Have you ever been camping in Southwest USA? It’s a great experience! In this article, I’ll share 7 of my favorite campgrounds.
Last update: May 2020.
Mather Campground, Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
Mather Campground is huge (I believe it has over 400 sites), but when you pitch your tent, it feels like a cozy campground. The sites in the forest are big and it’s only a 20-minute walk to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Or you can just take the shuttle bus, it has a stop right in front of the entrance of the campground.
Open All year-round. Making a reservation is highly recommended between March and November.
Reservations You can make a reservation 6 months in advance on this website.
Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
Fee $18.
Wahweap Campground (Page, Arizona)
Wahweap Campground is located right next to Lake Powell in Page. Perfect if you like to go for a swim or explore the lake by boat. In the area, you can also visit the beautiful Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon.
You’re camping in the desert, so it can get really hot during summer months. However, it’s fantastic camping in Southwest USA, with scenic views from every campsite. If you’re lucky, you might be able to see the milky way at night. The campground offers free wifi for guests.
Open All year-round.
Reservations You can make a reservation on this website.
Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
Fee $26.
Fruita Campground, Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)
From all the places I went camping in Southwest USA, the Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef National Park is probably my favorite. The campground is situated in a green valley, surrounded by red mountains. You will also find many orchards in the valley, and you can pick fruit for free (as much as you can eat). In the morning and the afternoon you’ll see deer passing your tent. An amazing view!
Open All year-round.
Reservations Reservations are available when you’re staying between March 1st and October 31st, you can make a reservation on this website. The rest of the year it’s first come, first serve campground.
Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
Fee $20.
Sunset Campground, Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)
Sunset Campground is the place to be if you’d like to stay close to the famous amphitheater of Bryce Canyon. This campground is pretty similar to Mather Campground, but it’s even more close to the canyon, just a 10-minute walk. It’s the perfect place to start this beautiful hike in Bryce Canyon.
The elevation of Bryce Canyon is 2.278 meters (11.000 feet), so it can get really chilly at night.
Open April 15 to October 31st.
Reservations First come, first serve. Check out the official website for more information.
Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
Fee $20 for tents and $30 for RVs.
North Pines, Yosemite National Park (California)
The best place to stay for exploring Yosemite National Park is Yosemite Valley. In Yosemite Valley there are three huge campgrounds: Upper Pines, Lower Pines en North Pines. North Pines is a little smaller than the others and is located on the other side of the Merced River, which makes it feel a little quieter.
Left and right, you will see the large granite walls, so impressive! There are bears in Yosemite, and that’s why every site has its bear box. In this bear box, you have to store everything with a scent, not only your food but also your toiletries. Right next to the campgrounds is a shuttle bus stop, so you can leave your car at the campground because the shuttle bus can take you anywhere in the park.
Open April 1st to November 15th.
Reservations Strongly recommended. You can make a reservation four to five months in advance and they are sold out in minutes. Check out your dates at the offical website. More information about Yosemite and campgrounds reservations can be found in this article: Tips for visiting Yosemite National Park.
Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
Fee $26.
Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park (California)
At the Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park, it feels like you’re in a different world. The campsites are large and you don’t camp right next to your neighbors (especially not at the tent sites). The campground is covered with huge rocks (guess why they named it Jumbo Rocks) and from the campground it’s only a short walk to the famous rock formation Skull Rock. This is one of the best campgrounds if you like stargazing.
Open All year-round (it can get really hot during summer months).
Reservations Is a must if you want to stay here between September and June. You can make a reservation on this website.
Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
Fee $15.
Extra info There’s no running water at the Jumbo Rocks Campground, so bring your own water. There are pit toilets.
Kirk Creek Campground, Big Sur (California)
A hidden gem in this list with the most beautiful campgrounds in Southwest USA is the Kirk Creek Campground (Big Sur, right next to Highway 1). It has only 32 sites and it’s situated on a cliff. You can hike down to a secluded beach, it’s a beautiful spot. Unfortunately, it was very foggy when I stayed at this campground, so I wasn’t able to see it in all its glory. But if it’s a clear day, you’ll have a great view of the ocean.
Open All year round.
Reservations You can make a reservation 6 months in advance on this website.
Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
Fee $35.
Extra info There’s no running water at the Kirk Creek Campground, so bring your own water. There are pit toilets.
Map: camping in Southwest USA
You can find all the campgrounds I mention in this article on this map:
If you enjoy camping in Southwest USA, you should check out some of these beautiful campgrounds. What’s your favorite campground in Southwest USA?
Would you like to read more Southwest USA?
Check out these articles:
– Everything you need to know about camping in the USA
– The perfect road trip in Southwest USA
– How much does it cost to travel in Southwest USA?
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