CM Campgrounds MapFederal campground finder

Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

Saint George, Utah · Bureau of Land Management

Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area — official Recreation.gov photo

Photo: Recreation.gov

About

The Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is located along Interstate 15 approximately 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah and approximately 20 miles northeast of Mesquite, Nevada. It's accessed from the Cedar Pocket Exit (mile post 18). The overnight-use fee is $8 per site per night and the day-use fee is $2 per vehicle. Overnight use is limited to 14-night stays. The recreation area currently has 25 of the best sites only available through recreation.gov reservations. The remaining 83 sites are first come, first serve (FF) payable onsite by using the Scan and Pay feature on the recreation.gov app. Please come prepared by either making a reservation here before arrival OR having the recreation.gov app installed with login setup to pay onsite with the scan and pay option. This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (435) 688-3200.Campsite Amenities (108 overnight sites) - 14-night stay limit Paved access road Pull-through parking Drinking water Flush toilets (ADA compliant at middle restroom) Picnic table Grill and/or fire pit Vehicle or RV parking 8 sites that are ADA compliant 12 sites with shade shelters ** The campground has no electrical or waste dump hook ups. ** Day-Use Amenities - daylight hours only Paved access road Pull-through parking Drinking water Flush toilets Shade shelters ADA compliant sites Access to Sullivan Canyon Trail in the Paiute Wilderness Access to interpretative trail Trail access to the Virgin River The Virgin River Gorge, where the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area resides, was cut by the Virgin River. Though the Virgin River is relatively small, it is incredibly steep, dropping an average of 70 feet per mile - 10 times steeper than the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. This steepness, caused by the uplift of the Colorado Plateau, has given the Virgin River the ability to cut through sandstone and limestone canyons. The gorge provides a stunning and colorful mountain desert setting. The gorge mimics, on a smaller scale, the colorful layers and striking depths of the Grand Canyon. In fact, many of the very same geologic formations are present in both areas. The gorge connects the southwestern rim of the Colorado Plateau and the northeastern part of the Mojave Desert. The climate of the gorge is typical of the Mojave Desert with hot summers and mild winters. This desert climate allows for some of the most northern Joshua Tree populations. The canyon is usually about 5

Directions

Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is located along Interstate 15 approximately 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah and approximately 20 miles northeast of Mesquite, Nevada. The recreation area is at the Cedar Pocket Exit (Mile Post 18).

Location

Map tiles © OpenStreetMap.

Details

State
Utah
City / area
Saint George
Agency
Bureau of Land Management
Parent area
Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area (P)
Campsites
109
Reservable
Yes
Typical price
$8 / night
Rating
4.26 / 5 (327 reviews on Recreation.gov)
Equipment
See Recreation.gov

Reserve on Recreation.gov

Nearby campgrounds