattle ranch and so much more that is strategically located for easy accessibility.
Check out our new and expanded campsites, road improvements, signage and rock solid CURTEOUSY GUEST WIFI INTERNET! You asked for it and now we've got it!
The Ranch is a picturesque, convenient and very well-hidden secret in Utah's east central high desert and that's how we intend to keep it!
Please remember we are not a developed "commercial campground" and we don't ever intend to be... (there are no hot showers, no potable drinking water, no fixed toilet facilities and no sewer hookup -- but we do have a well maintained port-a-potty and non-potable water for washing, cleaning and showering-- located at the main wagon wheel camp area). We are an historic, goat, sheep and cattle ranch exploring the concept of agri-tourism and are sharing our private property with you as guests. If you are into off-grid peace, quiet and solitude we are your deal!
We cater to the independent "do-it-yourselfer-get-away-from-the-crowd" self contained primitive dry camp type of guest and explorer! Please, please be aware that our main priority is managing the ranch, our offsite farms and our animals scattered in between so we might not always be available every minute to show you in person or answer every call every minute about where to park or where to find the port-a-potty etc..
IF YOU PACK IT IN PLEASE PACK IT OUT! WE DO NOT PROVIDE TRASH PICKUP OR RECEPTICALS!
The only rule here? Do at least the first ~250 yards of the 2.5 mile loop trail hike to the sheep camp, pond and stream and historic stone buildings (the trail head is located on the north side of the main wagon wheel camping area right next to the port-a-potty). The trail immediately descends down a rocky steep and scenic dug-way and follows the course of a small stream, gorgeous cottonwood, pinion pines and juniper trees!
Don't forget your camera and be sure to keep an eye on your kids and pets. Watch your step and be on the lookout for steep ledges, drop offs, tree branches, sharp rocks, barbwire, a twisting trail and variety of native animals and birds. Take the full loop and find the hidden and historic stone brothel/dance hall (yup, an honest to goodness house of ill repute... ) located right next to an historic rail line that connected the towns of Price and Hiawatha back in ~1916 & 17!
We are family, individual and large group-friendly self container camping area that provides easy local access to virtually unlimited camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding (subject to availability of our Wranglers and riding stock), photography, wildlife viewing and exploring in and around Utah's (less well-known, yet truly spectacular) northern San Rafael Swell Wilderness and Recreation Areas!
CHECK OUT OUR NEW LOCAL AND EXTENDED SAN RAFAEL SWELL RECREATIONAL AREA WIDE TOURS! (subject to availability of our Wranglers). You'll be riding in an epic Land Rover Defender 110 (seats 8 with integral factory seat belts; see our "experiences" below to check availability!).
Butch and Sundance knew where the off grid good spots were and undoubtedly spent time here... and that's why you should too! Concerned about video teleconferencing or missing your favorite episode of Yellowstone or Longmire? We've got you covered! Our open WIFI guest network provides stable up and download speeds that are unbelievable! The main camp site has excellent strong (3-4+ bars) cell service with all major carriers too!
Park your large RV with towed vehicle, trailer or small SUV and tent at one of multiple camp sites from near commercial camping grade (Sites 1, 5 and 6 have 120 v ac 30 amp service, site 2 has 220 v 50 amp service) to site 10 in your own tent bushwhacking at a remote stream bank isolated hideaway requiring all wheel drive short, narrow wheel base and high clearance vehicles only that may include a difficult stream crossing or just hike in ~1 mile (contact us for the current trail/road conditions).
With over 1000 acres to roam, we can provide almost unlimited over flow camping that is of variable distance from the main wagon wheel camp area. If we are booked send us a message/email and depending on your group size, number and size(s) of vehicle(s) we'll see if we can work out an alternative over flow camp site just for you!
Explore the tranquil seclusion along picturesque Miller Creek as it courses for a mile bisecting the center of the ranch. Cool your feet in the crystal clear water at noon or take a nap in the shade of magnificent riparian cottonwoods. Check out the 1/2 acre hidden pond and spring!
Avoid worrying about full campsites (particularly on weekends and holidays) as you'll find the privacy, safety, and solitude you're seeking among pinion pines, hundreds of years old twisted cedar (juniper) trees and crystal blue clear skies!
Close your eyes, feel the cool breeze and take in the scent of a burning cedar campfire. Bask in splendor while camping on the east slope of the spectacular Manti La Sal National Forest, Star Point and Gentry Mountain!
Relax, avoid the traffic, headache, congestion, and noise of more well known and more heavily visited recreational sites before you head back to civilization! Isn't that what you really intended to do?
