Red Canyon Campground

We enjoyed Red Canyon Campground. The Red Canyon visitor center is a short walk from the campground. From campsite 35, the view of the hoodoos are stunning. Red Canyon Campground is located approximately 4 miles east on SR 12 from US 89. Since the campground is right off SR 12 it comes with some road noise. $18 per night, 37 campsite, drinking water, flush & vault toilets, showers, dump station, garbage disposal. First come, first serve.

We tucked in here for 2 nights and fully enjoyed the surrounding scenery and some epic hiking loops leaving right from the campground. The near by visitor center has a few short hikes and tons of information on additional hikes, biking and off roading trails.

The sites are small and fill up early in the day. We arrived about 1pm and had only about 3 sites to choose from on a Sunday afternoon.

Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Camp hosts (there are 2) sell firewood bundles. Many are near the road - but those have the best views. We heard some traffic noise, but it wasn't too bad.

Flush toilets and quarter showers are on site and looked clean. We didn't use the showers.

The dump station and water fill is located in the park, easy to negotiate and very clean. You can also use these for $5 if you are not camping in the park.

Internet was available at 1-2 bars for Verizon and nothing for T-Mobile. We were able to boost, but traffic/speed was an issue. We noticed the slowdown during the day and faster at night. Not an ideal situation/speed to get work done.

I just stayed here a few nights and was fortunate enough to get a site. While they don't offer reservations the campground fills early so don't arrive after 2 pm. I got there at 3 pm and there were only two sites left and it was late in the season (late September)

Campsites are nice size, most have privacy. Many tall trees here to offer some shade. The sites don't have hook ups, but they do have a waste dump which is a plus in my book. The internal roads are paved, along with many of the sites. The pavement is a little rough in a few places. Bryce NP is about thirty minutes away.

We drove here in the rain well aware that there may have been sites in the NP campgrounds but as the other reviewer noted here we can walk our dog around.

General Info and Access: Red Canyon CG is part of the Dixie National Forest and is on the right (heading east) on Rte 12 1/4 mi. after the Red Canyon Visitor Center (Powell District). The road is well graded with only a few places that you have to be careful. There are 2 registration/pay stations. Loop A (sites 1-18) is to the right at the beginning of the loop, Loop B (19-37) is to the left. Pick up an envelope, pick out a site and return to it . If you are coming in from Rte 89 heading toward Bryce there are two 13'6' tunnels east of/after Red Canyon CG turnoff.

DUMP:Just after the registration station for Loop B is the dump and potable water. Although there are faucets located throughout the campground they request that tanks be filled at the dump station to prevent bacterial return in the faucets.

SITES: The sites are mostly level, there is a nice selection of sizes- and a few that can clearly take big rigs. Ours looked out at Rte 12 and the red rocks of the canyon and was very quiet, although you would have road noise (at most sites near the road in either loop if your window were open. Not bad at night though it starts early in the morning. However,because of the 13'6" tunnels 1 mile on there are no semis going past. The surface seems to be either asphalt or gravel with gravel around them. Nice picnic table on a paved area and fire ring and grill.

SHOWERS: located in Loop A only are supposed to be $2.50 for 8 min but they started each time after I deposited $2. The water is VERY hot and you can go almost to cold and have a very warm shower with good pressure. Nice little changing room attached. The restrooms are on the other side of the building as well as in another location in the loop and there are restrooms in Loop B.

CLEANLINESS: This is one of the cleanest and nicest public campgrounds we've been to. That may have to do with the new camp hosts but the CG has obviously been well maintained through the years.

QUIET: Quiet hours are from 10p-6a and because of the rain and depleted batteries we did have to run ours a bit but only when I went outside did I hear others-the sites, with a few exceptions are very private.

LAUNDRY: There is no laundry on site but the laundromat at Ruby's RV Park on Rte 63-off Rte 12, going into Bruce Canyon-has about 20 machines ($2.25 double load) and 10 dryers ($1.50 for 40 min)

There are a number of stores and restaurants along Rte 12 and if you need LP or RV service or RV washing the Sinclair's Station on Rte 89 has it-and gas.

CELL: Cell reception in our site was non-existent for both ATT and Verizon but a few miles up the road the signal comes in strong and all along 12 and 63 I had 3-5 bars of ATT. There is a rest station-with rest rooms, on the bike trail that runs along Rte 12 about 5 mi. east that has 4 bars of ATT.

TRASH: There is a central trash dump but only aluminum cans are accepted for recycling. However, both the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center and the Lodge at Sunrise Point have recycling for glass and everything but paper.

PETS: Very pet friendly as long as they are on a leash and you pick up their "droppings"

HIKING: There are a few Red Canyon trails and one leaves from the CG

If you stay here be sure to visit the Red Canyon Visitor Center and take some of the hikes. There is also a bike trail that passes the CG and goes all the way to Bryce Canyon.

Our rate was with the Senior Pass. The regular rate is $18 with some multi family sites at $36/night.

We stayed here a few years ago. We choose this campground because it's beautiful, and not in the National park. National Parks do not allow dogs, and we have 2. There is hiking right from the campground, which is also dog friendly, and very scenic. Most people go to Bryce National park, so this place just outside there is not as crowded. The campground is very shaded with large pine trees. Restrooms and water are available.