Camping within the red rock landscape of Utah’s Capitol Reef Country provides campers the prefect haven to experience its breathtaking natural beauty and endless adventure. The region offers multiple camping options that range from basic backcountry sites to developed facilities.
Backpackers who want to hike serious trails can explore Capitol Reef National Park while those who prefer isolated areas can also find suitable paths. Visitors can use marked hiking trails to access both narrow slot canyons and gorges and elevated viewpoints located on the Waterpocket Fold. The backcountry requires a permit from visitors who plan to camp beyond designated campsites.
Fruita Campground
Nestled in the heart of Utah’s red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park offers a camping experience that blends rugged adventure with breathtaking natural beauty. Combining geological wonders with historical charm, camping inside the park’s boundaries creates an unforgettable outdoor experience for campers who choose to sleep under starry its skies at the doorstep to world-class adventure and exploration.
Fruita Campground provides the park’s only fully developed campground which features fire pits and picnic tables and access to a river stream. Visitors can find the campground within historic orchards along with multiple walking trails. Situated at 5,500 feet in the historic Fruita district of Capitol Reef National Park near the Fremont River. The campground provides 71 developed sites with picnic tables and fire pits and access to flush toilets and drinking water but lacks hookups. The campground requires reservations during March to October when the nightly fee amounts to $25. The park’s International Dark Sky designation allows campers to enjoy nearby trails and scenic drives while stargazing under the night sky.
Other Park Campground Options
Cathedral Valley Campground – The Cathedral Valley Campground provides primitive camping at 7,000 feet elevation in the remote northwest section of Capitol Reef National Park where visitors can stay among pinyon and juniper forests. The no-fee campground operates on a first-come first-served basis with six sites that include fire pits and picnic tables and a pit toilet but lacks water and trash facilities.
Cedar Mesa Campground – The primitive Cedar Mesa Campground is situated at 5,500 feet elevation along Notom-Bullfrog Road within Capitol Reef National Park. The campground operates on a first-come first-served basis without fees and provides five sites with picnic tables and fire pits and a pit toilet but no water or trash services. The campground provides an excellent starting point for visitors who want to explore the hiking trails and rugged backcountry of the park while being surrounded by dramatic red rock formations and vast desert scenery.
Near Capitol Reef National Park
The Pleasant Creek Campground provides a wooded area with ponderosa pine trees and a stream passing through it. The campground provides easy access to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Located in the southern part of Capitol Reef National Park at 6,200 feet elevation along Pleasant Creek. The primitive campground has no fees and only a few first-come, first-served sites with picnic tables and fire pits and a pit toilet but no water or trash services. The campground is surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs and lush riparian vegetation and is perfect for those who want solitude and access to nearby hiking trails such as the Pleasant Creek Trail.
Other Options near Capitol Reef National Park:
- Sandcreek RV Park & Campground
- Location: Torrey, ~5 miles from park entrance.
- Details: 15 RV pull-through sites with full hookups (30/50 amp), tent sites, cabins. Picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms, showers, Wi-Fi. Rates $25–$45/night. Family-friendly, near trails.
- Wonderland RV Park
- Location: Torrey, ~5 miles from park.
- Details: Offers RV sites with full hookups, tent sites, and cabins. Amenities include restrooms, showers, laundry, and Wi-Fi. Close to park entrance, ideal for exploring Capitol Reef.
- Thousand Lakes RV Park
- Location: Torrey, ~8 miles from park.
- Details: RV sites with full hookups, tent sites, cabins, and glamping options. Features restrooms, showers, laundry, pool, and store. Scenic views, family-oriented, rates vary.
- Sunglow Campground
- Location: Near Bicknell, ~15 miles from park.
- Details: Small, forested campground managed by the US Forest Service. 7 sites, $10/night, first-come, first-served. Picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, drinking water. Quiet, near Fishlake National Forest.
- Capitol Reef Inn & RV Park
- Location: Torrey, ~5 miles from park.
- Details: RV sites with full hookups, tent sites available. On-site café, restrooms, showers. Budget-friendly, convenient for park access and local dining.
- Always check road conditions, weather, and campground availability, especially for primitive sites. Reservations for Fruita can be made via recreation.gov; others are first-come, first-served.
- For more options, nearby towns like Torrey, Bicknell, and Teasdale offer private campgrounds and dispersed camping on BLM or Forest Service lands. CLICK HERE
Keep Capitol Reef Country Forever Mighty
What is Forever Mighty? It’s practicing responsible travel while visiting Utah and Capitol Reef Country by following the principles of Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace.
Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, be considerate of others, support local business and honor community, history and heritage. Help us keep Utah and Capitol Reef Country’s outdoor recreation areas beautiful, healthy, and accessible.
Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, be considerate of others, support local business and honor community, history and heritage. Help us keep Utah and Capitol Reef Country’s outdoor recreation areas beautiful, healthy, and accessible.