State Parks near Cedar City, UT

Sick of all the hustle and bustle of the big cities? Want to hide away for a few days? Beaver Dam State Park is in the middle of nowhere. Just over an hour from Caliente, three and a half hours from Vegas, and two hours from St. George, you’ll be hard-pressed to find more seclusion than this, but the beauty of the park and nature viewing is worth the trip.Beaver Dam State Park has a history of disaster. In the early to mid-1930s, the CCC dammed up the area and started construction on the land building amenities and trails for visitors. Storms and faulty manufacturing caused the dam to burst and flood out the park two …

With awe-inspiring geological wonders spread across a colorful, surreal landscape, Bryce Canyon National Park should be on every RV traveler’s must-visit list.Situated around two and a half hours northeast of St. George in the southwestern corner of Utah, this 35,000-acre park features towering sandstone cliffs, immense pillars of rock, and vibrant colors that look like something from another planet.Bryce Canyon National Park’s remote location means it doesn’t receive anywhere near the same number of visitors as nearby Zion National Park and Grand Canyon National Park, but the scenery it offers is every bit as spectacular – and you can enjoy it all without having to battle the crowds.If you want to camp in Bryce Canyon National Park, …

In south-central Utah lies a rocky empire of cliffs and canyons called Capitol Reef National Park. This vast, 241,904-acre park is 13 miles away from Bicknell, and around 67 miles away from both Escalante and Emery. Back in the 1920s, the area was called Wayne Wonderland, a name befitting one of the largest exposed monocline areas in the U.S.The park was established to preserve the Waterpocket Fold, which is just one of the geological features that make this place unique and significant. The landmass is most likely a product of the same continental plate collision that also created the Rocky Mountains. The sandstone cliffs and gleaming white domes are simply a byproduct of erosion that spanned millions …

Set in a narrow valley, Cathedral Gorge State Park is a wonderland of jagged clay spires and rugged slot canyons. The ethereal landscape is tens of millions of years in the making and was formed when volcanic explosions from the Caliente Caldera Complex fractured the bedrock and deposited thick layers of ash in the newly formed valley. Over time, forces of wind and water eroded the ash deposits and shaped the cathedral-like spires and winding caves you see today.After being awarded state park status in 1935, Cathedral Gorge quickly emerged as one of the top outdoor recreation areas in Nevada. Today, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the park, whether you're exploring hiking trails, picnicking at historic Civilian …

A unique Utah geological wonder, Cedar Breaks National Monument is shaped roughly like an amphitheater with a natural curve in the cliff walls. The rim of the cliff wall is 10,000 feet above sea level, making it the highest monument park in the United States. President Roosevelt signed into law, officially establishing Cedar Breaks National Monument as a national monument in 1933, partly to protect the natural beauty of the landscape, partly to preserve bristlecone pine trees. The bristlecone pine trees, which are rare, are one of the oldest trees in the country; some are believed to be at least 1,600 years old.The closest town is Brian Head, UT, which boasts a handful of restaurants and a gas station. …

Imagine hiking over mountains of sand or taking your off-highway vehicle over hill after hill of shifting sand. Visitors flock to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park to discover the amazing salmon-colored sand dunes that offer endless exhilarating adventures. Book an RV in Kane County, Utah and head over to Kanab for a weekend getaway or week-long adventure camping with an RV.The bustling town of St. George is just under an hour and a half to the west of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and offers great places to stock up on camping supplies or grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant. Arizona’s state line is only a few minutes to the south, and Nevada’s border …

Nevada’s Great Basin has a fascinating history that had a violent volcanic start hundreds of millions of years ago. The region eventually calmed down and became filled with water, some areas containing a brilliant pink sediment at the bottom of the lake. When this massive lake dried, that pink clay dried out and was shaped by the elements over the next few millennia, creating what is now Echo Canyon. This canyon was dammed in 1970, creating Echo Canyon Reservoir and Echo Canyon State Park.The reservoir is a modest 65 acres contained within the 1,800-acre state park. This region was initially inhabited by the Fremont native tribes 1,000 years ago, who left evidence of their seasonal hunts here with pictographs …