Prep the mountain/electric bikes and lace up your favorite hiking boots or jogging shoes. Maybe kick back and enjoy a quiet evening around the large group camp bonfire! Later, take one of the unimproved trails for an off-the-grid reclusive expedition or look for that perfect remote camp site.
Colloquial western folk tales, ghost stories and some incredible western music can be had here as well as horse trail rides and even a motorized tour are available (seasonally dependent, please contact us before booking regarding availability).
Just one more thing... Since the ranch is bordered by public federal BLM and state SITLA lands there are literally thousands of additional acres to explore but only accessible through the ranch main gate. And for Pete's sake don't forget extra fuel, food, clothing and your camera!
Discover the historic stone brothel (that's right including a bar and dance hall built in ~1916). Try to decipher a late 1880's inscription on the back wall!.
Hike, bike, or ride along the bed of the historic Utah Railway line that connected the towns of Price and Hiawatha via a rare early gasoline propelled locomotive back in 1916-17 (lasted only a few years before an historic flood destroyed its trestles). Check out the remains of a 100+ year old relic pump house, spring, and pond that settlers relied on to irrigate cultivated farm plots on the historic homestead.
Keep an eye out for deer, moose, coyotes, rabbits, golden eagles or a lonesome cowboy moving cattle along your path. Wake early and stay up late for a spectacular summer sunrise and sunset at the main group campsite. Corral and rest your horses in one of three enclosures outfitted with automatic waters, feed tubs, and onsite alfalfa/grass 2 string bales (made available on request). And don't forget to take a dip in one of the two solar-powered cattle watering troughs if it gets too hot!
Check out an absolutely gorgeous vintage restored 1920's sheep camp (our favorite) or simply throw out your bed roll under the stars about anywhere!
The Hideout is located ~20 miles as the crow flies south of the infamous "Castle Gate hold up" that was staged on April 21, 1897, at the mouth of Price Canyon in east-central Utah. Located 15 miles (as the crow flies) from the San Rafael Swell's "Wedge Overlook" (aka Little Grand Canyon) and within easy striking distance of the Buckhorn Wash, Cedar Mountain, Tavaputs Plateau, Huntington Reservoir, Electric Lake, Scofield Reservoir, Joe's Valley Reservoir as well as countless other recreational sites in Carbon and Emery County!
In need of a place for this summer's family reunion? This is it! Have a grand ole' shootin' time in an authentically recreated western town with saloon, bank and out buildings at the neighboring world class "North Springs Shooting range" (Single Action Shooter Society--SASS approved) or practice at the modern pistol, rifle, long distance and/or archery range (located just a couple miles north and east of the ranch). ATVs? there are hundreds of miles of public trails/2-tracks on state and federal lands just outside the ranch's boundary to explore in almost any direction surrounding the ranch.
Got a hunter in the family? Because the ranch borders the majestic central Utah Manti La Sal mountain range it is key winter range for a very large number of mule deer, elk and other wildlife. Take your favorite hunter on a mid-winter photography extravaganza and enjoy once in a lifetime monster trophy rutting mule deer bucks that will leave even the most proud hunter in awe!
Check out the petroglyphs and pictographs of nearby Nine Mile Canyon (largest collection on earth) or stay put and visit what's left of the ranch's original homestead, early European settlers' stone buildings, prehistoric Fremont Indian pit houses, pioneer dugouts or simply enjoy the spectacular topography, wildlife and scenery.
Located just 20 miles away from The northern San Rafael Swell of Utah, you're away from the crowds and perfectly situated for exploring! You'll also be just off the well-beaten path to Moab and Hanksville, and a plethora of national parks, monuments, and state parks (including Canyonlands, Capital Reef, Goblin Valley, Horseshoe Canyon, Glen Canyon National Recreational Area and Lake Powell to name just a few).
Gratuities are welcome from our visitors and campers. We appreciate your patronage! We grew up on the “No Trespassing” side of a lot of fences and know what a privilege it can be to visit and be welcome to explore historically off-limits “private property”.
Recognizing just how fortunate we are to own the Ranch makes sharing it with others easy. All we ask is that you admire it, protect it and respect it as much as we do.
We have undertaken a variety of ongoing environmental conservation and agricultural stewardship improvement projects collaborating with state and federal conservation agencies as well as multiple not-for-profit wildlife and habitat organizations who have helped improve the aesthetics, historical recognition/preservation, natural beauty, range carrying capacity and rehabilitation after years of unregulated grazing of riparian zones to help maximize the wilderness health, diversity, beauty and agricultural sustainability of the ranch.
We feel it is a privilege to share it with others of like mindedness. Gratuities are used for further wildlife/conservation improvements, cleanup, toilet facilities and a variety of range land and watershed improvements. Once at the ranch you’ll belong to a select guild of visitors and campers who return year after year who we call "friends" and to whom we will be indebted forever.
