Buckhorn Draw

$15.00–$50.00/night

125 S. 600 West
Price, UT 84501

Overview

Buckhorn Draw has multiple vault toilets and information stations along the main road. Individual campsites have picnic tables and fires rings.

Recreation

Buckhorn Draw Road is the main artery for the northern half of the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area. There are thousands of miles of roads and off-highway vehicle trails; from Buckhorn Draw visitors can readily access Cane Wash Road, which leads to some of the Swell's most technical OHV trails, as well as dispersed camping along Mexican Mountain Road. Much of the area outside of the draw is designated wilderness. Motorized vehicles, bicycles, and power tools are prohibited in these areas.

Hiking: Calf Canyon and Furniture Draw are popular day hikes from Buckhorn Draw. Those seeking longer, challenging backcountry adventures will find opportunities for backpacking, with trailheads located at the Johansen Corral (west from Swinging Bridge along the San Rafael River) and at the east end of Mexican Mountain Road.

Off-roading: Non-county trails are infrequently maintained. Please choose trails appropriate to your vehicle and skill level and bring an emergency kit to self-rescue.

Rock climbing: There are many climbing routes along Buckhorn Draw. Please utilize day use areas and general parking lots when climbing or observing. Do not stop or park in blind turns, and do not park in fee campsite if you are not camping there.

Facilities

Vault toilets are located at:

Campsites 1-7
Campsites 18-21
The Buckhorn Pictograph Panel (halfway between sites 23-24 and 25-27)
Swinging Bridge Campground

Different sites are appropriate for different vehicles:

RVs: all group sites; 1, 3, 8-11, 14, 17, 27, 30-32
Small trailers: all of the above plus 18, 19, 22-25, 28
Sites 20-21 are down a rough, narrow road with deep sand. High clearance and AWD/4WD required.

Natural Features

Buckhorn Draw is the San Rafael River's longest tributary canyon. Along the nine-mile drive from the top of the canyon to its confluence with the river at the Swinging Bridge, visitors will pass below towering sandstone cliffs. The canyon is mixed sagebrush and riparian, and there are many opportunities to see mule deer within the draw and bighorn sheep in the side canyons. Designated wilderness frames either side of Buckhorn Draw: Sids Mountain Wilderness to the west and Mexican Mountain Wilderness to the east. Wilderness protects outstanding habitat and ecosystems and provides many opportunities for non-motorized recreation.

Camp site features

Across 32 camp sites:

Pets allowed: 2 of 32 sites
ADA accessible: 1 of 32 sites
Group sites: 7 of 32 sites
Largest party: 50 people

Fees

The 26 individual sites fit two to three vehicles and are $15/night. There are 7 large group sites that are $50/night and fit eight to ten standard sized vehicles or multiple RVs and trailers. High clearance is advised for sites 20 and 21. Not all individual sites are accessible to oversized vehicles; please contact the BLM for more information. Self-pay stations are located near campsites 18, 30, and 1. This campground is open, and generally accessible, year-round.

Directions

This campground is located 15 miles from the nearest paved road. County roads in the San Rafael Swell are generally well-maintained but may be impassible for two-wheel drive vehicles in wet or icy conditions. Please travel safely and responsibly. Contact the BLM for route conditions. From Huntingdon: Take Center Street east out of Huntingdon. Turn left onto Emery County Rd. 332 after approximately three miles, following signs for San Rafael Swell access. Continue straight on this road for 12 miles as it turns into gravel, traveling east and then south until it intersects with the Green River Cutoff Road (Emery Co. Rd 401) at the Buckhorn Information Center, which has multiple kiosks, vault toilets, and a large staging area. Turn left and continue straight for another 2.4 miles, and then turn right at the sign for Buckhorn Draw. The north information station at Campsite 1 is in approximately 1 mile. From Castledale: Go north out of Castle Dale on Highway 10 and turn right on the Green River Cutoff Road, about 1 mile out and signed for San Rafael Swell access. Continue straight for 13 miles to the Buckhorn Information Center and then 2.4 more miles to the signed intersection with Buckhorn Draw. From Highway 191: Turn west onto the Green River Cutoff Road midway between mile markers 283 and 284. Stay straight for 28 miles until the signed intersection with Buckhorn Draw is reached. From I-70: From Exit 131 (signed for Temple Mountain Rd. and Sinbad Rd.), go north and follow Buckhorn Draw Road (Emery Co. Rd. 332) as it turns east and then north. You will reach the San Rafael River (Swinging Bridge Campground) in 20 miles. The south information station at Campsite 30 is reached in 1.5 miles.

Reviews

9 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

Jessica S

Loop:Buckhorn Draw

Site:

Reviewed 18 days ago

The location was beautiful, and the campsite was very clean! Very private not within sight of other campsites, although there is a climbing area across the street that some locals stopped at for a little bit, but happy to see the canyon being used recreationally and responsibly. The only downside was that there was nowhere to dispose of our trash on the way out and we had to haul it at least 80 miles to the next gas station. I thought paying $50 for a group site would at least give us an opportunity to dispose of trash in a dumpster at the main campsite. I understand it’s “pack out”, and we did, but this may discourage a lot of other (less earth conscious people) from cleaning up after themselves in the future.

Janet T

Loop:Buckhorn Draw

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

I had a wonderful time at this campground. Clean, picnic table, somewhat level (for camper). My only wish was for shade trees, but it is the desert. Waking up to such beauty repairs the soul. $15 is an incredible bargain. Will stay again.

Samantha B

Loop:Buckhorn Draw

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

Bring a shade tarp. The hike at the end of the canyon road is great and should started early.

Martha K

Loop:Buckhorn Draw

Site:

Reviewed 7 months ago

Buckhorn Draw is a fabulous place to explore and camp. We hiked up to an arch, saw a herd of bighorn sheep and camped below the beautiful Navajo Sandstone. A favorite place.

Nathan N

Loop:Buckhorn Draw

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

I never won the lottery, but the process is easy and convenient. Hopefully next year I'll get luckier.

Roberta C

Loop:Buckhorn Draw

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

A beautiful canyon of towering sandstone, trees in their autumn glory, pictographs and other indications of the ancient ones. We shared a lovely campsite with friends. Enjoyed the daytime scenery and the nighttime stars. Campsites are not full facilities but we are self-contained. The area could use a couple more vault toilets along the route. Buckhorn Draw is the northern part of the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area which offers many beautiful canyons and tranquility.

Availability

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

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