Camping gets us back in touch with our roots and gives us a chance to get just a slight taste of what it was like for our primitive ancestors who moved about in tents, lived off the land, and made do with whatever nature provided for them. That being said, some make their camping trips a more luxurious experience; to that we say, “to each their own.” Whichever way you choose to do it, if you want to get a genuine, successful camping experience in the great outdoors, there are some guidelines that must be followed, and they usually change depending on your location. We’re here to provide you with a guide for camping in Utah.
What Is It Like to Camp in Utah?
Before you head off on your big adventure in the great outdoors, it’ll definitely be helpful to get an idea of what you’re in for. Camping isn’t for the faint of heart, and, depending on where and how you plan to camp, you could be living quite a different lifestyle than what you’re used to.
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For instance, you’re almost certainly going to be bathing differently, and there may be no hot water outside of what you boil. Cooking may be done solely on a portable grill or over a campfire. Likewise, the only toilet available to you may be an old, decrepit outhouse or even the backside of a tree. Get ready to live on the bare necessities. Of course, if you’ve got a nice camper, that changes everything.
Some prefer to have more amenities and luxuries available, while others like the feeling of “real camping” and living primitively. These different philosophies both have merit. No matter what method of camping you choose, there are some things that will still stay the same when camping in Utah:
Flora
Fauna
Climate
Fishing
Hunting
Hiking
Swimming
Meditating
Popular Places to Camp in Utah
Now that you’ve got a vivid mental picture of what camping in Utah might be like, the next step in the process is to make a selection for where to take your trip. Utah hosts a variety of ecosystems, and as long as you’ve got the ability to travel, you could pick a desert, an oasis, a forest, a lakeshore, or even the mountains for your campsite.
Also, some sites will be more accommodating in regards to facilities and amenities; likewise, there are those that are perfect for RVs. Mainly, however, we’re going to focus on where you can do some good, old-fashioned tent camping. Here are a few places to keep in mind:
Antelope Island State Park
Pick this park for your next campsite and you’ll find yourself on a bucolic island in the Great Salt Lake. This one hosts tons of wildlife, so expect to see some bighorn sheep, waterfowl, and maybe even some bison. There are three different campgrounds on the island itself, and 52 individual campsites total. Amateur astronomers will love this place, too, as the stars hang bright and clear in the night sky.
Arches National Park
This park located out in the desert has some beautiful natural arches, spires, and fins; likewise, some of that desert Utah flora mentioned previously will definitely be seen during your stay, as the park hosts prickly pear, yucca, and juniper pine trees. There are only 51 campsites at this park, so make sure you call ahead of time if you’re thinking of staying; they could fill up in the blink of an eye!
Zion National Park
If privacy is important to you, then this one’s probably not the way to go. Zion National Park has over 176 campsites. However, there are some really majestic rock formations, and the majority of sites come with electric hookups if you want to take advantage of modernity on your trip. There’s also a two-mile trip that takes a path called the Watchman Trail. So if hiking’s your thing, Zion National Park might be just the right place to go camping in Utah.
Gooseneck State Park
Located above a curve in the San Juan River (known as the Gooseneck) that ripples through the desert on its way to Lake Powell, Gooseneck Sate Park is just as scenic and gorgeous as any other park on this list. This one’s pretty exclusive, too; there are only 8 campsites available in the entire park, and they’re entirely first-come, first-serve.
Bryce Canyon National Park
There are two different campgrounds to find at Bryce Canyon National Park: the North Campground and the Sunset Campground. There are specific areas for RV camping in the park and for traditional tent camping. Sunset Campground has 100 campsites to itself, so you’ll likely have to keep your neighbors in mind depending on what time of the year you book your stay.
Bear Lake State Park
Some of Utah’s bluest waters can be found at Bear Lake State Park. If fishing and swimming are your priorities, then this one is a shoo-in. There are multiple campgrounds in the park, with some having as few as 6 campsites and others having as much as 136. The offerings are diverse, too, as some of these sites have full hookups for those wanting to get the best of both technological and primitive worlds.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Named after the color of the sand dunes in this region, this state park hosts rock cliffs, pinion and juniper trees, and even some great places for ATV riding. It’s also located near Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon National Park, making it ideal for those who want to see all these landmarks in one trip. This park only has 22 sites on its campground too, so you won’t have to deal with overcrowding. Camping in Utah is all about getting away from people in the first place, right?
A Helping Guide for Camping in Utah
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So you’ve envisioned your trip, made your reservations, and have told the family the good news about going camping in Utah. What next? Well, before you take off for the great outdoors, you might want to brush up on a few things to make sure you’re totally prepared to have an awesome, safe, and productive adventure with your loved ones. These guidelines should hopefully ensure you have the time of your lives and don’t get yourselves into too much trouble!
Test Yourself
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While a lot of people use RVs and campers, there’s still nothing like classic tent camping. Giving up some of life’s luxuries, putting yourself to the test, and trying to live off the land is an entirely different experience then taking a trip in a rolling motel room. It’s not that tent camping is “real camping” and other kinds aren’t. But you might find yourself in love with going primitive and trying to do everything yourself for once instead of letting technology bear the load. Try fishing for food, cooking your catch over an open fire, and laying your head to rest in a sleeping bag. There’s nothing quite like classical camping: just remember to get a tent that’s appropriate to the time of year you visit.
Come Prepared
Make sure you have everything you need written out beforehand. Think about how you’re going to make fire; do you need a long lighter? Lighter fluid? Also think ahead for stuff you’ll wish you remembered later, such as bug repellant, an extra pillow, or a mosquito net. Of course, how you plan to camp and where you plan to camp will determine your list, so there’s no perfect prescription. Start your list early, that way you have a better chance of those things you left out coming to you before you finally pack in and head out to go camping in Utah.
Safety First
There are plenty of dangers to come across when camping. Be careful when starting a fire.You shouldn’t need to pour gasoline or lighter fluid on top if you do it correctly, but should you choose to anyway, make sure you don’t end up dripping any on you and that you’re clear when you hit the spark. Likewise, if it’s hunting season and you plan on hiking in hunting areas, make sure to bring an orange vest. Take precautions when casting your fishing pole and tying on hooks. Failing to do some of these little things could ruin the entire trip or even result in severe injuries. Use extreme caution when camping in Utah.
Tips for Starting a Fire
When starting a fire, only use dry wood. Start off with small tinder, such as tiny twigs and perhaps some newspaper. When it starts to build, put thicker pieces of wood on until you can add large wood chunks without worrying about killing the fire. One life hack is to put some twigs in an egg carton and then poke the lighter in from one of the holes on the outside. If it’s windy or could be so in the near future, take advantage of any breaks in the weather to start your fire then.
Respect the Environment
Keep the great outdoors great by showing respect for the ecosystem and environment. Always catch and release if you don’t plan to eat; no, you don’t need to mount your catch, and yes, it will start to stink long before you get the chance ever to do so. Don’t litter and keep all trash picked up (Utah does have a black bear population after all). A good policy is to leave your campsite in an even better shape than the one you found it in.
Follow the Rules
This one should be a given, but some people still need to hear it. Make sure you’ve got your license if you’re going to hunt and fish, and only use property that you’re permitted to be on. Don’t kill game out of season and abide by any guidelines given to you by the groundskeeper. You don’t want a run-in with a game warden, and you also don’t want to get banned from the campgrounds. Play by the rules, and your camping trip will prosper.
Conclusion
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Camping in Utah can be the experience of a lifetime. In a state that has such a wide array of scenery and locations to visit, you could find yourself on a lakeshore, on a mountaintop, or in the middle of a desert. Some truly impressive wildlife calls the state its home, and though the temperature tends to land on the hotter side of the spectrum, there are plenty of lakes to cool off in if things get too warm. Just make sure to come prepared, respect the environment, follow the rules, and put yourself to the test, and you’ll be sure to make your Utah camping trip a success.
Featured Image from Pixabay
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