We strongly advise all visitors and campers to comply with all local state and federal COVID health recommendations/guidelines. Please message us for more information.
Thanks in advance!
NOTICE: We are not responsible for or liable for any and all accidents, injuries, falls, animal encounters, drownings, deep mud, slippery conditions, fire, lost or stolen items, damages, loose barb wire, fences, broken glass or vehicles left over 7 days or any other physical, emotional or monetary loss and/or injury that may occur traveling to, during or after your visit. Our ranch and camp areas can and do experience severe weather, including, but not limited to, heavy rain, flash flooding, strong winds, impassable roads, dislodged rocks, deep snow and freezing temperatures. We do not condone or permit the use of any illegal and/or all hazardous devices, materials or activities on the ranch. Ranch guests are not allowed to use motorized off road vehicles (i.e. motorcycles, ATV or UTVs) within the ranch boundary. The ranch does have a variety of resident and transient farm/ranch animals as well as wild animals that can and frequently do gain access to the campsites, hiking/biking trails and recreational areas, including, but not limited to, cattle, horses, mules, donkeys, coyotes, bears, raccoons, bats, rodents, badgers, eagles/hawks, venomous snakes/reptiles/spiders/scorpions and even mountain lions. Wild and domestic animals may harbor dangerous pathogens, diseases and parasites, including but not limited to ticks, tick borne diseases, rabies, brucellosis, giardiasis and a variety of other infectious and parasitic diseases (i.e. Lyme disease, ring worm, tapeworms, prion disease and infectious diarrhea). There are physically dangerous cliff ledges, drop offs, erosive stream banks, construction/landscaping/agricultural heavy equipment, trenches, holes and other potentially hazardous places and things on the ranch. Plan accordingly, watch your children and pets carefully and continuously and always be attentive to your surroundings and circumstance as your life and/or the lives of your loved ones may depend on it.
All guest camping, visiting, activities, expeditions and "experiences" provided by "The LZJ Ranch" or "The Hiawatha Hideout!" are operated under the management of Hiawatha Hideout, LLC and/or San Rafael Tours, LLC.
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Star Hosts in Utah
Ranch camping in Utah with campfires guide
Overview
With a wide variety of terrains ranging from dense forest to arid plateaus, Utah has been attracting campers, backpackers, and hikers for generations. It's home to five national parks, plus dozens of state parks and national forests and monuments (not to mention plenty of BLM land), making it easy to find a Utah camping experience that suits you best. While the southern and eastern parts of the state attract lovers of the great outdoors with their massive rock formations and abundance of recreation activities, you’ll also find plenty to do up in the north, from skiing and snowboarding in the winter to getting out on one of the region’s many lakes and reservoirs come summer.
Where to go
Northwest Utah
Northern Utah is where you'll find some of the state's lushest areas, with plenty of lakes and mountains, a stark contrast to the rockier, arid regions to the south. Salt Lake City is one of the region's biggest draws, and its easy access to outdoor recreation areas, such as Antelope Island State Park on the Great Salt Lake, makes it a reasonable base for those wanting to explore the region. Camping areas abound in this region—the tent-only Cottonwood Campground at Bear Lake State Park is a particularly good choice.
Eastern Utah
Eastern Utah offers some of the best opportunities for outdoor recreation in the state, and that's not just because two of Utah’s five national parks—Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park—are here, a short drive from Moab. Spots worth visiting include Dead Horse Point State Park (popular for mountain biking) and Natural Bridges National Monument, where you’ll see three natural bridge formations carved from the earth millennia ago. This area is also great for archaeology fans. Hovenweep National Monument is a great place to check out the ruins of 13th-century pueblos, while Bear Ears National Monument is full of beautifully preserved ancient cave art.
South-Central and Southern Utah
South Central Utah offers a mix of high desert and dense forest, with plenty of spots to go out and play. You can hike through the slot canyons of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, explore the fairytale-like hoodoos at Goblin Valley State Park, or try your hand at canyoning at Capitol Reef National Park. This region is also home to Lake Powell, on the Colorado River, right on the border with Arizona.
Southwest Utah
Home to both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, southwest Utah offers fantastic hiking and camping options, with a mix of beautiful rock formations, vast forests, and desert sand dunes. While the national parks are the main draw, this region offers plenty to do, from ATV/OHV riding on the massive golden dunes at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park to checking out the red rock formations at Kodachrome Basin State Park. You'll find some of Utah's best camping spots and hiking trails all through the region, and the lack of light pollution makes this area ideal for stargazing under the night skies.
Safety at Hipcamp
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.