Primitive Campgrounds

The Cathedral Valley Campground is at about 7,000 feet (2,133 m) in elevation.

NPS/ Erik McDonald

Cathedral Valley Campground

The Cathedral Valley Campground is located approximately halfway on the Cathedral Valley Loop Road which traverses Capitol Reef's Cathedral District. The campground is at approximately 7,000 feet (2,133 m) in elevation, in the Pinyon/Juniper-clad foothills of Thousand Lake Mountain.

To access this campground, high clearance four-wheel drive is usually necessary. The campground is open year-round, but could be inaccessible due to weather. Visitors should check road conditions with the Capitol Reef Visitor Center (or call the information line) prior to planning an overnight stay. Check current road conditions by calling 435-425-3791. Press #1 for information, and then #4 for road conditions.

About 36 miles (57.9 km) from the visitor center, this primitive, no-fee campground has six (6) sites, each with a picnic table and fire grate. There is a pit toilet, but no water available. No reservations; first-come, first-served. Sites are limited to 8 visitors and no more than 2 vehicles per site.

 

Artist-in-Residence Suze Woolf was inspired by the Red Canyon Trail, which leaves from the Cedar Mesa Campground.

Suze Woolf

Cedar Mesa Campground

The Cedar Mesa Campground is located approximately 23 miles (37.0 km) south of Utah State Highway 24 on the Notom-Bullfrog Road and is at 5,500 feet (1,676 m) in elevation. Usually two-wheel drive vehicles can access Cedar Mesa Campground, but sometimes the road requires high clearance. Check current road conditions by calling 435-425-3791. Press #1 for information, and then #4 for road conditions.

This primitive, no-fee campground has five (5) sites, each with a picnic table and fire grate. There is also a pit toilet, but no water is available. The campground is open year-round, but visitors should check with the Capitol Reef Visitor Center for road conditions prior to planning an overnight stay. The 4.5-mile (7.2 km) round-trip Red Canyon trail leads from the campground through Pinyon and Juniper trees into a large box canyon. No reservations; first-come, first-served. Sites are limited to 8 visitors and no more than 2 vehicles per site.