Camping in Capitol Reef National Park
Inside the Park
The pleasant Fruita Campground, located along the Scenic Drive, 1 mile south of the visitor center, has shade trees and modern restrooms, and is within walking distance of the Fruita Schoolhouse and other historic attractions. It also has an RV dump station that is open in summer only.
Capitol Reef also has two primitive campgrounds. To reach Cedar Mesa Campground, in the southern part of the park, go east on Utah 24 about 9 miles to Notom-Bullfrog Road, which you take about 23 miles south (the first 10 miles are paved) to the campground. The road may be impassable in wet weather. Cathedral Valley Campground is in the northern part of the park, about 35 miles from the visitor center (get directions at the center). Note: Access roads to Cathedral Valley Campground require a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle and may be inaccessible in bad weather.
Backcountry camping is permitted in much of the park with a free permit, available at the visitor center.
Near the Park
Several commercial campgrounds are in the community of Torrey, about 5 miles west of the park entrance, and an attractive U.S. Forest Service campground is not too far away.
The closest full-service RV park and campground to the national park is Wonderland RV Park, at the junction of Utah 12 and 24 (P.O. Box 67), Torrey, UT 84775 (www.capitolreefrvpark.com; tel. 877/854-0184 or 435/425-3665). The grounds and bathhouses are immaculate, and there are shade trees, grass, big rig sites, and croquet, horseshoes, volleyball, and basketball. Wi-Fi, cable TV, and use of gas barbecue grills are included in the rates. Also on the grounds and sharing the bathhouse are two basic camping cabins ($28 double) and two of what are called mountain cabins, with two queen beds, color TVs, microwave and fridge ($48 double). There's also a cute sheep wagon ($48 double).
At Sandcreek RV Park, 540 Utah 24 (P.O. Box 750276), Torrey, UT 84775 (www.sandcreekrv.com; tel. 435/425-3577), you'll find RV sites with full hookups, plus grassy tent sites, trees, and great views in all directions. There are horseshoe pits, a gift shop with handmade stone and antler jewelry, and two attractive cabins that share the campground bathhouse ($30 double). There is also horse boarding ($5 per horse per night).
About 1 mile west of Torrey on Utah 24 is Thousand Lakes RV Park, P.O. Box 750070, Torrey, UT 84775 (www.thousandlakesrvpark.com; tel. 800/355-8995 for reservations, or 435/425-3500). In addition to the usual amenities, this campground offers good views of surrounding rock formations, some shade trees, and Wi-Fi. RV sites are gravel; tent sites are grass. The campground also has a convenience store, a coin-op laundry, horseshoes, an outdoor heated pool, and barbecues. The campground has several cabins, some of which involve a walk to the bathhouse, and some deluxe cabins with private bathrooms, one of which sleeps six and has a kitchen and bathroom. Cabin rates range from $35 to $95 double. In addition, from May through early October, Western dinners are offered Monday through Friday and some Saturdays ($15-$23 adults, $8-$10 children 12 and younger), and 4*4 rentals are available at $95 to $125 per day.
Those looking for a forest camping experience on the west side of the national park will like Single Tree Campground, on Utah 12 about 16 miles south of Torrey (Fremont River Ranger District of the Fishlake National Forest; office at 138 S. Main St. [P.O. Box 129], Loa, UT 84747; tel. 435/836-2800; www.fs.fed.us/r4; reservations 877/444-6777; www.recreation.gov; credit cards accepted for reservations but not on-site). Note that although the campground is managed by the Fishlake National Forest, it is technically in the Dixie National Forest. Located in a forest of tall pines, this campground has paved sites (some are especially big and will accommodate large RVs), and many offer distant panoramic views of the national park. The campground also has five multifamily sites ($20 per night), and there is a horseshoe pit and volleyball court.