Camping in Capitol Reef National Park: How to Get a Site

Camping in Capitol Reef National Park is phenomenal! Your nights will be spent under the towering Waterpocket Fold and a bright blanket of stars — it’s one of the most magical experiences you can have in this park!

Whether you’re looking for a campground with amenities like flush toilets or are hoping to get away from it all, Capitol Reef has a campground for you.

What You Need to Know About Camping in Capitol Reef

• Each standard campsite only accommodates eight people and two small tents.   If you have a larger group of family or friends, you will need to book two campsites or the group campsite.

• There is a 14-day stay limit during the summer months that can be reserved in 5-day blocks. Senior/Access Pass holders can get 50% off the camping fee (this does NOT include the Annual America the Beautiful Pass)

• Suspending items from trees is permitted during daylight hours only (unless you are sleeping in a hammock). If you set up a clothesline, slackline, or hammock, it must be done in a way that doesn’t damage the trees.

• A maximum of 2 vehicles is allowed at each campsite (RVs, 5th Wheels, and trailers count as vehicles).

• The campground restrooms do not have shower facilities, but they do have flush toilets.  Showers and laundry facilities are available in Torrey.

• RV camping is welcome at Capitol Reef, but be aware that there are no RV sites equipped with water, sewer, or electrical hookups. If you’re looking for full hookups, there are several RV parks in the surrounding area that offer close proximity to the park entrance. Some accessible sites have power available only for medical devices. An RV dump station and potable water fill station are available at the Fruita Campground.

• Capitol Reef is in Utah’s high desert, so be prepared for any weather due to the elevation and dramatic temperature swings. All campgrounds are open year-round, weather permitting.

This article contains information on the frontcountry camping experiences that are available within Capitol Reef National Park. In other words, it covers places you can get to with your car! If you’re interested in hike-in backcountry camping options, click here.

Getting to the Campgrounds in Capitol Reef

Check the Capitol Reef National Park Map before you go!  The Fruita Campground and Group Site is in the main historic district of the park near most points of interest, like the Scenic Drive, Gifford House, and Hickman Bridge.

The Primitive Campgrounds are located along remote dirt roads north and south of Highway 24.

How to Get a Campsite in Capitol Reef

All campsites in the Fruita Campground are reservation-only. You will need to make an advanced reservation at Recreation.gov 6 months in advance for the regular sites and 12 months in advance for the group site. This campground is always completely booked during the busy season, so be sure to get your reservations early!

Primitive sites are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and must be claimed in person when you get to the campground. I recommend stopping in at the Visitor Center the day before setting off for a primitive campground to check the road conditions and campground conditions. These campsites often fill during the peak season.

To choose your ideal campground, take a look at the in-park options below:

Fruita Campground

The Fruita Campground is extremely popular—and for a good reason! It’s surrounded by enchanting historic orchards right in the heart of the park, close to hiking trails like Cohab Canyon and the Fremont River Trail. It’s easy to get to all of the can’t-miss Capitol Reef activities from here. This is the only developed campground in the park — it has spacious sites, each with a picnic table and fire pit.

The Fruita Campground has three loops, and all three provide a mix of RV, standard tent, and walk-in tent sites. I suggest taking a look at the campground map before you decide which site you are hoping to reserve.

You’ll find a large group site that can accommodate up to 40 people near the main Fruita Campground if you need more space.

Open Season: Year-round.
Max RV Length: 52 feet
Generators: From March – November, generators are only permitted in the C Loop. Generator hours are 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. From December – February, generators can be run in all loops from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Reservations Required: Yes. Click here to check availability.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station:  Yes, there is an RV dump and potable water filling station near the entrance of Loops A and B. It is free for campers, and $5 for everyone else.
Fee: $25 per night.
Number of Sites: 71
Pets Allowed: Yes, but please review Capitol Reef’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms: Flush toilets and running water with no showers.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Sites 14, 24, 26, and 63. Sites 14, 24, and 63 have electric hookups only for medical devices.

Cathedral Valley Campground

The Cathedral Valley Campground is a small primitive campground tucked into the far reaches of Cathedral Valley. It is only accessed via a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle.

For those who are willing to make the trek out here, you’re rewarded with the most phenomenal night skies you’ve ever seen and solitude for miles!

Open Season: Year-round, weather permitting.
Max RV Length: RVs are strongly discouraged in this campground. The access road is rough and not suitable for larger vehicles. You will need high clearance and 4WD to get here.
Generators: Inquire at the Visitor Center.
Hookups: No.
Dump Station: No.
Reservations Required: No, first-come, first-served only.
Fee: Free
Number of Sites: 6
Pets Allowed: No. Pets are not allowed anywhere along the Cathedral Valley Road, even if they stay in a vehicle.
Restrooms: Pit toilets (bring your own toilet paper!) and no running water.
Wheelchair Accessibility: No.

Cedar Mesa Campground

The Cedar Mesa Campground is a small primitive campground along the Notom-Bullfrog Road. If you access this campground from Highway 24, you’ll need to drive 23 miles on a dirt road. This road doesn’t usually require high clearance, but conditions can change at any time. If you access this campground via the Burr Trail, you will need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle.

For those who are willing to make the trek out here, you’re rewarded with the most phenomenal night skies and proximity to some of the park’s best backcountry trails.

Open Season: Year-round, weather permitting.
Max RV Length: RVs are strongly discouraged in this campground. The access road is rough and not generally suitable for larger vehicles.
Generators: Inquire at the Visitor Center.
Hookups: No.
Dump Station: No.
Reservations Required: No, first-come, first-served only.
Fee: Free
Number of Sites: 5
Pets Allowed: Yes, but please review Capitol Reef’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms: Pit toilets (bring your own toilet paper!) and no running water.
Wheelchair Accessibility: No.

Insider Tip: If you’re not able to get a campsite in Capitol Reef National Park, check out nearby camping alternatives.

Now that you know where to camp, let’s talk about the best things to do while you’re there! Click NEXT to see this exciting list of 12 things you can’t miss on your first visit to Capitol Reef National Park.

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