Smokey Lew
So. California
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We are leaving the Southern Cal. area on June 2nd via I-15 and plan on getting to Panguitch at the start of Highway 12 on the second day. Our plan is to find a base camp for our TT in the Red Canyon area and explore the surrounding parks and monuments.
This is our first trip to Utah and I haven't made any reservations for campsites. I understand a lot of the camping sites are first-come first-served and I was hoping that at this time of the year we would be early enough in the season (first two weeks of June) that we wouldn't have to difficult a time finding a site. Dry camping or even some boondocking is fine with us. Is my thinking totally out to lunch on this? 
Smokey Lew
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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There is a very nice NFS campground located near the south end of Route 12 in the Red Canyon area. Makes a nice base camp when touring the area.
Good luck / Skip
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trailertraveler
On the Road
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Joined: 05/24/2008
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There is a campground in Cedarbreaks National Monument and two in Bryce Canyon National Park. I believe they are still first come first serve. Kodachrome Basin and Escalante Petrified Forest State Parks have campgrounds. There are numerous campgrounds in the Fishlake and Dixie National Forests as well as dispersed camping opportunities. You can download the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) from their websites to see which roads are open for dispersed camping and how far off the road your are permitted to travel/park. There are lots of opportunities to disperse camp on BLM's Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument. There is a multi-agency Visitor Center on UT-12 where you can get more information and printed copies of maps.
The days may get pretty warm in some of the lower elevations so you may want to consider that in picking your stop overs.
Safe travels!
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johnna
Southwest, Utah
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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King Creek Campground is one of our favorite campgrounds while in the Bryce Canyon area.
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keepingthelightson
Santa Clarita, Ca
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Here is an excellent link that another member on this forum traveled.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25301227.cfm
Enjoy!
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jolooote
Miami, FL
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My favorite, water only CG is Red Canyon. Absolutely beautiful, like camping at the bottom of Bryce canyon. King Creek is very nice too, but about 10 milkes down a good gravel road with a # of side roads and is easy to get confused or lost down thru there. If U want Full hookup & Full services, U can't beat Ruby's Inn which is just outside the Bryce park entry. Escalante also has electric in it small park, but hilly sites are hard to level ur rig. My second favorite cg in the area is Calf Creek st.pk. The entry sign 'suggests' Rv 25' or less. There are several large sites. 1st come 1st serve. We have stayed there twice in our 34' Class'A'. Farther north up Rt.12 U'll climb the east flank of Boulder mtn. At the top, about 8000' is a very nice Nat'l forest CG called Single tree. After that U decend down to connect Rt24 at Torrey. Two nice full hookup private cg's there. I sure hope u go 10 miles farther east on 24 into Capital Reef Nat'l pk. Stay at the parks very nice CG called Fruita. this is the site of an old Mormon settlement. Old buildings, deer everywhere and of coarse the famous Water Pocket Fold. Make sure to take the Capital Gorge scenic drive & walk to the wall of old petraglyphs & early settler names & dates.
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nina_70
On wheels, USA
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I third Red Canyon NF campground. We stayed there our first year out and absolutely loved it. It's like camping inside Bryce, but without the crowds. Good hiking directly from the campground into the nearby hoodoos and you'll have the hike mostly to yourself. Easy access to Bryce.
If you're travelling Hwy 12 and need to stay at higher elevations (for cooler temps) there is a lovely forest service campground near Torrey with sweeping views of Capitol Reef called Singletree. It's another of our fav campgrounds and we spent several weeks there in June 2010. Temps were PERFECT at the campground compared to Capitol Reef which was very hot.
I've got pics of Red Canyon campground HERE
And pics of Singletree HERE
Both campgrounds had first-come-first-serve sites and we were able to get in without reservations.
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vermilye
Oswego, NY, USA
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A couple of area state parks worth visiting are Kodachrome Basin & Goblin Valley. Both have dry camping with restrooms, showers, & dump stations. - Kodachrome has 4 full hookup sites. Both have interesting scenery!
I spent some time in the area in late May & early June without reservations & didn't have problems other than not finding a space at Fruita Campground at Capital Reefs...
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Smokey Lew
So. California
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Hey thanks everyone. This just confirms what a great group you are and what a supper resource this blog is. I feel confident that we'll find some great spots using your suggestions. Wish you all could come along!
Lew
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coloradotallman
mexico
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Joined: 01/17/2009
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I think Panguitch in Ute means "Big Fish", if my mind doesn't desert me. Learned that from some old lady at the Panguitch info center. The Sevier Valley is gorgeous and I would avoid the I-15 and take UT 89 as much as possible. A great state park? campground in Hurricane overlooking the reservoir if you turn in on the 9 north of St. George. Mesquite casinos for a quick boondock and an excellent info center at the north exit to Mesquite, or take the south entrance through Mesquite to get your last good deal on fuel and hit the info center on way out.
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