The best mountainous campgrounds near Mexican Hat, Utah

Mountain camping in Mexican Hat means waking up to buttes and mesas that catch the morning sun, with over 18 sites carved into rugged terrain. Prices start at $25 a night—most land around here is real, no-nonsense desert, so you get access to top spots like Sunset Campground on Ruin Road (289 reviews), FireTree Camping (109 reviews), and Indian Canyon Ranch (90 reviews). You’ll find campsites tucked near sandstone cliffs and along canyon rims—ideal if you’re into climbing, hiking, or casting a line in the San Juan River. Most sites allow pets and offer toilets and showers, so you don’t have to rough it too hard. This is the sort of place where you swap city noise for starlit silence, and the nearest neighbours are ravens circling overhead.

96% (515)

Top-rated campgrounds

Sunset Over Bears Ears National Monument

Mountain camping in Mexican Hat means waking up to buttes and mesas that catch the morning sun, with over 18 sites carved into rugged terrain. Prices start at $25 a night—most land around here is real, no-nonsense desert, so you get access to top spots like Sunset Campground on Ruin Road (289 reviews), FireTree Camping (109 reviews), and Indian Canyon Ranch (90 reviews). You’ll find campsites tucked near sandstone cliffs and along canyon rims—ideal if you’re into climbing, hiking, or casting a line in the San Juan River. Most sites allow pets and offer toilets and showers, so you don’t have to rough it too hard. This is the sort of place where you swap city noise for starlit silence, and the nearest neighbours are ravens circling overhead.

96% (515)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

96%

(625)

37mi from Mexican Hat · 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. Indian Canyon Ranch

95%

(112)

47mi from Mexican Hat · 12 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Monticello, UT

Indian Canyon Ranch is a rugged, isolated, off grid property which focuses on enjoying the outdoor beauty of our little corner of the spectacular American South West. Please be advised, that during heavy rain four-wheel drive may be necessary but in all cases low clearance vehicles are not ideal on the last section of road but if you arrive before dark and go slow any vehicle can make it. If you arrive after dark the last bit of road looks more challenging than it actually is due to shadows on the surface caused by the head lights. Units are not heated. Please plan to show up before dark for the best experience and ease of finding the location. Indian Canyon Ranch is proud to be an independent, off grid property with limited solar power and water available. There are no RV hook ups available but there is limited solar power in the rental units and in the communal area but not in the primitive campsites. Campsites are primitive camping only. Showers in the main communal area are solar powered and only hot with the sun and for an hour or so after sunset Joe purchased this property in 2008. At that time, it was 8 acres, and it is now at 20 acres continuous property. The ranch is situated 2 miles off the highway down a bumpy dirt road on the edge of the national forest, this gives you a feeling of being in the wilderness. The south and east sides are boarded by canyons and ruins. All other private properties in the area are 10 acres or more so are well spread out and sparsely populated. All the structures on site were brought here piece by piece and were salvaged from construction projects in Yosemite and Grand Canyon national parks. Water is manually hauled in and the power in the kitchen area is solar generated so please be conscious of water and power use.

3. FireTree Camping

95%

(285)

25mi from Mexican Hat · 2 sites · Tents · Monument Valley, UT

FireTree offers you peace and serenity in an atmosphere of rustic charm for your desert camping experience. Outside your tent, you can sit and sip a drink in the pure clean air, read a favorite book, have a picnic, or simply gaze at the scenery. Accommodations include restroom with hot showers and potable water. Short walk to campsite (about 50 to 100 feet). We allow car and van camping, but we're not specifically set up for that. Parking spaces may not be level. Please print or download a map from our website, and DO NOT FOLLOW Google Maps or other navigation. https://firetreeinn.com/map.html

4. RedNeck Ranch

47mi from Mexican Hat · 2 sites · Lodging · Blanding, UT

With just over 9 acres the RedNeck Ranch currently offers 2 accommodations. We have the cabin which is 2 bedroom 1 bath with a kitchenette and is attached to a camper trailer allowing up to 11 guests to stay. The second is a bunker underground with 1 bed a bathroom and a kitchenette allowing up to 3 guests (1 child in a cot). In the local area boasts many unique Indian ruins within walking distance. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, and atv use as well.

Stories from the community

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.

d

daniel

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Indian Canyon Ranch

I had an emergency happen, Joe understood I had already paid, so when I return, he will make it better. Good people here! Dan G

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

G

Gordon

September 2025

19 ft campervan

1 night at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

It was a nice quiet campground. The portal potty was clean and didn’t smell. Peg and I had a nice quiet evening there. Thanks Cassie

F

Farrah

September 2025

21 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

Great location for exploring the area! Nice quiet spot.

C

Carmen

September 2025

Tent

3 nights at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

I love staying at Sunset! Every time I am in the area I look forward to such a wonderful spot. Thank you for always hosting!

S

Sarah

September 2025

Tent

2 nights at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

Very sweet little spot, beautiful views, and some nice walks right off-site.

T

Thad

September 2025

26 ft travel trailer

4 nights at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

I've stayed here before. Clean, hard packed sites that stay mud free even after a rain...have a 26' toy hauler. This trip I spent 7 days here. Close to town without feeling it. It's high ground with good views... even see Bears Ears on horizon. I'm generally a remote boondocks camper, but this is one of my exception locations. Even the porta johns are unbelievably clean. I think paid camping sites are generally too expensive these days, but this place is kind of unique.

S

Steven

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Indian Canyon Ranch

Remote camping with cool hiking and great support facilities available (community kitchen, shower, etc.), and Joe is very accommodating.

J

Jackson

August 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

Great site for an overnight stay! Easy to access, thanks.

N

Nadine

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to FireTree Camping

Ohne die Anfahrtsbeschreibung von Martin hätten wir das Camp bestimmt nicht gefunden...diese unbefestigten Wege waren aufregend zu fahren, Wie beschrieben und auf den Fotos, außergewöhnliches Badhaus! netter Kontakt, vielen Dank, Nadine und Michael

R

Remy

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Sunset Campground on Ruin Road

Great place to stay! Super quiet, not many people coming by and a beautiful clear view of the sky :)