Drive about five hours south of Salt Lake City and you'll eventually come across the humble town of Escalante. This small town might not seem like it has much to offer. However, this quaint locale is home to a special destination for outdoor enthusiasts: Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. The park, located next door to the Wide Hollow Reservoir, is a great place to spend a few nights. In the flat, rocky, and forested land that surrounds the area, you'll be able to relax far away from the noise of the city.From the petrified trees for which the park is named to fossils formed hundreds of millions of years ago, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park has something to offer …

Although Glen Canyon in Arizona was a popular recreational spot for decades prior, it wasn’t officially established as Glen Canyon National Recreation Area until 1972. The designation protects the history, scientific value, and scenery for generations to come. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is overshadowed by Lake Powell, a scenic reservoir upon which many people enjoy boating and swimming. It nestles in between high orange-red canyon walls, which contrasts brilliantly with the turquoise water of the manmade lake.The closest town to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is Page, which sits just southeast of the Lake Powell Dam. Most businesses in the town are centered on the recreational industry and there are several outdoor-related rental companies, guiding groups, and …

The Grand Canyon is likely included on just about every American’s bucket list. This iconic national landmark is recognized all around the world, and Grand Canyon National Park attracts millions of visitors each year.Found in northwestern Arizona, approximately an hour and a half north of Flagstaff, the park’s number-one attraction will have you spellbound with its sheer size and magnificence. But there’s a whole lot more to this national park than just the views of the canyon itself, so it’s well worth your while to rent a camper near Grand Canyon National Park and spend a few days exploring.If you want to visit this beautiful park in a rental RV, book an RV in Coconino County or …

Located on the western side of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument is one of the more recently established national monuments. It was officially created in 2000 by President Clinton to grant the rugged region some protection from commercial mining operations. Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument is managed by both the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Services (NPS).Parashant is an Anglicization of a Paiute Native American word that roughly translates to “tanned elk hide.’ The Paiute is one of a dozen Native American tribes that lived and hunted in the region for centuries. There is evidence of settlements that are a few thousand years old.The closest town is St. George, UT …

Near the Utah border, roughly 300 miles north of Las Vegas is Great Basin National Park. This biodiverse ecosystem covers over 77,000 acres of foothills, sagebrush, and bristlecone pines and has something to offer every outdoor adventurer.There are plenty of opportunities to camp at Great Basin, allowing visitors to fully experience the park’s unique natural wonders. Search for RV rentals in White Pine County and plan to explore Lehman Caves and Prometheus, one of the park’s oldest bristlecone pine trees. The park, home to the highest mountain peak in Nevada, attracts hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders from Baker to Caliente.

In the late 1960s, the state of Utah realized a need to create irrigation and flood control for the towns downriver - St. George, in particular - and set about to create a reservoir. Upon completion of the dam, the state officially established Gunlock State Park, which borders the reservoir, to foster recreational fun in the area. Gunlock State Park and the nearby town, Gunlock, take their name from the first settler in the area, William “Gunlock Will” Hamblin, who arrived in 1857. In addition to being skilled at repairing gunlocks (muzzleloaders’ firing mechanism), Gunlock Will was a renowned sharpshooter.Also of minor interest is the main access road to Gunlock State Park, which was originally used by raiders who …

The United States of America is home to hundreds of state parks but most, if not all, pale in comparison to the Kodachrome Basin State Park. Surrounded by some of Utah’s most popular state parks including Bryce Canyon National Park in Tropic, and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Kanab, Kodachrome Basin State Park is a sight to behold. Judging from its name, it is no doubt a picture-perfect area. The park actually owes its name to the National Geographic who named the area Kodachrome Flat after a new Kodak film back in 1948. To really appreciate the beauty of this park, locate a Cannonville camper rental and enjoy some RV camping at Kodachrome Basin State Park.Sitting about …

Otter Creek State Park lies in southern Utah, not far from the towns and cities of Junction, Monroe, and Panguitch. Found in somewhat isolation in south Utah, Otter Creek State Park is none the less worth the visit as this only adds to the beauty of the place. Sitting on the southwestern shores of Otter Creek Reservoir, the park is ideally placed for all sorts of outdoor recreation. From the great fishing to be had on the lake to the fantastic boating, right down to the exceptional hiking and nature watching, Otter Creek State Park has it all.Surrounding by picturesque rolling hills and the expanse of crystal clear water, Otter Creek State Park is a perfect …