Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area (P)

Show on map (435) 688-3200 blm_az_asdoweb@blm.gov

We are open! And we have 25 sites available for reservations through recreation.gov.

Site Renovations
The recreation area has received many improvements including upgrades to electrical and water systems, repaving roads and parking areas, renovation of restroom facilities, demolishing condemned administrative use site, an updated water delivery system, sanded and stained picnic tables, new informational and fee kiosks, and accessibility improvements.

Fourteen-day stay limit
To increase recreation opportunities at the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area, the BLM's Arizona Strip Field Office issued a news release January 6, 2022, announcing the finalization of a supplementary rule that reinstates a stay limit of 14 consecutive days at the site. The change, which went into effect February 5, 2022, is consistent with camping limits for other BLM public lands, will allow more members of the public to enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, scenic viewing and boating from the popular site.

Volunteers needed
The BLM is looking for volunteers with excellent public lands stewardship ethics to work as campground hosts If interested, please visit Volunteer.gov.

Directions

The Recreation Area is located off of Interstate 15 about 20 miles southwest of St. George Utah and about 20 miles northeast of Mesquite, Nevada. Take the Cedar Pocket exit, located halfway through the Virgin River Gorge.

Fees

$8 per night fee ; $2 day use fee

Stay Limit

14-day stay limit

Reviews

Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is an affordable and well-maintained campground known for its beautiful river views, easy access to hiking trails, and paved, level sites suitable for RVs. Visitors appreciate the peaceful and quiet atmosphere, especially in the upper loop, and clean restrooms are generally noted despite some inconsistencies. The location's proximity to I-15 provides convenience but also brings highway noise to certain areas. The campground has limited shade, cell service, and water facilities, and payment via app can be challenging due to poor connectivity. Some issues exist with the reservation system, signage, and occasional restroom cleanliness problems.

Beautiful views and river access

Clean and well-maintained restrooms

Affordable pricing

Quiet and peaceful atmosphere

Paved, level sites suitable for RVs and trailers

Highway noise near some sites

Limited or no cell service impacting app payments

Reservation system problems and confusing signage

Limited shade at campsites

Inconsistent restroom cleanliness and supplies

327 reviews

5 stars

174

4 stars

100

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Stu H

Campground:Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

Loop:Upper Loop

Site:

Reviewed 11 days ago

Excellent spot. Pave and level. Easy access. A dumpster! And very very inexpensive. Would absolutely stay here again

Kristin R

Campground:Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

Loop:Upper Loop

Site:

Reviewed 12 days ago

The urinals were all backed up. It was really gross. And there were black widows all over in the bathrooms. My kids went and dug holes down the hill to do their business in because they were too scared to use the bathrooms most the time.

Christopher G

Campground:Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

Loop:Upper Loop

Site:

Reviewed 16 days ago

Really nice campground, convenient, clean, with great views. And the price is great too!

ERIC M

Campground:Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

Loop:Lower Loop

Site:

Reviewed 18 days ago

This campground is underrated. It’s off the side of the highway in the desert and most people just drive by. I definitely wouldn’t camp during the summer unless you have AC, but Oct-April it’s a pleasant place to camp. Bathrooms are clean, campground has a nice size cement pad with awesome gazebos and picnic table (our bench was broken but I taped it up…fyi#89 that wasn’t our fault). Road noise was a little much for me at night, but with some earplugs I slept better than I do at home. Will definitely be back again.

Tim P

Campground:Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

Loop:Lower Loop

Site:

Reviewed 19 days ago

Good overlook of river from campsite. Trail into wilderness requires thigh deep water crossing in first half mile.

Ric G

Campground:Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

Loop:Lower Loop

Site:

Reviewed 21 days ago

Campground very clean and easy to get to