Sand Island Recreation Area

$15.00/night

BLM Monticello Field Office, 365 N Main St
Monticello, UT 84535

Notice

1/2

IMPORTANT VISITOR ADVISORY – LOCAL FLOODING AND EMERGENCY CONDITIONS

Due to recent flooding and significant storm damage throughout the county, please consider avoiding travel within the Monticello Field Office area, particularly on dirt roads.

Flooding has damaged roads, bridges and impacted local communities. Emergency response may be limited in some areas and take longer to arrive, with resources already stretched thin responding to these events. Please avoid unnecessary travel.

If you decide to travel to the region, please take extra precautions and check local conditions before departing. Local highways may be closed, and dirt roads may be impassable due to erosion.

For questions, please call the Monticello Field Office at 435-587-1500. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Nov 2, 2026 – Dec 1, 2026

Overview

Sand Island Recreation Area is a good camping option for visitors launching San Juan River float trips, or wishing to camp close to the town of Bluff or the Cedar Mesa area of Bears Ears National Monument. The campground provides 21 campsites that each feature a tent/trailer space, a picnic table, a fire ring, and vault toilets. Drinking water is available seasonally (typically March through October). Each campsite can hold 8 people and 2 vehicles. Reservations are not available for camping at this location. Individual campsites are available on a first come, first served basis upon arrival at the self-register kiosk at the site. The Sand Island Group Sites are available for larger groups, and may be reserved here.

Recreation

Sand Island is the primary launch point for multi-day San Juan River float trips. San Juan River trips provide boaters with access to spectacular canyons rich in scenery, geology, archeology, history and wildlife. A river permit is required in advance. The Sand Island Petroglyph Panel site is located on the sandstone walls on the north side of the recreation area. There are many nearby hiking and scenic driving opportuites in the Cedar Mesa area of Bears Ears National Monument.

Natural Features

Sand Island is located along the San Juan River. Cottonwood trees line the banks of the river and are scattered throughout the campground, providing shade at many of the sites. The north side of the campground is lined with red sandstone walls.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (435) 587-1500.

Nearby Attractions

Bears Ears National Monument
San Juan River
Cedar Mesa
Valley of the Gods
Goosenecks State Park

Charges & Cancellations

No refunds are available.

Camp site features

Across 23 camp sites:

Pets allowed: all 23 sites
Largest party: 8 people

Fees

The campground at Sand Island Recreation Area is first come, first served and payment must be made upon arrival at the self-register kiosk at the campground using cash, check, or the Scan & Pay feature on the Recreation.gov mobile app. You must have the Recreation.gov app installed on your mobile device to use the Scan & Pay payment method. There is no fee for day use.

Directions

The recreation area is located off U.S. Route 191 approximately three miles west of Bluff, UT and approximately one mile east of the junction of U.S. Routes 163 and 191. It is accessible by all passenger vehicles.

Stay Limit

Check in from 12 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

20 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

Laura T

Site:

Reviewed 15 days ago

Very nice small campground. Site 7 was huge and secluded. Clean and well maintained.

Rob E

Site:

Reviewed 19 days ago

The best for the Bluff area camp.

Russ S

Site:

Reviewed 19 days ago

Ideally located near a number of interesting petroglyphs. Campsites were clean, had a decent fire grate and excellent bathrooms close by. It was very convenient to use the QR code at the kiosk to pay online.

Kevin F

Site:

Reviewed 25 days ago

Quiet. Clean. Easy access level Sites.

Peggy H S

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Loved the quiet and the dark sky. Great location.

Rebecca M

Site:

Reviewed 7 months ago

Loved it there. Campsites clean. The train is very clean. They will train door at the entry to the campground will not lock. So great to see the petroglyphs and they walk down a along the river is great

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve