Located on the picturesque Colorado River and featuring plenty of recreational activities within a short distance, Hittle Bottom Recreation Site is a perfect choice for RV travelers in eastern Utah. Originally founded by the Hittle family in the early 1990s, the Hittle Bottom Recreation Site has developed from a homestead to a recreation area operated by the BLM that is frequented by many throughout the year. Although this is a BLM recreation site, there is still a small fee to stay overnight, so you won't be able to do any free dry-camping during your stay.
One of the highlights of Hittle Bottom Recreation Site is its location directly on the banks of the Colorado River. Many water enthusiasts travel here during the warmer months to make use of the boat ramp and mild current to go for a relaxing paddle down the river. Along with a boat ramp and picnic area, you will also be close to the suburb Arches National Park if you want to do even more exploring. This area of Utah really feels like you could see a dinosaur at any moment, and for good reason. The Dinosaur National Monument is also located close by where you can see dinosaur tracks that are over 200 million years old.
The campground at Hittle Bottom Recreation Site is small with only 15 sites available, but it is all you need to enjoy your stay. There are vault toilets, paved sites, picnic tables, and fire rings, but you will have to bring your own water as there are no collection points available. The sites can accommodate large RVs, but if in need of a larger site you can also head to the Lower Onion Creek Campground just a few miles down the road. Hittle Bottom Recreation Site is open all year round with peak season running from April until October.
Driving to and from Hittle Bottom Recreation Site is very straightforward thanks to its location right off UT-128 Highway. Since the recreation area is located alongside the river there is only one entry point that can be accessed directly off UT-128. The short entrance road and park road are kept in great condition and since they are paved you should have no issues with damaging your RV when entering and exiting the park.
If you need to pick up any supplies before your trip you will have to plan in advance since Hittle Bottom Recreation Site is located in a remote area. The closest town with grocery stores is Moab (around 25.5 miles away) so if you are traveling along the US-191 it would be a great idea to stop in there. Amenities can also be found at Green River (around 65 miles away), and Grand Junction (around 77 miles away).
During the wintertime, there can be large snowfalls at Hittle Bottom Recreation Site and the surrounding area. If you are considering visiting during this time, it's wise to call ahead to the BLM office to check up on the road conditions in the area. Since the area is quite remote it is worth double-checking before leaving for a journey that might not happen.
Visiting for the day? There are plenty of parking spots on the sealed road within the Hittle Bottom Recreation Site.
If you are traveling along the Colorado River with a large group you should consider staying at the group camping area within the Hittle Bottom Recreation Area. There is one group campsite available for use that is suitable for small families or group gatherings.
The amenities in the group area are very similar to the main campground and there are no hookups available. There is a shade shelter, multiple picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets in the group camp area. Remember to bring your own water if you plan on staying the night since there are no water collection points available.
The Hittle Bottom Group Campground can be reserved online up to six months in advance of your arrival, and if possible you should do so to guarantee that your group will have a place to stay.
The next closest BLM-operated campground to the Hittle Bottom Recreation Area is the Lower Onion Creek Campground. Located around three miles south, the campground is also on the banks of the Colorado River and is larger than the campground at Hittle Bottom.
There are a total of 21 RV-friendly sites, none of which have any hookups. The sites are known to be relatively flat and thanks to the campground being around a mile and a half away from the highway, it should be a fairly quiet stay. Each site also features a picnic table and fire ring and there are vault toilets near the boat ramp that can be used by all campers.
All of the RV sites at Lower Onion Creek Campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis only and they can be used all year round. If your rig can't fit into the Hittle Bottom Campground you may have some more luck here since the sites are bigger.
Hittle Bottom Recreation Site is only a few miles away from the incredible Fisher Towers. The towers are incredible rock formations that formed thousands of years ago and are a must-see during your visit to the area.
There are so many interesting rock formations perfect for photographing at Fisher Towers and you can also go exploring thanks to the Fisher Towers Trailhead. The hike is around a four and a half-mile roundtrip and is suitable for hikers of any skill levels. Please note that there are no shady areas on the hike, so we recommend hiking in the offseason or early morning to avoid the sun.
To the west of the Hittle Bottom Recreation Site is Arches National Park. Featuring more than 2,000 rock formations, the park is a must-see place to visit. There are plenty of hiking, horseback riding, biking, and wildflower viewing opportunities for you to enjoy no matter what time you visit the park. Thanks to the friendly park rangers there also many interpretive programs throughout the year that you can attend to learn more about the history of the park and the surrounding area.
There is no better place to stay in the area than at the Hittle Bottom Campground within the Hittle Bottom Recreation Area. While the campground is on the smaller side it is perfect for travelers who don't mind paying a few bucks to stay the night.
There are 15 campsites to choose from, all of which are primitive with no electrical, water, or sewer hookups available. In fact, there are no water collection points in the campground or recreation area, so be prepared to haul in your own. There is no RV size limit, but any rigs over 50 feet in length will struggle to fit into the sites. The campground does have some useful amenities, such as picnic tables and fire grates at each site, along with shared vault toilets.
A huge benefit to Hittle Bottom Campground is that there are shady sites available to help you escape the scorching summer heat. Pets are allowed, but since you are very close to the highway make sure they are being watched and leashed at all times. Phone reception is possible out here but don't expect a perfect connection. All sites at the Hittle Bottom Campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis and the campground can be used all year round.
One of the most gorgeous views in Grand County is the Bull Canyon Overlook. Located around 24 miles from Hittle Bottom in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Bull Canyon contains an incredible view to the valley below where dinosaurs used to roam.
Along with having great views, Bull Canyon also features dinosaur tracks from therapods that are around 200 million years old. The short trail to the dinosaur tracks is well worth your time and will be a lasting memory of your trip to the area.
One of the most popular activities for visitors to Hittle Bottom Recreation Site is to jump in a watercraft and paddle down the Colorado River. The park is located right on the banks of the river so you won't have to travel far at all to launch your canoe or kayak.
This area of the Colorado River is known for the "Moab Daily", which is a popular part of the river that is perfect for a relaxing float. If you don't have your own watercraft you will have to look for a private rental company outside the recreation site since there are none provided at Hittle Bottom.
Another reason why visitors flock to the area in and around the Hittle Bottom Recreation Site is to check out some of the awesome four-wheel-drive trails. This area of Utah is known for having hundreds of different four-wheel-drive trails, including the La Sal Mountain Loop Road. The loop is not off-road, but RVs won't be able to attempt it due to the tight turns.
The road will take you through La Sal Mountains (which is the second-highest mountain range in Utah) and will take around three hours to complete. For more auto touring information in the area, the friendly staff at the BLM office will be able to help you out.
Your trip to the Hittle Bottom Recreation area wouldn't be complete without visiting the remains of the original Hittle Bottom Homestead. Frank and Carrie Hittle built the cabin in the early 1900s when the couple and their children were the first people to move to the area and try to live off the barren land. The cabin is long gone, but the old cellar is still there and is located near the camping area. This historic site is free to visit and will give you some context to the history of the recreation area.
