The best forest campgrounds near Thompson Springs, Utah

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for all things camping! If you're looking to explore the beautiful forests near Thompson Springs, Utah, we've got you covered with over 135 options to choose from. Whether you're a seasoned camper or new to the outdoors, you'll find the perfect campsite to suit your needs. With options as low as $22 per night, you can enjoy the tranquility of nature without breaking the bank. Check out some of our top campsites like The Views at Gateway (243 reviews), High Sage Hogans (137 reviews), and Sunset Campground on Ruin Road (130 reviews). Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like trash disposal, campfires, and potable water. Whether you're into whitewater paddling, snow sports, or fishing, there's something for everyone. Start planning your unforgettable camping experience today!

93% (518)

Top-rated campgrounds

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for all things camping! If you're looking to explore the beautiful forests near Thompson Springs, Utah, we've got you covered with over 135 options to choose from. Whether you're a seasoned camper or new to the outdoors, you'll find the perfect campsite to suit your needs. With options as low as $22 per night, you can enjoy the tranquility of nature without breaking the bank. Check out some of our top campsites like The Views at Gateway (243 reviews), High Sage Hogans (137 reviews), and Sunset Campground on Ruin Road (130 reviews). Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like trash disposal, campfires, and potable water. Whether you're into whitewater paddling, snow sports, or fishing, there's something for everyone. Start planning your unforgettable camping experience today!

93% (518)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Red Desert RV Park

91%

(344)

36mi from Thompson Springs · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · 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. Our new bathhouse has 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 have a new office and retail store where we sell souvenirs, RV supplies, snacks, drinks, ice, firewood, and other necessities for guests. We do not currently have propane fill on site. 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.

2. The Views at Gateway

96%

(419)

49mi from Thompson Springs · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Gateway, CO

Located on the Dolores river, this property is perfect for hikers, fishing, rafting, or just camping! There is a natural spring just a few miles from the location with drinking water as well. When you stay here you are located right on the river with nothing but places to hike, climb and have fun and there are several options for you to choose from. There is a cabin, an onsite RV, a canvas tent, and BYO tent or RV camping on the land - you can pick whatever suits you best! No matter what, you can fall asleep to the sound of the river after a great night of star gazing! Nearby outdoor points of interest include the Dolores River on property, Hanging Flume which is approx. 20 miles from site, Gateway Canyons Resort Auto museum 7 miles from site, Arches National Park 2 hour drive from site, Colorado national monument 1 hour drive. The Grand Mesa 2 hour drive, Telluride ski resort 2 hour drive! You can find hiking, biking, swimming, paddle board, kayaks, rafting, fishing, tubing, bird watching, star gazing rock climbing, bouldering, all right from the property. All sites are accessible without 4wheel drive. I love where I live and think everyone should be able to experience the peaceful quiet beautiful environment that it is!

3. Manti-La Sal National Forest

100%

(16)

328 sites · Ferron, Utah

Trivia time! Which part of Utah contains the densest black bear and largest elk population? The Manti-La Sal National Forest, of course! How about this one: where does most of the coal mined in Utah come from? Well, 85% of it is mined right here in the Manti-La Sal. This special forest is full of natural surprises, like lofty mountaintops, lush meadows, cavernous sandstone canyons, plus plenty of water. If it sounds like there’s a ton of diversity here, that’s because there truly is! All of this diversity means that there’s a lot to do out here. Near Moab, the forest is home to the La Sal Mountains with their tall peaks and narrow canyons. To the north, on the Wasatch Plateau, you’ll be yearning for your next road trip along the Huntington and Eccles Canyons National Scenic Byways (also called the Energy Loop). And when it comes time to hit the hay at night? You guessed it—there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Thompson Springs

Masons Draw Campground

36mi from Thompson Springs · 5 sites · in Manti-La Sal National Forest

100%

(2)

Warner Lake Campground

38mi from Thompson Springs · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Manti-La Sal National Forest

100%

(3)

Oowah Campground

39mi from Thompson Springs · 11 sites · in Manti-La Sal National Forest

Stories from the community

B

Brenda

November 2025

16 ft pop-up camper

With pets

3 nights at Red Desert RV Park

Had a great time! Office and staff were wonderful. Will visit again 😊

K

Krista

October 2025

17 ft travel trailer

With pets

2 nights at Red Desert RV Park

Friendly staff and wonderful facility. Clean and new restrooms. Would stay again.

S

Sara

October 2025

32 ft fifth wheel

With pets

Weekend Trip to Red Desert RV Park

RV park 15 mins south of Moab right off highway. Easy to access many trails and sights with a short drive. Full hook ups were great, and the bathrooms/shower house was clean (and an added bonus). It was a bit loud being right off of the highway, but otherwise we enjoyed our stay here

T

Theresia

September 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Views at Gateway

It was a beautiful spot, the cabin was nice. However, I was disappointed and left kind of at a disadvantage, because according to the description, there was supposed to be potable water on-site! There was not, There was also supposed to be electricity! There was not, did not see the bathroom pit either. The description indicated there would be a trundle bed, which there was, with one mattress on the upper part, no secondary mattress. The host was supposed to meet us on-site and never showed up. Luckily, we came prepared for some things. Had an air mattress to make up the difference. However, we shortered ourselves on water as we expected to have potable water on-site. Aside from the misrepresentation, it was a beautiful sight. And we did enjoy our stay.

Kyle

September 2025

15 ft campervan

4 nights at Red Desert RV Park

Great spot nearby Moab if in Van, maybe not if in tent

B

Beckett

September 2025

Tent

1 night at The Views at Gateway

I really enjoyed tent camping on Jody’s property! It was very pretty and I highly reccommend, just fyi there is no service unless you drive to gateway.

Alexandra

August 2025

35 ft Class C

With pets

3 nights at Red Desert RV Park

Great spot, would go back! Conveniently close to all the spots we wanted to visit.

L

Lisa

August 2025

35 ft fifth wheel

With pets

1 night at Red Desert RV Park

Very clean restrooms and park. Laundry was a surprise though, had to run to town for quarters! We weren't on the road side and use white noise everywhere to sleep so we didn't mind the road noise.

A

Annabelle

July 2025

25 ft travel trailer

1 night at Red Desert RV Park

Showers were excellent. Right off the highway, so very accessible. I got there super late so they were kind enough to leave instructions for me taped to the door. Great communication.

Mike

July 2025

21 ft campervan

1 night at The Views at Gateway

Really chill spot right on the river. Pretty easy to find in daylight, but make sure you get directions if you're going to roll up after dark. (It's near mile marker 105, if that helps!) Had some issues finding the place, but once we did, it was awesome! The water is right there on property, coming from a clean spring.

M

Martin

July 2025

Tent

Group trip

2 nights at Red Desert RV Park

The bathhouse here was very clean and one of the nicest I’ve experienced. The staff were accommodating. Biggest drawback to the tent site is that there is very little shade. Under 10 minutes to Moab and under 20 to Arches NP

V

Valerie

June 2025

33 ft travel trailer

With pets

7 nights at Red Desert RV Park

Great affordable location for Canyonlands and Arches. Level easy to set up. Everything worked as planned. It is a newer campground and they are adding a bigger newer dog park, which would be excellent.

B

Bryan

June 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Red Desert RV Park

Arrived early for check in and reed was accommodating.

A

Antonis

June 2025

19 ft Class B

1 night at Red Desert RV Park

Nice place, close to the road but not noisy at the night. Very clean toilets and showers. Very convenient to stay in order to visit close by attractions

M

Melanie

May 2025

20 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Views at Gateway

What a great spot. The campsite was big and right on the river with gorgeous views. You can see plenty of stars. Plenty of room for multiple rvs/tents. Almost no neighbors. Host was very sweet.

M

Mark

May 2025

12 ft travel trailer

3 nights at Red Desert RV Park

Friendly and accommodating staff but way to close to the hwy. I would stay here again but I would select a site as far off the road as possible.

Dave

May 2025

1 night at The Views at Gateway

Beautiful private camp space with super friendly and helpful host. Stayed one night on our way through to Utah and wish we could've spent another. Cabin was cozy with camp cooking amenities. There was even a telescope for stargazing. We got a great view of the full moon. Great place to stay for couples or small groups.

C

Caden

May 2025

Tent

2 nights at Red Desert RV Park

It was a great and awesome experience, super nice area with beautiful views and great staff and super nice and clean facilities.

E

Emily

May 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Views at Gateway

Amazing views, lots of space to explore! We loved hiking around the property and Jody showed us to a great spot by the river where the road was far away. Beautiful location, we would definitely come back. (FYI We had our own water and toilet set up, and didn’t expect these amenities on site)

Alison Penelope

May 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Views at Gateway

I loved staying at this little spot - it was close to the river which my dogs absolutely loved! The views were gorgeous and sitting by the campfire watching the cliffs change color was therapy! We stayed inside the little hut on the property but I think next time I will pitch a tent to enjoy the breeze as the hut got warm at night! The property was very easy to find and get to. Would love to go back one day to get sometime off the grid.